Seattle Summer Streets - Alki

Cruised over the West Seattle Bridge to the Alki (Alk-eye!) Trail for the Bicycle Sunday, West Seattle style. The road along the beach was closed from California Ave SW by Salty's all the way to 63rd SW, around the point and down to where the famous Alki Bakery is located.

Even though the weather was great, the streets weren't as crowded as I expected. There was a big police presence, plus kettle corn, smoothies, and other treats, and a band playing all your old, tired favorites from the 70's.



On the way over, I detoured down the Duwamish Trail for a bit. One thing that's obvious from being around the Port is that there are a lot of empty shipping containers.

800 miles, YTD.

And, in other news, I became a great-uncle this weekend!

Memorial Day Ride

46 miles around the north end of Lake Washington on a sunny Memorial Day, hoping to build some seat team in preparation for Livestrong. It being a holiday, once again the masses were out on the popular trails, although I timed this photo of the SRT to not include the families riding two and three abreast.

Took a right off the SRT at Marymoor and headed up the 520 trail through Nintendo and Microsoft Land, where I saw this sign at an intersection. What does it mean? If a car turns right and a bike proceeds straight ahead, apparently some sort of fusion-induced catastrophe will occur, perhaps rendering all the hardware and software in the surrounding area inoperable.


Stopped at Enatai Park under the I-90 bridge for a fluid exchange, and caught this summer scene. Fishing was probably lousy, but given the sunshine, I doubt if they really cared.

On the Seattle side, as I crossed 520 at Montlake, traffic westbound was completely stopped as some autos had tried to occupy the same space at the same time, just west of the overpass. And, traffic crossing the Montlake Bridge was backed up, probably as the drawspan was open. A glorious day not to be in a car!

Correction

Some say that there are two seasons in Seattle, the rainy season and road construction season. A correction is in order for this sign on the Magnolia Loop. Bikes ARE traffic. Maybe the sign should read, Cars Merge With Bikes (and Keep a Safe Distance!)

30 miles today and I'm no way ready for Livestrong in four short weeks. Time to suck it up, grind out the miles and just do it.

First tomato of the year! A Sweet 100!

Mad Dogs and Seattlites

Warm Sunday afternoon ride downtown and back. When the temperature gets above 60 degrees and the weather is sunny and dry, the Mountain comes out as do all the rest of the Seattlites. They clogged the trails and bike lanes, but that is a good thing!



The Cruise Ships are back in town, berthing neat the Pike Place Market and disbursing lost and confused tourists along the waterfront. Good times!

Put the new Schwalbe Marathons on the Ride and they are running great. No flats on me.

New York Bikes

Lots of bikes in NYC, including this one on display at MOMA, plus these.