Tag Archives: SIR Rides

Text and photos by Andrew Sapuntzakis and Kevin Smith

General

To set expectations, this is not a fast route, particularly the first 200K. Pace yourself and don’t get discouraged when looking at your time in the first half of this ride. Randonneuring is supposed to be challenging, so keep your head in the game and focus on persistent forward progress. You will accumulate stop time, but don’t let that bother you. Your ride pace will improve in the second half. You’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment when you finish.

You might come across a train stopped across the road in the Port of Tacoma. We did during the pre-ride. Look for a safe alternate around the train, or wait for the train to move. Don’t go under or between the cars, your life is not worth riding credit.

Details

Ride south to Woodinville Rd, cross, jog left (west) 2x, cross the wooden arch bridge, then left down to the trail, and turn right to head east.

Trail should be pretty empty this early on Saturday morning, but please be mindful of other users.

Metropolitan Market on the right at 18.5K.

Continue along the BGT past the views of Seattle and Gas Works Park. Route has you take Northlake Pl to 34th, but no big deal if you miss that turn. From 34th, turn left and use the far sidewalk to cross the Fremont bridge (and be counted).

Across the bridge, 2 quick rights get you to the ramp down to the South Ship Canal Trail. Follow that to Interbay, along Emerson, and a short climb up to Gilman. Turn right, and the climbing continues. Gradually at first, then it flattens as Gilman turns into Government, then into Discovery Park Blvd which pitches up and turns left at the top. Roll past some historic buildings, then down to the water – left at the Y! Answer the control question and take in the views – you can probably see the Alki Pt control across Elliott Bay – before heading back (up) the way you came.

After the climb, turn right onto Nebraska just before the stables. Follow the route out of the park. A jog left to Magnolia Blvd and more great views. Turn left onto Thorndyke rather than descending the Magnolia Bridge. At the bottom, take 20th thru the rail yard, then the Elliott Bay Trail. It gets very tight in places, so communicate with oncoming trail users. After crossing under the Magnolia Bridge, you’ll probably encounter cruise-ship buses and cabs. Continue on the trail, thru the sculpture park, until it puts you on Alaskan Way with more cruise-ship traffic! Near the aquarium, you’ll need to use the sidewalk due to the construction. (One day it’ll be done …)

Get back to the Portside Trail by King St. That will take you to E Marginal, where the early hour and construction should make for minimal traffic. Get onto the sidewalk as you approach Spokane St. Once across the Spokane St (lower) bridge, take the Alki fork to the right and down, across the (recently simplified) intersection, and left onto the Alki Trail.

Traffic should be minimal, so you can pick road or trail all the way out to Alki Pt, where you’ll find the 2nd control. Continue on to Beach Dr, up to Fauntleroy, and then over to 46th to avoid the ferry terminal.

From 69K to 116K there will be challenging climbs and steep descents. Bring your easy gears, walk if you prefer, and don’t overcook the tight turns on the descents.

When you get to 3 Tree Pt, look for the answer to the info control across from the 2 palm trees.

There are several services along this part. The last one before Tacoma is after Browns Pt – a market at the far end of the strip mall on your left, just before you rejoin the main road.

Starting with Marine View you will encounter multiple sets of railroad tracks on the way into Tacoma, most at angles. Communicate with fellow riders and motorists. We’ve ridden thru multiple times, and light traffic can allow some maneuvering space. Getting in & out of Tacoma is restricted due to the closing of the Fishing Wars bridge on Pacific Hwy. You may need to wait, you may need to backtrack. Do NOT try to go under/between rail cars.

The route thru Tacoma is pretty efficient. You’ll have services along the way, especially in the Stadium District and Ruston. The routing thru Point Defiance Park is pretty simple, except for the 3-way fork near the Visitors Ctr – take the left/middle one marked ZOO, not the descending path to the right. See photo:

There are bathrooms across from the Info Control.

