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Biking is good

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Started 4 years ago by cab124
Latest reply from michaelcoyote

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cab124
Downtown Columbus
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I recently started to have some problems with my car, so, this morning I took it up to my mechanic on Rt 161 in Dublin (by the way, I think he is good if anyone is looking for a mechanic). Rather than bother anyone for a ride up and back, I decided to toss my bike in the trunk. I dropped off my car, popped my bike out of the trunk and rode it back downtown.
There was a real sense of satisfaction in knowing that I was able to get from way out in the burbs, back downtown to my condo is a very reasonable amount of time, without having to rely on anyone else or on burning gas. Also, it was a lot of fun riding down the bike trail early in the morning (but a little too cold for my liking).
It really made me realize how much potential bicycle commuting really does have in a flat city like Columbus. I think the mayor is right on the money with his plan to pursue a network of bike trails all over the city.
There are still a lot of obstacles, like suburban drivers who don't think they should have to share the roads, bike trails that are is disrepair (like around OSU), and the crappy Columbus weather. But being flat really is a HUGE benefit when it comes to biking. We really should leverage that for all it is worth by continuing to expand our network of bike trails all over the region and encouraging people to consider commuting by bike more and more.
I realize that what I am saying is nothing new. Lots of people have been saying the same thing for years. I just felt like after my experience today, I am feeling a little more like.......like I "get it."

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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Sweet! Biking is also good becuase it invovles little government record keeping and oversight through liscenses, fees, and other paperwork that the BMV puts you through. You a more free on a bicycle.

Posted 4 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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I just had the oppportunity to look out over Columbus from a skyscraper, and Damn, this is a flat city. I mean like Great Plains flat. Great for bikers! Being used to a bit more topography - some parts of Ohio have it, I was a little shocked.

Posted 4 years ago #
cab124
Downtown Columbus
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joev wrote I just had the oppportunity to look out over Columbus from a skyscraper, and Damn, this is a flat city. I mean like Great Plains flat. Great for bikers! Being used to a bit more topography - some parts of Ohio have it, I was a little shocked.
What skyscraper were you in? Sometimes at lunch time I go to the top of the Rhodes Tower just to check out the view. I could spend hours up there just looking out over the region. Very cool. And, very flat.

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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The flatness is very nice. But as you bike more you do notice grades and elevation differences. Here is an example of a N. High St ride between N. Broadway and Broad St.
N. Broadway to North St. flat.
Short St. to Ramlow Alley uphill
Ramlow to Maynard flat
Maynard to Lane downhill- nice descent actually
Lane to 13th downhill continues but not as steep as the Maynard to Lane part.
13th to 8th uphill
8th to 5th downhill
5th to Vine flat
Vine to nationwide- bridge up and down
Nationwide to Broad- slight uphill.
Summit and 4th exhibit this well.
Anywhere near the river is steep and bridges over things make for hills.

Posted 4 years ago #
columbus native
Columbus the indie art capital of the world
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+8178276376

Posted 4 years ago #
gobluegirl
northeast suburbs
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what was your route from Dublin to downtown?
I live off of 33 in Grandview and since there are no sidewalks, there is no safe way for me to bike downtown, even though it would be a very easy 3 mile ride if I wasn't in fear of being hit by cars going 50 mph.

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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gobluegirl wrote what was your route from Dublin to downtown?
I live off of 33 in Grandview and since there are no sidewalks, there is no safe way for me to bike downtown, even though it would be a very easy 3 mile ride if I wasn't in fear of being hit by cars going 50 mph.
Where do you live and work? I can make some routes for you.

Posted 4 years ago #
scottlitch
Southwest Hilltop, Columbus
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There will definitely be some dancing for my birthday party at Bristol this Saturday.

Posted 4 years ago #
cab124
Downtown Columbus
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gobluegirl wrote what was your route from Dublin to downtown?
I live off of 33 in Grandview and since there are no sidewalks, there is no safe way for me to bike downtown, even though it would be a very easy 3 mile ride if I wasn't in fear of being hit by cars going 50 mph.
My mechanic is on 161 about half way between Sawmill Rd. and SR 315. I rode down 161 East until I crossed over SR 315 where I was able to catch the Olentangy bike path. I stayed on the bike path all the way to Gay St. in downtown.
It was a little unnerving riding down 161 because there isn't much of a shoulder and some of the cars are moving pretty fast. But most of the cars seemed pretty cool about trying to give me some room. It was a little tough crossing SR 315 because it seemed like some of the pedestrian walk signals weren't working right. But once I got through that area, I put on some tunes on my Pocket PC and it was clear sailing all the way home.
I was kind of surprised that there wasn't much traffic on the bike trail. It seemed pretty dead. I may have passed up about 10 people on the entire ride.
You might want to wait for Columbusite to chime in. He rides from Downtown to Grandview all the time and he might be able to recommend a few routes. I am sure Zach can help you out as well.

