Leschi Stairs

Frink Waterfall Bridge

The next stair run has been tentatively scheduled for next month. With upcoming travel coming soon, I have to fit in an exploratory run. I'm upping miles this week so an "easy" run exploring some new areas is an entertaining way to do this.  I planned a 7 mile loop but of course once out exploring not every trail or stair was quite what I was expecting. I ended up being out running for almost two hours and cut the planned route short because of time and less than spectacular stairs. Yes, i've become a stair snob. 

it sure was fun though! The best set of stairs? I can't remember where they are! It was early in the run and just north of Madrona Woods and probably the Newport Stairs. They are impressively slippy/sloppy/slidey. These are steep hillsides next to Lake Washington and obviously the hillside isn't completely stable. The houses tucked into these steep areas were impressive too. They've mostly been there for decades so I'm sure they are safe, right?

I've run along Lake Washington Blvd for years and years. There are common bike routes which cut through these neighborhoods and i've seen the trail access and been curious. I still have to go back and scope out some of the trails especially through Frink Park and Madrona Woods. There just are not very good, clear trail maps of these areas. The most impressive area? The Leschi Natural Area has been lovingly restored with new trails installed and there is a fabulous overlook. I was not expecting that and just laughed out loud in delight. the Leschi Natural area does not even show up on maps. 

I tried to find a cut through trail in the Madrona Woods and mostly found an unsafe mess but I was amused to find yet another long abandoned car.  How DID that get there?

Of course I wanted to get home in time to do a barre3 class. Oof. My legs are tired!

Lake Washington Loop

This is a very common ride in these parts. I've never done it and have always had it on my list to do. Today was the day! For four plus hours of riding, here is what goes through my brain:

• Chemical hand warmers are da bomb! It was below 40 degrees when I started. I tucked one on the top of my road shoe but under my booties and that worked very well to keep my feet comfortable. Usually if it is under 50 degrees, my feet go numb on a ride. Not today!
• I hate the Burke-Gilman. There I said it. The clueless pedestrians/runners (Hey! I'm a runner and I know how to behave on that trail), the washboard effect of tree roots, the annoying street crossings, those dillweeds in Lake Forest all get to me. So I decided to try the Sand Point Way detour for "fast riders" which only makes me snort a little bit. I am not a fast rider at all. Sand Point Way was hilly, with a fair bit of traffic and torn up in places but I liked it better than the good ol' B-G. This route put me on Highway 522 for a little bit. It's a bit dicey just north of 145th but I just held my line and soon enough a wider shoulder opened up.
• Juanita Drive Hill. I've heard of this hill and I climbed it today. It seemed to go on for quite a while but it was never very steep. Looking at the elevation map, it ends up being a mile and a half climb and the elevation is the same as the hill that we live on top of. Hunh. I guess I'm used to climbing that everytime I go out for a ride. No biggie.
• Buzz. A huge white suv buzzed me around Kirkland. There was no other cars on the road and the gleaming tank made sure I knew it was going by as close as possible on the wide road. I was shocked but not scared and then pissed.
  
• Bellevue. Uh that just sucked. I chickened out of climbing up the NE Points Drive which is just to the north of 520 and south of Kirkland. I've run up that hill many times but the thought of biking it was a bit much so I ended up riding right through downtown Bellevue. I couldn't remember the turn off to hit a quieter street nor where I'd have to make my next connections. I should've brought a map. Traffic was light so no problem and then I got a little lost trying to figure out where to turn off to the Mercer Slough area. I found a really bad place to cross a very busy street. Oh well. I made it. I won't go that way again.
  
• A Happy Surprise! The washboard area on the bike trail paralleling 405 just north of Renton has been repaired. Smooth pavement is a joy.
• Emergency Pancake Call. At mile 42, I was at Seward Park and realized I was out of food and really hungry. I called K to ask that he have pancakes and coffee ready when I got home. I figured it would take about an hour. That kept me focused!
• Lake Washington Shore. If there is a happier sight than watching large dogs bounding into the lake water to fetch things, I can't think of it. Lots of joyful dogs out there having a blast.
  
• Lycroids. There were large packs of those similarly lycra clad cyclists out and about. I find them quite snooty. Please don't let me ever get a bike jersey like that.
  
• Form check. There were tons of runners out along Lake Washington as usual on a sunny day with the Seattle Marathon looming. I sometimes want to yell at runners when I am riding past to stop running like a sack of potatoes. Form! Run like you mean it! I don't think it would be appreciated.
• Lake Washington Blvd switchback climb to the Arboretum. This has gotten easier! I was really nervous the first time I climbed this road earlier this summer. No problem today.
• Montlake. I tried crossing Montlake instead of the University Bridge. It's a little confusing in that area even by car. The well placed bike trail signs were much appreciated. Uh. Do you think they'll fix those roads. Ow!
• Pancakes are the best post ride eats!