2024-03-24 47 -122

Location

Middle of 24th Ave E in eastern Capitol Hill

Participants

coyotebush

Plans

Bike. Either around noon directly from morning plans, or mid-afternoon from home. Coyotebush (talk) 19:02, 23 March 2024 (UTC)

Expedition

Intermittent sun throughout the morning, gradually warming up. Not seeing any other interest in this point, I figured as long as I was out and about, I might as well take the opportunity for a loop route and lunch in a new neighborhood.

Near the University of Washington campus, I encountered evidence of a running event - apparently the Cherry Blossom Run. Indeed, Seattle neighborhood streets are beautiful right now with blooming cherry, plum, magnolia, and such. Dodged a bunch of pedestrians likely visiting UW's famous cherry trees before navigating through the long-running construction at the Montlake/520 interchange.

Next a cafe stop in the Montlake neighborhood's small business district (which also contains a good bike shop). Ate a sandwich there and took a treat for later.

Lunch nearby first -- Coyotebush (talk) @47.6398,-122.3023 12:12, 24 March 2024 (PDT)

Then it was a straight shot uphill on 4-lane 24th Ave E. A surprisingly challenging climb. There was steady traffic coming the other way, but little enough in my direction that cars *could* easily change lanes to pass me... not that all of them fully did.

I pulled over just before E Highland Dr, then realized I could legitimately use the center turn lane for a left turn there. While doing so I carefully paused to sneak a screenshot. Admired some views, but a selfie completely slipped my mind until much later.

Escaped the traffic temporarily via Interlaken Blvd, including the section closed to cars.