biking

In spring, mountain bikes take over the golden Methow Valley's sun-kissed ski trails

Mike McQuaide — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Central Washington's Methow Valley first earned its reputation as a haven for outdoor fun in the 1980s with its network of cross-country ski trails. Once the snow has melted, many of the same trails now draw Puget Sound mountain bikers eastward for a dose of summer sun.

How to share the road: a guide for cyclists and drivers

Mike Lindblom — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Jo Repanich set out on an urban odyssey, guarded by her helmet and the pothole-fighting springs of her bicycle seat.

Her mission: Ride from downtown to her apartment near Lincoln Park in West Seattle, taking the easiest route possible.

"To me, it's not so important how fast you get there, but the sort of environment you're in," she said.

A newcomer's guide to summer in Seattle

Brian J. Cantwell — Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

So you're new in town.

You might have noticed that Pugetopolis isn't, well, exactly like the rest of the world.

We rarely honk our horns in anger. You'll more often get a perky wave from another driver than a one-finger salute.

We do tend to have two coffee houses at every corner. We dig clams. We wear Gore-Tex to the symphony. And we have mountains, water and forests that don't in the least resemble Indiana.

Winemaking is a sweet addition to the area

Gordy Holt — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

WALLA WALLA -- First came the Cayuse, the Yakamas and the Nez Perce, then Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and then the Presbyterians.

The farmers with their wheat and peas and sweet onions were next, then came three colleges and a state prison.

But you ought to see Walla Walla now. It has caught more than lightning in a bottle.

It's the wine.

Safe to say, though, that if it's Three-Buck-Chuck that lights your wick, the closest Trader Joe's is four hours west.

East Lake Sammamish Trail completes missing link from Seattle to Issaquah

Greg Johnston — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

For all the fuss, the East Lake Sammamish Trail is fairly anticlimactic.

It's a pleasant enough lane weaving along the shore of Lake Sammamish atop an old railroad bed, mostly between and past a curious blend of old lakeside cottages and more recently sprouted edifices of opulence. But for eight years after King County purchased the corridor, this trail was derailed by a train of contention stemming from residents' concerns. So somehow when you finally travel it, you expect it to be more than it is.

Lively college town lives up to its reputation

Jeff Larsen — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

EUGENE, Ore. -- One of the first things to remember when you're in downtown Eugene: bicyclists have the right away.

Eugene, combined with Lane County, has the second-highest population density in the state but is still considered one of the most bicycle-friendly towns in the country. Miles of bicycle paths crisscross downtown streets and local parks, as well as local wetlands and along the Willamette River.

British Columbia islands offer a quiet escape

Carol Pucci — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

PROTECTION ISLAND, British Columbia — "Would you like to borrow a wheelbarrow?" Catherine Hebb asked as we finished the last of our French toast.

We had spent a relaxing two nights at her B&B. Now our bags were parked near her front door. It was time to catch the ferry and head home.

Enjoy a summer dawdle along urban trail -- old and new

Connie McDougall — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Getting around in life should be a pleasure, and three superior routes come to mind: Highway 101, Route 66 and the Burke-Gilman Trail.

The trail, which together with the Sammamish River Trail covers about 27 miles from Redmond west to Ballard, is one of the most traversed paths in the nation. And part of what makes it popular are the trailside artwork, waterside rest stops and urban vistas right in the middle of Seattle.

Discover the new meaning of ''downhill'' at Whistler Bike Park

Lori Hinton — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

When most people refer to great "downhill" and thousands of vertical feet at Whistler, B.C., images of snow-swept slopes, skiing and snowboarding come to mind. But come springtime, downhill has an entirely different meaning here — especially to hardcore mountain bikers.

Bike your way around Bainbridge

Florangela Davila — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — If your idea of a sweet weekend getaway is getting away from your car, onto a bicycle and out of the city, Bainbridge Island, with its undulating terrain, is candy.

For the hard-core, there's a 50-mile route called The BUTWHY (Bainbridge's Undeniably Tumultuous Worst Hills You'lleverride). It climbs 4,400 feet and includes the villainous Toe Jam Hill.