So everyone wants to know, right?
 

About the finer details of all those thrilling rides I take out to the far reaches of Southern King County?

Well, I started a blog. Because I wanted to talk about my rides, and my family finds them intensely boring. Also, I need to write about things not involving ancient literature on occasion. So enjoy, if you please:

http://rideblog.wordpress.com/

Thanks, folks. Over and out.

As you can see, the trail was packed with attractive men looking to meet hot chicks cycling in high heels and cocktail dresses. So I threw on, in no particular order, a pair of knee-high wool socks, snow boots, nordic ski pants (why do I own these? I have never, nor have I ever intended to, cross country ski in any way), a fleece, my insulated jacket, a fleece hood, my Gore lobster bike gloves, and my helmet. Oh, the hotness! Stand back, crowds of slathering singles!

Excellent way to start things off... please write more.

A good read.

Plenty of pics.

Nice hawk by the way!

Snarky -
For a web log, I think you've achieved the proper balance between your narratives and your photos. Cleverly written too.

PS - What incredibly nice places to ride! I'm jealous.

Nice. Your writing is beautifully evocative. Makes me want to move to Seattle, just to ride alongside the swamp-colored water...

snarkypup, Interesting read, thanks for writing it. :) I took my old Raleigh out a few days ago and despite looking like a homeless person wearing every stitch of clothing I owned, picked up a chest cold!

Brad

Great stuff Snarkypup.

Well done! I love this picture and your "Snarky" comment.

http://rideblog.files.wordpress.com/...pg?w=640&h=865

I just dare you to make a little sign to hang below it which reads;

TRAIL MONITORED BY AERIAL PATROLS, RADAR, AND UNDERCOVER OFFICERS

Or some other Snarky comment!

Although, as you and others describe trail riding in an urban area, I guess I can understand why a trail would be posted.

Our local Rail Trail, which is packed fine gravel, now goes nearly 60 miles. My last ride on it I passed 1 rider, and two couples, in 25 miles.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...10Danbury2.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...1106101508.jpg

Thanks folks! Pastorbob, you get cute railway depots. We get nothin'. NOTHING!

I like the way you write. Very Funny.

Very well done. Great read!

Neal

Somehow I think it should be patrolled by an officer on one of those Trek Police bikes, all decked out complete with whine and bubbles machine.... Only thing is, put a cop who has spent the last 20 years in a cruiser on it, who has spent most of his time scarfing down doughnuts, and he might be the only one who can't go the speed limit..... :D

My memory must be tainted from living and riding there before Bill Gates became a billionaire and when Redmond used to be a nicer place to ride than Seattle, but I recall a fair collection of assorted railroad depots scattered about the countryside.

Off to read the web-toed blog now. From the reviews so far it sounds like it will be a good read.

Is the $101 fine supposed to get people to raise their eyebrows and notice?

Excellent blog. I like the pictures!

Nicely done - I had to add it to my favorites to check in and read. Your posts are always lively here and your blog continues that.

Yep, a very enjoyable read with nice photographs as well.

I should have stopped at that bike shop in Renton the last time we were out there visiting, I grew up east of Renton. When I lived there there was no Cedar River trail.

And just how did you manage to capture the "rideblog" name? I would have guessed that name would have been taken as soon as wordpress opened up.

Keep up the writing, makes me want to dig out my copy of Reflections of a Watermelon Pickle book.

Hey snarkypup, if you venture south a bit, Lewis County has the Willapa Hills Trail that runs west out of Chehalis. When completed, it will extend 60 miles and end in Raymond at US Hwy. 101.

When the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad is operating, you can catch a glimpse of the historic steam train from the trail. It rolls along past houses, farms, and fields.

I have to admit, as the one who just recently ranted about trail safety on another thread, that I know why it's like this: a pedestrian/bicycle accident that resulted in a death. But this is still a silly sign, as the speed limit before was only 15mph, and the guy who knocked over and killed an elderly lady was probably going at least 30 when he hit her. Ah well. I haven't seen any cops out ticketing anyone, though for about a week after the accident, they would occasionally whiz by on motorcycles.

We do get packs of riders training for races who zip through, though not as many anymore. I don't mind that they're gone, as they always hogged the whole trail and one of them once yelled at my then five year-old son for drifting too close to the center line as he and six others rode by in pairs. Charming.

Frankly, I suspect the name seemed so pathetically lame that no one else wanted it :).

GHY is a nice little shop, but very much oriented toward bmx-y stuff. They do sell a number of higher end fixie-type bikes and a few Electra cruisers. They're friendly and helpful, though, which is all that matters.

Ooo! Made the list! Steam trains are a passion of mine. I'll go check that out when I get a nice day for it. I've read lots about that trail and how pretty parts of it are, and since we're often down in that area on motorhome trips, I've even considered taking the Panasonic out. That said, this is Washington. The last time I brought my bike with me to the RV, it never left the cab area, as it rained solidly for three days.

Good read. You have a good writing style that kept me entertained! Keep it up!

Thanks for sharing! Can I ask what kind of basket you have attached to the Pletscher rack on your Raleigh? Does it rattle or hit the seat stay at all?

Fall City used to have a collection of old trains in town, Fall City is west of Snoqualmie Falls. I used to do a weekend loop from Bellevue/Redmond out to Fall City, up to Carnation, Duvall, Woodinville, then back to Redmond/Kirkland along the Sammamish slough (now a bike path/MUP). But that was back in the early 80's and late 70's, roads and traffic are different now.

Good read. I'll be back for more. Of course, it doesn't take much for us. We are like children; it's all about the pictures.

When I move back to Seattle (West Seattle) I expect you to be my IRL friend. I have a brown Raleigh Sports that I am riding for the first time today.