Once out of the park, you’ll be on city streets all the way to the Narrows bridge. Trail is on the far side of the intersection. Once you’re across, the exit to Stone Dr is a gap in the chain-link fence on the left – closer than you might expect. Touch Raft Island for one info control, then the far end of Fox Island for the other. Services at the Chevron below the airport and in Arletta, as well as bathrooms at the Fox Island control.

Work your way back to the Narrows, back over the bridge, into War Memorial Park, then it’s all streets back thru Tacoma. Same caveats getting out thru the port.

Once you’ve escaped the Port of Tacoma it’s pretty flat thru Fife and Puyallup, and onto the Foothills trail (immediately after RR crossing). Services in Orting, and maybe your last views of Rainier? Continue on the trail until S Prairie, then switch to the road (Pioneer Way) since the trail is barricaded at the s-curve. Turn left after the metal bridge, and it’s a straight shot into Buckley. No need to bother with the trail – the segment in town is also under construction. After Buckley it’s a short ride into Enumclaw which has a QFC (1am close, 1 block E of the route) – next services are ~25K (staffed control in Kangley). From Kangley is downhill to Ravensdale, then over a hill to get to the Cedar River trailhead!

Take that to Renton – where there’s a construction detour at the end. A few city streets, and you’re on the Lake WA loop and Eastrail – pavement starts before Virginia Mason, ends near Coal Creek / Lake WA Blvd. Get on the I-90/MTSG trail for the last bit of climbing up thru the I-90/405 interchange, Honda Hill, etc. No need to get on the street by AAA, there is a protected bike lane almost all the way to the top despite the construction. Final climb at 154th! Descend to Issaquah, then go find the troll for the last info control. You may need to look behind you!

Slice thru town on Rainier Trail, then Rainier Ave, then onto the ELST which should be pretty empty. Up to Marymoor, over to the SRT, and back to Bothell.

Text and photos by Phil Neff

“A lie has speed, the truth has endurance” – Edgar J. Mohn

This course winds through river valleys into the foothills of Tahoma at Carbon Glacier trailhead in Mt. Rainier National Park, diverts to a punchy climb of Mud Mountain in Enumclaw, and returns via a loop of Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. With less than 2000 meters of climbing over 300 kilometers, this is a great “season opener” longer brevet, but keep in mind that most of the elevation gain comes during the middle section of the ride and save energy for the ride back in!

Start at U Village Starbucks in the University District; cross the Montlake Bridge and take the lane before a left-hander onto Lake Washington Boulevard (signage indicates the sidewalk after the bridge will be closed on 4/20). Enjoy the scenic Arboretum and then descend the Lakeview Park hairpins to Lake Washington; watch out for deteriorated pavement all along Lake Washington Blvd. Navigate a brief section of closed bike lane on Rainier Avenue before turning right up a short incline on 87th Ave S to avoid busy Renton intersections and connect to the Interurban Train.

Watch out for debris, bumps, railroad tracks, and several traffic crossings on the Interurban. After a brief jog through quaint Algona and Pacific, connect to the comparatively smooth Sumner Link Trail on the White River. A brief transition on the aptly named Traffic Avenue and Shaw Road leads to the Foothills Trail; enter the trail on your left just before the busy intersection of Shaw Road and East Pioneer Avenue.

The well-maintained Foothills Trail leads to the town of Orting, services, and if you’re lucky an eyeful of Tahoma in all its glory. Elevation gain begins with the punchy A P Tubbs Road into Wilkeson, your last stop for (limited) services on this out and back section; very little was open in the morning but the Simple Goodness Soda Shop (open 11am-8pm) is a great option for a lunch stop on the way back.

From here, enjoy a rolling, intensely scenic climb up the Carbon River canyon, some ~23 kms at about 2% grade with a max pitch of 8%. There’s a pit toilet at the Carbon River trailhead but no water. The descent is great fun, with smooth roads and no technical sections.

