Search results for: “hiking”

(OTHER YEARS)

 

 

12/31 –  83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.   Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez.  (2014 total: 10,483 with 4,797 on tandems and now 84 uninterrupted months with mileage.)

12/30 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon

12/30 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Rodriguez

12/29 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on the Ibis with Odette

12/28 – Interurban from Tukwilla Station to Green River Rd. to Auburn; Auburn – Black Diamond Rd. to Black Diamond; Lake Sawyer Rd. to maple Valley; Cedar River Trail to Renton and the  Interurban connector back to the car.  here’s the map.  48 miles on the Ibis with Odette and Kevin

12/27 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Fuji

12/26 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

12/25 – foothills trail.  here’s the map.  30 miles on the tandem with Odette

12/24 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th; 35^th  to 105^th and  45^th to 97^th and the Burke Gilman to Shilshole.  Up the hill in Golden Gardens to 85^th and home on 1^st NW.  here’s the map.  25 miles on the Ibis with Odette

12/23 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Fuji

12/22 –  83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.   Here’s the map.  33 miles on the Ibis with Odette

12/21 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the Ibis with Odette

12/19 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji

12/18 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Fuji

12/17 –  83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.   Here’s the map.  33 miles on my newly serviced Fuji

12/16 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my rodriguez

12/15 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

12/14 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th; 35^th  to 105^th and  45^th to 97^th and the Burke Gilman to Shilshole.  Up the hill in Golden Gardens to 85^th and home on 1^st NW.  here’s the map.  25 miles on the Ibis with Odette

12/13 – I-90 trail from the bridge to Holgate and the Atlantic Street crossing to East Marginal Way.  Spokane Street bridge to West Seattle Loop.  Duwamish Trail to Tukwila Station and the Interurban connector to the Lake Washington loop back to the bridge.  here’s the map.  42 miles on the Ibis with Odette and Kevin.

12/12 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on Will’s bike

12/11 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on Will’s bike

12/10 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on Will’s bike

12/9 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

12/9 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  Sandpoint Way to 123^rd to the Burke Gilman.  Home via the Lake Forest Park connector.  here’s the map.  21 miles on Will’s bike

12/8 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on Will’s bike

12/7 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and trail.   South part of Lake Washington loop (through the Arboretum) and home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont hill.  Here’s the map.  42 miles on the Ibis with Odette

12/6 – Fremont to Dexter to 2nd to Alaska Way.  Spokane Street and the Duwamish Trail as far as Foster Links and then Railroad to Airport Way S. to Dearborn to I-90 tunnel; home via Lake Washington Loop and arboretum to Burke Gilman and up the Fremont hill. here’s the map. 41 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

12/5 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on Will’s bike

12/3 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on Will’s bike

12/2 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). no map – 16 miles on Will’s bike

12/1 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  no map.  17 miles on Will’s bike

11/30 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the Ibis with Odette

11/28 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on Will’s bike

11/27 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on Will’s bike

11/27 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th; 35^th  to 105^th and  45^th to 97^th to the Burke Gilman.  Ravenna bypass to walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on Will’s bike

11/26 –  Interurban connector from Renton Toyota to Tukwila Station.  Interurban Trail to Green River Rd. and Auburn; Auburn – Black Diamond Rd. to Black Diamond; Lake Sawyer Rd. to Lake Wilderness; Cedar River Trail to Renton and the  Interurban connector back to the car.  here’s the map.  48 miles on Will’s bike

11/25 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th; 35^th  to 105^th and  45^th to 97^th and the Burke Gilman to Shilshole.  Up the hill in Golden Gardens to 85^th and home on 1^st NW.  here’s the map.  25 miles on Will’s bike

11/24 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on Will’s bike

11/23 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the Ibis with Odette

11/22 –  83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.   Here’s the map.  33 miles on Will’s bike

11/19 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th; 35^th  to 105^th and  45^th to 97^th and the Burke Gilman to Shilshole.  Up the hill in Golden Gardens to 85^th and home on 1^st NW.  here’s the map.  25 miles on my Rodriguez.

11/18 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

11/18 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th; 35^th  to 105^th and  45^th to 97^th to the Burke Gilman.  Ravenna bypass to walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Rodriguez

11/17 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to I-90 bridge.  Newport Way to Issaquah-Hobart to May Valley.  Lake Washington loop route back to I-90 trail and across I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map. 59 miles on my Rodriguez with Kevin.

11/16 – Interurban trail to 112^th in Everett; Beverly Park to 168^th / Olympic View and Edmonds.  Home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  here’s a map.  47 miles on the tandem with Odette and Kevin.

11/15 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to I-90 bridge.  North on Lake Washington loop route in Bellevue to 116^th to 520 trail and then Lake Sammamish trail to Redhook.  Home via riverside, the Burke Gilman, the Lake Forest Park connector and the Interurban trail.  here’s the map.  48 miles on the tandem with Odette.

11/14 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

11/14 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Rodriguez

11/13 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

11/12 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

11/11 – Interurban from Tukwilla Station to Green River Rd. to Auburn; Auburn – Black Diamond Rd. to Black Diamond; Lake Sawyer Rd. to maple Valley; Cedar River Trail to Renton and the  Interurban connector back to the car.  here’s the map.  48 miles on the tandem with Odette

11/10 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on Will’s bike

11/9 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the Ibis with Odette

11/8 – Sammamish Waterway trail from Alex & Carrie’s to Marymore; West Sammamish Parkway to I-90 trail to East Lake Sammamish trail to Rogue.  Back to car via Newport Way and the Lake Washington Loop.  here’s the map.  48 miles on the tandem with Odette.

11/7 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

11/7 – Fremont, Dexter & Alaska to West Seattle Loop.    Home via the Locks, the Burke Gilman, and Golden Gardens.  Here’s a map.  40 miles on Will’s bike.

11/6 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on Will’s bike

11/5 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on Will’s bike

11/4 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on Will’s bike

11/3 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on Will’s bike

11/2 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the Ibis with Odette

11/1 –  Interurban trail to Lake Forest Park connector to the Burke Gilman to Riverside and the Sammamish Waterway.  West Sammamish Parkway to the I-90 trail to Issaquah.  Back via Newport Way to the I-90 trail and Lake Washington Loop to the Arboretum to the Burke Gilman and up the Fremont hill.  here’s the map.  64 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

10/31 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Fuji

10/30 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Fuji

10/29 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on my Fuji

10/28 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji

10/27 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

10/26 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

10/25 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the newly serviced Ibis with Odette

10/24 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on the Rincon with Odette

10/24 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Fuji

10/23 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and 95^th to the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Fuji

10/22 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Fuji

10/21 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on my Fuji

10/20 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji.

10/19 – home from Port Townsend via Bainbridge ferry. Took the Port Hadlock / Port Ludlow route to the Hood Canal floating bridge.  here’s the map.  61 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

10/18 – home to Port Townsend via Mukilteo ferry. Different from the 8/17/2013 ride in that we stayed south of SR525 (except for the North Bluff segment.)  here’s the map.  58 miles on the Ibis with Odette

10/17 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Fuji

10/16 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 105^th / 45^th and the Burke Gilman.  The Ravenna bypass to the walkway at 63^rd and home on 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on the Rincon.