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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[quote="cab124"]
gobluegirl wrote what was your route from Dublin to
You might want to wait for Columbusite to chime in. He rides from Downtown to Grandview all the time and he might be able to recommend a few routes. I am sure Zach can help you out as well.
There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.

Posted 4 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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[quote="Cyclist"]
cab124 wrote
gobluegirl wrote what was your route from Dublin to
You might want to wait for Columbusite to chime in. He rides from Downtown to Grandview all the time and he might be able to recommend a few routes. I am sure Zach can help you out as well.
There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
I took that path today. Goodale to Northwest to First to Grandview Ave makes a nice ride. I really love First through Grandview, nice knoll and I stopped at Luck Bros.

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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Mercurius wrote
There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
I took that path today. Goodale to Northwest to First to Grandview Ave makes a nice ride. I really love First through Grandview, nice knoll and I stopped at Luck Bros.
When the hell you do that?

Posted 4 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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joev wrote I just had the oppportunity to look out over Columbus from a skyscraper, and Damn, this is a flat city. I mean like Great Plains flat. Great for bikers! Being used to a bit more topography - some parts of Ohio have it, I was a little shocked.
You may be referring to Cincinnati hoods like Mt Adams. You'd think steep, hilly places like that were in San Fran, but we have em too and they are some of the best in the state. I couldn't imagine biking them though.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Cyclist wrote There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
For anyone with skills lesser than Cyclist (which is everyone) I'd think a casual ride down Goodale could be intimidating. :?

Posted 4 years ago #
cab124
Downtown Columbus
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Walker wrote
Cyclist wrote There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
For anyone with skills lesser than Cyclist (which is everyone) I'd think a casual ride down Goodale could be intimidating. :?
VERY true. My ride down 161 today was very intimidating.
That is why we need more bike paths.

Posted 4 years ago #
jazzypants
Eastmoor
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Walker wrote
Cyclist wrote There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
For anyone with skills lesser than Cyclist (which is everyone) I'd think a casual ride down Goodale could be intimidating. :?
My 58 year-old parents do it all the time! :)
(they might go up on the sidewalk when crossing the bridge, I don't know)

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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Walker wrote
Cyclist wrote There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
For anyone with skills lesser than Cyclist (which is everyone) I'd think a casual ride down Goodale could be intimidating. :?
I am more skilled than CDS Sherman.
I would say that Brian G is more skilled than I in all biking aspects. And no one is hotter on the diamond frame than Mike Reed.
The intidation is real... but you absolutely have to face it to get on the road. Just like a butcher can't be bothered by blood and guts, or a bussiness man has no problem with making a profit, or a web-forum moderator has hairy forearms. :lol:
Ride the itimidating streets at night when riding is best due to low vehicular traffic volumes. Get a sense of your abilities, distances, feel it out, then maybe move into heavier and heavier traffic to the point where you can pass cars, ride in the left or center lanes, predict motorists actions.
Do one thing please. Don't ride next to the curb. You are asking to get pinched and that sucks. Take the center of the lane, even a little to the left. Its not easy and you will face hostility and danger.... but it is doable and a lot of fun.
If you don't like Goodale, then try 3rd Ave. Its got a lot of cyclists on it and is very accomodating after you cross into Harrison West.

Posted 4 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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cab124 wrote
Walker wrote
Cyclist wrote There is a great bike route called Goodale St that connects Grandview with downtown.
For anyone with skills lesser than Cyclist (which is everyone) I'd think a casual ride down Goodale could be intimidating. :?
VERY true. My ride down 161 today was very intimidating.
That is why we need more bike paths.
Bike paths are great, but not the end all, be all. They help get more people on bikes, due to the fear of the unknown and uneasiness. You have to be careful that having marked lanes doesn't reinforce the stereotype that bikes don't belong on the road. Bike Boulevards would be great as well.

Posted 4 years ago #
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
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I really like the idea of sharrows and bike boulavards. But in the end, one's own will and inititive puts you on the road and not big gubment and signs and lanes and other facilities.
I would support lowering speed limits and adding more speed bumps and road diets and traffic calming before seperate bike facilities.

Posted 4 years ago #