After Wilkeson, follow SR 165 right through Buckley (services) and then onto Mud Mtn Road, back along the White River. The out and back climb up Mud Mtn is the day’s steepest climb, 3.5 kms at 5.3% with a max grade of 11%. Navigate a one-lane section beneath a slide; the descent here is a bit more technical, with a hairpin and patches of gravel scattered on the roadway.

Following this diversion, it’s rural roads through Enumclaw into Ravensdale, most either with decent shoulder or long straightaways where traffic can easily pass. Services are available at the Ravensdale Market in Georgetown before a short climb on Landsburg Road SE; just after the bridge, be careful of the left-hand descending turn into the gravel parking lot of the Cedar River Trail trailhead. Enjoy the snap-crackle-pop of the light gravel trail and give strong consideration to a stop at Cascadia Pizza on your left immediately after crossing the Cedar River, just past the 200km mark. Continue the now-paved trail into Renton.

At the end of the Cedar River Trail in Renton, a detour directs you to cross the river on your right; follow posted signs to cross the one-way Houser Way North and take the sidewalk back to the Renton Historical Museum for an info control. Make your way through downtown Renton onto Lake Washington Boulevard North. From here, it’s a familiar two-lakes loop: you could do this in your sleep! Some of you probably have done this in your sleep!

Cross Lake WA Blvd left onto the Eastrail trail, and then back right onto Lake Washington Boulevard for the climb through Factoria to Newport Way into Issaquah. Hop onto the Lake Sammamish Trail and be wary of innumerable mid-trail posts, driveways, and nighttime trail users. Wind through Marymoor Park onto the Sammamish River Trail (late night restrooms available at Wilmot Gateway Park), connect to the Burke Gilman Trail in Kenmore, and before you know it you’ll be entering U Village again. Find your finish control at or near the Eureka! Restaurant (open until midnight) on the south side of the shopping complex. Congratulations, that’s another ride in the books!

Last Saturday (7/30), Mick set off on the Summer 400K pre-ride from the Best Western Arlington (3721 172nd St NE, Arlington). In short, this is a beautiful and challenging 400K (I know, all 400K’s are challenging), which will require planning to ensure riders have enough calories, electrolytes and water. Mick had two bottles and a camelback, and needed all of that capacity.

The start takes us out on Smokey Pt. Blvd, and within 5K we’re on WA-530. There were wisps of fog still in the fields on our way to Oso and Darrington, and not much traffic at that hour. The store at the gas station in Darrington is at 55K, at the left turn to stay on WA-530, but some riders may choose to wait to refuel until Marblemount (100K, 100m off course).

It’s river grade climbing following the Skagit river to Newhalem, where everyone should stop to take on water for the climbing to follow. There will only be water available at the Info Ctr, the store there is closed.

After Newhalem, the climbing starts in earnest. Earlier in the day, much of the climb is shaded. Take advantage of the occasional waterfall close by the road to cool off! There will be water and toilets available at Colonial Creek Campground, 100m from entrance on either side of the road. We will also have water available at the Canyon Creek Trailhead, in a shaded gravel parking area.

The turnaround is at the Washington Pass Overlook. There are toilets, and it will be SIR- staffed with water and snacks. Mick arrived there with approximately 9 hours on the clock for his first half of the ride.

Riders should be able to make better time getting back to Marblemount, possibly stopping for water at Colonial Creek and/or Newhalem. All riders should find a couple choices for food and restaurants in Marblemount (282K) and Concrete (310K). 

In Concrete, we’ll take  Concrete- Sauk Valley Rd and S. Skagit Hwy, shadier and quieter alternatives to WA-20. Near Sedro Woolley, we’ll take WA-9 to the Nakashima Barn and the Centennial Trail back to Arlington. Note that most of the stores after Concrete close by 10 or 10:30.

The finish is back at the Best Western where cold beer and pizza will be waiting for you. I hope to see you at the 0500 start on 8/6! Registration is online here.