The Woodinvilla-Thrilla…while not super exciting from a technical perspective, this particular ride is a good close to town option (for those of us on the east side) for 1700’ feet of climbing and just a little more than 17.5 miles of riding.  The general route (vs. the extended route) connects a couple of pipeline trails via a few sections of road and generally climbs and descends double-track.  Not a technical challenge at all but if you only have two hours or so, it’s a great place to get in a ride.  Here's a link to the elevation, etc. http://www.a-trip.com/tracks/view/36971

If you’re looking for more mileage you can always extend the route through the neighborhood hiking/running/biking trails throughout the various Woodinville and Redmond neighborhoods that the pipelines run through.  If you can find the maps and/or are willing to explore all the various offshoots it would be easy to extend this to 39+ miles.  

As a night ride, in addition to the standard “flora” you may also see “fauna” in the form of lots of rabbits, the occasional deer, and even more rare but occasionally reported, bears.  So, bring a buddy, bring your bear bell, and control your speed on the downhill so you don’t make any bunnies into speed-bumps.

Big thanks to Virginia for riding with me last night.  She had a “mellow” ride with me while I chased her through the darkness and up the hills cutting 10+ minutes off my usual time.   Total ride time (less a flat tire and a brake repair) 2 hours, 15 minutes, 17.6 miles, 1700’ feet of combined elevation gain.  Check one more winter training ride off the list and we’re thankful the rain held off, the lights held out, and it didn’t get quite cold enough to completely freeze the toes.

For those looking for a light for night riding, check out the Magicshine at Geomangear.com.  It’s a great value at $90, add a helmet mount (absolutely a requirement so you’re lighting where you want to go vs. where your handlebars are pointing) and you’re still less than $100.  The lights are every bit as bright as the HID lights we’ve got, weigh significantly less, and cost a quarter of the price.  

See you on the trails soon!

SC