Marc Kitteringham
I went out with the intention of riding through Beacon Hill park, taking my time and really exploring what the park had to offer. It was a bit rainy, but that made me even more willing to get out and explore. I hadn't had a chance to get any mud on my bike since I moved and it was right about time.
I started trying some technical stuff on some exposed rock in the park. Turning around I noticed a big peacock in the bushes right next to where I was riding. I snapped a few pictures. He didn't seem too bothered by my presence, and was probably relieved that there weren't a gaggle of tourists with me.
Exploring a bit more, I found a couple of young bucks on the trail. They also weren't too bothered by people. I guess that happens when you're living in a tourist town.
Beacon Hill park has quite a few little singletrack trails that head up and down the hill. The park is named because there is literally a beacon on top of a hill that overlooks the Juan De Fuca strait. The trails leading up to it are technical enough, but also flowy enough to make for some interesting quick climbs.
I turned onto Dallas Rd. and rode along the ocean to Clover Point. Clover Point sticks out into the ocean and is a haven for kites and kiteboards because of the ocean wind. It is also the southernmost point in the city. After that there is nothing but ocean until you reach Port Angeles Wash. on the other side. Literally the end of the world.
After a few photos here, I wandered up into the hillside communities in the area. I eventually ended up at the Old Astronomic Observatory. After a bit of hike-a-bike I got to the top and had a lookout over the whole city. At this point it had started raining quite hard and I got drenched on my way down.
Descending, my front brake cable snapped loose, giving me literally no stopping power on one of the steepest hills in a torrential rain. It was an easy fix, but I was already moving pretty quickly. I ended up dragging my foot and stopping under a tree to fix my hobbled bike.
I finally got home wet and muddy, but exceedingly happy.