Cycling Seattle - Day 2

After my hugely successful ride on Day 1 in Seattle, I pushed my bike out of the motel on Day 2 with a lot more confidence, a little better idea of where I was going and excited about what I would discover.  On my first day I explored the Northern part of the city.  On this day I would venture to West Seattle.

Studying a bicycle map on-line, I concluded that there was a bike path that would take me to the West Seattle Low Level Bridge where I could ride over the river.  I rode from the motel down, down, down to the waterfront and sure enough found the bike path which I confidently took to the South.  I rode for a mile or so before I discovered that the trail was closed due to road construction.  However, my dear readers, do not lose heart.  I am in Seattle, and wouldn't you know it, they have bike detour signs that take me on an alternate path around the construction.  Can you believe it - BIKE DETOUR SIGNS - How cool is that???

The road leading up to the Low level Bridge was lined bumper to bumper with Semis making their way to the shipping terminal. 

As I approached the intersection of the bike path and the never ending line of trucks, they miraculously stopped and allowed me to cross.  There was no light giving me the right of way.  There was no crossing guard directing traffic.  All there were was a bunch of courteous truck drivers willing to share the road with me, a measly bike rider.  To say that I am not use to such royal treatment is an understatement of astronomical proportions.

I reached the bridge and there was a nice, safe separated bike path to lead me across.  Upon reaching the opposite shore, I simply followed the signs for the Alki trail.

The Alki Trail took me on a pleasant and scenic path around the entire perimeter of the West Seattle peninsula.

After navigating the perimeter of West Seattle, I ventured inward on the peninsula and climbed (another major understatement) to get a birds eye view of downtown Seattle.

After enjoying the view, I flew downhill and made my way back to the motel which once again entailed a nut buster climb.  I was starting to get the hang of this city thing!!!

Cycling Seattle - Day 1

I arrived in Seattle in the early afternoon on Saturday. I took the light rail from the airport to the downtown area. I exited the light rail station and was faced with a 3 block walk uphill to the motel. This proved to be a bit of a task hauling more than 70 lbs of luggage, including my Bike Friday, safely tucked away in the Samsonite F'lite 30 suitcase.

My first order of business was to unpack the bike and ready her for riding. However, not being familiar with Seattle and having never actually ridden in a big city, I decided to take a walk and do a little recon. The traffic was bumper to bumper and I have to admit I was more than a bit intimidated. I decided to skip riding on this first day and just explore the city on foot.

The next morning, I was up early and out for a ride.  It was cold and a light rain was falling.  I rode down to the waterfront...

I rode North from there and found a bike path.  Which, by the way, is not hard to do in Seattle. 

That path was near the space needle, so I took a little detour into town to get a closer look...

Making my way back to the bike path, I continued riding it which took me around a commercial fishing yard, through a rail yard and past a marina until it finally ended with a spectacular view across and up the Puget Sound...

Turning around, I made my way back to the downtown area.  By this time the city had awakened and was bustling with activity.  I spent some time riding and exploring downtown Seattle.  I wandered through the Pike Place Market and found the original Starbucks...

After half a day a riding. It was time to make my way back to motel, the only thing that stood between the motel and I was 7 blocks of a nut-buster climb...

This was the first time in my life that I was actually praying to miss the lights, so that I could take a little break and catch my breath.  It was also the first time in my life that every light turned green just as I reached it.  Cute God - real cute!

I finally made it back to the motel and hung my clothes out to dry.  Sitting on the edge of my bed, I was a bit tired, but felt good. I was glad that earlier that morning, when faced with the cold and the rain, I resisted the urge to turn around and head back to my room. I was cold and I got wet, but I had an awesome ride, through an amazing city.

Cycling Affair Quiz - Question #1

You may be having a "Cycling Affair" if...

Your idea of a tender moment is sitting on a bike seat the morning after eating spicy food.

Phantom on a Bike

I was climbing on my bike about to head home for the day. It was late, the sun was starting to set, the light was fading fast. It was at this moment that I saw the ghost of a man dressed in leather knickers, wearing a Flat Cap and riding a vintage tricycle. The bike looked like a trike version of a penny farthing with two big wheels in the front and a small wheel in the back.

I knew it was a ghost cause people don't dress like that nowadays and they don't ride those kind of bikes. If these indicators weren't enough to convince me that this was an apparition, the fact that he rode right through the iron bars of the fence surrounding the place I work without missing a pedal stroke removed all doubt.

I was just about to take off after him to get a closer look and maybe chat a bit, when the unthinkable happened, I woke up. I frantically tried to force myself back to sleep that I might ride with this phantom of by gone years. Yet my efforts at slumber were all in vain.

This Commuting Week in Pics - 4/25 - 4/29/11

My favorite flower...

He is risen...

The James River Bridge through the trees...

A storms obstruction...

Storm clouds giving way...