Have you ridden this route before? What do you think? Is it something you'd want to try? Whats the minimum tire width you recommend? How do you think my ride went? What should I try next?
I haven't (I don't even have a dirt/gravel bike) and I'm glad you videoed it - I'm definitely going to add a couple of "challenging" notes on the sections of the loop which appear on the Greater Northshore map. That last downhill looks pretty dang scary to me too.
Hi Hanoch, Thanks for sharing! Where can I get a "Best Side Cycling" jersey? PS - I took your "Thrilla" route and changed the start to UW and will be leading a ride for my bike club. Many thanks!
@@Liam-nn4kx they are all custom order but best way to keep updated about the next batch is to join my Strava club or discord! We just have a minimum order of 5 so if we have enough interest we'll send off another batch
I really appreciate this video. As a roadie with a similar background to you, I’ve been curious about the famous Thrilla. I actually tried it twice on my endurance bike and had to turn around because I had no idea what I was doing and felt like I was going to hurt myself. Watching this helped a lot, maybe I’ll give it a try in the spring with appropriate gear.
For improved balance and better confidence on those descents, I recommend Ben Cathro's "How to Bike" series, especially s1e3 about body position. Near the start of the ride you had some on-trail conversation about how to stand on the pedals - flat foot or heel drop. You can actually drop your leading heel and raise your following heel (slightly in both cases). This allows you to have better fore-aft balance
This makes me want to ride the Thrilla loop again. It's been a while, and I have no excuse. I live just north of the intersection where the trail crosses 216th Ave NE (~31:00 on the video).
That final downhill section of the Power Line Trail (right before you get to the Sammamish River Trail) is super sketch. It's steep, loose, twisty, and has those water barriers across the trail. I always feel like I'm right on the ragged edge of control on that descent. I've learned (the hard/painful way) that descending on gravel is MUCH trickier than climbing on gravel. If you're descending and your speed gets a little high it can be difficult to get it back under control. A couple of years ago I was on a gravel ride south of Mt Rainier. I was descending Babyshoe Pass and let my speed get away from me. Every attempt to slow down lead to skidding tires. I eventually hit a rut and went down. Ouch. There's no shame in walking a section of trail you're not comfortable riding!
i usually add the tuscany loop (go right at 1:05:31) and that makes this ride so much better. you did pretty good on the downhill just before this, i usually go pretty slow because it's very low traction and full of big rocks
Ah, yes, Heart Attack Hill. I did Stinky Spoke in 2017. I made the hill with a 20 sec. break in the middle and no walking to get the badge at the top. I rode with two others and waited at the top having three fireballs, lol. It was wet and muddy in places. I broke my chain with a couple miles left, ugh. I still use my old Trek fuel full suspension MTB. That's a really nice bike you have. Try lowering the air pressure a bit to help with traction on the hills. Good luck 🤞😊
Around 37:00 minutes, you mention how the shade and sun create different temperature zones in the winter and you muse about the summer effects. I have hiked a lot of these trails, and you are right that the temperature zones created by shade and sun continue to exist. However, because the sun is higher in the sky in summer than in winter, many of the shady areas in wintertime (especially on the Pipeline Trail) do not appear in summer or are greatly reduced. Around that same timestamp, you also mention the dogs, and, yes, the Pipeline Trail is popular year-round for pedestrians, dogs, and horses, so your trail ettiquette and safety rules get a lot of use. That said, peopl, dogs, horses, and cyclists on the Trail are generally friendly and respectful, so the rules are not really a burden.
Heart attack is no joke. It's way steeper in person. It's tough because you need a high VO2 max, some bike handling skills, a good line and hill-friendly gearing (or just monster power). You can cut off to the street on the left in the middle to recover after the first half of the climb. Minimum tire size you need for this is probably 38c without it being too uncomfortable. 42c will easily clear everything. 47 onward is more comfortable, but not necessary. I do this loop all the time with 42c Pathfinder Pros on a gravel bike
You are getting better and looks like you had a lot of fun. Another good idea is to get a dropper post if you don't have one. This will allow get the seat post out of you way so you can adjust your center of gravity. Also are you going to be there for the Stinky Spoke?
Real thrilla goes the other way, CCW. This is stinky spoke thrilla. Then you can come down gold creek. There is also some more trail riding you can do around RHS.
@@braveulysses2000 There's one steep hairpin off-camber turn in the gold creek section. Otherwise, it's smooth, rolling singletrack. Overall, no big deal on a gravel bike.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Have you ridden this route before? What do you think? Is it something you'd want to try? Whats the minimum tire width you recommend? How do you think my ride went? What should I try next?
I haven't (I don't even have a dirt/gravel bike) and I'm glad you videoed it - I'm definitely going to add a couple of "challenging" notes on the sections of the loop which appear on the Greater Northshore map. That last downhill looks pretty dang scary to me too.
Hi Hanoch, Thanks for sharing! Where can I get a "Best Side Cycling" jersey? PS - I took your "Thrilla" route and changed the start to UW and will be leading a ride for my bike club. Many thanks!
