I had to be in Seattle for 24 hours to sign off one of my instructors for a class she was learning. Since it was a short trip, I figured it was an all work, up and back. Fortunately for me, the class was north of Seattle and ended on time AND my flight back to San Diego was not until 8:45 pm. Having never seen it with my own eyes, I put I-5 Colonnade in my Android and off I went.
Funny thing about GPS; it flew me over the park on the I-5 and told me I was there when I was still on the freeway. Uh, sure…
So I got off the freeway, stopped and looked up the directions. It is very easy to find and you can’t miss it when you pass.
DAMN!!!!! This place is rocks!. I walked the whole thing in my suit rather than hitting it on the bike. I am sure people thought I was documenting some sort of lawsuit. I got lots of nasty looks. Why else would some idiot in a suit be in the dirt taking pictures of all the features?
The roller coaster looking down. Watch that turn at the bottom!
From the side
Further south, the bigger features were set up.
This is the bottom of a nice serpentine run that has tight 200 degree banked turns . It feeds back on itself over and over again. You have to see it to understand.
Another downhill slalom entering a decent sized wall ramp.
exiting…
Check out the belly of the beast
Can you say monster pump track? 4-5 foot humps
The backside of another monster wall ride
sigh…..
Hard to tell, but each of these terraces are part of the trail. It winds back and forth over and over again.
Everywhere you look there is something. This place is like a sardine can of bike trails and stunts. Did I mention they are everywhere?
Hard to believe but these picture do not due the place justice. There are lines everywhere with a surprising amount of flow. Sadly, there were no riders when I was there. Lots of walkers and dog owners. I think it was just too early. Right now it stays light until nearly 10 pm. I don't think there is the "right after work rush" that we have here.
I need to get up a bit more time up there before it gets too cold. Alaska Air only charges 50 bucks each way for a bike. Since rentals seem to be in the $60-90 per day, why not take my own? Hopefully I can get back up there for “business” before November. I would love to get out to the trails. I hear there are also one or two that may be worthwhile.
