[smoreschoco]

The weather was so night that I decided to leave work an hour early to go for an evening cruise. My colleague suggested Ben Howard Road from Highway 203 just south of Monroe to Mann Road just outside of Sultan. So I threw on my gears (#ATGATT) and head out.

The first bit was just regular city riding from my home through city streets till I get to Bothell. Meh, afternoon commute wasn’t too bad, and I was glad to have my meshed jacket and pants for the 86 degree weather in Seattle. At least my carb wasn’t overflowing anymore like the past two rides. I figured the needle valve got stuck, so I slammed the carb with my rubber mallet before riding. It worked, as people said, violence solves everything.

The Woodinville to Duvall part was better. Much less traffic. It was cooler in the shades too. Ahhhh... so much better.

From Duvall onwards it was just fun. Farm lands on both sides and greeted by farm animals on the way. I can watch cattle and horses munching on grasses all day. The Snoqualmie mountains were visible on the right pretty much all time. It would be an epic view a few weeks back when snows were still atop the summits. The late afternoon warm glow on the field was not bad either.

Once I hit Ben Howard Road, it was even better. Riding along the Skykomish River was very scenic. The occasional barns and mountain backdrops were pretty picturesque. The narrow two-lane twisty road was complimented with rolling climbs and drops. The traffic was so light that I could enjoy the road at my own pace.

I didn’t take much photos, and the ones I took didn’t do the views any justice. You have to ride it to feel it.