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
03-14-04, 07:50 PM
Or ngateguy shows MtnMike around North King County.
Well fellow forum member MtnMike was in Seattle for business this weekend and was looking for rides in the area. I offered to be his tour guide and arranged to meet him in Downtown Seattle Saturday morning. I invited khuon, but he ended up missing his flight home and was going to arrive to late to join us.
I had problems with my Softride's rear dérailleur and the only bike in riding condition (commuter is in the shop and the San Remo has a broken axle) I grabbed my MTB and set off to meet him.
After a little introductory chit chat we headed north from downtown to hook up with the Burke Gilliam trail that would take us along the Northwest side of Lake Washington. It was an easy ride for all and I pointed out the landmarks along the way in Kenmore we stopped where the B/G hooks up with the Sammamish Slough trail for a photo op. Then worked our way around the northend of the lake and headed south to Marymor park in Redmond.
That ride was a bit tougher due to the head wind and I was beginning to feel the extra work out from being on the MTB (need slicks for occasions just like this). You couldn't ask for a better day out it was about 50 and sunny good day to show off the region to an out of towner. We stopped at Marymor park for a bit of nourishment and rest.
We headed south again to I-90 making a wrong turn for a couple of blocks before turning back and heading south along Lake Sammamish. I was little rusty on this part of the ride, only having done it once and that was two years ago. I ended up following some riders who I thought were heading for the trail that follows I-90 from Sammamish to Eastgate in Bellevue and we ended up climbing on heck of a hill (well Mike climbed it my tired legs made it about half way up when they reminded me I still had a couple of hills to go.)
When we got to the top the cyclists we followed said they would show us how to get on the trail that would take us to the floating bridge (I-90 crosses Lake Washington on a pontoon bridge they were nice enough to include a bike/pedestrian trail on one side of it) I misunderstood the directions ended up on the wrong side of the freeway but, fortunately it really didn't take us out of our way.
After we got situated on the trail it was smooth sailing to Mercer Island where we stopped at a park the built over the freeway that had an awesome view of Lake Washington and Seattle. After a moment to take it all in we headed down and across the bridge. Mike beating me and stopping on the West side to take some photos (and wait for me to catch up).
It was then decide that we should head back toward Mike's Hotel and find a place for a couple of cold beers and something to eat. When we got off the trail and were getting ready to ride through downtown Seattle I heard a loud crack and all of the sudden I had no seat under me. The darn bolt that holds the seat clamp together had sheared off (early this week the dang seat post bolt did the same thing but at least I could low ride it the rest of the way to work). Not being near any bike shops it was decided I should ride without a seat.
Because of this I suggested to Mike that we stop in Pioneer Square at the south end of the city instead. So I took him to the Central Tavern, the oldest establishment in Seattle were we had a couple of cold ones (which I REALLY needed by this point) and some food.
Then it was off to the other end of downtown to Mikes hotel. We parted ways Mike inviting me over to Spokane to ride sometime (hopefully this summer).
As khuon can tell you with his many experiences riding with me that it is just not a ride with ngateguy without flat tires, mechanical break downs, and the occasional unplanned side trip :D
All in all that was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, thanks Mike!
Well fellow forum member MtnMike was in Seattle for business this weekend and was looking for rides in the area. I offered to be his tour guide and arranged to meet him in Downtown Seattle Saturday morning. I invited khuon, but he ended up missing his flight home and was going to arrive to late to join us.
I had problems with my Softride's rear dérailleur and the only bike in riding condition (commuter is in the shop and the San Remo has a broken axle) I grabbed my MTB and set off to meet him.
After a little introductory chit chat we headed north from downtown to hook up with the Burke Gilliam trail that would take us along the Northwest side of Lake Washington. It was an easy ride for all and I pointed out the landmarks along the way in Kenmore we stopped where the B/G hooks up with the Sammamish Slough trail for a photo op. Then worked our way around the northend of the lake and headed south to Marymor park in Redmond.
That ride was a bit tougher due to the head wind and I was beginning to feel the extra work out from being on the MTB (need slicks for occasions just like this). You couldn't ask for a better day out it was about 50 and sunny good day to show off the region to an out of towner. We stopped at Marymor park for a bit of nourishment and rest.
We headed south again to I-90 making a wrong turn for a couple of blocks before turning back and heading south along Lake Sammamish. I was little rusty on this part of the ride, only having done it once and that was two years ago. I ended up following some riders who I thought were heading for the trail that follows I-90 from Sammamish to Eastgate in Bellevue and we ended up climbing on heck of a hill (well Mike climbed it my tired legs made it about half way up when they reminded me I still had a couple of hills to go.)
When we got to the top the cyclists we followed said they would show us how to get on the trail that would take us to the floating bridge (I-90 crosses Lake Washington on a pontoon bridge they were nice enough to include a bike/pedestrian trail on one side of it) I misunderstood the directions ended up on the wrong side of the freeway but, fortunately it really didn't take us out of our way.
After we got situated on the trail it was smooth sailing to Mercer Island where we stopped at a park the built over the freeway that had an awesome view of Lake Washington and Seattle. After a moment to take it all in we headed down and across the bridge. Mike beating me and stopping on the West side to take some photos (and wait for me to catch up).
It was then decide that we should head back toward Mike's Hotel and find a place for a couple of cold beers and something to eat. When we got off the trail and were getting ready to ride through downtown Seattle I heard a loud crack and all of the sudden I had no seat under me. The darn bolt that holds the seat clamp together had sheared off (early this week the dang seat post bolt did the same thing but at least I could low ride it the rest of the way to work). Not being near any bike shops it was decided I should ride without a seat.
Because of this I suggested to Mike that we stop in Pioneer Square at the south end of the city instead. So I took him to the Central Tavern, the oldest establishment in Seattle were we had a couple of cold ones (which I REALLY needed by this point) and some food.
Then it was off to the other end of downtown to Mikes hotel. We parted ways Mike inviting me over to Spokane to ride sometime (hopefully this summer).
As khuon can tell you with his many experiences riding with me that it is just not a ride with ngateguy without flat tires, mechanical break downs, and the occasional unplanned side trip :D
All in all that was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, thanks Mike!