Fantastic Bike Trails, Sun and Great Company

Finally, the sun was here - and at 30 degrees celsius it was here with a vengenace.

We rode the Burke Gilman Trail, which is a masterpiece.  From Fremont (the centre of the  known Universe - where the welcome signs tell you to turn your watches 5 minutes forward), through the magnificent University of Washington Campus which seemed to stretch for miles and miles, past Kenmore - where the Beaver float planes used in Alaska are refitted from their Army status (that they were originally built for), through Redmond, around Lake Washington and ending in Bellevue, we had a a wonderful ride.

Very few hills, wide bike paths, many users, Lots of enormous properties on the lakes, not far from Seattle.  Friendly cyclists often asking where we were from, where we were heading, a lovely days riding (after the 'carrying' of bikes up and down hills at the start.)

Then... we got to 34th Street.  We were heading to stay with Jennifer and Jim Yearous (daughter and son-in-law of Dave and Kay Smith) in Bellevue.  Carefully following Jim's instructions for the trail and then our GPS to their place.....  34th Street felt like a total uphill stretch.  But again, the calves and arms came in handy pushing the bikes up.  Then, we were warned....  the long hill up to the Yearous' house - 800 feet up.  We found out later that this the local hill training road for cyclists and that many cyclists come out from Seattle (12 miles) to ride this hill.  I can understand why.  But at the end of the long day, with 50 pounds of luggage each - I needed to push the bike most of the way.  

Peter managed to ride most of it - what a star - but I'm not that strong!  

It was a relief to get there - and to have friendly faces, a shower and washing machine and dryer available!  Had a fantastic night, sitting outside, wonderful food, lots of red wine and great conversation.

Jennifer and Jim Yearous

Jen is a para planner and just changing from working at MetLife to a much smaller planner, and with the exciting prospect of growing the business ahead of her.  Lots of interesting work conversations (as well as many other topics)

Yesterday, the trip back into Seattle.  Only 21km (sprinkle of rain to start the day, but otherwise another 30 degrees stunner.)  But was my body tired. And Jim - you forgot to tell us about the hills!!!  I was walking quite a few of the uphills (but I felt better when I saw other cyclists without luggage doing the same!)  Very tired when we got to our hotel - the Fairmont.

Very impressed with the reception at the Fairmont.  It is a pretty flash hotel - but the reception was great.  They sponsor a Seattle to Vancouver ride and have a number of cycle tourists ending their trips here.  It is a really cycle friendly town.  Auckland could achieve a lot from studying what Seattle has done.

Then to ''The Cheesecake Factory' for lunch/dinner at 6pm.  Penny (from Big Bang) wasn't there, but the meals were so huge we have to go back to have the cheesecake, maybe today!

Other interesting discoveries:

A dual purpose water fountain, the one at the bottom is for dogs to drink from...

Harcourt Bicycle Polo - invented in Seattle in 1998.  It looks like a killer to me.  3 bikes (single gear, more spokes than a normal bike so that the are stronger), goal is to score goals by hitting the puck with the end of the mallet without putting your foot on the ground. Lots of acrobatics on the bikes.

The goalies bike is as big as the goal, so you can understand why the scores are as low as in soccer.  NZ does have a team. Madness!!  The Canadian team we talked to had fresh war wounds from their games.

One well worn helmet.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but there is a 4 inch strip of sellotape holding the top of the helmet onto the actual helmet protective bit.'  THe rain has got to it and it has fallen to bits. Oh well, only one more ride today and then it can go in the rubbish.

Off to enjoy Seattles sun, bike baths and cheesecake!  Break the bikes down tomorrow then head home!!