I think there's another factor....which is:
With the addition of GS, more tokul west riders are now parking at 356th, instead of accessing via SE39th.
Having spent some recent weekend days on flowtron, traffic has been surprisingly light. Certainly way fewer riders than cars in the lot, like less than half.
regardless I agree with the message. Keep it quiet.
Good point FM though those that I know ride it West to East to finish on FT3K or Ivan, etc. The lot across from the Diner still is pretty empty considering the space available.
Another option used for BBTC/EMBA rides in the past has been the tennis courts at the Salish. But, we don't want to anger them either and there are rumors of break ins up there. But, a nice little trail warm up to get into East there.
Hopefully, we've learned a little from the Duthie issues....
Good point FM though those that I know ride it West to East to finish on FT3K or Ivan, etc. The lot across from the Diner still is pretty empty considering the space available.
Another option used for BBTC/EMBA rides in the past has been the tennis courts at the Salish. But, we don't want to anger them either and there are rumors of break ins up there. But, a nice little trail warm up to get into East there.
Hopefully, we've learned a little from the Duthie issues....
Does anyone know what the story is with coming in from the Snoqualmie Falls side? Is the gravel road off of Tokul rd still gated? Can you ride gun range back to the gate on your way out?
I think ultimately Tokul has too much climbing for the duthie crowd. It may be popular with them for awhile, but soon they will miss the buff xc loops with 50' of climbing and berms at every corner...
I'm not complaining about the parking. I parked half a mile past the lot just so I could Strava that stretch! I'm complaining that most (and I am slightly speculating) that more than half of yesterday's riders were without passes. But really now, does that matter? I mean, where's the enforcement?
A few weeks ago we ran into some "duthie" riders who wanted to tag along. They were new to T-East. We did two laps of flowtron and on the 2nd climb they were dying. Then we rode MidTown, then climbed all the way back up to do upper and lower Ivan. We waited a LONG time for them to get to the top. We always like to end with OGDH, but the 3 tag-along guys had enough climbing and called it a day. They had fun, but complained the entire time about all the climbing. I've talked to several people that will do Flowtron, then go to Ivan and be done.
I actually enjoy the climbing there and think it makes the descents that much better.
I hate climbing, but as I get older, it is just a way to get another work out in, so I am appreciating the climbs more than I used to. I will say that when I first started riding Tokul about 5 years ago, I thought the climbs were brutal. Now, they seem pretty tame in comparison. Frequenting Tiger might have something to do with that.
What's also kinda funny is that people will lap the road climb at East over and over without concern and then complain about a little road connection over in West...
Either way, it's gonna be busy which is a good thing and we'll all have to take that into concern in the way we did with the Duthie parking problems.
Heck, Tigger will be having issues again this summer with all the cool new stuff there as well. But, these are good problems.
What's also kinda funny is that people will lap the road climb at East over and over without concern and then complain about a little road connection over in West...
We will find out Sunday if it is worth the climb at T-west!
People dont mind climbs when there is a fun way back down. I dont see too many cars at Tiger in the winter even though you can ride all the logging roads years round...
I used to hate all the climbing out here with a passion when I first moved to the area, every ride we went on was just an ass kicker. Eventually though you start to find trails where the downhill is worth all the climbing, so I learned to just accept it. Zone out and just grind to the top knowing the best part is to come.
After a couple years of doing this, lo and behold your legs are stonger and it's not so bad any more.
So true. Can you imagine the FT3K/Ivan/etc. traffic if there was a lift up the face of east?
Tarekith, you and Dawgman might want to tie in with Mr. Lynch's crew Sunday. I'm assuming Slop will be guiding for the goods across the GS from East.
Still in snow season (Thank gawd I'm not in the Alpy line this morning...) but I may be able to get up and feed the Gnome before you all get out there.
Or even, an independent "concessionaire" who could run an hourly weekend shuttle truck up the powerline climb. Similar to how many of the UK skills centers work....or the 'ol "huckwagon"
Hancock could make a LOT of money! And I think it would solve for a lot of the liability concerns by working through a 3rd party. Lazy riders could still get 10-12 descents in in a single day.
This is kind of what I was hoping for all along, and the terrain at east would be perfect for it.
Not sure if we'll ever get there, and the climb is good exercise anyways.
He should, he's certainly out there enough. I'm a bit surprised he hasn't built a little hobbit hole up there, but I'm not sure that Kathy would approve of that.
Would love to meet up with you guys. I have soccer duty with the kids Sunday morning, but that is usually a good time for me, so next time. Also have a blown out rear hub and am waiting for some Chinese carbon wheels to be built and shipped. Out for the count until I get my new wheels or I can find a cheap replacement as a back up.
Never been to West, so would like to learn more and also learn some of the newer trails on East that aren't on the map. I usually stick to FT3, Last Frontier, and OGDH (favorite trail). Looking forward to meeting you all soon.
Here's one of Thomas' many videos of West for a taste. Slop will be taking Lynch et al up this to get in (Was actually built as a climbing trail from the Monster/Bra area for the 2005 MR Ride out there.) and then down it on the way back out Sunday.
Yes, the entrance/exit to the SVT is blocked by the logging. Lower BP was left pretty wide open by the loggers as they said they would which is awesome though. :thumbsup: Hoping they stay with that theme as they go up the hill.
It's just that getting to upper Pink Ribbon means you have to travel on a road for part of it, and they are being used for logging now and are (probably) a mess. I haven't been up since the 16th when I avoided the roads while they are actively there logging. Now that it's thawed and wet, I will probably avoid going up the roads entirely until they dry out again. I might go down them if I'm coming down to the top of PR. That isn't very likely now with the trails Poopy D and The Middle available.
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