Green River/Interurban question

[dex]

I've not ventured south with my bike yet, but I'm looking for something longish, but also easy-ish, to do this weekend. (The hills on Bainbridge Island kicked my butt pretty hard last weekend, so I want a little break.) What are these trails like? Crowded on the weekends (relative to the Burke-Gilman/Sammamish, which are the only other ones I've ridden on)?

Any other suggestions for a flat to rolling ride of longish length (50-80 miles)? I'm willing to drive up to about 1.5 hours away to do it--for reference, I'm on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Or anyone want to come with? (Um, I should mention that I'm not a speedy rider. Think of me like a turtle...big and plodding, but I'll get to my destination eventually.)

[nicole309]

http://www.peninsulatrailcoalition.com/index.htm

This is a great, mostly flat trail. It was an old railroad grade. There are however two very short and steep hills on either side of a creek that runs through the trail. I just walk them, it only takes two minutes.
There is also great road riding all over in the Port Townsend area. Check out these great maps as well.

http://www.ptbikes.org/maps/index.html

[mimitabby]

the title of this is green river/ interurban

those are great trails! (and flat)

[dex]

Thanks!

I'll have to check out some of the peninsula stuff for when I have time to really get out of town. My schedule has been so hectic lately that just carving out time to ride has become a challenge. I know I can get at least one full day to myself this weekend, so I'm trying to make the most of it by spending the time with my bike.

[teigyr]

I am also interested in the other stuff. I always enjoy finding new trails! Unfortunately, I can't get to the first link but maybe it's my work computer.

I don't know if you could get up to those kind of miles on the Green River/Interurban without going on some roads but I could be wrong. If you go on the Green River, there are some spots where it ends then picks back up. It isn't bad but the first few times I rode it, I couldn't figure out where to pick it back up! It isn't clearly marked.

Hmmm. If you go out next weekend (sunday, in particular because I work saturdays!) I'd be happy to ride them with you

[dex]

I have no problem riding multiple out-and-backs to get in the miles, really. My brain is so comfortable with routine that I don't get bored very easily, especially when I'm on my bike. I did find a map a couple of weeks ago (it's on my laptop at home) that had a route using some combination of those trails and some roads to get in about 64 miles...but I don't remember the details now.

f you go out next weekend (sunday, in particular because I work saturdays!) I'd be happy to ride them with you

I can definitely mark next Sunday on my calendar to ride. Let's do it.

Or, Cedar River Trail, which starts in Renton (by Gene Coulon Park) and runs all the way out to Maple Valley. I think it's 18 miles one way, and you could ride from Auburn Super Mall to the the end of the Interurban, then double back and head for CRT, then back to Auburn Super Mall...

I'm going to check that out. Thanks!

[East Hill]

Or, Cedar River Trail, which starts in Renton (by Gene Coulon Park) and runs all the way out to Maple Valley. I think it's 18 miles one way, and you could ride from Auburn Super Mall to the the end of the Interurban, then double back and head for CRT, then back to Auburn Super Mall...

East Hill

[Thel]

(Lurker status...OFF!)

I'm a very new rider myself, and the Green River Trail was my first ride longer than 20 miles, just about a month ago...I really liked it a lot! Compared to the BG Trail, it was practically deserted. I mean, there were plenty of people out enjoying the sunny Saturday, but nowhere near the crowding of the Burke Gilman. I'd only planned to go south halfway or so and turn around, but I was enjoying the river trail so much I went all the way to the intersection with the Interurban for about a 38-mile round trip from my house in Rainier Beach. It's a nice flat ride by the river with quite a few parks along the way...I definitely took my time enjoying the scenery, and will definitely be taking that trail again.

And just this morning on another forum I found a list of southern King County routes that I bookmarked...maybe that will be as useful for you as I hope it will be for me.

Have fun!