10/16 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on Will’s bike

10/15 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  35^th / 39^th to 104^th and the Burke Gilman to the Ravenna bypass and home on 63^rd and 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on the Fuji.

10/14 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

10/14 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 115^th.  Sandpoint Way to 105^th and Burke Gilman to the Ravenna bypass and home on 63^rd and 50^th.  here’s the map.  17 miles on the Fuji.

10/13 – Interurban trail to 100^th to Meridian.  Across I-5 and Lake City Way on 117^th.  Ravenna to 82^nd and back across I-5 on 75^th.  Greenlake to 83^rd and home on Greenwood.  here’s the map.  13 miles on my Rodriguez.

10/13 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji.

10/12 – Machias to Monroe via OK Mill, Creswell, Storm Lake, Mero, Meadow Lake, Trombley & Robin Hood.  Tualco, High Bridge, Elliott and Lowell-Larimer to Lowell.  River Rd. back to Snohomish.  here’s the map. 52 miles on the tandem with Odette and Kevin.

10/11 – ETC heaven & hills ride – Edmunds via Innis Arden, wood way to Lake Ballinger, across I-5 at 228^th and down to the Lake Forest Park mall, up Hamlin to 155^th (behind the cemetery) and then across I-5 at 116^th.  Crossed Aurora at 130^th and came home on the Interurban.  Here is the map.  42 miles on the Ibis with Odette

10/10 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

10/9 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

10/8 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

10/7 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fixie with Odette.

10/7 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on the tandem with Odette

10/6 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

10/5 – Interurban trail to Lowell; Lowell-Larimer Road to Cathcart and the Woods Northwest #89 route to Bothell.  Home via the Burke Gilman, the Lake Forest Park connector and the Interurban.  here’s the map.  64 miles on the tandem with Odette

10/4 – Lake Washington Loop from 145^th in Kirkland to I-90,  I-90  trail to Factoria and new Coal Creek trail back to the loop.  CTS Black Diamond route out May Valley.  Issaquah-Hobart Rd. to Issaquah.  East Lake Sammamish  Trail to Marymore (shifting to the road for the unpaved part.) Sammamish River trail to Wayne Golf course and up the hill on 100^th back to the start.  here’s the map.  55 miles on the tandem with Odette (and with Alex)

10/3 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

10/2 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

10/1 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

9/30 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.  (Q3 split:  7,652 with 3,652 on tandems.)

9/28  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the tandem with Odette

9/27 – Green River Rd.  from Willis Rd. in Kent to 8^th St. in Auburn.  Main to the Interurban trail.  3^rd Ave. to Butte and the Foothills Connector.  Out-and-back to the South Prairie end of the foothills trail.  Foothills Connector back to 8^th  then Valentine to Milwaukee and back to the car on the Interurban.  Here’s the map.  66 miles on the tandem with Odette

9/25  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the Fuji

9/23  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

9/22 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and across Mercer Island.  Lake Washington Loop around the north end of the lake.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  here’s a map.  42 miles on my Rodriguez.

9/21 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on the tandem with Odette

9/20 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

9/18 – Fremont, Dexter & Alaska to West Seattle Loop.    Home via the Locks, the Burke Gilman, and Golden Gardens.  Here’s a map.  40 miles on my Rodriguez.

9/17  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

9/16 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

9/15 – Interurban from Willis Rd. in Kent to Auburn; Auburn – Black Diamond Rd. to Black Diamond; Lake Sawyer Rd. to maple Valley; Cedar River Trail to Renton and the  Interurban connector back to the trail and the car.  here’s the map.  52 miles on my Rodriguez.

9/14 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Ibis with Odette

9/13 – Monroe to Sultan on Old Owens Rd. , return on Ben Howard.  Tualco to Highbridge to Connelley to Springhetti to Snohomish and the Centennial Trail to Machias.  OK Mill to Creswell to Storm Lake to Mero to Meadow Lake to Trombley and Robinhood back to Kelsey and the car.  Here’s a map.  59 miles on the Ibis with Odette

9/12 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 164^th;  168^th to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

9/10 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on the Ibis with Odette

9/9  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

9/8 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

9/7 – ETC goat head ride day two. here’s the map.  25 miles on the tandem with Odette

9/6 – ETC goat head ride day one.  here’s the (partial) map.  50 miles on the tandem with Odette

9/5 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

9/4 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

9/3 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

9/3  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

9/2 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple,  Manor Way to 148^th;  152^nd to Olympic View to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  38 miles on my Rodriguez

9/1 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the tandem with Odette

8/31 –  Interurban trail to Lake Forest Park connector to the Burke Gilman to Riverside and the Sammamish Waterway.  West Sammamish Parkway to the I-90 trail to Issaquah.  Back via Newport Way to the I-90 trail and Lake Washington Loop to the Arboretum to the Burke Gilman and up the Fremont hill.  here’s the map.  64 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/30 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the tandem with Odette

8/29 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

8/28 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

8/26 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

8/25 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

8/24 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

8/20 – Klondike Day 12: Carcross – Skagway. Here’s the map.  66 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/19 – Klondike Day 11: Whitehorse – Carcross. Here’s the map.  46 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/17 – Klondike Day 9: Fox Lake – Whitehorse. Here’s the map.  43 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/16 – Klondike Day 8: Carmacks – Fox Lake. Here’s the map.  69 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/15 – Klondike Day 7: Pelly Crossing – Carmacks. Here’s the map.  65 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/14 – Klondike Day 6: Stuart Crossing – Pelly Crossing. Here’s the map.  59 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/13 – Klondike Day 5: Dempster Junction – Stuart Crossing. Here’s the map.  69 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/12 – Klondike Day 4: Dawson – Dempster Junction (out & back. Here’s the map.  50 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/11 – Klondike Day 3: Top Of The World Highway. Here’s the map.  61 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/10 – Klondike Day 2: Dot Lake to Tok. Here’s the map.  49 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/9 – Klondike Day 1: Fairbanks. Here’s the map.  14 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/8 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

8/7 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

8/5 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the tandem with Odette

8/4 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my newly tuned Rodriguez

8/3 – tour de peaks 50 mile route.  here’s the map.  50 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/2 – Cle Elum / Thorp loop on Thorp Prairie Rd and SR 10.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on the tandem with Odette.

8/1 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on the newly serviced tandem with Odette

7/31 – Freemont & Dexter to REI; home via Ken’s Market.  Here’s the map.  12 miles on the newly-freed fixie.

7/31 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. no map. 16 miles on the Rincon

7/29 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the Ibis with Odette

7/28 – Fremont, Dexter & Alaska to West Seattle Loop.    Home via the Locks, the Burke Gilman, and Golden Gardens.  Here’s a map.  40 miles on my Rodriguez.

