Fellow Riders: The Sammamish River and Burke Gilman Trails are open
again. All the way from Marymoor Park in Redmond to Golden Gardens
Park in Ballard (the street discontinuities in West Fremont and East
Ballard are still there, but free of ice and snow).

Tried the RT from Marymoor Park to Golden Gardens on Weds 12/31, but
got turned around by extensive snow flields in Woodenville. Tried the
hike-a-bike thing 5-6 times and decided I like hiking and I like
biking, but not much at the same time.

Sat 1/3 made it all the way! Still some snow around Greg Wimot Park
in Wooodenville but rideable. One short patch at the tunnel where the
trail changes from the Samm to the BG required a short duck walk, but
should be clear in another day or two. Coasted through this same spot
on the return. The BG Trail was clear and mostly dry all the way to
Golden Gardens.

If you ride these trails at night like I do, it's still a little hard
to see the icy patches. Just looks like a little powder. But when ya
hit 'em, thrilling heroics ensue.

The is fresh snow tonight, Sun 1/4, but weather reports don't call for
much residual accumulation. We shall see.

The wind chill is a challenge especially at night. The wind chill
when I left Goldens Gardens was in the high 20F. I was riding down
from Woodenville to Redmond about 8PM on Saturday with a 10k headwind.

The never ending BG contruction zone detour in Bothell / Kenmore is
closed, with the new BGT permanent pavement wide open.

If you haven't ridden the BG recently, the was a short stretch near
Magnuson Park that was closed abt 3 weeks ago. You had to drop down
to Sand Point Way, ride 3 blks, and then climb back up to the trail.
Very steep. Probably 10% grade. This too is now open.

Happy Trails,

Bill