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30 days of biking: The old coal railway in Newcastle

Scheduling conflicts and prior obligations pushed me out the door early this morning for a ride over to an old railroad grade in Newcastle.

I’m glad I got out early for Day 11 of 30 Days of Biking, as I missed the showers that fell here most of the day during my typical biking times.

The May Creek Trail is one of those out-of-the-way paths that few people use. Although I’ll see the occasional bike track through here, it’s predominantly used by folks walking their dogs.

It runs for a couple of miles in a heavy forest above the steep May Creek canyon. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/11/30-days-of-biking-the-old-coal-railway-in-newcastle/

Cyclists urged to attend SR 520 bridge meeting Thursday

The artist’s conception of the new Highway 520 bridge over Lake Washington shows a first-ever bike lane across the span, among other amenities.

But the devil is in the details, and the Cascade Bicycle Club is urging cyclists to attend a Thursday workshop on the bridge presented by the Washington Department of Transportation.

Tessa Greegor, principal planner for the club, says the connections to the bridge for bicyclists are important too. On Thursday, transportation staff will share their work on designs that integrate connections for bicycles, pedestrians and commuters …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/11/cyclists-urged-to-attend-sr-520-bridge-meeting-thursday/

30 days of biking: Wilburton railroad trestle

Unable to take a bike ride later on Tuesday, I started my day with a 10-mile loop ride after a cup of coffee and a banana.

I headed along Lake Washington again, then headed east under the imposing Wilburton trestle in Bellevue.

One day, this abandoned railway could be a bike trail that stretches from Renton to Snohomish, a distance of 42 miles.

Riding a bike across the trestle would be a blast. Imagine the views …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/10/30-days-of-biking-wilburton-railroad-trestle/

Nebraska 3-foot passing bill on Governor’s desk

The Nebraska legislature has sent a bill that requires motorists to give bicyclists 3 feet of clearance when passing to Gov. Dave Heineman for his signature.

Unlike the struggle similar bills face in some states, the bicycle safety bill has been in the fast lane in Nebraska. It was introduced by Sen. Tom Hansen in January and unanimously approved and forwarded last week.

The governor’s signature would make Nebraska the 21st state to enact a safe passing law of 3 feet or greater. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/10/nebraska-3-foot-passing-bill-on-governors-desk/

30 days of biking: Slumming at Newcastle Beach

Day 9 of 30 Days of Biking reminded me what it was like when I just a few minutes of daylight to squeeze in a ride.

Nowadays, I can head out on my bicycle anytime while my daughter is in school.

She’s on spring break now, though, so I’m looking after her until my wife gets home for the “hand-off.” …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/09/30-days-of-biking-slumming-at-newcastle-beach/

Magazine and new books aid search for bicycling adventures in Pacific NW

The recent string of sunny spring days should be setting cyclists’ legs a-twitching in the Pacific Northwest as they think ahead to summer adventures on their bicycles.

Picking a destination should be easier than ever this summer as at least three new books will share prime bicycling routes in Oregon and Washington. Actually, with so many choices, picking a biking option might be more difficult

Let’s start with an article in the current Outdoors NW pub that picks “10 Classic rides in the Northwest.” Author Amy Poffenbarger chooses five mountain bike rides and five road routes that top the list of many cyclists in the Northwest. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/09/magazine-and-new-books-aid-search-for-bicycling-adventures-in-pacific-nw/

30 days of biking: Bellevue’s whaling past in the shadow of high rises

This is the view that most would expect from Bellevue — high rises soaring above a downtown park that’s a focal point for high-end stores like Nordstroms and Neiman Marcus.

But less than a mile away on the city’s waterfront stand structures left over from the city’s gritty past as one of the last whaling ports in the U.S.

I headed up here on one of the most pleasant Easter Sundays I can remember in the Pacific Northwest. It was a day made for cycling. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/08/30-days-of-biking-bellevues-whaling-past-in-the-shadow-of-high-rises/

Solo win at 2012 Paris-Roubaix

If you tuned in to the Paris-Roubaix bike race about an hour before the finish, like I did, the race already was a foregone conclusion.

Apparently, all of the tactics, punctures, and crashes on the cobblestones had taken place earlier in the race.

By an extraordinary effort, Tom Boonen won his record-tying fourth Paris-Roubaix on Sunday with plenty of time to spare.

The final hour of the race broadcast essentially showed Boonen bumping to the finish over the cobbles with more than a minute lead …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/08/2012-paris-roubaix-winner/

30 days of biking: Hobart

Day 7 of “30 Days of Bicycling” found me craving some carbs after 20-some miles of fighting a stiff breeze blowing over the Cascade foothills.

The Hobart General Store and post office loomed ahead and I pulled in for a snack.

This is always a great place to stop for a number of reasons, among them the community bulletin board, at left.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/07/30-days-of-biking-hobart/

Where to watch Paris-Roubaix bike race on Sunday

Unless you’re out on your bicycle, it should be fairly easy to watch the Paris-Roubaix bike race on Sunday.

NBC Sports Network (the old Vs. channel on cable) is airing The Hell of the North from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday (Eastern time), with a repeat from 7 to 10 p.m. EST.

Cycling.TV will offer a live webstream beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday (Eastern time); the first hour of coverage is free, but then you need a subscription.

It’s the “mother of all mothers,” the “biggest one-day adventure on a bike you can have,” and “260k’s of torture,” according GreenEDGE teammates Matthew White, Stuart O’Grady and Baden Cooke. “It’s like being stuck in a washing machine and someone shaking the shit out of you,” says Matt Wilson. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/04/07/paris-roubaix-bike-race-airs-sunday/