7/27 – Cedar River Trail to Lake Wilderness Trail to the Lake Sawyer segment of a Cascade Training Series ride as far as the Black Diamond Bakery, to the Landsburg segment of  ride #8 in Woods – Puget Sound and the Cedar River Trail back to the start.  Here’s the map.  48 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

7/26 – Interurban trail to Everett, Lowell River Rd. to Snohomish, Old Monroe Highway to Monroe, Tualco & Highbridge to Fales / Downes and reverse RSVP route to Woodinville.  Riverside to lunch at 192 Brewpub.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  78 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

7/25 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

7/24 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji

7/23 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the Fuji

7/22 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

7/21 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

7/20 – Interurban trail to Lake Forest Park connector.  Burke Gilman to Riverside to lunch at Redhook.  Sammamish River trail to  Burke Gilman to Ravenna bypass and home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map outbound and here’s the map back.  41 miles on the tandem with Odette.

7/19 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd and Alaska/East marginal Way, lower Spokane St. Bridge to Duwamish Trail to the Renton connector and the east-side leg of the south Lake Washington loop, I-90 bridge and  Lake Washington Blvd. to Arboretum. Burke Gilman to Fremont hill and home.  Here’s the map.  50 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

7/18 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

7/16 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Henry’s Tavern by the stadiums.  Back on 4^th to Dexter to Fremont.  Here’s the map.  15 miles on the Rincon.

7/16 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

7/15 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the tandem with Odette.

7/11 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

7/10 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Locks to Waterfront trail to Dearborn to I-90 tunnel to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  25 miles on my Rodriguez

7/9  – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

7/8 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the tandem with Odette.

7/7 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

7/6  – Lake Washington Loop from home.  Here’s the map.  56 miles on the tandem with Odette.

7/5 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

7/4 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

7/3 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

7/2 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the tandem with Odette

7/1 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/30 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez.  (six month split:  5,010 with 2,116 on tandems)

6/29  – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and I-90 trail to Issaquah.  SR 900 to Renton.   Lake Washington loop back to  the arboretum and the Burke Gilman to the Fremont hill.  Here’s the map.  54 miles on the tandem with Odette

6/28 – Interurban trail to Everett and on to Mukilteo pretty much on the #41 ride in Thorness – Puget Sound.  Back to trail via Mukilteo Speedway, Beverly Park, Olympic View and 76^th.  Here’s the map.  57 miles on the tandem with Odette

6/27 – I-90 trail from Eastgate to Beacon Hill.  Holgate to Utah.  Waterfront trail  and Alaska Way to Myrtle Edwards  and Terminal 91. Gilman Blvd to the Locks.  Burke Gilman to Golden Gardens.  Home on 80^th / 83^rd to 1^st Ave.  Here’s the map.  25 miles on my Rodriguez

6/27 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/26  – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   Lake Washington loop back to  the arboretum and the Burke Gilman to the Fremont hill.  Here’s the map.  50 miles on my Rodriguez

6/25 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   North part of Lake Washington loop and home via the Lake Forest Park connector.  Here’s the map.  51 miles on my Rodriguez

6/24 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

6/23 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/21 & 22 – Redmond Bicycle Club’s Mazama ride.  here’s the day 1 map; here’s day 2.  150 miles on the tandem with Odette

6/20 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/18  – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   Lake Washington loop back to  the arboretum and the Burke Gilman to the Fremont hill.  Here’s the map.  50 miles on my Rodriguez

6/17 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/16 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

6/15  – North part of Lake Washington Loop from home.  Here’s the map.  45 miles on the ibis with Odette.

6/14 – Dash Point loop from Willis Rd in Kent.  Here’s the map.  47 miles on the tandem with Odette

6/12 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my rodriguez with Odette

6/11 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

6/10 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette

6/9 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

6/8 – Green River Rd. to Auburn – Black Diamond Rd. to Green Valley Rd. to Interurban trail.   Here’s the map.  40 miles on the tandem with Odette.

6/7 – Monroe to Granite falls via Lake Roesiger  (Woods Northwest #88)  and on to Arlington via Jordan Rd. (Woods puget sound #31.)  Back to Snohomish on the Centennial Trail and then Old Monroe-Snohomish Highway to the car.  Here’s a map.  71 miles with Odette on the tandem  and with Alex.

6/6 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/5 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

6/4 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

6/3 – 83^rd to Ravenna to R+E, Ravenna to Burke Gilman to U. Village and Apple, Burke Gilman to Montlake Bridge to UW Medical Center to Recycled Cycles. Pacific to Burke Gilman to Fremont and home.  Here’s the map.  13 miles on my Rincon.

6/3 –  Interurban Trail to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  26 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

6/2 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

6/1 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the Ibis with Odette

5/31 – Flying Wheels.  here are the CBC map and queue sheet.  here’s my map.  97 miles on the tandem with Odette and Carrie

5/30 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

5/29 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

5/28 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

5/26 – Leavenworth – Plain loop (#3 in Henderson, Biking the Great Northwest.)  here’s the map.  40 miles on the tandem with Odette

5/25 – Sun Lakes to Grand Coulee loop (#5 in Henderson, Biking the Great Northwest.)  here’s the map.  78 miles on the tandem with Odette

5/24 – Navarre Coulee loop followed by a Manson loop.  Here is the map.  60 miles on the tandem with Odette.

5/21 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Logboom park. 61^st to Locust to Filbert to Butternut and the I-5 crossing at Maple.  Home via the Interurban trail.  Here’s the map.  44 miles on my Rodriguez

5/19 – 83^rd/80^th to the Ballard Locks and the waterfront trails (Myrtle Edwards  and Terminal 91) to East Marginal Way and the lower Spokane St. Bridge to the Alki trail and the West Seattle loop. First Ave. S. bridge to Airport Way S.,  Holgate to I-90 trail over Beacon Hill and through the I-90 tunnel, and  Lake Washington loop route through the Arboretum to Pacific and Northlake and the Fremont hill.  Here’s the map. 44 miles on my Rodriguez

5/18 –  Interurban trail to Lake Forest Park connector.  Burke Gilman to Alex’s.  Cross Kirkland trail to SR 520, Lake Washington loop route to Juanita Bay, 100^th back to Alex’s and Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector to  Interurban trail and home.  here’s the map.  48 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

5/17 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman to U. Dist. farmer’s mkt. Eastlake to REI.  Home via Dexter and Fremont.  here’s the map.  42 miles on the tandem with Odette

5/16 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

5/15 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   Lake Washington loop back to  I-90  and Dearborn to the waterfront trails and to Dravus and Nickerson and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  53 miles on my Rodriguez

5/14 – Machias to Lake Roesiger to Granite Falls to Arlington and back to the trailhead on the Centennial Trail.  Here’s the map.  47 miles on my Rodriguez

5/13 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   North part of Lake Washington loop and home via the Lake Forest Park connector.  Here’s the map.  51 miles on my Rodriguez

5/12 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

5/11 – Bellevue – Black Diamond loop – here’s the map. 70 miles with Odette on the tandem.

5/10 –  Interurban trail to Lake Forest Park connector to the Burke Gilman to Riverside and the Sammamish Waterway.  West Sammamish Parkway to the I-90 trail to Issaquah.  Back via Newport Way to the I-90 trail and Lake Washington Loop, up Madrona to the Arboretum to the Burke Gilman and up the Fremont hill.  here’s the map.  64 miles on the tandem with Odette.

