2006 Bike Ride #17
Ride Length: 20.5 miles
Where: Redmond to Kirkland to Juanita and back home again
Start Time: 10:06 am(ish)
How long: 2.40 by biking computer, and 3.20 (I think) by the clock
My goal this ride was to do HILLS. More than one hill and for a longer distance than I usually do than when I am doing what I consider a hilly ride. I started at my place, had to stop at the gas station at the bottom of the hill to fill the tires, discovered I had no change for the air pump, and thus made my first call to L who is a good soul and not only brought me change, but filled the tires too.
Then I did the 520 bike path into Bellevue (hilly, and hot), walking up some of 24th as it was long and steep, and there was this construction going on so it had no real place to ride. I had to use a gravel shoulder, which was a little disconcerting; great downhill on the other side though, and totally worth it. I squealed just a little when I passed the 30 mph mark.
I turned down Lake Washington Blvd and biked into Kirkland proper, having a snack at the waterfront park. (Tiny Choc. Chip Banana muffins are yum!) Then I headed up over the hill into Juanita, and lost my bearings a bit. I cycled to the Juanita Beach park and called L the second time, to figure out what route to head home. I was a little too tired, I felt, for the original 32 mile route I'd planned, and wanted a short cut. (which I got, but it was a hilly short cut. I saw the markers for the 7 Hills of Kirkland ride stamped on the route a lot.) I had to walk most of the hills on 132nd as I encountered a funeral procession, and the cops that were directing traffic told me I had to walk the bike. Which, honestly, I did not mind in the least. There were some tight downhill turns at the end of 132nd, where it joins back up with 124th so I could take the Lake Samm trail for the last 3 miles; I really had to ride the brakes there. No squealing this time, more a mental 'fuck, that's tight! I hope I don't get run over.' The woman in the truck behind me was great, though, and let me do a wide left turn to get to the trail, holding traffic for me at the bad interesection. It was a real breeze once I hit the trail again, and I made my last call to L when I stopped at the Redmond City Hall to have another snack and rest in the shade a bit; his picked me up a few blocks later and drove me home.
It was a great ride, though now my legs are protesting this whole 'standing' thing.
Where: Redmond to Kirkland to Juanita and back home again
Start Time: 10:06 am(ish)
How long: 2.40 by biking computer, and 3.20 (I think) by the clock
My goal this ride was to do HILLS. More than one hill and for a longer distance than I usually do than when I am doing what I consider a hilly ride. I started at my place, had to stop at the gas station at the bottom of the hill to fill the tires, discovered I had no change for the air pump, and thus made my first call to L who is a good soul and not only brought me change, but filled the tires too.
Then I did the 520 bike path into Bellevue (hilly, and hot), walking up some of 24th as it was long and steep, and there was this construction going on so it had no real place to ride. I had to use a gravel shoulder, which was a little disconcerting; great downhill on the other side though, and totally worth it. I squealed just a little when I passed the 30 mph mark.
I turned down Lake Washington Blvd and biked into Kirkland proper, having a snack at the waterfront park. (Tiny Choc. Chip Banana muffins are yum!) Then I headed up over the hill into Juanita, and lost my bearings a bit. I cycled to the Juanita Beach park and called L the second time, to figure out what route to head home. I was a little too tired, I felt, for the original 32 mile route I'd planned, and wanted a short cut. (which I got, but it was a hilly short cut. I saw the markers for the 7 Hills of Kirkland ride stamped on the route a lot.) I had to walk most of the hills on 132nd as I encountered a funeral procession, and the cops that were directing traffic told me I had to walk the bike. Which, honestly, I did not mind in the least. There were some tight downhill turns at the end of 132nd, where it joins back up with 124th so I could take the Lake Samm trail for the last 3 miles; I really had to ride the brakes there. No squealing this time, more a mental 'fuck, that's tight! I hope I don't get run over.' The woman in the truck behind me was great, though, and let me do a wide left turn to get to the trail, holding traffic for me at the bad interesection. It was a real breeze once I hit the trail again, and I made my last call to L when I stopped at the Redmond City Hall to have another snack and rest in the shade a bit; his picked me up a few blocks later and drove me home.
It was a great ride, though now my legs are protesting this whole 'standing' thing.