tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post602021729546179871..comments2024-02-12T19:55:20.018-08:00Comments on 26InchSlicks: Working The PlanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-37029814919976029972011-03-22T08:34:04.455-07:002011-03-22T08:34:04.455-07:00Wow. See, I've never been out as far as that p...Wow. See, I've never been out as far as that part of the trail. Most of my associates who go out that way are Backcountry Horsemen.<br /><br />Great excuse to buy a Mukluk, though! (and really, who doesn't want one?)Bryan Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-18584510273562270042011-03-21T20:05:15.704-07:002011-03-21T20:05:15.704-07:00Nate, that's great info on the crossing. I...Nate, that's great info on the crossing. I'll definitely check into the dam, just to rule out the option. I'll let you know what I find out. If I had to do vantage, I'd definitely do it early in the morning.<br /><br />I'm probably optimistic on the schedule. I suspect there's gonna be some hike-a-bike and some areas of pretty slow going. I would like to think I can average 8 mph, and ride 6 hrs a day. So that's 50 miles/day x 6 days = 300 miles. I would take a week off work, so that would give me 9 days, minus one day to travel back from Seattle. The two extra days would be cushion for getting lost/backtracking, unplanned detours, etc. I think I need to do some loaded day trips to test the 50 mile/day theory.<br /><br />Bryan, I'm thinking more along the lines of a Salsa Mukluk. A lot of the eastern portion of the trail is railbed ballast - 1-1/4" type stuff.Pat Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348722701872187949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-76955714399360757682011-03-21T09:18:06.057-07:002011-03-21T09:18:06.057-07:00Is one week optimistic? I think that would be unp...Is one week optimistic? I think that would be unpleasantly pushing the eastside portion. Lucas and I did an unloaded day ride which took longer than we thought with the rough surface and the locked gates. <br /><br />Lots of fun though, its a great idea.Natenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-28247506721440928822011-03-21T09:09:09.617-07:002011-03-21T09:09:09.617-07:00Hm. I see a Salsa Fargo in your future. Perhaps yo...Hm. I see a Salsa Fargo in your future. Perhaps your birthday present?Bryan B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-76530545857827149052011-03-21T09:00:25.865-07:002011-03-21T09:00:25.865-07:00I crossed the Vantage last summer. I got there ea...I crossed the Vantage last summer. I got there early AM, which may have helped. The grade on the bridge is downhill from East to West, but there is no shoulder. I stopped just before crossing and timed a traffic gap. Taylor has crossed West to East, btw on the Cannonball ride. <br /><br />Time it right, and Vantage is only the 2nd scariest Columbia crossing. (Astoria's narrow high bridge is uncontested, imho.) Also, East to West the freeway does a sharp corner onto the bridge, and most semis are still engine braking from the long grade. There is a long sight line, dress bright and you will be seen. Ride like hell and don't stop to take pictures.<br /><br />Per several sources, including another bike tourer who went to see the dam, the dam doesn't allow crossing anymore. He had to go back to cross at Vantage. But, check. I'd ride the Vantage again, but only if I couldn't avoid it. But, there are not many choices there. Bring an inflatable raft?Natenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-6881290716326810692011-03-20T17:04:45.187-07:002011-03-20T17:04:45.187-07:00Thanks, guys, for the info and ideas.
Alex, I'...Thanks, guys, for the info and ideas.<br /><br />Alex, I'll have to give your SR20/logging road idea some consideration. One advantage is that I wouldn't need (or want) a fat bike; I could do it with an existing bike.<br /><br />John, good to know about the dam. I will have to check into that possibility as I am not even a little excited about the prospect of crossing the vantage bridge.Pat Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348722701872187949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-41187423107594530642011-03-20T10:41:53.151-07:002011-03-20T10:41:53.151-07:00Three of us rode the Rattle Snake Lake to Cle Elum...Three of us rode the Rattle Snake Lake to Cle Elum portion through the now closed Snoqualmie Tunnel four or five years ago (just a bit over 50 miles as I recall).<br /><br />It was a great ride and the was one of my coolest ever cycling experiences.<br /><br />Good luck with your adventure.<br /><br />P.S. We were well over 50.Traditional Bike Club Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15686473479441209354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-88391979598329327702011-03-20T07:23:00.802-07:002011-03-20T07:23:00.802-07:00Here are some pics and a light write-up of the tri...<a href="http://johndogfood.com/old/biketrip03.htm" rel="nofollow">Here are some pics and a light write-up</a> of the trip Alex refers to. We started at Rattlesnake, and went to Othello, where we bailed off the trail and took roads to Spokane. <br /><br />You may be able to cross the Columbia at the Wanapum dam if you hit it during weekday-work hours and you give them a head's up. That was an option back in 2003, but we landed there on a weekend and a local dude took us over the I-90 bridge. I'd never ride that bridge under any circumstances myself.<br /><br />But, I think your "reset expectations" plan is the way to go. This could be a really fun trip. <br /><br />Though Alex's HW 20/dirt road hybrid would rule too.John Spearehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094176709529713758.post-64920423707705492372011-03-20T07:06:59.325-07:002011-03-20T07:06:59.325-07:00John did that ride as his first multi-day tour.
L...John did that ride as his first multi-day tour.<br /><br />Larry and I did a cross-state tour in 2002 or so that was really cool. You go over SR20 at first, but then cut south and go through the Colville Indian Rez. I bet there is an even neater possibility that would do a lot of that section on logging roads.alex wetmorehttp://alexwetmore.orgnoreply@blogger.com