Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
I think there are 3 basic strategies.
1. The direct route. Bicycle to Tacoma, then skirt the northen edge of Fort Lewis. Unfortunately, this means you have to take I-5, as there are no other through roads in Dupont. (It looks like you can get away with getting on I-5 in Dupont and getting off at the Nisqually Refuge/Old Pacific Highway, if you want the minimum number of exits). According to my Pierce County Bike Map, you can bike on I-5 from the exit just south of Gravelly Lake all the way into Thurston County and beyond. Presumably you'll want to get off the freeway as soon as you climb out of the Nisqually Valley, as the street network is fine from there.
2. Take the STP route to Yelm, which goes all the way around Fort Lewis to the South, then take something like highway 510 back into Lacey. Roundabout, but no freeway shoulder riding required.
3. Hop a ferry to Bremerton, then roughly follow Highways 3 and 101 south into Olympia. I've got no clue about this route; this Cascade thread has a terse summary that implies the 101 stretch would work:
Port Townsend to Olympia.
Apparently it's not easy to get a Pierce County bike map these days. Easiest route to describe to Dupont is to traverse Vashon Island (take two ferries), then follow the shore as best you can. I'll give you street names if you really want them and can't find a Pierce County bike map. Cascade or the Bike Alliance might have copies in their main offices.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
Finn
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:21 pm
AlabamaJoined: 15 Sep 2006Posts: 303Location: Central District
4. Tell her that her bike is classy. Say her name a few times during conversation. Do not be a creep. Ask her to talk about herself. Touch her arm in a non-threatening fashion. Lock your bike to hers at least once. Watch for signs. Give her plenty of space. Offer to ride her home. Do not leave the ride conspicuously early. The rest should've been covered by your parent(s) during puberty.
I apologize in advance to any woman who reads this. I swear, it's just a joke. We are vulgar and greasy and inconsiderate. Avoid men at all costs.
Aaron
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:11 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
one woman on the ride tonight. Where the F were you 'bandamma?
But hey, we still have a Ladies calendar!
pete jr
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:46 pm
Joined: 13 Dec 2005Posts: 1930Location: balls deepx
let it be heard, aaron enjoys the calendar!! did everyone get that?
MikeOD
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:55 pm
Joined: 04 Feb 2006Posts: 545
Finn wrote:
4. ...the art of bike seduction...
Finn when are you going to come out and start breaking the other collar bone? It must be getting jealous.
rlotz
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:25 am
Joined: 23 Jan 2006Posts: 311Location: Capitol Hill
Kent Peterson recently rode to Olympia, there is some documentation of route (he took I5) and what the conditions were like.
gsbarnes
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:24 pm
Joined: 15 Aug 2006Posts: 2666Location: No Fun Town, USA
rlotz wrote:
Kent Peterson recently rode to Olympia, there is some documentation of route (he took I5) and what the conditions were like.
Just as a guess, then, looks like they took the STP route as far as 72nd St E/Canyon Rd E (the top of 'The Hill'), then continued on 72nd across I-5, turned south on S Tacoma Way, then followed it as it turned into Pacific Highway SW, which basically spits you out at the Gravelly Lake Way onramp, and from there took I-5 to Olympia.
Pacific Highway is pretty direct, but also probably not very nice most of the day. But if you're riding in the predawn hours, it's probably okay. If you're not, you'd probably want to skirt it and travel through Lakewood and on the east side of Gravelly Lake.
Now that I look at Google Maps better, I can see that the route to Dupont (Dupont Steilacoom Highway) goes directly through Fort Lewis. Yet it's marked as a valid route on the Pierce County Bike Map. Has anyone ever taken this road? I assume they don't stop you at the Fort Lewis gates; Highway 507 also goes through Fort Lewis, but that's the STP route and freely accessible.
_________________ I have always thought in the back of my mind: Cheese and Onions
Alex
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:47 am
Joined: 18 May 2006Posts: 3128Location: Roosevelt
I used to ride Seattle to Olympia a couple of times a year. Honestly there aren't many great routes.
My favorite was this:
* hop the ferry to bremerton
* SR3 south
* Old Belfair Highway (this skips the busy parts of SR3)
* back on SR3 to Shelton
* 101 to Mud Bay Road
* Mud Bay Road into Olympia
I never actually did the first part because it involved two ferries.
Riding to Olympia sucks because Fort Lewis gets in the way and has few paths through it. You can take I-5 (like Kent did), but I prefer not to ride on interstates. The way around (mapped above) is okay but also adds quite a bit of distance.
alex
Spealunker
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:23 am
sargeJoined: 08 Sep 2005Posts: 308Location: Fort Bragg NC
All of those roads are outside of the fenced off post. Tho still part of Ft lewis they are open to public travel and have no gates. If you run into a gate you made a wrong turn :)
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Joined: 15 Aug 2006
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Location: No Fun Town, USA
Alabama
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 303
Location: Central District
Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 1930
Location: balls deepx
Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 545
Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 311
Location: Capitol Hill
Joined: 18 May 2006
Posts: 3128
Location: Roosevelt
sarge
Joined: 08 Sep 2005
Posts: 308
Location: Fort Bragg NC
