Eastover/Crescent Heights to Uptown
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Submitted by Tab on Thu, 05/20/2004 - 20:01.
Routes
This is an easy route into town, mostly through old neighborhoods. I'd steer clear at rush-hour though, as there's a tricky section on Kenilworth that's not fun in heavy traffic. I ride it about 6:45 am.
For a detailed description of the route, scroll down.
detailed description: From Laurel/Cherokee, turn LEFT onto Providence Rd at stoplight across from Eckerd (a very bike-friendly stoplight), then take immediate RIGHT onto Ardsley. Take the next RIGHT on Hermitage, cruise downhill about half a mile to Queens Rd. Turn RIGHT on Queens Rd, gradually work your way over to the left lane, then take the 2nd LEFT onto Baxter. Coast downhill through the Cherry Neighborhood for about a mile, and wave at the front-porch dwellers there. Go through a 4-way stop, past some historic buildings, then descend a fairly steep hill to a stoplight and Kings Rd. The stoplight is difficult to trigger, so make sure your bike is directly over the sensors (I haven't found jumping up and down effective in changing the light, but the stares from nearby drivers is enough to make it worth the effort). When the light finally changes, CROSS Kings, then turn RIGHT at the light onto Kenilworth. This is where it gets tricky--DON'T CHANGE LANES! Right lanes will appear beside you, but don't get in them because you'll wind up on the on-ramp for I-277. At this point, I like to do an in-lane signal (like a left turn signal, but pointing more down than out, to let cars behind me know that I intend to stay right where I am, thank you). It seems a little dicey at first, but as long as I don't do this during rush hour, motorists seem to understand. Soon, all the extraneous right lanes will disappear, and you'll be near the curb again, and inside the loop. You can either turn RIGHT on McDowell, then work your way over for a LEFT turn onto 4th St (and Bike Lanes!), or go STRAIGHT across McDowell on Stonewall all the way up to Tryon. |