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A question for the cyclists amongst us...

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Started 4 years ago by cab124
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cab124
Downtown Columbus
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I live Downtown and enjoy going to Columbus Crew soccer games during the summer. However, I am getting tired of driving to the games and paying $7-10 to park in a mud pit.
I wish the stadium had been built Downtown as it should have been, but the soccer gods did not come through on that one, so I am stuck commuting to the fairgrounds.
I was wondering if it might make sense to start cycling to the games. I was wondering if anyone might be able to recommend the best route to get from Downtown Columbus to Crew Stadium by bike, and also recommend the best place to leave my bike during the game so that I can be confident that it will be there after the game.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!!

Posted 4 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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I can tell you that the back way in from 17th and north on Velma can help avoid a bunch of that Hudson/71 BS. That's all I got. I use that route as a shortcut to Lowes all the time.

Posted 4 years ago #
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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I was going to try to be helpful and link to the COTA route you could take, but sadly and not surprisingly, there isn't one. The closest I found was the #81, which randomly snakes through some of Columbus' shadiest areas.

Posted 4 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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81 will drop you off right in the Lowes parking lot next to the Stadium.
17th and Velma probably wouldn't be bad, either.

Posted 4 years ago #
David
East side exile
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Brewmaster wrote I was going to try to be helpful and link to the COTA route you could take, but sadly and not surprisingly, there isn't one. The closest I found was the #81, which randomly snakes through some of Columbus' shadiest areas.
Actually, the #81 is perfect to take to the stadium. I work at the stadium and take it up hudson from high (and back down again). It has a stop in front of the Lowes next to the stadium. You don't have to worry about the shady neighborhoods since they are all after the stadium stop.

Posted 4 years ago #
pixlfarmer
Dublin
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I live just up the road from the stadium and have biked to a few games. There aren't' any bike racks of course, but I've never had any trouble chaining up to signposts. (there's a few in the lot directly west of the main entance) Let me tell you, it feels great not paying that extra $10 for parking, then whizzing by everyone in the exit cue after the game.

Posted 4 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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One look at that map explains why we need streetcars...and better bus routes. I mean, seriously? By bike there's Gay-Front-Buttles-High-Warren-Hamlet-5th-Indianola-Chittenden-Indianola-17th-Summit-17th-Velma-Cre Stadium.

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Posted 4 years ago #
CDS sherman
East Franklinton
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blammo wrote I can tell you that the back way in from 17th and north on Velma can help avoid a bunch of that Hudson/71 BS. That's all I got. I use that route as a shortcut to Lowes all the time.
that was my lowes route.... :D

Posted 4 years ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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Columbusite wrote One look at that map explains why we need streetcars...and better bus routes. I mean, seriously? By bike there's Gay-Front-Buttles-High-Warren-Hamlet-5th-Indianola-Chittenden-Indianola-17th-Summit-17th-Velma-Cre Stadium.

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That bike route is so winding, that I thought it was a bus route.

Posted 4 years ago #
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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David wrote
Brewmaster wrote I was going to try to be helpful and link to the COTA route you could take, but sadly and not surprisingly, there isn't one. The closest I found was the #81, which randomly snakes through some of Columbus' shadiest areas.
Actually, the #81 is perfect to take to the stadium. I work at the stadium and take it up hudson from high (and back down again). It has a stop in front of the Lowes next to the stadium. You don't have to worry about the shady neighborhoods since they are all after the stadium stop.
It definitely serves a few people, but you can't get from downtown to Crew Stadium like cab124 needs. It really is a testament to why cultural draws need to be located downtown. These things need to be at the hub of the wheel.

Posted 4 years ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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David wrote Actually, the #81 is perfect to take to the stadium. I work at the stadium and take it up hudson from high (and back down again). It has a stop in front of the Lowes next to the stadium. You don't have to worry about the shady neighborhoods since they are all after the stadium stop.
What if the game ends after 7:30 PM?
http://www.cota.com/pdfs/routes/current/081.pdf
Maybe you could bike & bus?

