[squirl]

Just tried the green river trail today, didnt realize there was such a long streach of trail on the south end.
Perfect day for a nice 45 mile , no traffic juant. Who do I thank for that trail? It will double my commute to downtown from Normandy Park but well worth the hassle of traffic on occasion.

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[unixpro]

What route did you take? The Green River Trail, AFAIK, doesn't start until Southcenter. From there it goes south through Kent and Auburn. Going north, as in heading to downtown Seattle, from that point would require that you go up the Duamish trail for a while, then hit the surface streets. You'd join the surface streets at the south end of South Park.

Or is there some other route that I'm not familiar with? I commute daily from Burien to downtown by heading north on Des Moines Way, through South Park, then up E. Marginal, across Ellis to Airport, then up Airport through Georgetown and SODO to Royal Brougham, at which point I head over to Alaskan Way and go up the waterfront.

[smurf hunter]

I commute daily from Burien to downtown by heading north on Des Moines Way, through South Park, then up E. Marginal, across Ellis to Airport, then up Airport through Georgetown and SODO to Royal Brougham, at which point I head over to Alaskan Way and go up the waterfront.

During the summer months I'd ride the GR trail to the Duwamish trail and basically follow your route into downtown Seattle. I work just up from pier 66 on Elliott Ave.

That whole route is about 27 miles and takes me 90 minutes or so. E. Marginal is a little treacherous until you get used to it. I don't mind it with when on a road bike with light load in good conditions, as I can go 20-25mph for that stretch until I get into Georgetown.

There's no way I could pull that speed off in the winter months with a heavier rain bike and all the gear. :(

[unixpro]

Interesting. I work just north of you, just north of the Sculpture Park, and my ride directly down Des Moines way into Seattle is just under 14 miles each way. That extra bit from Auburn up is at least pretty flat and sans cars or peds most of the time.

My bike is a heavy comfort-hybrid (mountain style), so I don't usually get much over 14 or 15 on the flats. Going down the Des Moines his, though, I routinely hit 22-25. If I'm lucky I can hit the light at the bottom of the hill and my momentum will carry me into the overpass with some good speed.

Yeah, East Marginal takes some getting used to. So does going over the railroad bridge if you ride in the street, as I do. It can be invigorating to have an 18-wheeler overtake you as you're pumping it up over that thing.

I average about an hour and 15 on the way in and an hour and 25 on the way home. The difference is the 2.5 miles up the Des Moines hill. Going home I gear way down and spin up it, maintaining my cadence, but my speed is only 5-7 MPH. Of course, on nights like last night, when I was facing a headwind all the way from work, the hill was actually a relief since it at least blocked the wind.

[edvalds]

I don't know who you thank especially since the Green River trail has been in place since the 1970's

I used to ride there as a kid.

It does go down to about Pacific/ Sumner area and stops. Would like to see this continue, because if you go farther south and you can pick up a trail that goes into Orting and up along the Carbon River which leads to Spectacular views as you approach the base of Mt. Raineer

[East Hill]

It does go down to about Pacific/ Sumner area and stops. Would like to see this continue, because if you go farther south and you can pick up a trail that goes into Orting and up along the Carbon River which leads to Spectacular views as you approach the base of Mt. Raineer

Do you have a favoured way of making the connection between the two trails?

East Hill

[smurf hunter]

unixpro,

I just now read your name. Are you by chance a sys admin, or developer? I'm a software developer, and all our stuff is developed and run on Linux. I'll spare the other readers of this thread any geek humor :)

[squirl]

Unixpro, I have no idea where the GR trail starts and ends I just found a trail south of south center and jumped on it. The GR trail sign was the only sign I noticed on that route. I also commute down Des Moines Memorial and through south park then to albaro and airport and up to 3rd and stewart. Des moines memorial is by far the straightest shot to down town but on a dark and rainy night I would take the trail and a few extra miles to get out of traffic once and a while.

Edvalds, thanks I wondered where that one goes, Il map it out and go try that this next weekend.

[Jim Bushard]

Have a good light and watch out for the kamikaze rabbits.

[East Hill]

Have a good light and watch out for the kamikaze rabbits.

Not only are they kamikaze rabbits, but there are a gazillion too many.

Fortunately for the birdwatchers out there, this means plenty of food for the Great Horned, Barn, and Short-eared Owls which live along the GRT and the Interurban :D .

East Hill