5/9 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

5/8 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

5/7 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

5/6 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Ibis with Odette

5/6 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

5/5 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji

5/3 – Downtown Hotel Metric Century in Port Angeles.  here’s the queue sheet.  here’s the map.  59 miles on the Ibis with Odette

5/2 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

5/1 – Interurban trail to Lowell; Lowell-Larimer Road to Cathcart and the Woods Northwest #89 route to Bothell.  Home via the Burke Gilman, the Lake Forest Park connector and the Interurban.  here’s the map.  64 miles on my Rodriguez

4/30 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   North part of Lake Washington loop and home via the Lake Forest Park connector.  Here’s the map.  51 miles on my Rodriguez

4/29 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

4/29 – Interurban trail to Everett and on to Mukilteo pretty much on the #41 ride in Thorness – Puget Sound.  Back to trail via Mukilteo Speedway, Beverly Park, Olympic View and Edmonds Way.  Here’s the map.  58 miles on my rodriguez

4/28 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

4/27 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   South part of Lake Washington loop (through the Arboretum) and home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont hill.  Here’s the map.  51 miles on the tandem with Odette

4/26 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on the Ibis with Odette

4/26 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd and Alaska, lower Spokane St. Bridge to Delridge, Avalon, Alaska and California.  Fonteleroy to Lincoln Park and back via beach drive, Alki and the waterfront trails (Myrtle Edwards  and Terminal 91) to the Ballard Locks. Burke Gilman to  Golden Gardens, and 85^th to Dayton to 107^th and then home via Fremont, 83^rd and 1^st NW.  Here’s the map.  39 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

4/25 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

4/24 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

4/23 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

4/21 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s half a map. 16 miles on Will’s bike

4/20 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Alaska Way  to Spokane Street and the Duwamish Trail as far as Rock Weir.  Airport Way S. to Dearborn and the I-90 tunnel.  Home on Lake Washington, the Arboretum, the Burke Gilman,  the Ave., Ravenna,  Greenlake and 50^th.  here’s the map. 36 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

4/19 – Centennial Trail from Arlington to Skagit County line and SR 534 to La Conner.  Back via Stanwood and Sylvana.  See McQuaide  75 Classics #10.  Here is the map.  62 miles on the tandem with Odette plus Alex & Carrie.

4/18 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the tandem with Odette

4/17 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji

4/16 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the Fuji

4/15 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

4/14  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

4/13 – Snohomish – Monroe loop (Woods puget sound #23) – here’s the map – 24 miles with Odette on the tandem

4/12  –  Interurban trail to where the drive-in used to be at 124^th, to Everett – Bothell Highway, Canyon Park & Fitzgerald to the Sammamish River and Burke Gilman trails. Home via the Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 47 miles on the tandem with Odette

4/11 – Fremont to Burke Gilman to 35^th.  Across to the Interurban on 115^th and 125^th.  Home via green lake.  Here’s the map.  20 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

4/10 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

4/9  –  Interurban Trail to Edmonds and home via Innis Arden (Wert – Bakeries #9.)  Here’s a map.  26 miles on my Rodriguez

4/8  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

4/7 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map.  34 miles on my Rodriguez

4/6 – Issaquah – Preston – Snoqualmie trail to Fall City, Issaquah – Fall City road to East Lake Sammamish trail to Marymore, West Lake Sammamish Parkway to I-90 and back to Issaquah.  here’s the map.  50 miles on the Ibis with Odette.

4/5 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and the south part of the Mercer Island loop.   Lake Washington loop (through the Arboretum) and home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont hill.  Here’s the map.  50 miles on the tandem with Odette

4/4 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

4/3  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

4/1 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my rodriguez

3/31 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez  (Q1 split = 1,857 with 618 on tandems)

3/30  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on the tandem with Odette.

3/27 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

3/21 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

3/20 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

3/18 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my rodriguez

3/17 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

3/15 – Fremont to Dexter to 2nd to Alaska Way.  Spokane Street and the Duwamish Trail as far as Foster Links and then Railroad to Airport Way S. to Dearborn to I-90 tunnel; home via Lake Washington Loop and arboretum to Burke Gilman and up the Fremont hill. here’s the map. 41 miles on the tandem with Odette.

3/14 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette.

3/13  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  33 miles on my Rodriguez

3/11 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

3/10 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on the Fuji

3/9 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my newly tuned Rodriguez.

3/8  – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  32 miles on the  Ibis with Odette

3/7  – Lake Washington Loop from home.  Here’s the map.  56 miles on the newly tuned tandem with Odette.

3/6 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette on her newly tuned Stellar.

3/5 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon.

3/3 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon.

3/2 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon.

3/1 – Fremont, Dexter & Alaska to West Seattle Loop.    Home via the Locks, the Burke Gilman, and Golden Gardens.  Here’s a map.  40 miles on my Rodriguez.

2/28 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

2/27 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via green lake and 50^th.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez.

2/25 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my Rodriguez

2/24 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the Fuji

2/23 – Chilly Hilly.  Here’s the map.  40 miles on the  Ibis with Odette

2/22 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the  Ibis with Odette

2/21 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette

2/20 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my Rodriguez

2/18 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

2/17 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji with Odette

2/16 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to the Ravenna connector.  Home via 63^rd and 50^th.  Here’s the map.  18 miles on the tandem with Odette

2/15 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on the tandem with Odette

2/14 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

2/13 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my Rodriguez

2/12 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  32 miles on the Fuji

2/11 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji

2/10 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Fuji

2/8 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on the tandem with Odette

2/7 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

2/6 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

2/5 – 83^rd/80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via 1^stNW.  Here’s the map.  32 miles on my Rodriguez

2/4 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

2/3 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

2/2 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez with Odette.

2/1 – Fremont to Burke Gilman to  Arboretum bypass to I-90 bridge.  North on Lake Washington loop route in Bellevue to 520 trail and then Lake Sammamish trail to Redhook.  Home via riverside, the Burke Gilman, the Lake Forest Park connector and the Interurban trail.  here’s the map.  52 miles on the tandem with Odette.

1/31 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji with Odette.

1/30 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji.

1/28 – 80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via Green Lake and 50^th.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

1/27  – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my Rodriguez

1/26 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

1/25 – Centennial Trail from Arlington to Skagit County line and SR 534 to La Conner.  Back via Stanwood and Sylvana.  See McQuaide  75 Classics #10.  Here is the map.  65 miles on the tandem with Odette.

1/24 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

1/23 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum bypass, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

1/22 – out and back on Fremont, Dexter and 2^nd Ave. to the Pyramid brewery. here’s the map.  14 miles on the Rincon.

1/22 –  Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez.

