Took the Miyata Triplecross out for my 17.9-mile Seattle loop (~900 ft of climbing) yesterday — out of Maple Leaf, west through Greenwood to Golden Gardens, south through Ballard and the Ballard Locks, east along the South Ship Canal Trail to the Fremont Bridge, and back via the Burke-Gilman through Ravenna Park with the steady climb back up to Maple Leaf Park and home.

After traversing the North Seattle ridges for the first few miles, the route drops right down to sea level at mile 5. Down at Golden Gardens, a couple harbor seals were bobbing in the shallows just off the rocks. I parked the Miyata at my usual rest spot looking out toward the Shilshole breakwater before heading south along the water.

From Golden Gardens I rolled south to the Ballard Locks. Spotted two harbor seals and a big old CA Sea Lion rolling around looking for the tail end of the salmon run. A lone sailboat was making it’s way through, and there was a flock of geese pillaging the hillside.

After crossing the locks, I picked up the South Ship Canal Trail heading east toward Fremont. Stopped at a good spot along the bank by the Fremont Bridge where a sailboat was circling, waiting on a bridge opening. Watched the span go up and the boat sneak through underneath.

From the Fremont Bridge I hopped onto the Burke-Gilman past the U-District over to Ravenna Park around mile 15, then made the ~400-foot climb up through Ravenna to Maple Leaf Park and home. The Miyata is dialed in and rolling great on the Snoqualmie Pass tires. I really need a new Selle Anatomica skin on that seat as it is stretched out to max. Felt good after a month on a road trip to the Midwest. Another story…

Photos on Flickr: stonehog photostream.