Whoever programs the bike directions for Google Map's has obviously never actually ridden a bike. That is the only possible explanation for why it keeps taking me on ridiculous detours up 17% grades.
17% on my carbon bike hurts like hell. 17% on a loaded steel bike makes me want to cry. And by my count, over the 100 miles I rode today, I got to go up three delightful climbs whose grade was n the double digits.
The day started out nice enough. Cold but clear and beautiful rolling hills through the trees on the shore of the lake. After a few miles I defended into farm country and traffic picked up while I simultaneously lost my shoulder. It wasn't bad except for the ridiculous number of school busses who passed me ridiculously close. (Seriously, I have no idea where all these busses were heading at 9:30 in the morning, but I counted at least ten of them.)
The farmland soon gave way to rolling hills and Google Maps took me on the first stupid detour of the day when it had me got off the highway, up a two mile 7% grade, then back down onto the same highway I just left.
Just North of Arlington, I picked up the Centennial Trail, a 30 mile multiple use path that mostly parallels old rail lines. It's pretty much completely flat and makes an excellent bike touring route.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and the Centennial ends in Snohomish. After which Google Maps took me on the stupidest route ever back to Seattle. I don't even know exactly where I was, but it involved a 17% climb followed 2 seconds later by a 12% one, directing me to cross a highway where the was a barrier in the middle, and refusing to register that a certain road was actually a dead end.
Finally, I made it to the 527 and then it was mostly downhill into the far end of Kenmore where I followed the Burke Gilman around the lake and back to Seattle.
Made it just in time to pick up my box from the post office and then spent the evening installing my new rack, bags, and tires in preparation of leaving Seattle for good tomorrow.
Total Miles: 173
Best part of the day: The Centennial through Arlington had some cool rail history by the side of it. And was a nice break from all the rolling hills.
Good guy driver: In Good Ol’ Boy Washington, I had no shoulder and was being trailed by a massive F250. We were approaching a left turn and instead of roaring past me and cutting me off only to stop and turn, he waited the extra 30 seconds until I was past his intersection.
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