great spots for riding...

"idlehands" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:1126807751.050986.218410
@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I from Chicago visiting Seattle, Wa for a week for a conference. In
Chicago we have street riding and trails along the lakefront and
suburbs. But the surrounding areas of Seattle - are simply breathtaking
- great trails and riding opportunities for amateur and intermediate
skilled riders. But be warned, there are many hills in Washington! The
coastal areas are great with dirt and/or gravel trails located
everywhere. If given the opportunity visit Mt. Baker or Mt. Rainier in
Bellingham, Wa for good senic surroundings and well laid paths.

Where else could you guys recommend to ride?

I spent most of December (while unemployed) riding the John Wayne/Ironhorse
trail. It's the old railroad bed going through Snoqualmie Pass. It starts
at Rattlesnake Lake, and goes 20 miles to the top of the pass, going
through a 2 mile-long tunnel along the way (bring lights. BIG lights). Ride
until you're dog tired, turn around and coast back to the car. Take exit 32
on I-90.

Of course, the Burke-Gilman/Sammamish River Trails are great, going around
Lake Washington, along the Sammamish River, to the southeast corner of Lake
Sammamish - about 50 miles in total. The Sammamish River portion's my
favorite, since it's the most recently paved part. B-G is narrow, crowded
and full of tree roots, and the Lake Sammamish part is still mostly crushed
gravel, or just a bike lane on East Lake Sam Parkway.

-HW

"CEarly" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What's the surface like on the John Wayne/Ironhorse trail? Sounds
like a good ride.

Cal

Hardpack, like an unpaved country road. I rode it extensively in a month of
heavy rain, and it never got soft on me. There are a few spots with a
couple hundred feet of crushed gravel that would be tricky with narrow
tires, but those are few & far between. A hybrid would do just great, as
would a road bike with tires wider than 30mm. On my mountain bike, I never
left my middle ring.

Just watch out for the road apples. Horses have the right-of-way.

-HW

"Hank Wirtz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"idlehands" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:1126807751.050986.218410
@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I from Chicago visiting Seattle, Wa for a week for a conference. In
Chicago we have street riding and trails along the lakefront and
suburbs. But the surrounding areas of Seattle - are simply breathtaking
- great trails and riding opportunities for amateur and intermediate
skilled riders. But be warned, there are many hills in Washington! The
coastal areas are great with dirt and/or gravel trails located
everywhere. If given the opportunity visit Mt. Baker or Mt. Rainier in
Bellingham, Wa for good senic surroundings and well laid paths.

Where else could you guys recommend to ride?

I spent most of December (while unemployed) riding the John
Wayne/Ironhorse
trail. It's the old railroad bed going through Snoqualmie Pass. It starts
at Rattlesnake Lake, and goes 20 miles to the top of the pass, going
through a 2 mile-long tunnel along the way (bring lights. BIG lights).
Ride
until you're dog tired, turn around and coast back to the car. Take exit
32
on I-90.

Of course, the Burke-Gilman/Sammamish River Trails are great, going around
Lake Washington, along the Sammamish River, to the southeast corner of
Lake
Sammamish - about 50 miles in total. The Sammamish River portion's my
favorite, since it's the most recently paved part. B-G is narrow, crowded
and full of tree roots, and the Lake Sammamish part is still mostly
crushed
gravel, or just a bike lane on East Lake Sam Parkway.

-HW

What's the surface like on the John Wayne/Ironhorse trail? Sounds like a
good ride.

Cal