February 6th, 2009 | 
Author: Two days ago, the thermostat was clicking over 50! This time of year, that is amazing. Especially after how chilly it’s been, the contrast was intensified. But who cares about that, being able to get out and ride was fantastic.
I waited until just about 11 and figured that while it was 40 out, it would be 50 soon enough and the target max was going to be mid-50′s. I decided upon my “large Orting route” which takes about 2 hours, with the coffee break in the middle (warm up and de-num my hands and butt).
The route is roughly: take 512 to Pioneer, head toward Orting, but you turn left about 1/2 way in. You end up heading into the hills along some nice twisty roads (typically wet due to tree cover) which are a little tight in spots with a number of blind corners, etc. Normal for semi-rural/residential.
You are then north-east of Orting. Turn left on 120th and then when you get the chance to either go left to Buckley or right, turn right (S Prairie). You have a short stint through a town (a few buildings, a coffee hut and a restaurant), but then you get to open it up. The sign says 50, but none of the locals go that slow. There are a number of curves, all pretty gentle. Lots of great valley-esque views, and a number of straights thrown in to tempt you to see, just how fast does this thing go.
You then pop in the back side into downtown Orting. I wind around and then hit my favorite hut. They got a table and a bench and you can sit and watch small town life parade around. I changed from my winter gloves to my summer gloves as it was starting to warm up.
I then leave town the same way in, but turn right and start heading toward Kapowsin along Orville/Kapowsin Hwy. This stint along the water is great, but I had a dump truck with a trailer who was not interested in cruising. Mad alive, that guy was bookin. I thought about letting him pass, but I used it as an opportunity to use local knowledge a little. While he was willing to do 70 on every straight, he sure disappeared when accelerating out of the corners. It was kinda like the movie Duel. I’d relax thinking I dusted this guy and then in the distance….(Note: he was never close to me so it’s not like there was any danger or anything so relax).
Once Orville hits Kapowsin, turn left and head along the water there. How nice is all that. You go from open fields with one house (sort of) and 30 broken down cars, to water front property for the semi-rich and famous types. The road was shaded and you could see a bit of moss. Not too much. The thing that got me along this road was how bumping it was. Not whack you in the head bumps, but little undulating things that try to buck you off the bike. I stood during a couple of stints and let the legs deal with it.
Eventually you pop out.
Turn left you hit Eaton-ville. I turned right and got to wind er up again heading back in along 161. Again, with locals flying along there, I didn’t mind keeping my speed, well, up a little.
Then it’s just back all the way in. For me, I turn on 176 to Canyon to Brookdale.
Fantastic day, great bike, need gel grips I think.
Posted in Bike/Riding