Seattle's Secret twisties....

Cyemm · 10-23-2005, 04:05 PM

If I only have an hour or two to spend playing, I immediately head out to Mercer Island, in the middle of Lake Washington. It's only minutes from downtown Seattle, and the southern half of the Island is comprised of smooth twisting blacktop, multiple switchbacks, and little traffic. A great unwinder after a tough day.
To get here, follow I-90 east from Seattle, under the first tunnel and out onto the water on the bridge. Mt. Ranier often greets you if you look southeast. Take the first exit onto Mercer Island, turn right, and enjoy 10 miles of twisties as you navigate the southern half-circle, then either hop back onto the freeway or pull a Uwie and do it all over again.
It is a high-priced residential neighborhood, however, so there's often one or two ancient whitehairs piloting oversized, overpriced land barges through the corners at half the posted speed, and they tend to turn, stop, or pull off at whim, so vigilance is needed, but ride the pace and you'll do fine. One tactic I use a lot is I'll pull over when being blocked by slow traffic, watching my mirrors. When the traffic ahead has disappeared, and there's nothing behind, I'm reasonably sure I can enjoy a few turns at my pace, without concerning myself with other drivers.
O.K., enough diatribe.... pics

My Modded Honda Valkyrie, convoluted banked pavement, views of Mt. Ranier and Lake Washingotn to my right peeking through the trees.

Cyemm · 10-23-2005, 04:08 PM

More serpentine pavement, An unkown couple of riders enjoying the day, smooth curves.

Cyemm · 10-23-2005, 04:10 PM

Leaning through the leaves....

Cyemm · 10-23-2005, 04:11 PM

More on-bike pics, playing in the turns.

mnnden · 10-23-2005, 06:02 PM

Cyemme, Great Pictures, That is a Great looking Valkyrie. Every so often I get out to Washington (the Olympic Penninsula), I really like it out there and your pictures explain why. Great shots!! Den

G8ESCAP · 10-23-2005, 06:06 PM

Such great scenery! Now I feel like I live in a desert wasteland by comparison! Sweet bike too!

kluts · 10-24-2005, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

Such great scenery! Now I feel like I live in a desert wasteland by comparison! Sweet bike too!

Thanks for the memory lane. Used to ride Mercer with a girlfriend who lived there; everything you said is still true!!!

Gix: You "feel" like you live in a desert wasteland? You do live in one!

OK, SoCal's got its strong points...

pashnit · 10-24-2005, 12:31 AM

Hmm, pictures of twisties. Look good no matter where they are!

Cyemm · 10-24-2005, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnnden

Cyemme, Great Pictures, That is a Great looking Valkyrie. Every so often I get out to Washington (the Olympic Penninsula), I really like it out there and your pictures explain why. Great shots!! Den

Thanks... The Olympics are cool, esp @ Lake Crescent and the blast up to Hurricane Ridge... Highly recommended.

The Valk's been modded extensively so it fits my vision of a sporttourer, the list is on my intro page here, search for my handle and you'll find it. I'm really happy with it now.

Cyemm · 10-24-2005, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

Such great scenery! Now I feel like I live in a desert wasteland by comparison! Sweet bike too!

Not all roses... It's just beginning to hit the rainy season up here, Gerbing gear head to toe becomes a necessity as I ride year-round.

Over the passes into eastern Wa looks a lot like your shots, pretty dry.

Thanks.

10-23-2005, 04:05 PM	#1
Cyemm Valkyries Can't do That!! Name: Bob Location: Seattle, Wa Motorcycle: 2001 Honda Valkyrie, 2004 ZX10R Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 60	Seattle's Secret twisties.... If I only have an hour or two to spend playing, I immediately head out to Mercer Island, in the middle of Lake Washington. It's only minutes from downtown Seattle, and the southern half of the Island is comprised of smooth twisting blacktop, multiple switchbacks, and little traffic. A great unwinder after a tough day. To get here, follow I-90 east from Seattle, under the first tunnel and out onto the water on the bridge. Mt. Ranier often greets you if you look southeast. Take the first exit onto Mercer Island, turn right, and enjoy 10 miles of twisties as you navigate the southern half-circle, then either hop back onto the freeway or pull a Uwie and do it all over again. It is a high-priced residential neighborhood, however, so there's often one or two ancient whitehairs piloting oversized, overpriced land barges through the corners at half the posted speed, and they tend to turn, stop, or pull off at whim, so vigilance is needed, but ride the pace and you'll do fine. One tactic I use a lot is I'll pull over when being blocked by slow traffic, watching my mirrors. When the traffic ahead has disappeared, and there's nothing behind, I'm reasonably sure I can enjoy a few turns at my pace, without concerning myself with other drivers. O.K., enough diatribe.... pics My Modded Honda Valkyrie, convoluted banked pavement, views of Mt. Ranier and Lake Washingotn to my right peeking through the trees. Attached Images

10-23-2005, 04:08 PM	#2
Cyemm Valkyries Can't do That!! Name: Bob Location: Seattle, Wa Motorcycle: 2001 Honda Valkyrie, 2004 ZX10R Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 60	Re: Seattle's Secret twisties....#2 More serpentine pavement, An unkown couple of riders enjoying the day, smooth curves. Attached Images

10-23-2005, 04:10 PM	#3
Cyemm Valkyries Can't do That!! Name: Bob Location: Seattle, Wa Motorcycle: 2001 Honda Valkyrie, 2004 ZX10R Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 60	Re: Seattle's Secret twisties....#3 Leaning through the leaves.... Attached Images

10-23-2005, 04:11 PM	#4
Cyemm Valkyries Can't do That!! Name: Bob Location: Seattle, Wa Motorcycle: 2001 Honda Valkyrie, 2004 ZX10R Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 60	Re: Seattle's Secret twisties....#4 (last) More on-bike pics, playing in the turns. Attached Images

10-23-2005, 06:02 PM	#5
mnnden Senior Member Name: Den Location: MN Motorcycle: BMW R1150R Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 108	Re: Seattle's Secret twisties.... Cyemme, Great Pictures, That is a Great looking Valkyrie. Every so often I get out to Washington (the Olympic Penninsula), I really like it out there and your pictures explain why. Great shots!! Den __________________ We all gave some, Some gave all. anonymous

10-23-2005, 06:06 PM	#6
G8ESCAP AKA Gixxerdale Name: Dale Location: Badlands of the SFV-SoCal Motorcycle: 2001 KTM 520 EXC Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,564	Re: Seattle's Secret twisties.... Such great scenery! Now I feel like I live in a desert wasteland by comparison! Sweet bike too! __________________ "The key to life is to die young, at a very old age" "Ride like you own the road, and one day the road will own you"

10-24-2005, 12:31 AM	#8
pashnit Yes, I'm the guy Name: Tim Location: NorCal Motorcycle: Hayabusa Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 13,090	Re: Seattle's Secret twisties.... Hmm, pictures of twisties. Look good no matter where they are!

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