Tag Archives: SIR Rides

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.