...the road goes ever on and on...
Once you get to know me, you'll definitely hear about one of my favorite hobbies. I love talking about biking, my latest rides, pro-cycling and my dream of one day biking across the United States. Here is a closer look at some of my rides
I keep track of my rides using my Strava app. Lake Washington is one of my favorite areas and my annual Mt. Baker climb takes me up to 5000 feet/1500 meters above sea level. Check out my latest rides here.
A closer look at some of my favorite rides - distance, elevation, accesibility.
Here is a look of my November 2022 ride. If you want the specific details on how to create your own video, I'd recommend this walkthrough.
For inexperienced bike enthusiasts wanting their first attempt at climbing a mountain, Mt. Baker is the place go. I’ve done the ride from Glacier, WA to the summit at Artist Point at least once a year since 2017 and the ride never fails to amaze. Artist Point is about 24 miles from Glacier and on your way up you’ll enjoy great views of the neighboring Mt. Shuksan, the Mt. Baker ski resort and some beautiful lakes and streams. The view at Artist Point (that is… if you’re not surrounded by clouds, fog and mist) is spectacular. Although Mt. Baker highway is narrow, I’ve found it bike-friendly and drivers are good at being patient and keeping their distance. You'll most likely see lots of tourists, hikers, photographers, families and people are in no rush to get to the top and are there to enjoy the day. The road up to Artist Point is usually open May through October but it depends on the weather and road conditions. Every each year is different and conditions change.
I’ve compiled a list of observations, best practices as well as do’s and don’ts. The list is not exhaustive but I hope you’ll find this helpful. Check weather conditions on the day of and the days before to your ride. Things change quickly on a mountain. I’ve started out in bright and sunny conditions, cloudy and semi-thick mist halfway up the ascent and then followed by rain and limited visibility at the summit. I recommend Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF Road and Trail Conditions and check out the description for Road Name: SR-542 MT. BAKER HIGHWAY. The only problem is the page doesn’t say when it was last updated but check it on a regular basis.
Bring a long sleeve shirt for the descent as it gets cold. Bring gloves too.
I recommend wearing bright and visible colors to make people aware of your presence.
Bring snacks, water, phone, patch kit, pump but keep in mind whatever you bring you have to carry with you all the way to the top.
Bring extra food as you will be hungry once you get back to your car.
Record your ride. It’s fun to see your elevation gain, speed and your route. I use the Strava app and it’s free.
Maybe ask a friend if they are willing to drive and be there for support.
How do you feel on the day of your ride? Rested? Tired? Your first time riding up a mountain can be challenging and you’ll need your full strength. A mountain can be merciless.
I set aside a total of 8 hours for the drive from Seattle to Glacier, the climb itself and a quick break at the top and the descent + the drive back to Seattle.
Check your bike. How are your brakes and gears? Any mechanical problems?
As mentioned above, check the mountain and road conditions again the day of your ride.
As you make your way up the mountain, take it easy and ask yourself how you are feeling on a regular basis. If you’ve reached your limit, be honest and be safe. Today might not be your day.
Drink water on a regular basis.
Take breaks. Take pictures.
Expect crowds as you get closer to the top especially if you ride during the weekend. You are likely to see snow and snowball fights are common and fun to watch.
Congratulations! Well done. This was no easy task and you are likely tired.
Stretch! Calves, thighs, arms. You know where it hurts!
You’ve probably burned hundreds of calories and you are hungry (That’s always how I feel!) and this is where the extra food comes in handy.
Some helpful folks and fellow bike enthusiasts uploaded videos to YouTube. Here is one:
My favorite place to park before I make my way around the lake is the Kenmore Park & Ride and it's free. The Burke-Gilman trail is accesible on the other side of Bothell Way (522). As the map indicates you'll then follow the edge of Lake Washington and you'll see green signs posted and for the most part it's easy to follow.
With 4 million people living in the Seattle area you'd think uninterrupted bike trails would be hard to come by but the Northern Lake Washington Loop provides just that. The Northern Lake Washington Area has become one of my favorite rides and offers scenic views of the surrounding hills and the majestic Mt. Rainier towering in the south.
The 520 trail takes you by the Microsoft and Nintendo campus areas. The Sammamish trail runs north-south along the Sammamish River and you might spot some kayakers, paddleboarders, and bald eagles. The University of Washington campus area and the Husky Football Stadium are visible from the Burke-Gilman trail. At the northern end of Lake Washington you might see seaplanes take off and land.
The Centennial Trail is a gem in the world of rail-to-trail projects. The trail runs from Snohomish, WA through Arlington and ends at the Nakashima Farm. It is mostly flat, fully paved and besides a few stop signs and lights there are few interruptions and the trail is straightforward. The Nakashima Farm is worth a visit and you'll learn more about the Nakashima family and how they, given the geopolitical circumstances, were forced to sell their farm and live in an internment camp during World War 2.
It's a great place to see wildlife and over the years I've spotted deer, coyotes, bull frogs, eagles, hawks, and garter snakes. People have reported seeing black bears and it's a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings. I have yet to see a bear but you never know.
I'm a big fan of rail-to-trail projects and I know other abandoned railroads are converted to trails across the US. The Burke-Gilman trail is another example of a well-functioning, safe and convenient rail-to-trail.
