Best 200K Permanent for a New Yorker in Seattle in September?

[George Swain]

Greetings West Coast Rando Cousins,

I will be in Seattle (for the first time!) for a conference on September 14-15 and want to arrive a day early or stay a day late to ride a 200K permanent while I'm in the area. Which 200K with a start within easy access to downtown via bike and/or public transit would you recommend? Looking for something unique and memorable with as few main roads as possible.

I will also need to rent a bike for the day. Any tips welcome.

Thanks in advance,

George Swain

RUSA 4232

[Shan Perera]

George....really glad you're heading out in this direction in Sep. What size bike do you ride? If 56/57 I'd be happy to hook you up. (My eyeball sizing meter think you may be a 54/55)

Lots of 200 perms in our catalog. I'll let the others chime in on potential options. I'm sure we could even organize a group ride for you. 

Shan P.

Sent from my cell phone. Please excuse brevity & typos.

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.
To post to this group, send email to seattl...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
seattlerando...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/seattlerando?hl=en

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seattlerando...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Andy Speier]

I can loan you a 55 cm (center to top) but it may be a bit too old school for you:

friction down tube shifters

centerpull brakes

double crank /(30/46)

I won't be in town that week otherwise I'd join you on the ride.

Andy

---

From: Shan Perera <shan_...@hotmail.com>
To: "geor...@earthlink.net" <geor...@earthlink.net>
Cc: Seattle International Randonneurs <seattl...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2017 6:53 PM
Subject: Re: [SIR] Best 200K Permanent for a New Yorker in Seattle in September?

[George Swain]

Thanks, Shan! It would be great to ride with you. I am actually a 56-57 so would be grateful to take you up on your offer, but happy to rent something if that's a problem or hassle. 

A group ride would be great. I'm thinking that of my two date options, Saturday, Sept 16 would probably be best, right? Would that work for you? I plan to buy plane tickets soon, but we would not need to work out all of the ride details until the date gets closer. I can get a red-eye back to NY on Saturday night to give me the full day on the bike.

On routes, I'm totally flexible, but something that seems quintessentially "Seattle" would be fun.

Best, 

George

On Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 9:53:18 PM UTC-4, Shan Perera wrote:

George....really glad you're heading out in this direction in Sep. What size bike do you ride? If 56/57 I'd be happy to hook you up. (My eyeball sizing meter think you may be a 54/55)

Lots of 200 perms in our catalog. I'll let the others chime in on potential options. I'm sure we could even organize a group ride for you. 

Shan P.

Sent from my cell phone. Please excuse brevity & typos.

On Jun 10, 2017, at 6:35 PM, George Swain <geor...@earthlink.net> wrote:

Greetings West Coast Rando Cousins,

I will be in Seattle (for the first time!) for a conference on September 14-15 and want to arrive a day early or stay a day late to ride a 200K permanent while I'm in the area. Which 200K with a start within easy access to downtown via bike and/or public transit would you recommend? Looking for something unique and memorable with as few main roads as possible.

I will also need to rent a bike for the day. Any tips welcome.

Thanks in advance,

George Swain

RUSA 4232

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.

To post to this group, send email to seatt...@googlegroups.com

[George Swain]

Thanks, Andy! I love the sound of old school, but that frame may be a bit small. Thanks a lot for the offer, though. If Shan's fits me that might be best since he'll be in town and we may be riding together. I'll let you know if the need changes. 

Best,

George

To post to this group, send email to seatt...@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
seattlerando...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/seattlerando?hl=en

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seattlerando...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Ronald Long]

sounds like fun. I've put it on my calendar..

ronald

To post to this group, send email to seattl...@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

seattlerando+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/seattlerando?hl=en

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seattlerando+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

[Bill Gobie]

I'm thinking a route into the mountains would be the thing. Some candidates:

243   Sunrise Climb 203 km *

592   Hurricane Ridge 286 km

1075 Lake Forest Park-Index 204 km

2741 Sunrise + Chinook Climbs 200 km *

* 243 and 2741 require driving to the start. If we have a group that will be no problem.

592 is hella long. I have found starting at 0300 works well.

2741 is probably the most spectacular.

For something easier, 536 Hood Canal Loop 2.0 CCW is the ticket.

592 and 536 require a ferry ride from downtown Seattle to the start.

George, you can view the maps for these routes on the Perminator. You should create an account and upload the annual waiver which will let you register online.