1/21 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Rodriguez

1/20 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

1/19  – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via U Village and the Ravenna connector. here’s the map. 38 miles on the tandem with Odette

1/18 – Fremont, Dexter & Alaska to West Seattle Loop.    Hove via the Locks, the Burke Gilman, and Golden Gardens.  Here’s a map.  40 miles with Odette on the tandem

1/17 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

1/16 – 80^th to Golden Gardens.  Burke Gilman to Lake Forest Park connector.  Interurban trail back to 83^rd.  Home via Green Lake and 50^th.  Here’s the map.  36 miles on my Rodriguez

1/15  – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my Rodriguez

1/14 – Fremont to Dexter to 2^nd to Dearborn to I-90 bridge and Mercer Island loop.  Back arosss I-90 to Lake Washington Blvd and the Arboretum, then home on the Burke Gilman and Fremont.  Here’s the map.  37 miles on my Rodriguez

1/12 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the tandem with Odette

1/11 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

1/10 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the Rincon with Odette.

1/9  – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on my Fuji

1/8 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on my Fuji

1/7 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji

1/6 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Rodriguez

1/5 – North Seattle Loop (#2 in Thorness – Puget Sound). here’s the map – 16 miles on the  Ibis with Odette

1/4 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on the tandem with Odette and Alex

1/3 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on the  Ibis with Odette

1/2 – Interurban trail to Aurora Village transit center. here’s the map. 16 miles on my Fuji

1/1 – Interurban trail to I-5 crossing at Maple, Butternut to Filbert to Locust to 61^st to Burke Gilman. Home via Lake Forest Park connector. here’s the map. 34 miles on the tandem with Odette

 

The plan was to ride from home to Port Angeles, take the ferry to Victoria, ride to Swartz Bay and take the ferry to Tsawwassen, ride down to Bellingham, then to La Conner, then home.

We’d trained for this trip by riding the tandem a lot during the spring – basically 500 miles by the weekend before Memorial Day, compared to our average of about 500 miles in a whole season. I got the tandem tuned up at R+R with a new chain, new cassette and new tires.  The first ride we took after the tune-up, the chain skipped badly so we took it back in and got a new middle chain ring.  They worked on the stoker seat post and got the piston in the shock absorber to move again – we just have to make sure the rod doesn’t pop out of the dimple.

I bought a waterproof iPhone case for Odette and downloaded the Cyclemeter apps for both of us (which is why I’ve been able to post maps on my rides log this spring.)  The GPS functionality seems to work in Canada with data roaming turned off, but the emails with the links to maps require wireless.  I have learned that the app drains our batteries so I bought a couple of external battery packs and I used them –  Odette’s iPhone 4 didn’t ever run low.

The weather looked cool and showery – typical for Memorial Day in Seattle.  I put the lowrider rack on the front so that we could take all four panniers and have room for some extra fleece.  (I’d put new calipers on since the last time I’d mounted the rack and I had to improvise…) The total in the panniers ended up at about 44 pounds including the lock and cable.  We also had six pounds of stuff between my handlebar bag and Odette’s frame pack (we weighed everything when we got home.)  Just so you know, the bike with pedals and seats and tool kit and tail-light weighs 52 pounds.  Odette and I together weigh 340 pounds.  That means we had 440 pounds with the wind resistance of a single cyclist!  But I digress…. I could have lived with fewer zip-neck T’s, fewer socks, one less jersey and one less pair of tights.  (Truth is I could have gotten by with two jerseys and one pair of shorts.)  I need a pair of sneakers or something that weighs less that the hiking boots I took for time off the bike.  Odette dressed for the arctic and we carried her extra gloves and helmet liner and multiple insulation layers for the whole trip.

On Friday as I was struggling to get work done so I could take off my head stuffed up and my nose started to run.  By Saturday morning I was really sick and the 60 mile day was really tough.  I had to stop a couple of times to rest and when we got to the Sequim Bay Inn I took a nap.  We went to the casino for dinner and I just had a bowl of clam chowder that I couldn’t finish.  By the next day I was starting to feel better and by the time we got to Sidney I was over it.  That was about the time Odette got sick – and was up all night the next couple of nights coughing.

One other struggle – ten days before we departed I broke my glasses.  I had just gotten a prescription for contacts and I had a trial pair so I didn’t have any excuse for not trying them.  I did go to get a new pair of bifocals made and I rushed to the store to pick them up the day before we left.  I ended up carrying my new glasses, a pair of subscription sunglasses (my previous prescription,)  a pair of reading classes, a pair of non-prescription sunglasses, and my contacts.  I struggled every morning trying to get the contacts in my eyes.  As I coughed and as my nose ran I worried about loosing a contact.  I struggled to read menus and stuff without my bifocals – but it all worked well enough.

So, basically the trip went really well – the riding was not too strenuous with such short days and flat terrain, we got rained on for less than an hour, the bike was heavy but manageable and we got a lot of attention.  Most of the route was new to us and the  navigation was fun (we laminated the Google Maps queue sheets and pinned them to my back for Odette to work from.)

Here are the Cyclemeter maps (from Odette’s phone) of our trip.

day 1 (5/28) – Seattle to Sequim Bay – 55.2 miles (not counting the Edmunds – Kingston Ferry)  The ride began on the Seattle Interurban trail and ended on the Olympic Discovery trail.  Stayed at the Sequim Bay Inn – ate at Seven Cedars Casino.

day 2 (5/29) – Sequim Bay to Port Angeles to Victoria – 26.9 miles (not counting the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria)  Entire ride was on the Olympic discovery trail. Stayed at Pan Pacific Hotel right on the waterfront.  Ate at the Bengal Lounge at the Empress

day 3 (5/30) – layover in Victoria.  ate at Kim’s Vietnamese restaruant.

day 4 (5/31) – Victoria to Sidney – 18.4 miles.  Entire ride was on the Galloping Goose / Lochside trail.  Stayed at the Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, ate at Haro’s in the hotel

day 5 (6/1) – Sidney to Fairhaven – 59.6 miles (not counting the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen ferry) A large part of the ride was on the dyke trail along Boundary Bay; it ended on the Bellingham Inurban trail.  Stayed at the Fairhaven Village Inn, ate at Colophon.

day 6 (6/2) – Fairhaven to La Conner – 29.2 miles.  Skipped the Bellingham Interurban trail in favor of Chuckanut Drive. Stayed at La Conner Country Inn, ate at Kerstin’s.

day 7 (6/3) – La Conner to Seattle – 71.8 miles.  Last 25 miles was on the Seattle Interurban trail.

Total mileage – 261.3 miles (average of 43.6 over the six days we biked.)

Here’s a link to the outbound route on Google maps (here’s a PDF of the queue sheet.)

Here’s a link to the return route (here’s a PDF of the queue sheet)

Here’s a gallery of photos.

Here’s a link to the stats from Odette’s iPhone app.

Bikes, trains and hiking boots: Port inks deal for Eastside corridor
42-mile rail link could be used for high-capacity transit, trails 

By CHRIS GRYGIEL
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

A 42-mile Eastside rail corridor stretching from Woodinville to Renton has been secured for possible future use as a high-capacity transit route and biking and hiking trails.

