Monthly Archives: April 2017

Brevet Week 2017 – May 6-14

It’s not too late to sign up for Brevet Week!  This year’s series offers a number of fantastic, previously-run Brevets in the Olympia area, all starting and finishing at the La Quinta in Tumwater.  The 600k and 400k follow same couse as the 1000K, with the 600k going clockwise around the Olympic Penninsula (that includes Sekiu, the Elwha River and the Dungeness).  The 400K goes to Kelso, Glenoma, and Kapowsin. The 200k and 300k primarily in Olympia and Centralia area, that are previously-run Brevets by Paul Johnson in 2011. Overnight for the 600k and 1000k is in Port Angeles  (and 2nd overnight for 1000k in Kelso) so be ready to be self-sufficient!  Hotel reservations are also on your own and there is no drop bag support.

Note: all of the brevets are self-supported. We will send you off with your control card and cue sheet, the rest is up to you!

Please register early and sign up for each individual Brevet you are interested.

Saturday May 6 600k and 1000k: http://seattlerando.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=612
Tuesday May 9 300k: http://seattlerando.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=613
Wednesday May 10 400K: http://seattlerando.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=614
Sunday May 14 200K: http://seattlerando.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=615

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Pre Ride for 200/300K on April 15,2017

by Millison Fambles

The 200k and 300k rides will be run concurrently for the first 80 miles starting at Bertolino Coffee Bar 2421 S Union Tacoma 98405.

The ride starts along the Scott Pierson Trail. This trail has lots of turns and uses crosswalks and sidewalks as it follows along Hwy 16 to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The view from the bridge is spectacular and is a great photo opportunity.  Four miles later, you will be zooming down the hill into old town Gig Harbor. There is a bit of road construction along the water but it should not slow anyone down on a Saturday morning. The congestion and number of turns decreases once you have left Purdy, just in time for the Kitsap climbing to begin. Pine Rd starts the fun and it continues pretty much until WA-3.

The first control is in Belfair and there are a wide variety of food options: Safeway, McDonalds, Starbucks, etc. There is road construction for a short stretch through town. The route follows Hood Canal for a few miles before it makes a sharp and steep climb up E. Trails Rd to Mason Lake. Keep your eyes peeled through the clearcuts for glimpses of the Olympics and Mt Rainier. The next control is at the Airport Grocery outside of Shelton. Please be extra courteous and clean. We were scolded last year for leaving trash outside. If you are going to leave water for the following riders, please leave it neatly next to the trash can.

Follow US-101 south to Steamboat Island Rd. where we escape the business of the highway for the quiet lap along Madrona Beach.  Shortly after the climb up and out of the Delphi Valley, the route splits and the 200k cuts through south Olympia and the 300k continues south the explore the hills and valleys of the Doty Hills.

The 200:

Off Delphi, there are a few new roads to an info control. Congestion increases as the route goes through South Olympia and Tumwater. There are lots of services through this area. Cleveland Rd becomes Yelm Hwy and is busy but has a wide bike lane. Watch for merging and turning traffic. There is an info control then a fast descent into the Nisqually River Valley. Fort Lewis limits our road options for heading north so there will be a 1.5 mile stretch on I-5. Use caution if there are trucks merging to use the scales.  There are plenty of food options in Dupont and only 28k to go.  Continue past the Amazon fulfillment center, the Ft Lewis firing range, the Jack Nicklaus designed VA golf course and across Steilacoom Lake as you wind north through Lakewood. The final 10k follows city streets to the finish.

The 300:

Continues down the valley to Littlerock (services) and Mima Gate to the “End of the Trail” control in Rochester. Stock up on food and water here, there are no services for 50km. After a short stretch on US-12, the route turns into the hills and meanders through quiet, rural hills ending with a beautiful descent down the Lincoln Creek Valley. There is a control at Safeway in Centralia and then easy riding on 507 to Bucoda, Tenino and then on the trail to Rainier. Then, head north to East Olympia and then follow the 200k route to the finish.

Almost half of the elevation gain is in the first 50K, so the Belfair control is well timed for a break. The 200 route has services along the whole route. The 300 has a 50k gap from Rochester to Centralia without anything.

The weather forecast is looking good, but is has been and wet spring.

It helps if you preregister: http://seattlerando.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=608

See you Saturday morning at Bertolino’s.

Millison

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Filed under Pre Rides, SIR Rides, Uncategorized

Permanent Change: The Arboretum Trail

by Bill Gobie

1801 Club Car Populaire

2596 Luck O’ the Drawbridges

The first portion of the UW Arboretum Trail opened in the last week of March. The trail parallels Lake Washington Blvd from E Madison St to Arboretum Drive. The two permanents listed above have been moved onto the trail. Southbound in particular, the trail allows riders to avoid the steep climb to E Madison St on Lake Washington Blvd. This location often carries heavy car traffic.

Currently the south end of the trail near E Madison St is not safely connected to Madison or Lake Washington Blvd. The maps below illustrate ways to access the trail. (Note the trail is not mapped yet in Google Maps.)

Accessing the trail when northbound on Lake Washington Blvd is relatively easy. Immediately after crossing E Madison St take the “soft right” onto 31st Ave E. Then turn left onto the trail. Be cautious of cars making the free right from Madison.

Southbound is a little more complicated. Turning left from 31st Ave E onto Lake Washington Blvd is difficult because of the free right from Madison and often heavy traffic on Lake Washington Blvd. The following method has been tested and works well:

From the trail cross 31st Ave E and go left through the gas station. Go to the farthest driveway. Turn right on E Madison St. To go south on Lake Washington Blvd immediately get into the left turn lane.

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