The Tapeworm

After a lunch at the "Mobile Chowdown" next to Safeco Field, we went home itching to get outside and do something.  The weather was cooperating and there just isn't another excuse to "not" do something.  I ran upstairs and threw on my riding shorts and some light weather appropriate gear.  Downstairs I mounted our bikes onto the car and strapped them down.   Within minutes we were headed up the hill to the Tapeworm.  I'm sure not everyone knows about the Tapeworm so here is the closest thing to an explanation I can muster:
Tapeworm is a skill-builder trail. It takes 1-2 hours to ride everything.  This is a small system of trails that are tightly wound to make the most of a power utility company lot. Overview map. For those people riding out with a GPS, the trailhead for Tapeworm is at 47.468234N 122.196480W.  And best yet, it's under two miles from my house.

The trail can be a little confusing in the sense that you may often think you have skipped ahead or are now doing the trail in the wrong direction. However, we rode the whole thing and didn't ever actually get "off-course".  The last stretch of the ride is uphill and parallels the grassy patch to the north of the trail.  At almost any point you could jump off trail and ride straight up to the parking area.

Sandy joined me on this maiden voyage down the tapeworm and she found it incredible.  She admitted that she had never done this kind of riding before.  I'm sure between bike commuting for school or taking nice flat road bike rides, the idea of trying to balance your way through a trail seems foreign.  She was a great sport and did really well considering the behemoth she rides.  Both of our bikes were suffering from the mud and grime and both of us had dragging brake calipers.  To the right she is taking a brake in true "no-dab" style to catch a breath.  For only creeping along at a near walking pace, it is a real calorie burner.

As if the tight hair-pin turns in 3 inch deep oil-slick mud, steep drops, narrow passes (between trees and across bridges) wasn't enough, they had to tempt us with a teeter-totter.  Of course I just had to give it a go.  I did ride over it without falling.  However, I stalled out about halfway over ( one of the planks isn't flush ) and I didn't ride through the end of the teeter-totter.  Instead, I hopped off and rode out the from the last foot or so.  Those damned iPhones and their delayed photo capture don't even quite get the moment you want.  Oh well, I feel a little more confident to try it again next time.

When you find the actual start of the trail, there are signs to point you in the right direction.  It is counter intuitive to start out going left, but it is what it is.  Resources say that it is a clockwise trail.  All the other trails in the area are two-way.  To the right I'm happy and eager to set out.  I truly didn't know what awaited me down there today.  If you look closely, I still have my cargo rack on the back of my bike from my bike tour, and a pair of slick tires to guarantee absolutely no traction going up all the muddy parts of the trail.  It was comedy.  Sandy had slicks on too.  We did better than you may think, but there was a fair amount of walking.

There is lore about the Tapeworm Octopus.  He has great powers over the quality of your ride.  To be sure, I don't know what the whole story is, but a guy and an octopus were somehow fused together by the cycling gods.  What is the moral of this story?  Dunno.  But it's best to shut up and pay homage.




So that's what I did.  Unfortunately, I had already endoed over the front of my bike and smashed my hand between my handlebars and a very stout over-trail-hanging tree in the process.  I had thrown my chain and my brakes were rather noisy with all the mud and debris caked onto my rims.  Still, why leave anything up to chance...

You think I'm joking about over hanging limbs and trees?  No, not a joke.  A well timed duck would have sufficed here.  The conditions were a little bit wet in areas but was dry on most of the climbs.  Pockets and puddles would cake mud into my wheels and brakes, but most of the trail was very rideable.  Even if I wasn't able to ride...  On the bright side, I balanced my way across all the bridges I found and even tried a few I know I shouldn't have. 


We had a really good time on the trail.  Literally, we can ride up the hill, do the trail and ride home and wouldn't net any additional time as compared to putting the bike rack onto the car and storing it when we get there.  It's so close and so fun.  The other great thing is that we will know if it rains on the trail the same day.  Even if we ride up and see the trail is in too wet of condition, we can coast back down the hill to our house.  All the mud, nose-dives, spin-outs and burning lungs couldn't keep us from coming back to ride this again!















Bask in the Post-ride Glory!

Plans for a Bike Tour

Trip Plan
My plan thus far is to ride from my house in Renton, WA to either my mom'shouse in Vancouver,WA or my in-law's house in Portland, OR. It's a difference of maybe 20 miles and I may or may not want to ride the extra distance. I've found a mapping service online at http://www.mapmyride.com. Every year there is a sponsored ride from Seattle to Portland. I won't be participating in that particular event. They pace it at 202 miles. 15% of the riders do it in one day. The rest either do it in two days or don't finish. The two day riders stop over in Centralia or Chehalis, WA. Between the two is the exact half-way point. Since I'm about 15 miles south of the start point and don't necessarily plan to ride into Portland, I won't be riding nearly as far. According to the mapping service, the route is bike friendly though there are some high-traffic areas along the way.

