Great Lakes - Who's up for a tour of Cleveland?

I made this route. I haven't biked the whole thing at once (planning that soon, had a busted hand) but have ridden most parts of it at different times.

I'd like an opinion from those in NEO. Also I'd like to see who's up for a social ride. 'bout 14-15 mph?

Link: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Tour-of-Cleveland-44mi

Most of your route looks good, except for the section along Euclid Ave. I don't like to drive through that section of Cleveland, let alone ride a bike.

Didn't we ride along Euclid Ave? Scott?

Looks like a great early Sunday morning tour, I'd be interested. That Euclid section is bike laned the entire way now. A flawed lane at times, but as it gets a fair amount of use I guess a net positive. If you're referring to the criminal element, I doubt a pack of bicycles will arouse much interest beyond pity.

Thanks for the positive comments! I considered bypassing the Euclid Corridor but it's a brand new stretch of road with a bike lane the whole way. I figure a group of riders would be a little big to pick off for criminals.

I avoided Lorain for that reason. But to be fair, I'm not nearly as familiar with it so pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong.

I tried to make the route as interesting or scenic as possible (rocky river valley, shaker lakes) or with the best roads (w.165/woodward, Lee Rd.)

I know there are a lot of group and club rides coming up in July but I'd really like to do this one. I think it would be a great social ride and I really think Cleveland has some of the best urban riding around.

I have another route that's almost identical but without the last loop.

I can't really comment much on most of the route, but I do regularly bike commute into the University Circle area from the east. While Mayfield Rd would probably be perfectly fine on a Sunday morning and biking through Little Italy can be fun, I generally try avoid that route. Perhaps you could consider heading south on Coventry and west on Euclid Heights before bearing slightly right onto Edgehill and going down that hill and across the newly finished Cornell bridge (I think it should be open very soon). Cornell takes you past University Hospitals and you catch Euclid Ave. at a light. Just be careful descending Edgehill as there is a traffic light at the bottom as you come around the turn.

I actually live in Little Italy so I'm very familiar with the area. I picked mayfield mostly because of the screamer that Mayfield Rd is going down into the neighborhood.

I considered the Kenilworth and Edgehill because of the nice pavement on Kenilworth but Edgehill is aweful with some potholes that could really hurt somebody if they're not noticed in time. They're so bad you'll break your car too (ask me how I know :D). They've also cut rumble strips into the pavement approaching the curve that might be a problem at speed. The road also crosses a brick road at the bottom which is a problem on narrow tires at any speed.

I think there's still a month or two left on that Cornell bridge too but I'm not positive on that.

There's really only 3 viable ways down from the Heights plateau, Mayfield, Edgehill, or Cedar. The last one I planned for the way up.

I was also hoping to take a route through the cemetary but after a call to their office I found out that wasn't an option. They have taken for consideration my suggestion for allowing group rides that pre-register or notify them of passing through.

Most of your route looks good, except for the section along Euclid Ave. I don't like to drive through that section of Cleveland, let alone ride a bike.

This area is a great incentive to really get your RPM,s up there but if you get dropped,it could be permanent.:twitchy:

This area is a great incentive to really get your RPM,s up there but if you get dropped,it could be permanent.:twitchy:

:roflmao2:

yea mitch and i did some of that route last year, we went down euclid during the weekday. It was fine.



Now I would be packing some heat between case and the bikepath.

between case and which bike path?

going through mlk blvd.

mlk is isolated enough from the surrounding areas that it's nothing. the more southern part after it crosses e. 105 is similar. once you cross 105th you leave university circle, but rockefeller park is a beautiful channel to the lake that's set in a valley away from the urban blight.

but it's just that, blight. it's not a bad neighborhood or anything. just because they're black doesn't mean they're going to rob you. they're just poor there. it's the same thing as a poor italian neighborhood or a poor irish neighborhood.

most of the time on mlk you're right next to the museums and well maintained areas and those large groups on sudays of darker folk that gather at the lake in the park near 105 arent concerned about you. they're there to use the park just like you.

even down euclid ave folks don't bother you unless you're being an ass. you want to be scared? try coit and 152nd. that's where you don't stop at stop signs because you'll get jacked.

have you even ridden mlk? it's wonderful!

i'm sick of people from the burbs being scared of the inner city. inner city doesn't mean bad, just closer to the middle. i'll chalk it up to you living in parma.


there is nothing to be afraid of.

yep.

