Good day for a test ride

 For this test ride I put my Ortlieb Panniers on the bike, except for the rack pack. Still getting use to the hills. Still had to push the bike up the hill on Hwy 240. Its a steep 2 lane S-turn section with no shoulder. Safer to push.

 Handled the extra weight very well.

 Cedar River east of Maple Valley, WA. I wanted to ride the 7 miles of the trail to complete the whole trail.

 Peek at some fast water

 Small set of rapids on the Cedar River

 Going down was much easier

 Thanks to a random hiker that offered to take a picture

 2nd shot from helpful hiker.

Nice short test ride.

Traveling light on this ride. Next ride will be adding 4 ortlieb panniers with touring weight for a test ride.

June 15, 2012. Third test ride Left house in Kent, WA rode city streets to Renton, WA to Cedar River Trailhead. Rode Trail to Maple Valley, WA Took the wilderness Trail to Hwy 272 Back to house in Kent 32.98 mile route. Many Hills but the practice is benefical because Hwy 101 and 1 will have Mountains to climb.

One of the roads leading down from the Renton Highlands to the Trailhead. Good thing the bike has disc brakes. Note to self- Change brake pads before leaving.

View from the Renton, WA Highlands toward Seattle.

Made it to the trailhead.

Cedar River crossing

Made it to Maple Valley, WA on Cedar river Trail

Cool rig some one was riding. That Dog was moving. An option when I can't pedal anymore.

32.98 mile route. It seemed like it was all uphill too. Not bad for an old man with Asthma.

Today it was a beautiful day for riding. The route was from the house in Kent east about 9 miles to the Wilderness Trail in Maple Valley I headed west back to Kent. Mileage 25 miles. Still getting use to the Hills. Gear down and then "Huff and Puff". Only had to push the bike once very steep incline.

 This is the Wilderness Trail for some reason its called the Cedar to Green River Trail.

 Wilderness Lake The side the trail is on is mostly protected land and wilderness trails.

 Tunnel under Maple Valley Hwy.

This section had a bear warning sign. I didn't take a picture of the sign because it had graphic graffiti.
Todays ride was about 3 hours. Very nice ride!

Took the bike out for a test ride. This bike has a nice ride. Of course it wasn't fully loaded. That coming soon enough.

 Soos Creek Trail in Kent, WA

 Somewhere on Soos Creek Trail East Kent, WA

 Lake Meridian Kent, WA

 Lake Meridian Kent, WA

First time riding on a Hilly trail in awhile. My lungs will need to ajust to the extra strain riding above sea level again. Kent is only 500 ft above sea level but it did seem to have an effect. I will just need to remember to breath deeper on the next ride.

Just a few more items and the bike will be complete. But it is close enough for me to keep with adventure cycling tradition in naming a bike. I have picked the name Rene.
Reasons behind the name;
1: Its not gender specific. Rene can be a woman's or man's name. That way when out on the road if i begin to talk to my bike, the female side will listen and the male side of the bike will tell me to buck and ride. LoL
2: In french "Rene" means, Reborn, Rebirth. That how i fell when out riding. Each day is different out on the road so, there is a rebirth everyday.
3: I just like the Name  when said with the french accent.