Wednesday, October 17, 2007

2007 Fall Color Ride – Sunday, October 28, Noon-O’Clock



This is your last chance to make good on your 2007 NY’s resolution to go on a VBE Ride this year. The Sammamish Valley Trail/Fall Color Ride is one of our group’s oldest traditions, pre-dating VBE and, in fact, the Tokul Creek Bridge itself (at least the second one.)

The SV Trail is built on an old railroad grade and runs through woodlands with bridges crossing several ravines and offers many vistas of the valley below. We will be riding a twelve mile section of the trail between the intersection of the trail with Tokul Road, and the Town of Carnation. The first 9+ mile section is a gentle downgrade followed by a flat stretch to Carnation.
(1995 Fall Color Ride)

We will start the ride from the parking lot of the Salish Lodge (Snoqualmie Falls Lodge.) We plan to depart by 12:30, so try to arrive a bit before noon to unload your bike and pre-function. The trail head is approximately 1/2 mile north of the parking lot on Tokul Road. Once we reach the trail the ride takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours including several stops for photos. In Carnation we will stop for lunch and strategize car-pools to get riders back to the lodge parking lot to retrieve their vehicles.

(2006 Fall Color Ride)

Bulleted List of Important Ride Info:

  • Meet in the Salish Lodge parking lot (see driving directions) BY noon.
  • We will drive or ferry bikes to the trailhead ½ mile north on Tokul road.
  • Once underway, the ride itself takes about an hour and a half. Lunch usually absorbs the remainder of the afternoon.
  • Once we reach Carnation, we will organize getting riders back to the Lodge parking to retrieve their vehicles. Riders may then need to return to Carnation for their bikes. If possible plan ahead with other riders to have vehicles at both ends.
  • Call or comment to this post with questions: Phil: 206-708-1199 Ron: 206-364-0922

Driving Directions:

Take I-90 to exit #25, Highway-18/Snoqualmie Parkway (about 16 miles from Bellevue). Turn left (north) off the exit and follow Highway-18/Snoqualmie Parkway 3.5 miles through the residential development, Snoqualmie Ridge, until it comes to an end at the traffic light on Railroad Avenue SE. Turn left and proceed 1/4 mile. The Salish Lodge will be on your left and the parking lot is on the right.

I will post a map for the Salish lodge and a map of the trail this weekend. This information can also be sourced from mapquest.

DIRE WARNING!

The trail has few access points to the road and civilization. If you flat, or have a mechanical malfunction, the ride can turn into a long walk. Be sure to prepare your bike mechanically for the ride or yourself, mentally, for the walk.

SECOND TIER DIRE WARNING!

VBE has been cautious about becoming a “club” or even building an event calendar outside of the LeMay Concours. All this is not about to change but I am working on a 2008 calendar of rides to make it easier to honor your 2008 NYR’s. Hey and probably a real meeting or two!

WEATHER ALERT!

It could go without saying that the weather is one of the most important factors contributing to a fun ride. Obviously it is hard to predict today, with any surety, what the weather will be on the 28th. Starting this Sunday I will post the forecasted outlook for our ride and update it daily. If the outlook is particularly gloomy by Noon, Saturday the 27th. I will post an alternate gathering for lunch in Seattle.

Phil/Ron/VBE


(Michelle's Aerocycle, 2006 Fall Color Ride)

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