Places to bike

[jen]

Any suggestions of where to bike-especially as a newbie? I live in Lakewood by 117th and Edgewater. I've gone to valley parkway but been told not the best place to go after work so other places to go?

[ryanchittester]

Jen, I used to live close to lakewood park and heading into the metroparks is probably the best place to bike. Yes...after work there may be more traffic, but the drivers (usually) are more aware of the people riding/running/walking dogs, etc.

The other place I would ride is straight out Lake Ave. but the roads aren't that great until you get out there a ways. Lake Ave. is definitely not a ride for after work as there's alot of traffic going away from downtown...and the cars travela little faster than in the metroparks.

[sarajean]

I typically ride Lake Ave, and Ryan is right: It's not too great going through River and Bay. However, once you hit Avon, there's a nice bike lane.

I've also ridden Hilliard, which to the best of my recollection has a bike lane starting in Westlake.

As far as Valley Parkway goes, if you're willing to drive with your bike, there's less traffic south of the Nature Center.

[Aussie Rob]

It really doesn't get much better than valley parkway unless you drive somewhere far out of town. Roads have cars....no way around it really.

Riding in Sydney over the last couple of weeks has made me realise how lightly travelled the parkway really is. Riding here is all about vehicular cycling and moving with the traffic....its kinda fun.

[rinibry]

its probably a bit farther than you want to drive for a short ride but the towpath has a newly paved section starting at harvard near I77 heading south there is 4.5 miles of uninterrupted brand new pavement (no stop lights no car traffic at all). I park under the 480 bridge in valley view and do 2-3 round trips, on weekdays you hardly pass anyone at all, weekends you need to watch for walkers. you can also add a .5 mile hill climb by turning toward the canalway visitors section and riding to 49th street.