Called a new name yesterday

[ngateguy]

My brother and I did a ride from my house in Everett out to Sultan and back yesterday. We were riding on Ben Howard road when a driver yelled at me "Get off the road you gasoline hippie".

Never heard that one before I was laughing about it all the way to Sultan.

[keithm0]

I've not actually cycled on Ben Howard Road yet, but it looks like a great way to get from Highway 203 to Sultan while avoiding Highway 2. My wife and I live near Woodinville-Duvall road -- one of the things on our "to do" list is to bike from the house to Sultan via Ben Howard and then have breakfast/lunch at the bakery there. Mmm...

I'll keep an eye out for other "gasoline hippies" ;)

[ngateguy]

I've not actually cycled on Ben Howard Road yet, but it looks like a great way to get from Highway 203 to Sultan while avoiding Highway 2. My wife and I live near Woodinville-Duvall road -- one of the things on our "to do" list is to bike from the house to Sultan via Ben Howard and then have breakfast/lunch at the bakery there. Mmm...

I'll keep an eye out for other "gasoline hippies" ;)

It is a great way to get to Sultan but I have to warn you. About a mile off of 203 is a brutal hill. after that it is pretty smooth sailing.

[Jasper Storm]

I've ridden Ben Howard Road a couple of times, with no problems. There is a stretch between Cedar Ponds and the Thunderbird RV park with blind corner S curves and no shoulders, where you'll want to ride the fogline for a bit, unless you want to start another BF "redneck pickup truck" thread.

The hill that was mentioned is a nice little climb but the descents are unfortunately tempered by 1) a 90 degree corner after the base of the east side (where drunk drivers seem to end up in the ditch once a weekend) and 2) an access driveway to the WDFW boat launch at the base of the west side ( need to watch for fishermen's trucks/trailers pulling out.)

I think the early morning would be a nice time to head to Sultan, while it is still somewhat peaceful. Ben Howard seems to be well-known to the sport bike community and the 12,000 rpm rice rockets rapping out can detract from the experience (although I occasionally get waves from these "fellow" two-wheelers.)

[Daveyboy]

+1 on Ben Howard Road (and the crotch rockets).:thumb: I like to ride to the very end where I can see the mountains up close. There's a ridge just south of the road that was pretty impressive looking when still covered in snow this spring. One of these days I'd like to take my cross bike and continue on the dirt trail at the end of the road.

Usually I ride it out and back (from Mukilteo) but the last time I looped over to Sultan and took Old Owen road back to Monroe. You have to ride a short stretch on Hiway 2 (if I recall correctly there's either a sidewalk or a path, after the bridge). And then once on Old Owen road, there's a nice little hill to get to the top of the ridge. But once up there, it's pretty flat to downhill all the way to Monroe.

[ngateguy]

+1 on Ben Howard Road (and the crotch rockets).:thumb: I like to ride to the very end where I can see the mountains up close. There's a ridge just south of the road that was pretty impressive looking when still covered in snow this spring. One of these days I'd like to take my cross bike and continue on the dirt trail at the end of the road.

Usually I ride it out and back (from Mukilteo) but the last time I looped over to Sultan and took Old Owen road back to Monroe. You have to ride a short stretch on Hiway 2 (if I recall correctly there's either a sidewalk or a path, after the bridge). And then once on Old Owen road, there's a nice little hill to get to the top of the ridge. But once up there, it's pretty flat to downhill all the way to Monroe.

Thats how we did it Old Owens is a great ride too. This was one of those rides I have had in mind for a couple of years. Finally got to do it Sunday, its going to be a regular one from now on.

I will have to try the ride to the end and check it out, thanks.

[reidconti]

It's funny how I never have problems with the motorcyclists (as much as I hate the pricks with straight pipes on their midlife crisis cruisers) or sports car guys yelling at me. It's always trucks and SUVs, the more lifted and beat up the better.. same goes for other beat up cars, but to a much lesser extent.

I know the motorcyclists would prefer we not be in their way, but at least we're easier to pass than a car, and I get my share of nods and waves from them, probably because they would not want to be going up the hills I'm going up without a motor.

My theory is it's only the people having a miserably un-fun time driving their crappy vehicle that get impatient and annoyed :)