Potential women-only ride in/near Seattle - help wanted!

[El Hombre]

El Hombre,

Thank-you for a most enjoyable ride. I hope that I was able to contribute something even in some small way. Like I mentioned before, I don't know what I can offer. I don't have the marketable skills required in making this happen, but I would definitely like to help out in anyway I can. Also, Mr. KiltTiger may have some useful contacts for you, especially regarding the Naval base.

Side note: I'm kinda slow so it took me awhile 'til I got your handle. I was halfway home when I was thinking I got to meet "the man," then... well, you can guess the rest. Hehehe. Clever!

That was fun. Thanks for the ideas. I haven't ridden in the rain since BikeMomma and I's hammerfest with the Sierra Nevada boy and the gimp gang from Cali. At least there was no 45 mph decent in a downpour with a nice crosswind blowing us into oncoming traffic

WARNING: GRAPHIC photo of the this rides carnage






all that slug bits and goo got all over the bike. I'm not even gonna look up under the fender. After about a mile I gave up trying to avoid mowing them down.

Thanks for the idea about the Naval base! Now what we need to do is come up with a couple of routes in the area by November 1st. Does anyone know of any good 35-70 miles loops in the Everett-Sno area?

Maybe in two weeks we can do another ride. This time ending at McMenamins in Mill Creek. That way we can all warm up with a tasty adult beverage.

[salsabike]

So...what's the Naval Base connection?

Slug goo will either really help your traction or...come to think of it..huh. OK. Never mind.

I may be able to get some Everett-Snohomish route suggestions from someone, but it'll take a couple of weeks, I think.

[El Hombre]

Slug goo will either really help your traction or...come to think of it..huh. OK. Never mind.

No, go ahead



I may be able to get some Everett-Snohomish route suggestions from someone, but it'll take a couple of weeks, I think.

Well, my simple brain forgot that we're gonna need a TON of parking and room for this and then I remembered that the Cinderella uses a .mil base for it's operation. Sgtiger mentioned that Boy in a Kilt might have access to Everett Naval and that they often rent out mess halls etc to the public. I've been scoping out routes up around Snohomish and the CT but maybe we should be lookng around Everett? Maybe somewhere between the two?

[sgtiger]

I've done a modified version of this route. I like the parts through Snohomish and the Everett Marina (takes you past the Naval Base). But the last part is though the Interurban Trail. Yuck! Parts of the trail is essentially sidewalk and there's some awkward manuvering through traffic and the mall parking lot.

The only drawback for many is that it's not very hilly. I'm sure that many will want something a bit hillier.[Not me BTW, I'm the BIGGEST hill wimp.] Of course, the part through Snohomish could be rerouted to the hillier roads. Maybe for the longer route?

Anyhow, I got the cue sheet off the Seattle Bicycle Touring Club website. The last links on the website list some great resources for route ideas. Don't forget the Rondonneur's website for routes too.

[Trek420]

Well, my simple brain forgot that we're gonna need a TON of parking and room for this and then I remembered that the Cinderella uses a .mil base for it's operation.

Used to, this year they used the county fairgrounds. Cinderella never said why the mil base did not renew the agreement and it was down to the last minute. Maybe they feared all us militant women on bicycles would be a security threat.

[mimitabby]

omigoodness. people rode! SGTIGER, you're amazing!
I sat in my warm dry little house and drank tea with Raleighdon's cousin.

but i rode today... on the cleaned roads.

[sgtiger]

Mimitabby, don't be too impressed we didn't ride for very long. I think just under an hour and the Centennial Trail is in great condition. Well, other than the squished slugs. Icky!

It was wet but I was ready for it. I had on layers of wool and rain gear of course. Some of the rain did get through, but the layers of wool kept me nice and toasty. I should have changed out of my wet shoes and socks afterward, because they felt sloshy on the drive home. But the toes were warm nonetheless. Maybe some shoe covers are in order. Know of any good ones?

[Eden]

Maybe some shoe covers are in order. Know of any good ones?

Sugoi ones are great!! (neoprene ones like gator skins are nice too, toasty, but they don't keep your feet dry). Of course NO shoe cover will keep your feet dry unless you can seal up around the cleat on the bottom.

[sgtiger]

Thanks, Eden! I'll give those a try. I'm not expecting my feet to stay bone dry, but not having water slosh around would be most excellent.

[salsabike]

These are the Sugoi booties. I also use them and like them much better than neoprenes. They keep you reasonably dry for a long time.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15587

[Eden]

Yup - those are the ones I have and I love them

[El Hombre]

Mimitabby, don't be too impressed we didn't ride for very long. I think just under an hour and the Centennial Trail is in great condition. Well, other than the squished slugs. Icky!

It was wet but I was ready for it. I had on layers of wool and rain gear of course. Some of the rain did get through, but the layers of wool kept me nice and toasty. I should have changed out of my wet shoes and socks afterward, because they felt sloshy on the drive home. But the toes were warm nonetheless. Maybe some shoe covers are in order. Know of any good ones?

I had my Carnac covers on. Pretty much any neoprene covers work wonders but your feet will still get wet. I drilled a couple of extra holes in the bottom of my cleats to let water out. I also throw in a hand warmer or two into them if it's really cold

[Eden]

I had my Carnac covers on. Pretty much any neoprene covers work wonders but your feet will still get wet. I drilled a couple of extra holes in the bottom of my cleats to let water out. I also throw in a hand warmer or two into them if it's really cold

hmmmmm have you been up here for a winter yet? You'll probably want some booties that keep your feet dry (at least for a while) once it starts getting colder and raining. I've sealed around my cleats with silicon sealer and it works for a while (but I wear mt bike shoes in the winter too, so its a little easier to seal up around the cleat). Hand/toe warmers do work wonders if you can fit them in your shoes.

[El Hombre]

hmmmmm have you been up here for a winter yet? You'll probably want some booties that keep your feet dry (at least for a while) once it starts getting colder and raining. I've sealed around my cleats with silicon sealer and it works for a while (but I wear mt bike shoes in the winter too, so its a little easier to seal up around the cleat). Hand/toe warmers do work wonders if you can fit them in your shoes.

I was here for last winter. 6 days of no power.. I didn't ride much last winter, I was too busy shooting. This winter I'm going to ride. I'm going to invest in some serious winter boots. I had a pair of Sidi winter boots that I liked but somehow, my feet grew so I need a new pair. I'll have to get a pair of those covers, they look pretty snazzy. Costco has deals on handwarmers about this time of year. I'm SERIOUSLY tempted to get a new Cross bike but I think SWMBO might object..

[Eden]

Costco has the handwarmers now - I've got my box at $15 for 40 pairs its a deal that can't be beat. If my feet weren't too small I'd be all over a pair of those winter boots - but no one makes them in a 37....... I make do with mt bike shoes, storm socks, wool socks and shoe covers. Between the storm socks and the Sugoi booties I can actually stay pretty dry.

Put your old Sidi's up on Craig's list right about now and I'll bet they'll go in a minute.