The Port of Seattle announced Monday that it had finalized acquisition of the corridor from BNSF Railway after about two years of negotiations. The final price tag for the northern section of corridor was approximately $81 million, the port said. BNSF donated the southern portion of the corridor.

"The port’s goal has always been to preserve the corridor and place it in public ownership and we’ve accomplished that goal," said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani said in a statement. "I’m grateful to BNSF for their willingness to work with the port, and to our partner agencies for joining us in the effort."

King County Executive Dow Constantine said "this acquisition preserves an irreplaceable asset, addresses growing transportation needs, and provides the chance to expand our regional trail system.:

Earlier this month the County Council approved a plan to spend $26.5 million to buy about 25 miles of the rail corridor.

The overall plan was always to have the Port of Seattle buy the entire corridor. King County, the City of Redmond and others would then work to buy portions of that corridor to keep it in public ownership. The county funding plan could be paid for by a variety of sources to be explored, including possibly bonds sold next year and backed by the voter-approved Conservation Futures Levy Subfund.

The preservation of the Eastside corridor has been a long time goal. Former County Executive Ron Sims announced in May of 2005 his idea to buy the property and turn it into "the granddaddy of all trails."

Recreation enthusiasts envisioned a trail for hiking and biking but others objected, saying either light rail or heavy rail capacity must be maintained. In May of last year the port and County Council signed off on the idea of developing the corridor for a hiking, biking trail and a freight line — and potentially for transit.

Chris Grygiel can be reached at 206-448-8363 or chrisgrygiel@seattlepi.com.

Seattle PI

County OK’s plan to buy Eastside route for biking, transit
The King County Council on Monday unanimously approved a plan to spend $26.5 million to buy about 25 miles of an Eastside rail corridor for future transportation and recreation purposes.

The move by the council allows Executive Dow Constantine negotiate contracts and is part of a broader push to buy and preserve the 42-mile BNSF rail corridor between Renton and Snohomish.

The overall plan is to have the Port of Seattle buy the entire corridor by mid December. King County, the City of Redmond and others would then work to buy portions of that corridor to keep it in public ownership.

The funding plan could be paid for by a variety of sources to be explored, including possibly bonds sold next year and backed by the voter-approved Conservation Futures Levy Subfund.

The preservation of the Eastside corridor has been a long time goal. Former County Executive Ron Sims announced in May of 2005 his idea to buy the property and turn it into "the granddaddy of all trails."

Recreation enthusiasts envisioned a trail for hiking and biking but others objected, saying either light rail or heavy rail capacity must be maintained. In May of last year the port and County Council signed off on the idea of developing the corridor for a hiking, biking trail and a freight line – and potentially for transit.

 

link to article

By CHRIS GRYGIEL / SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

King County Executive Kurt Triplett on Friday announced a $26.5 million proposal to buy about 25 miles of an Eastside rail corridor for future transportation and recreation purposes.

Triplett’s announcement is part of a broader push to buy and preserve the 42-mile BNSF rail corridor between Renton and Snohomish.

Triplett said plans are proceeding for the Port of Seattle to buy the entire corridor by mid December. King County, the city of Redmond and others would then work to buy portions of that corridor to keep it in public ownership. Friday’s announcement would be the county’s contribution to the overall goal.

The funding proposal would be paid for by bonds sold next year and backed by the voter-approved Conservation Futures Levy Subfund. Triplett said it wouldn’t impact the county’s operating budget, which faced a $56 million deficit next year. The County Council would have to approve Triplett’s plan.

In March Port Chief Executive Tay Yoshitani had said the port would postpone acquisition of the corridor because of continued problems in the bond markets. The port had wanted to to issue municipal bonds to finance the $107 million purchase price.

County Councilman Larry Phillips said the Port wanted to continue the deal, but with a greater assurance that other entitities would step in and buy portions of the corridor after they made the overall purchase.

"They needed to have a partnership ready to go right away," Phillips said. "They’re the bridge, they’re the bank as well. They get in, they get out."

The preservation of the Eastside corridor has been a long time goal. Former County Executive Ron Sims announced in May of 2005 his idea to buy the property and turn it into "the granddaddy of all trails."

Recreation enthusiasts envisioned a trail for hiking and biking but others objected, saying either light rail or heavy rail capacity must be maintained. In May of last year the port and County Council signed off on the idea of developing the corridor for a hiking, biking trail and a freight line – and potentially for transit.

County Council members and leaders of the region’s cycling community hailed Friday’s announcement at a news conference.

"This is going to be a critical part of how we manage growth in the future," Phillips said.

Councilwoman Julia Patterson said the ability to develop transit service between the southern part of the county and the eastern suburbs was critical because so many people commute to work in that region.

"We need high-capacity transit along that corridor," Patterson said.

Chuck Ayers, president of the Cascade Bicycle Club, said at the news conference that his group was pleased.

"It’s recreational, it’s transportation. I think we’ve gotten it right," he said.

Chris Grygiel can be reached at 206-448-8363 or chrisgrygiel@seattlepi.com.

 

 

December 14, 2008 – January 3, 2009
Odette, Jerry & Will travel in China

 

Here are the images

 

 

So Will was studying at Beijing University, spending a term in a language/exchange program run by Pitzer.  He agreed to travel with us if Odette and I came to China while he was there.  Originally the idea was to spend a couple of weeks before his classes started in August, but after looking at vacation accruals and talking about it we all agreed that it would work better if we spent the holidays there.

 

Odette and I flew from Seattle to Beijing on a direct Hainan Air flight.  It took eleven hours but it was a smooth flight and they fed us two or three times.  I read the final Harry Potter book that I’d been avoiding.  Odette broke the in-flight entertainment center.  There were a whole bunch of customs stations and few travelers so Odette and I cleared customs really quickly.  Will was waiting and we took a cab to our hotel on Ghost street.  We had dinner at the Sultan restaurant where Will had previously eaten mutton that melted in his mouth.  To me it seemed like pure fat – but still good.  The hotel was a business hotel (star rated) near a couple of subways and on a street famous for a concentration of restaurants.  The people at the desk didn’t really speak english but Will had no trouble communicating with them.  We had two rooms which were big and very high-tech.   The bed was really firm, the power only came on when the cardkey was inserted inside the room, there was a potable water dispenser and an electric tea kettle. There was a supermarket on the first floor and we bought tea and pastries and fruit there and ate breakfast in the room most mornings.

 

During our stay in Beijing we toured the old Summer Palace, the Beijing University campus, Lama temple, Temple of Heaven, the National Museum, the Forbidden City / Tiananmen Square, the new Summer Palace, several hutongs, a couple of other parks, the Olympics venue, and a whole bunch of markets and shopping malls.  We spend some time and had dinner with the Director of Will’s Pitzer program.  I rode Wills bike around the foreign student dorm at Beida. We joined a group of expats for a hike that took us onto the great wall (and an amazing lunch.)  We ate at the Da Dong Peking Duck restaurant and in stalls in the street markets and had fantastic food everywhere.  We rode the subways a lot and were impressed at how clean and modern and frequent they were.  We took taxis whenever we didn’t know exactly where we were going and they were cheap and friendly.  We didn’t buy much but we did marvel at the scale of the markets and the hustles practiced in the tourist stalls. We got up early on the days we went to the Temple of Heaven and the Russian District so that we could see the old people doing tai chi and ballroom dancing in the parks.  I was impressed by how young everybody was.  I came away with the impression of a sophisticated first-world city that was intensely entrepreneurial.

