Ypsi-Ann Arbor Commute

[ypsichris]

I work for Borders Group, and I am looking to commute to work from my
home in ypsi. Borders Group is on the south Side of ann arbor, at
State and Ellsworth.

I live in downtown Ypsilanti.


The most Direct root is cross, to packard, to eisenhower to state,
however, there is virtually no flat ground. While it DOES have
sidewalks, they are in poor condition.


Ellsworth has virtually no sidewalks, and it has two highway
overpasses, not to mention it's pretty hilly itself.


and thirdly, michigan ave to state is a much farther south route, and
I'm not sure what that one's like.


Is there any trail or path or set of roads that is superior?


I don't mind the extra distance so much if the ride is nicer.


Suggestions?

[Ih8lucky13]

I would go the Packard route, it really isn't that hilly compared to any other route that you could take.
Plus it seems like the most direct route.

[brotherdan]

When I ride between Ypsi and Ann Arbor I almost always use Packard all the way and then take Cross or Washtenaw once I get to Ypsi. Ride the streets, they are generally much safer and faster than riding on the sidewalks.

Packard is generally the best route because it has the fewest traffic lights, it's a broad street with plenty of room for cyclists and cars. It has bike lines over some sections, so cars might at least expect to see cyclists there, and it is well lit at night in Ann Arbor city limits, though less so in parts of Ypsi.

I've known several people that have occasionally commuted between Ypsi and Ann Arbor who try to avoid large roads completely. They have used the walking path that runs along the Huron river in Gallup park. While this is a viable option, it is a much longer and slower route than riding along Packard, plus you eventually have to get off the path and ride on the roads at some point anyway.

[jevidl]

Gallup Park, at least in the afternoons and weekends, is very busy with lots pedestrian traffic. Even if I am going downtown from there I'll avoid it as much as possible, taking river road to Geddes to get toward downtown. Much faster, and probably much safer for everyone involved.