Bill

[Geoff Hazel]

2214 Mercer Island - Carbon River glacier has a lot of scenery to offer plus the start is close to Seattle proper.

[Peter Cousseau]

How about 206 Mt Baker Climb ... 

On Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 6:35:29 PM UTC-7, George Swain wrote:

[Bill Gobie]

Bellingham start is a much longer drive. 

Bill

--

[Joel Niemi]

Bellingham start is possibly possible with Amtrak to get him closer.

Joel Niemi

[Bill Gobie]

I don't think George has time to mess with Amtrak.

Bill

[Bill Gobie]

PS. However 206 might have the quietest roads.

Bill

[Hugh Kimball]

If he likes to climb, there is the RAMROD permament #126 240k.  -Hugh Kimball

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.
To post to this group, send email to seattl...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

seattlerando...@googlegroups.com

For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/seattlerando?hl=en

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seattlerando...@googlegroups.com.

[Ron Himschoot]

Given your criteria of a 200k permanent starting from downtown Seattle, unique, and memorable on quiet backroads, I would suggest #256 Hood Canal Loop 2.0 CCW (Bainbridge start) --https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3727841.  It involves a ferry ride on each end, but the ferry terminal is right downtown.  And the ferry ride back into Seattle will leave you with a most memorable view of the city (bring your camera or buy the post card). 

 

The route covers much of the very first SIR brevet in 1994.  It goes through historic Port Gamble and past the historic Union Country Store.  It goes through Quilcene – you may have heard of Quilcene Oysters.   It ends in Bremerton, which has its own historical significance for its naval yard. 

 

The roads are mostly quiet, but traffic increases a bit on the weekends.  The Hood Canal floating bridge sucks, but at least it has a narrow bike lane.  More history: the first bridge sank.  Hwy 3 through Belfair has a bad and narrow shoulder with impatient traffic, but it’s only 1.5 miles.  The last few miles into Bremerton are a bit unpleasant, but mostly unavoidable.  The rest of the ride includes lots of Northwest forest with frequent water views. 

 

If I were doing it, I would give myself 45 minutes between the ferry arrival and the start time of the permanent and ride into Winslow for espresso and a pastry at the Blackbird Bakery (cash only).  You need a receipt from somewhere.  I would also consider taking Madison Avenue north out of Winslow until it meets up again with Hwy 305 to put me back on course even if it may be against the rules.

 

Services are available in Port Gamble, Chimacum, Quilcene, Brinnon, Eldon, Liliwaup, Hoodsport, Union Country Store, and Belfair.  Bathrooms and water only at Dosewallips State Park and at Twanoh State Park.  See the map.

 

The ride ends in Bremerton, where there are brew pubs for a beer while you wait for the ferry.  That should give you a good sample of what Seattle has to offer: ferries, forest, hills, history, magnificent views, coffee, microbrewery beer and 200 km on the bike.  Bring Gore-Tex: it might rain.

 

-Ron Himschoot

--

[Geoff Hazel]

Ron, I had been lobbying for Mercer Island to Carbon Glacier, but after reading this, I'm ready to ride it myself.  I would agree that the ferry rides will give another taste of Seattle, and it is really scenic over on the peninsula.  

Geoff Hazel

[Nicholas Bull]

Another nice route starting from Winslow is perm #0342, Bainbridge-Port Townsend-Bainbridge, The first half is easier than the second half, so leave something in the tank!  I rode it in 2011, last big ride before PBP. I rode with Charlie White and his wife.  I thought I was in good shape for PBP but the fact that A) the final ten miles I got dropped and B) it took just under 12 hours to ride 133 miles ... had me a little worried.  But PBP went fine, anyway!

Queen Anne loop or Snohomish-Edison are also good alternatives for a close-in-to-Seattle start.

Nick

seattlerando+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/seattlerando?hl=en

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seattle International Randonneurs" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seattlerando+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

[Bill Gobie]

Ron makes a great argument for #256. A couple of notes: Hwy 3 in Belfair is being widened which is making the drivers testy. The project includes widening the shoulders. Biking should be more pleasant when it is finished in Q3. The Hood Canal bridge is pretty fair for cyclists since it was revamped a couple of years ago. Expect a lot of debris on the shoulders.

I'm glad Nick liked, and finished, #342. That is one of mine. It turned out to be pretty hard. #2360 is somewhat easier and takes some more pleasant roads and trails. #342 has a more extensive tour of Victorian uptown Port Townsend. It's worth departing from either route to wander uptown to see the Victorian homes.

Bill