 

One enduring impression of Beijing was the traffic.  Most of the streets were wide with a separated lane for bikes and pedestrians.  Cars and busses didn’t pay much attention to lanes or traffic lights and at crossings it seemed like pedestrians and bikes congregated until there were enough of them that they could block traffic and cross.  (There were pedestrian tunnels and overpasses most along most busy streets.)  As you pushed out into the street waiting for an opportunity to cross you really had to watch out for vehicles making turns – whatever the color of the traffic light.  Traffic and pedestrians paid much more attention to the traffic cops stationed at most big intersections than to the signals.  Bikes in Beijing were almost all “city bikes” (i.e. clunkers) as opposed to “racing” bikes.  Lots of people bike but they go slow and generally have somebody riding on the back.  There are lots of tricycles for hauling stuff.  Since they don’t have people on the back I oculdn’t figure out why the cargo boxes were almost always spring loaded. Also lots of electric bikes.

 

It was cold while we were there but we walked a lot in Beijing.  Odette and I had purchased lightweight hiking boots in preparation for the trip and I’d taken the insoles out of mine and just put bare orthotics in like I do with my dress shoes.  The first day I got major blisters on the balls of my feet because the inside sole of the boots wasn’t designed to be worn with no insole.  We found some foam pads that hooked over my middle toes (in a 7-11 near the Traktor Pushkin restaurant) and that helped a lot.  A couple of days later I bought a pair of cheap, flat, insoles at Carrefour and that pretty much fixed the problem.  I got a cold the second or third day in Beijing and spent the next three weeks trying to get over it.

 

We flew from Beijing to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, a city of about 3.5 million people.   Guiyang is in south-central China – not really that far from Beijing but it felt like a different country.  Unlike Beijing the streets were narrow and dirty and the shops seemed older and less well stocked.  We stayed in a star rated hotel but it wasn’t like the one in Beijing!  (The hotel was nice but we had a room in an annex across the street where you could imagine them putting eastern european technicians in Guiyang for long stays.  I amused myself watching out our window as the cops ticketed motorcycles and buses under the elevated highway.)  We had dinner that evening at the only restaurant we could find and the food was exceptionally spicy.  The next morning the cab took us to the wrong bus station for Kaili.  We sat on the bus while it filled up and then for another hour and a half while other buses came and went.  With no explanation for the delay we finally departed, but the bus stalled every time the driver tried to shift into third gear (and every time we went up a hill.)  Before we got out of town it finally stalled for good and we waited an hour for a replacement but to pick us up.  The three-hour ride to stretched to eight or nine because after the mechanical trouble we ended up battling traffic back-ups all the way to Kaili.  The highway was a relatively good two- or three-lane divided toll road, but there was some construction and a lot of disabled vehicles.  The traffic included a mix of coal trucks, buses, underpowered /overloaded farm trucks and passenger vehicles ranging from high-end european cars to Chinese three-wheelers.  (Buick seems to have a lock on the official car market in China.)  Most of the accidents seems to be buses running  off the road or into each other.  The hills were really pretty.  We watched five or six hour-long episodes of some Chinese variety show. Three quarters of the way there the monk seated next to Will started vomiting.  That was pretty entertaining.

 

Kaili is kind of a county seat in the ethnic autonomous area and has about 500,000 people.  It is a really pleasant town and we stayed in a really nice hotel.  Will hired a guide and a driver to take us around the Miao villages and to Leigong Mountain.  We got the village tour which was really interesting if somewhat staged.  The villages we walked through were more prosperous than I had anticipated – and very picturesque.  We saw a lot of traditional headdresses, lots of signs suggesting that there were hoards of tourists during the summer.  We had a great lunch with lots of courses and special local rice wine.  Odette got repeatedly accosted by saleswomen that wanted her to buy silver bracelets.  We missed the mountain and the Dong villages.  We spent most of the next day wandering around Kaili (the ethnic minorities museum is evidently worth visiting – at least during the tourist season when it’s open) and Odette bought some batik.  I amused myself watching the construction crew across the street from the hotel.  Methods there involved much more manual labor than you’d see in the west, and the excavator operator was pretty much a cowboy.  (The bamboo scaffolding was impressive, too.)  We watched the morning tai chi – supplemented by guys spinning tops with their bullwhips.   We got a cool cab ride where the driver was whipping in and out of the oncoming lane while talking on his cellphone.  Odette made us walk back to the hotel.  We spent a bunch of time in little shops looking at Mao memorabilia.  The last night there was Christmas so we ate in a fancy restaurant and Will ordered a bottle of MaoTai – the local liquor.  We didn’t finish it and I carried out what was left under my coat.

 

We decided to take the train back to Guiyang because the bus had taken so long.  We got “hard seat” tickets – the cheapest class.  Most of the riders were coming from distant towns to sell stuff in Guiyang and the train was totally packed with people and bags.  We found three seats and watched people for the next four hours.  A couple of times an attendant came through and shoveled the garbage off of the floor.  Food vendors kept parading through including one guy who struck up a conversation with Will each time he passed – to the delight of the other riders.  Our train left Kaili late and consequently had to hold up before entering Guiyang.  It was faster than the bus but only marginally.  The hills were still pretty, though, and I didn’t realize how much industry is clustered outside of Guiyang.

 

We stayed in the same room in Guiyang and we walked around the town for a while before finding a place to have hotpot.  The girls in the restaurant all had to come look at Will and then they went off in giggling clusters and never did remember to bring us any beer.  Leaving the restaurant we watched the cops arresting a guy.  We couldn’t get money out of the China Construction Bank ATMs and finally sucked it up and paid the ATM fee at another bank.  The next morning we got up really early and waited for a tour bus to pick us up.  They handed us over to another bus that already had half a load and there weren’t enough seats for everybody so I ended up feeling grouchy and sitting in a jump seat.  Half an hour later they decided that they couldn’t go fast enough in that bus and traded it for a bigger one with room for everybody.  We went to a cave with a boatride on an underground lake, another cave full of Buddhas, a stone forest, and two big waterfalls.  We also went to a mushroom store, a knife store and a candy store and we had an amazing lunch.  It turned out that the guy I inconvenienced with the jump seat was a chinese-american from LA working in Guizhou (with a really cute girlfriend) and there was a guy from Singapore who had studied in the US and another couple and their friend who also spoke english…  We made the Miao performers dance for us after the big waterfall and embarassed some of the guys from the bus when they got pressed into service for the wedding dance.  Odette and Will got into a big argument about buying candy – the rest of the tour group and the store clerks found that pretty amusing.  (Will was right, the same candy was significantly cheaper elsewhere.)  On the way back to Guiyang I noticed how few of the buildings in the little villages had lights illuminated. We ate in a fish restaurant near the hotel that evening with very hot food and Odette spilled a beer and broke the glass.

