Last weekend Mr Gabrielle & I went up to visit our "work friend", WCB, and her new SO GMB in
Seattle. I had two biking goals on this trip: Snoqualmie Tunnel, which I thought would be fun for
the Mr (who no longer rides much due to an injury), and Tapeworm, because the map of it looked cool.
The Snoqualmie Tunnel is just east of Snoqualmie Pass, on a rail-trail. Not your average
rail-trail though, this one was a former electric railroad bed, according to the parking lot
kiosk. The tunnel is something like 2 1/2 miles long, according to my guidebook. We brought
lights, but can't say the same for all our fellow tunnel travelers, which led to me going very
slowly so's not to mow anyone down.
Riding in a tunnel is a strange experience. At first all you can see is a tiny pinpoint of light at
the other end. "Come toward the light." No kidding...if you look anywhere else, you will run into
the wall, or get bogged down in the gravel, or maybe mow down one of your fellow travelers who
doesn't happen to be carrying a light.
The light at the end grows slightly, but then seems to stay the same size for about 3/4 of the ride.
The only real way to gauge your progess is by passing people who aren't carrying lights and don't
realize they are in grave danger of being mowed down.
Just after one near-miss of someone who wasn't carrying a light, it seemed the Mr's headlamp was
getting quite a bit brighter. Snarking at him to quit tailgating me, or we'd *both* mow down some
lightless pedestrians, he replied "It's not me." The bright light (a Nightrider, apparently) came
around me and said "Hey...I passed *four* bicycles!" I thought, ohhhh kaayyy, then I said to myself
"Hey there, he's also riding with no hands." "Whoa...wtf!!! He's on a freakin' unicycle!"
About 30 feet later the light at the end of the tunnel expanded, [censored]-Wonka-like, into the exit and
we popped out into the warm sunshine.
The tunnel is an out-&-back, and the return trip seemed significantly warmer. It's a cold ride
though; if you go, pack a shell.
Back at the car, the Mr decided he'd had about all he could handle and took a break. WCB, GMB, and I
thought we'd ride on to the lake a bit. The Snoqualmie Tunnel trail is on the John Wayne rail-trail,
which supposedly goes all the way to Idaho. We didn't get quite that far. 😉 The lake seemed low,
(though this was the first time I'd seen it) there was a lot of mud & stumps around the banks. Maybe
it always looks that way, I dunno.
The next day, WCB and I headed out to Renton to get some intestinal parasites. I'm glad I went
with a local, because I don't think the map I had would have helped me find the trail entrance,
hidden in the blackberries back under some power lines. Tapeworm is about 4 miles of trail (I
think...) squeezed into a very small area. It is really a freaky experience riding down a trail
that curves off left and seeing your friend, who is only about 50 yds ahead, coming back by on
your right. Lots of roots, lots of logs, and more switchback practice than you should be allowed
to have on one ride. WCB rode the brand-new teeter-totter, which is a pretty solid number with
shingles on it for traction. I wimped out, it was a bit over my height limit. Overall it was very
very fun, very cool in the forest, no poison oak that I saw. I picked many, many blackberry thorns
out of my arms & legs.
gabrielle