Clothes
My apparel may change at the last moment due to weather conditions. Ideally, I'll choose a low-rain potential week and set out. That being said, the weather in this region will be around 70-90 degrees during the days. The nights range from 40-60 degrees. The actual range will be smaller but I'll pack accordingly. Clothing will include:
1. Lycra riding shorts
2. Nylon gym shorts
3. Nylon water-resistant shell pants
4. (maybe) thermal pants of capilene
5. Riding socks - ankle height (4 pair)
6. Riding jerseys - 2
7. Light shell vest
8. Nylon water-resistant shell coat with hood
9. Underarmour long sleeve shirt
10. Buff - black or red (for head warmth)
11. Helmet
12. Fingerless riding gloves
13. Extra t-shirt
14. Arm-warmers
15. Woolly socks for sleeping - 1 pair
16. Flip-flops

Bike and Bike Gear
My bike is a 2002 Specialized Rock Hopper, a front-suspension mountain bike. It's been modified:
1. Kevlar tires - 26x1.25 with a nearly-smooth tread
2. Rear-rack bolted on
3. REI/Novara brand panniers - 2800 cubic inch capacity and waterproof http://www.rei.com/product/780452
4. Schwinn bike computer - $10 special from Wal-mart
5. Ergonomic handlebar grips
6. Shorty bar ends
7. (not yet but soon) flashing LED taillight
8. (not yet but soon) waterbottle and mounted cage

I will have a maintenance kit:
1. Extra tubes
2. Extra tire
3. Multi-tool by alien
4. Patch kit
5. Tire levers
6. Mounted tire pump

Camping and Cooking Gear
I'm leaning towards a lightweight set-up. I'll error on the side of just getting a hotel room if the camping doesn't look safe. My cookware is minimal as well with an emphasis on easy and light. My gear list is as follows:
1. Bivy sack - REI minimalist bivy (a waterproof shell for my sleeping bag and weighs around one pound) http://www.rei.com/product/731432
2. Mummy bag - REI mojave once rated to 45 degrees. (it's old)
3. Sleeping pad - Thermarest Z-lite 3/4 length http://www.rei.com/product/781084
4. Emergency tarp/blanket (for extra shelter from elements/ just in case)
5. 1.35L Titanium Pot with pan lid - Firelite brand
6. Titanium stove for use with esbit solid fuel tablets - Firelite brand
7. Camelbak 3L bladder - with modified pack
8. Headlamp and LED lantern
9. Tupperware for food hydration
10. Travel mug - 16 oz. capacity

Food
One calculator of caloric exercion says I'll burn 800 calories/hour. With that in mind, I'd like to keep close with the food intake. However, I don't want to carry a lot of food at any given time. Food I plan to cook in the evenings and mornings will include:
1. Ramen
2. Tuna - foil pack
3. Chicken - foil pack
4. Dried mushrooms
5. Instant oatmeal with sugar
6. Hot apple cider

For fresh food and snacks for the day:
1. Clif or Promax bars
2. Veggies - carrots, zuccini, onion
3. Jerky
4. Gatorade mix or pre
5. Trail mix

Miscellaneous Gear
I'll have a host of gear that doesn't really fit into any of the above categories. Some of this gear hasn't really been finalized. I still want to do some test riding with all the gear in the bike and then try to lighten up where I think I should or could. Some of the gear is down right unnecessary, but they might offer a mental necessity. The left-over gear is:
1. Maps from http://www.mapmyride.com - I should be able to take a course parralleling I-5 all the way down.
2. An all-weather journal with mini space pen.
3. iPhone with charger
4. iPod with earbuds
5. JVC Everio video camera with back up battery and wide angle lens.
6. Wallet with ID and some extra cash in it.
7. House keys
8. Folding knife

Pre-clusion
I'm going into this attempt with the knowledge I can just turn around and come home if I like. If I get down to Portland and decide not to ride home, I can either buy a train ticket or have Sandy, my wife, pick me up. The gear I've decided on is more price driven than anything. I would definately like to buy more gear that would make my ride more comfortable. However, I don't know how comfortable I'll need to be. The food situation I'm up against will probably be the most concerning on the road. I know I'll pass several gas stations and grocery stores. I don't doubt I'll be able to pick up what I need as I go. Still, I'd like to not have any more variables than is necessary. I used to ride to work in the LA area. 15 miles usually took me about 45 minutes up hill and 30 minutes down hill. I went through many flat tires and a couple of blown out tires. Admittedly, that was a road bike (not really even meant for commuting). The 700cc tires went out when I rode over some unseen potholes after dark. My bike has 26" 1.5 slick tires with kevlar on it. I'm not worried about blow outs, but a thorn can get in just as easy as ever. I want to take my video camera and get some good video footage. I don't have any illusions of getting enough to make a real movie, but I make little YouTube shorts that I still find entertaining. If I can get myself put together enough soon, I'll be riding in the month of August. The rainfall is the lowest this time of year. The temperatures are the highest too. Last week we had over 100 degree temperatures. I'm hoping we are done with that. Now it is raining off and on with perfect temperatures of mid 70's. Follow up post to follow...