zacster

I'm planning on coming to Seattle in mid May with a bike. Are there any good rides happening then? This is really a nostalgia bike trip, as I lived in Seattle for 8 years back in the 80s, and have a very Seattle bike - the Davidson that was custom built for me in 1981.

My dates are still flexible and any time during the month would be OK. I may even be able to do June. The only June ride I know about is the Fremont Solstice Parade ride, but at 55 I don't think anybody wants to see me naked in paint. In July you have STP, but those dates don't work.

In any case, I'll be up for riding with anybody that would join me. (BengeBoy?) My faves from my time there up on Capital Hill were Lk Washington Blvd and the BG. I also had a friend in Tenino along the STP route that I'd do as a training ride.

I'm torn between bringing my updated Davidson or bringing my carbon Kuota. After riding the carbon bike for the last few years I'm wondering what it would be like on the Seattle area hills, but the Davidson is a local that people here in NYC always drool over. What do you think? I was thinking I could ship the bike to a local shop (Elliott Bay??) in advance as the cost to bring it on a plane is getting expensive.

BengeBoy 

Zacster,

I'd be happy to get together for a ride when you're in town.

A couple of quick notes -- there's a shop in town that advertises that they'll receive/tune/and then re-box bikes for shipment home -- Speedy Reedy, which caters to triathletes, but will do this for anyone. A bunch of shops will likely do this but since they promote it on their website it might be something they do more than others:

https://www.speedyreedy.com/index.php...d=32&Itemid=57

Here's a good calendar of organized rides in the area....

https://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_WebPa...ingtonMay.html

The Skagit Spring Classic, which starts up in Burlington, is particularly nice, though (as you know) the weather on May 9 could be glorious or chilly and rainy.

...in addition, there are the daily/weekly rides posted at www.cascade.org.

No shortages of nice places to ride in May.

BB

Bekologist

Beautiful!

Arrange to send the bike to Bill and the guys at Davidson for unpacking and assembly, but don't make any hint that its a davidson bike.

That would set the mood for one rightous bike trip to seattle.

zacster

Booked it, May 18 to 23. Hoping for decent weather. Alaska Airlines has a fairly decent bike policy, only $50, so I'll probably take it with me. I'm still debating Davidson vs. Kuota.

I'll check Cascade's site when the time gets closer. There wasn't much there now. I'll have to bring my old Cascade gear if I can find it.

I'm by myself, leaving my wife and 3 kids at home. My wife was actually going to give me a trip to do STP as a 55th bday present but didn't know how to arrange it so when I suggested this trip she thought it would be OK. STP happens during a really bad work time anyway.

This will be my first time alone in Seattle in 23 years. I did one trip with my to be wife, one business trip with a colleague and a trip 3 years ago with the entire family. I didn't get on a bike on any of them. I'll have to visit some of my old haunts, at least the ones that still exist, like the Comet, except I'll be that old guy. (I'm used to this, I live in Brooklyn, the hippest place east of Seattle.) 3 years ago I was surprised at how many places were still there and even the vendors at Pike Place were the same. And I'll do my old rides, Lk Wash Blvd, BG trail, Sammamish, I90/Mercer Island, the routes up and down Capital Hill where I lived. The one thing I won't have is a car!

jazzyrider

Too bad I didn't see this thread earlier. You'll be missing on a great ride in early May called the May Day Metric. Starts in Federal Way and has some challenging but beautiful routes near Mt Rainier.

https://www.maydaymetric.net/

I might have to dig up the maps from previous years and post it if you're interested in riding down here.

You should check out the tour guide from Bicycle paper for other events and rides https://bicyclepaper.com/pdf/2010_NWTG.pdf

BengeBoy 

May 21 is "Bike to Work" Day.

If the weather is nice, should be tons of people cycling into downtown during morning rush hour, and typically there are several spots where sponsors (Starbucks, REI, etc.) give away snacks, coffee, water bottles, etc.

https://www.cbcef.org/btw/btw_day.html

Since you're not working, you can just ride from station to station, picking up free goodies...

zacster

Thanks for the links. I was looking for a good guide and the NWTG looks like it. I see the Tour de Cure is on May 22 from Marymoor. I may do that one.

As for Bike to Work day, I was planning on doing that in NY this year, but I guess I won't be here, and I won't be working. There's no safe place to leave a bike on 42nd Street anyway. I'll go for the schwag.

I've never been in the big REI store, I'll have to make that a stop.

And a question, how safe is it to lock a bike up around town these days? I'll bring my Kryptonite NY chain and carry it for rides around town if you think it is safe. I also have the Fuhgeddeboudit U-Lock. I don't really trust any lock for any more than a quick in and out at a store.

Hida Yanra

I'll be about if you want to meet up for a ride? bring the bike that will make you happier - it sounds like that might be the Davidson?

anyhow, PM me when the time gets closer. I'll be riding about for fun and getting my legs ready for a stage race that weekend, so I'm great with relaxed rides around town.

BengeBoy 

I forgot to mention we now have a mountain bike skills park under the I-5 freeway right in downtown Seattle, in case you're interested in something different...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhFMfiUHUkg

zacster

I'll check it out, but I don't do mountain bikes.

Catgrrl70

Safe to lock up at REI - there's racks all the way by the bike department area on the north side of the "deck" area. I think a bike was stolen from the other racks last year, but not sure how it was locked up. I've never had a problem there myself.

Personally, I tend to not lock my bike up downtown on the street unless I'm in and out on a quick trip (heavy duty Kryptonite only). Most of the garages have bike racks/parking so you can usually roll in and ask an attendant where the bike racks are if it's not immediately noticeable.

zacster

How about the light rail from the airport? Am I ok with a bike box on it? I would assume luggage is OK.

BengeBoy 

I think it would work. There is plenty of room for (unboxed) bikes; I think a bike box would work as well. I guess the worst case scenario is someone might make you unbox and assemble your bike before getting on the train; I'd be surprised if they made you do that.

Mr. Markets

there is usually plenty of space on the light rail for pretty much anything.

BTW, Bellevue, King County, and I believe Seattle (used to) publish bike maps. Check around on their sites.