Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Cedar and Green Rivers (2016-11-19)

Managed to barely avoid rain while trying to figure out what my right knee really wants.

Cover
Geotagged Album

Related albums:

Cedar River Trail (Album)

The weather's been pretty bad up here, so I was glad to finally get a chance at a proper ride, and a chance to narrow down what my legs want.

More after the break…

Part 1: To Landsburg

Part 3: Return Home

I started at about 05:00 and headed south through downtown. There wasn't much rain at that point, so I simply took the usual route.

I got onto the Green River Trail in Tukwila, then got off it at the train station, and went through downtown Renton to get to the Cedar River Trail. The route I chose took me along Houser Way, which is a weird mix of alternating one-way bits and a railroad line.

Renton: Houser Street Railroad: The Woodinville Subdivision used to run from Black River Junction to Snohomish, until the I-405 overpass was demolished and the section through Kirkland was pulled up.
Renton: Houser Street Railroad: The Woodinville Subdivision used to run from Black River Junction to Snohomish, until the I-405 overpass was demolished and the section through Kirkland was pulled up.
Renton: Houser Street Railroad: The Woodinville Subdivision used to run from Black River Junction to Snohomish, until the I-405 overpass was demolished and the section through Kirkland was pulled up.

Once on the trail, I proceeded along it all the way to the end of pavement, but stopped for a bit to get some coffee before continuing on the gravel.

Cedar River Trail Bridge
Cedar River
Stand of Trees: Every time I pass through here, it looks mysterious to me.

Even though I had narrower tires than my first time out here, I had an easier time because of the different geometry and loading.

Once I got to Landsburg, I meandered around a little before turning back.

Ivory Pass at Landsburg Park
Cedar River at Landsburg Park
Neil and Ivory Pass at Landsburg Park

Part 2: Landsburg to Kent

Part 2: Landsburg to Kent

The ride back was a bit easier because of the downhill grade, but I still was dealing with knee issues.

PB190041: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

When I got to Maplewood, I checked the weather and got some coffee. The weather suggested that I shouldn't spend too much more time out…

…But when I got to Tukwila, it was only partly cloudy in the Green River Valley, so I just went back to my route.

Kent's been working on putting another access point to the Interurban Trail in, which is nice for folks who work in the factories and warehouses in the area.

New Interurban Trail Access
New Interurban Trail Access

I stopped one last time for water when I got to Kent, adding some coffee onto the order as well.

Part 3: Return Home

Part 1: To Landsburg

To head home, I went south to the Green River Trail, went along it for a short while, then jumped over to Frager Road. When I reached the current end of it, however, I went past it.

Old Frager Road: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.
Old Frager Road: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.
Old Frager Road: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.

This eventually brought me to a gravel road that continued to the next bridge over the Green River.

Frager Road's Remnants: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.
Frager Road's Remnants: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.
Frager Road's Remnants: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.
Frager Road's Remnants: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.
Frager Road's Remnants: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.

I also saw bicycle access points from the bridge, which led me to this conclusion:

Old Frager Road Access: From what I can tell, Frager Road used to continue from S 212th Street all the way to Southcenter Parkway, but levee work and other construction caused it to be truncated at S 212th Street. The old ROW is now covered with gravel of varying quality, but is blocked off at all access points.

Comments on the Flickr photos seem to indicate that my conclusion was indeed correct. That definitely explains why some maps show the path continuing to Southcenter Way!

I then got back on the Green River Trail at the trailhead across the bridge, and continued north to Seattle.

When I rode through Pioneer Square, I saw a familiar face ride by.

However, I had a less-than-pleasant experience when climbing up a familiar hill whose bike lanes have been blocked by fences for months.

Some passing pedestrians managed to fix my mood, and I put it out of my mind for the rest of the ride.

I got home somewhat late for the distance, but that's pretty much guaranteed considering the fit issues I'd been fighting, and all the adjustments I'd been attempted.

In the end, I still didn't quite get it right. I went to one of the best bicycle fitters in the city, going in with the knowledge that my legs are asymmetrical, and he was able to get it a lot closer than I ever was. In short: my saddle was far too low.

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