 

Our flight to Shanghai wasn’t until afternoon so we went to a park in the middle of Guiyang in the morning, after eating street food for breakfast.  We climbed the first of the seven hills and freaked out Odette who thought the trail was too steep.  We descended and took a tram to the top of the next one and skirted the temple before climbing to the top of the hill where the monkeys were supposed to hang out.  We saw one monkey in a treetop and figured that was it as we headed down the other side.  It turned out that the monkeys stay near the people at the bottom and there were lots of them looking cute and begging for food.  We walked all the way across town to our hotel and saw some really interesting markets and street food vendors (Odette was craving fried potatoes with chili powder) before heading to the airport and our flight to Shanghai.  Guiyang reminded me that China is in the third world.

 

The taxi queue at the Shanghai airport was really long but it moved quickly.  The ride to the Bund was different than what Will remembered and it turned out that the bridge next to the hotel was closed which changed everything.  We checked into the Astor House (and admired the pictures of famous people who had stayed there long ago) and then had western food in their restaurant.  Will had seen enough temples at that point but we went to the Shanghai Museum for more jade, bronze and caligraphy.  We visited a lot of shopping malls (Will bought a sleeping bag, I bought a pair of pants) and took in an acrobat show.  We admired the heritage architecture of the Bund and visited the old city (Yuyuan garden and a multitude of tourist shops.)  The food markets we walked through were cool.  The crowds of shoppers on New Years Day were unbelievable.  We visted the costume museum on the top floor of the Metersbonwe department store. We visited Shanghai University.  We almost froze to death in Century park and then warmed up in the Science museum in Pudong.  (The digestive system ride alone is worth the price of admission.)  There was a place in Century park that rented tandems and tripples but it was so cold that we passed up the chance to go for a tandem ride in China.  We went to the observation deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center (second tallest building in the world) and looked out at all of the tall buildings in the new territories.  We went to a vegetarian restaurant that disguised tofu and vegetable protein as meat dishes.  We went to the St. Regis for a special New Year’s Eve “seafood extravaganza” where we were the only ones in the restaurant and got way overcharged.  We went to a Japanese restaurant to make up for it and got overcharged there, too. Shanghai impressed me as being almost European.

 

We took a fast train to Nanjing and spent a day with one of Wills classmates who grew up there.  We saw the Sun Yat Sen mausoleum and the river and several other parks and monuments.  The city wall was impressive.  We ate in a family style restaurant near the Confucian temple and got shushed because we were being too loud. I maxed out the memory card in my camera so we went to a tech market and bought a new one. We had tea in the revolving restaurant downtown from which we could see the Yangtze river.  Nanjing was a really pretty, friendly city (at least the way we were introduced to it) that felt like as a college town even though it has seven million people.  The train was really different from our previous train experience with reserved airline type seats.  There were people without reservations standing between cars, though, that ended up crammed in behind our seats.

 

We got out to the airport – too early to take the maglev – and caught the flight to Beijing.  In Beijing we claimed our left luggage and redistributed stuff so that we could avoid the overweight charges on Will’s speakers and books.  Odette and Will had Chinese currency burning holes in their pockets so Will bought cheap and expensive baijiu and Odette bought tea and other stuff.  We hung out and had lunch in an airport restaurant and then split up with Odette and I heading for the Hainan Air gate and Will heading off to another terminal and Air Canada.  Our flight home was as smooth as the flight over – I read China Candid by Ye Sang and got more out of it than I would have if I had read it in advance of the trip.  Will got to the gate and discovered that his flight had been cancelled.  He took a cab downtown, got a haircut, and slept in the Pitzer office until trying again the next day.

 

We got to Seattle and found the customs process really offputting and offensive – especially to people with foreign passports.  After we got our bags off the conveyor for the second time we couldn’t figure out where to get a cab.  We got home to a text from Will – and Odette went into woman warrior mode because the airline had lost her child.

 

So what did I learn from this trip?

 

• The cultural revolution is over and Mao didn’t win
• Most people in China were really young (or weren’t born) in the early seventies and they regard the end of that era as a good thing
• I always knew that the “Red Star Over China” stuff was propaganda, but the three weeks there and the stories in China Candid make me question all of it (and of all of the current stuff I thought I knew, too)
• I wish I’d paid more attention when I was working on Bank of China and when folks in the office were doing CITIC
• Beijing and Shanghai are sophisticated, world-class cities that don’t have a third world feel (you could get around in either of them without speaking Chinese)
• There are a lot of people in China just trying to make a buck – there are a lot of people there with money to spend, too
• The floating workers and the rural agricultural guys have it really hard
• It seems like the mall / supermarket model with is the way Chinese retail is going – but the various players may not be related even though they share space and a cashier
• There were too many bank branches – not enough credit card use
• The braile pathways on the sidewalks seem inefficient and even dangerous
• Potable water is a big deal
• I want to find out more about the Chinese in the western US in the late 1800s – and what was going on in China then
• I need to read a Chinese history
• I’m really impressed with Wills conversational skills – I wasn’t that fluent until I’d been in France a whole lot longer than three months
• I want to go to Tibet.  I want to bike the silk road. I want to go to Hong Kong.  
• I want to read Simon Winchester’s books Outposts, The Map That Changed The World, and The Man Who Loved China
• I was pleased with the way my camera performed, but it wasn’t worth the hassle of carrying the telephoto lens around.Here are the images again

 

Final OK for $107 million rail-line deal

Full story: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004408790_webraildeal13m.html

By Keith Ervin
Seattle Times staff reporter

Port of Seattle and King County executives signed a final deal this morning that will put a 42-mile Eastside rail corridor into public ownership.

The deal paves the way for a possible combination of freight rail, commuter trains and biking and hiking trails, but many details remain to be worked out.

With the spectacular Wilburton Trestle as a backdrop, Port CEO Tay Yoshitani and County Executive Ron Sims made official the deal under which the Port will pay BNSF Railway $107 million for the Renton-to-Snohomish rail line.

Port Commission President John Creighton said the Port wanted to make sure the rail line wasn’t sold off in pieces and felt the corridor could support the goal of moving people and goods.

King County will pay the Port $1.9 million for an easement to build a trail from Woodinville to Renton and Woodinville to Redmond. The county and Port will negotiate trail alignment only after a public process on uses of the corridor that will start soon and will finish early next year.

BNSF CEO Matt Rose signed the deal earlier.

Yoshitani and Sims signed the agreement at Bellevue Fire Station 7 shortly after the Port Commission met at Bellevue City Hall and unanimously approved the deal. The Metropolitan King County Council gave its OK last week.

"One day very soon, I hope we will see bicyclists commuting to work as well as hikers and strollers using the corridor. … I hope to have the opportunity to be one of the first users of the trail," said Yoshitani, who lives in Bellevue.

After nearly five years of discussion about how the public could buy the rail line that BNSF no longer wanted, Sims said, "In the end we’ve ensured that this irreplaceable 42-mile corridor stays in public ownership and is not broken up and sold piecemeal for private development."

The deal was praised both by trail and commuter-rail advocates.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com