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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Well, here's my input. I have ridden to Lowes and Crew Stadium dozens of times day and night all time of the year. Lock to a tree or signpost/lampost.
I would take 4th St north to 17th Ave and east on 17th to Velma Ave and north on Velma to Crew Stadium. This route is the most efficient, but 4th's gradual climb can get annoying, especially with a head wind. Velma Ave is great.
OR
Cleveland Ave north to Essex Ave in Milo and north on Essex. Cross 11th Ave and continue north on Clara Ave. Cross 17th Ave and get on Velma Ave or the driveway for the historical society. This route is less efficient and kind of lonely as there is not much vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Cleveland Ave is a great way to bike between eastern downtown and points north. The bridge over 670/RR is very nice and at night is car-free. Cleveland in general through Milo is good. I tend to use Cleveland whenever I am heading to CCAD, OTE, or points east. Plus there aren't a lot of lights to slow you down through the Milo Stretch.
The Tunnel under the tracks on Essex Ave is 300 feet long and pretty sweet.
On Clara Ave, there an Italian Bakery that makes fresh bread and donuts and desserts. It also sells some Italian Groceries and pastas. Its called Audinos.? Speaking of Bakeries, you pass the Krogers bakery on Cleveland that either smells like donuts or corn tortillas.
High St north to E. 2nd Ave over to Cleveland is a great connector, plus you get to see some cool ruins in Milo.
Biking to the Crew games sounds fun. Plus you can ripped everytime and not need to bother with those costly cars.

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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Brewmaster wrote I was going to try to be helpful and link to the COTA route you could take, but sadly and not surprisingly, there isn't one. The closest I found was the #81, which randomly snakes through some of Columbus' shadiest areas.
Where are there shady areas between the Stadium and downtown? Its the north side.. the most developed and well-to-do side of town. Plus there's not even any leaves on trees now.

Posted 4 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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Auddino's. I had to look up the spelling. And last time I passed the Kroger's bakery it was definitely corn tortillas. The tunnel is fun and so is Broadview Ave to 1st, just don't get too carried away, cuz you'll want to stop at the intersection at the bottom of the hill. Made me feel like a kid again with the way I wanted to immediately go back to the top and ride on down. UA has some fun roads too, but they will not get you to the stadium.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Cyclist wrote
Brewmaster wrote the #81, which randomly snakes through some of Columbus' shadiest areas.
Where are there shady areas between the Stadium and downtown? Its the north side.. the most developed and well-to-do side of town. Plus there's not even any leaves on trees now.
The #81 snakes through some of the rough areas around Linden. I don't think Brewmaster was calling the Short North shady. :roll:

Posted 4 years ago #
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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^ Thanks! It also takes Ohio all the way south to Frebis. :shock:

Posted 4 years ago #
cab124
Downtown Columbus
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Thanks for all of the input!
I am going to check out some of the suggested routes. I want to make sure they go through neighborhoods where I would feel safe biking alone after dark.
It would be great to be able to get to the games without having to deal with the traffic in and out, the muddy parking field, and the $7 cost to park. Also, the more exercise I get, the better!
Thanks again!

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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Cab 124, If you want to ride one or two of the routes with me? I can help you out.

Posted 4 years ago #
cab124
Downtown Columbus
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Cyclist wrote Cab 124, If you want to ride one or two of the routes with me? I can help you out.
Sure, I would be up for that. It would be an honor to ride the route with Columbus' premier cyclist.
How about if you come to the Warehouse Cafe breakfast this Saturday and allow me to buy you some breakfast, and then we bike to Crew Stadium along with any other cyclists who might want to go along??

Posted 4 years ago #
Roland
Clintonville
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I'll ride with you. How fast can you pedal? :lol:

Posted 4 years ago #