Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.ngateguy
01-12-04, 07:03 AM
So we had another unofficial forum ride here in the great PNW yesterday. Khuon and I are doing the STP (and maybe the RSVP) again this year so it is time to start getting in shape to ride it. Sunday was the first ride we have done together since our Kitsap ride last September. To round out the day I invited Xythen to join us since she is thinking of doing the STP as well.
We decided that a quick (and flat) 20 mile ride on the Sammamish Slough Trail was the way to go. Since my car is still crippled I asked that we set a late morning start and we all agreed on 11:00. My adventure was getting the bike and me to Redmond by mass transit on a Sunday. Which turned out to be a lot easier and quicker than anticipated. I arrived at Marymoor Park in Redmond just before 11, Xythen pulled in a couple of minutes later. And yes guys she is even better looking than her picture ;) and just as nice.
She had a flat taking her bike of the trainer at home, so I finally got a chance to try out the speed tire lever I got for Xmas. So we started to change the tire when Khuon pulled up. The tire change turned into a 3 person job and ngateguy managed to pinch the first tube so he gave up his tube and after much struggling we finally go the tire on :D
The rest of the trip was great we took the trail north out of Marymoor following the slough. About three miles into the trip the trail was closed for construction so after looking at our options we decided to head over to hwy 202 and take that north for a bit then cut back over to the trail. We had to walk through a couple of blocks of mud so I had to clean my cleats before I could clip in. Even then I couldn’t get a good bite with my right foot, but it was doable so Xythen and I went to catch up with khuon who was waiting at the hwy.
After a mile or so we cut back over to the trail and continued on to Woodinville where we stopped to do more pedal and cleat maintenance. I finally got the right pedal to work properly and we continued on to Bothell landing were we took a quick break then headed back.
This was the first time in a while I had the Softride out for a few weeks so about a mile before we got to the detour I sped a head to give the girl a work out. I took off ahead of the pack for a quick speed fix. While waiting for Xythen and Jake I noticed a couple of bikes coming up the trail from the construction area. So after a quick discussion we decide to chance it and continued up the trail. The only barrier that was on the trail was the one we came upon earlier so we walked around it and continued our ride.
Once back in Redmond Khuon suggested lunch and knew of a Cajun/Irish brewpub (interesting combo great hush puppies) we had a good lunch and chatted about biking and stuff for a while then split up Xythen and Jake went back to their cars I went off to look for a bus. I had not taken the bus all the way there when I arrived in Bellevue in the morning there was a ½ hour wait for the bus to Redmond so I opted to ride. I did not have a schedule nor did I know where to catch it in Redmond Khuon pointed me in the direction of Downtown Redmond.
After searching for awhile I ended up by the trail again and I knew if I went back north to Bothell I could catch my bus there so I jumped back on the trail for another 9 miles and after a quick stop in Woodinville to get change for the bus (and a momentary panic thinking I had lost my wallet but I had pocketed in my coat instead of putting it back in my bag whew!) I pulled into the bus stop with 10 minutes to spare. I actually caught an earlier bus than I would of if I had taken the bus the whole way. It also turned out the driver was one that used to work the route I take to work and a cyclist as well. So we caught up on old times. There was this guy Jim on the bus a 78 year old retired Boeing Engineer who used to race after the war (WWII) talked up a storm about old bikes and snobby French and Italian racers.
A little OT but living without the car has been much easier than anticipated and since the break down last fall I have only had to rent one for Christmas so I could cover all my family and friend obligations. However I still haven’t figured out how to get the bikes over to Eastern Washington for riding so know that the holidays are over I need to put some serious time and money to get it up and running again.
Anyway you couldn’t of asked for better weather not really to cold and after a foggy start the sun came out. Another fine Sunday with good people and a good time. I hope to continue to meet for forum people as time goes on I have had such good luck with the two I have met so far. Any of you PNW riders that would like to join us for a ride PM me and we will hook up.
You all have a good week and keep the rubber side down :D
Oh yeah Khuon snapped some shots so I am sure he will be posting a link soon.
David
We decided that a quick (and flat) 20 mile ride on the Sammamish Slough Trail was the way to go. Since my car is still crippled I asked that we set a late morning start and we all agreed on 11:00. My adventure was getting the bike and me to Redmond by mass transit on a Sunday. Which turned out to be a lot easier and quicker than anticipated. I arrived at Marymoor Park in Redmond just before 11, Xythen pulled in a couple of minutes later. And yes guys she is even better looking than her picture ;) and just as nice.
She had a flat taking her bike of the trainer at home, so I finally got a chance to try out the speed tire lever I got for Xmas. So we started to change the tire when Khuon pulled up. The tire change turned into a 3 person job and ngateguy managed to pinch the first tube so he gave up his tube and after much struggling we finally go the tire on :D
The rest of the trip was great we took the trail north out of Marymoor following the slough. About three miles into the trip the trail was closed for construction so after looking at our options we decided to head over to hwy 202 and take that north for a bit then cut back over to the trail. We had to walk through a couple of blocks of mud so I had to clean my cleats before I could clip in. Even then I couldn’t get a good bite with my right foot, but it was doable so Xythen and I went to catch up with khuon who was waiting at the hwy.
After a mile or so we cut back over to the trail and continued on to Woodinville where we stopped to do more pedal and cleat maintenance. I finally got the right pedal to work properly and we continued on to Bothell landing were we took a quick break then headed back.
This was the first time in a while I had the Softride out for a few weeks so about a mile before we got to the detour I sped a head to give the girl a work out. I took off ahead of the pack for a quick speed fix. While waiting for Xythen and Jake I noticed a couple of bikes coming up the trail from the construction area. So after a quick discussion we decide to chance it and continued up the trail. The only barrier that was on the trail was the one we came upon earlier so we walked around it and continued our ride.
Once back in Redmond Khuon suggested lunch and knew of a Cajun/Irish brewpub (interesting combo great hush puppies) we had a good lunch and chatted about biking and stuff for a while then split up Xythen and Jake went back to their cars I went off to look for a bus. I had not taken the bus all the way there when I arrived in Bellevue in the morning there was a ½ hour wait for the bus to Redmond so I opted to ride. I did not have a schedule nor did I know where to catch it in Redmond Khuon pointed me in the direction of Downtown Redmond.
After searching for awhile I ended up by the trail again and I knew if I went back north to Bothell I could catch my bus there so I jumped back on the trail for another 9 miles and after a quick stop in Woodinville to get change for the bus (and a momentary panic thinking I had lost my wallet but I had pocketed in my coat instead of putting it back in my bag whew!) I pulled into the bus stop with 10 minutes to spare. I actually caught an earlier bus than I would of if I had taken the bus the whole way. It also turned out the driver was one that used to work the route I take to work and a cyclist as well. So we caught up on old times. There was this guy Jim on the bus a 78 year old retired Boeing Engineer who used to race after the war (WWII) talked up a storm about old bikes and snobby French and Italian racers.
A little OT but living without the car has been much easier than anticipated and since the break down last fall I have only had to rent one for Christmas so I could cover all my family and friend obligations. However I still haven’t figured out how to get the bikes over to Eastern Washington for riding so know that the holidays are over I need to put some serious time and money to get it up and running again.
Anyway you couldn’t of asked for better weather not really to cold and after a foggy start the sun came out. Another fine Sunday with good people and a good time. I hope to continue to meet for forum people as time goes on I have had such good luck with the two I have met so far. Any of you PNW riders that would like to join us for a ride PM me and we will hook up.
You all have a good week and keep the rubber side down :D
Oh yeah Khuon snapped some shots so I am sure he will be posting a link soon.
David