@@Liam-nn4kx they are all custom order but best way to keep updated about the next batch is to join my Strava club or discord! We just have a minimum order of 5 so if we have enough interest we'll send off another batch
Thanks Filip and Spencer for taking me on this classic ride
I really appreciate this video. As a roadie with a similar background to you, I’ve been curious about the famous Thrilla. I actually tried it twice on my endurance bike and had to turn around because I had no idea what I was doing and felt like I was going to hurt myself. Watching this helped a lot, maybe I’ll give it a try in the spring with appropriate gear.
Haha yes I definitely don't have the shame. Safety first. My second run of this route went much better and I didn't have to walk any of it!
Dude, good shit on the last part. It's steep and you did an amazing job for the little experience you have.
For improved balance and better confidence on those descents, I recommend Ben Cathro's "How to Bike" series, especially s1e3 about body position. Near the start of the ride you had some on-trail conversation about how to stand on the pedals - flat foot or heel drop. You can actually drop your leading heel and raise your following heel (slightly in both cases). This allows you to have better fore-aft balance
This makes a lot of sense. Kinda “wedge” yourself between the two pedals.
This makes me want to ride the Thrilla loop again. It's been a while, and I have no excuse. I live just north of the intersection where the trail crosses 216th Ave NE (~31:00 on the video).
That final downhill section of the Power Line Trail (right before you get to the Sammamish River Trail) is super sketch. It's steep, loose, twisty, and has those water barriers across the trail. I always feel like I'm right on the ragged edge of control on that descent.
I've learned (the hard/painful way) that descending on gravel is MUCH trickier than climbing on gravel. If you're descending and your speed gets a little high it can be difficult to get it back under control. A couple of years ago I was on a gravel ride south of Mt Rainier. I was descending Babyshoe Pass and let my speed get away from me. Every attempt to slow down lead to skidding tires. I eventually hit a rut and went down. Ouch.
There's no shame in walking a section of trail you're not comfortable riding!
i usually add the tuscany loop (go right at 1:05:31) and that makes this ride so much better. you did pretty good on the downhill just before this, i usually go pretty slow because it's very low traction and full of big rocks
Tuscany Twirl is a must-do if you have the time/energy. Just watch out for peds and doggos as it has some blind turns!
Good job on the ride. Funny to see the old name for the loop pop up. Add in all the side trails and I think there's about 35 miles total.
Ah, yes, Heart Attack Hill. I did Stinky Spoke in 2017. I made the hill with a 20 sec. break in the middle and no walking to get the badge at the top. I rode with two others and waited at the top having three fireballs, lol. It was wet and muddy in places. I broke my chain with a couple miles left, ugh. I still use my old Trek fuel full suspension MTB.
That's a really nice bike you have. Try lowering the air pressure a bit to help with traction on the hills. Good luck 🤞😊
Your effort on Heart Attack Hill is still worth a bakers dozen of Top Pot Donuts apple fritters.
Amazing riding with you!
My first question was going to be recommended tire width, thanks for mentioning that
Around 37:00 minutes, you mention how the shade and sun create different temperature zones in the winter and you muse about the summer effects. I have hiked a lot of these trails, and you are right that the temperature zones created by shade and sun continue to exist. However, because the sun is higher in the sky in summer than in winter, many of the shady areas in wintertime (especially on the Pipeline Trail) do not appear in summer or are greatly reduced.
Around that same timestamp, you also mention the dogs, and, yes, the Pipeline Trail is popular year-round for pedestrians, dogs, and horses, so your trail ettiquette and safety rules get a lot of use. That said, peopl, dogs, horses, and cyclists on the Trail are generally friendly and respectful, so the rules are not really a burden.
Love all the detailed comments! That makes a lot of sense :)
Heart attack is no joke. It's way steeper in person. It's tough because you need a high VO2 max, some bike handling skills, a good line and hill-friendly gearing (or just monster power). You can cut off to the street on the left in the middle to recover after the first half of the climb.
Minimum tire size you need for this is probably 38c without it being too uncomfortable. 42c will easily clear everything. 47 onward is more comfortable, but not necessary. I do this loop all the time with 42c Pathfinder Pros on a gravel bike
@@thecommenter4933 love the insight! Appreciate the comment.
Thanks for sharing. I've always wondered if that hill was doable on a bike.
You are getting better and looks like you had a lot of fun. Another good idea is to get a dropper post if you don't have one. This will allow get the seat post out of you way so you can adjust your center of gravity. Also are you going to be there for the Stinky Spoke?
@@Adventuregirl96 yes I'll be there tomorrow! Dropper post sounds like a fantastic idea for me
Looks like they've graded HAH? It's always been deep ruts full of loose gravel in the bottom third in my experience.
Real thrilla goes the other way, CCW. This is stinky spoke thrilla. Then you can come down gold creek. There is also some more trail riding you can do around RHS.
Gold creek is so fun
Does anyone ride Heart Attack Hill going down?
I'm way too big a chicken to even try.
Love Tolt Pipeline Trail though.
From what I hear ... Many do! I'm the same way. Way too chicken to try that descent right now
You can have more fun if at the top of heart attack you go to the right a couple hundred yards and go down the gold creek trails.
@@angrybeesound772 is that doable on a gravel bike or is it a MTB ride?
@@braveulysses2000 There's one steep hairpin off-camber turn in the gold creek section. Otherwise, it's smooth, rolling singletrack. Overall, no big deal on a gravel bike.
@@braveulysses2000 Very doable. With Hydraulic brakes it should be a breeze, especially on those downhills. But doable with any bike.