Euclid is fine. In fact, it's my preferred cross-town route. The bike and bus lanes make it rather in-hospitable to cars, which is great! Expect it to be mostly deserted between the Clinic & Downtown - particularly on a weekend.

On the near west side, I'd recommend staying on Franklin Blvd from W 25th all the way to W 85th. It's a little more scenic than Detroit, and has crazy sharrows most of the way.

You can also hang a left onto W 110th from Detroit to travel through Lakewood. W 110th quickly turns into Franklin, which is again a tad bit nicer than Detroit Ave. Less traffic and buses on Franklin.

-g

i completely forgot how nice franklin is along that stretch! i haven't driven that way since high school. that part is actually on the return leg. i picked detroit for the lakewood section just because it goes right through the middle where a lot of the interesting stuff is.

ill change the route for franklin from 85th to 25th

i completely forgot how nice franklin is along that stretch! i haven't driven that way since high school. that part is actually on the return leg. i picked detroit for the lakewood section just because it goes right through the middle where a lot of the interesting stuff is.

ill change the route for franklin from 85th to 25th

Hopefully you were riding home from Latin and not that Iggy place.:)

Benedictine actually...

Latin

Sounds like a good route. I haven't been to some of those areas in a few years...should I ride my road bike or my beater xcross?

i think either would be fun. it's all paved road. there are a few places of bad pavement but nothing bone-jarring and unavoidable with tires.

check the elevation profile and decide on your gearing.

i think either would be fun. it's all paved road. there are a few places of bad pavement but nothing bone-jarring and unavoidable with tires.

check the elevation profile and decide on your gearing.

:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

wut?

As always, I am up for it. Halfbent, Ben and I rode the route you planned a few weeks back, very nice!

wut?

The thought of needing to worry about gearing for a tour of Cleveland tickled my funny bone. ;)

I ride that route alot of times. week days & weekends. There is as much chance of crime on that route as there is in any other area. NOW at night is a different story. I'd say take the ride. LOTS of great views. make your half ways stop at the circle. About checking for elevation, you may find a few low hanging branches on MLK so you may have to duck, but if you find yourself working hard to get up that hill, i'd say YOUR LOST.Ride Safe.... Paul

halfway at the circle? halfway would be ice cream at mitchells in rocky river.

i mentioned the climb because the mile and a half or so of climb up cedar and then up fairmount can be a bit tough. i remember some folks being a bit tired on the memorial day ride and the last hill or so. i know it'll probably be a little tougher than i'd like with 42/21 and very little riding in the past few weeks but i think ill manage.

so who wants to do it? how bout's July 11th?

:lol:OHHHH, those hills! ok, Well ya know when you ride the heck out of Cleveland, the hills seem smaller, the routes seem shorter, and the roads seem safer....(Yeah right). Ride Safe...Paul

The thought of needing to worry about gearing for a tour of Cleveland tickled my funny bone. ;)

hey meng, i'm just sayin... don't underestimate cedar-fairmount. it's a leg-burner. though i'm sure you'll be dropping everyone like the marine you are ;).

:thumb:Know what ya mean. I will confess that there are days that you can find me riding up the hills in that area spitting out four letter words. It's is what it is. And it was Army but who counting, right? By the by, MWC do you play bike polo? Thought I'd seen ya round? Ride Safe ...Paul

hey meng, i'm just sayin... don't underestimate cedar-fairmount. it's a leg-burner. though i'm sure you'll be dropping everyone like the marine you are ;).

No worries, I'll get dropped by Gary, Mitch and Dan and the other skinny roadies. ;)

does that mean you're in? Let's start the list!

1. michaelwc
2. mkeller234?
3. chipcom?

I'll join if it's okay, just have to check the domestic calender.
I can offer a well stocked rest stop in downtown Cleveland if needed. Where would the start point be?

No worries, I'll get dropped by Gary, Mitch and Dan and the other skinny roadies. ;)

These road bikes now are all designed for 150lbs max Chip.
Just think how much $ we could save if dinner was a Gu bar,carrot and water and you could fashion a sock into a sleeveless turtle-neck sweater.

does that mean you're in? Let's start the list!


Riding around Cleveland can be fun, Euclid I've heard is a real treat since it's been fixed.

However, as much as I'd like to go and take my new bike for a BF ride, I've got to work on the 11th.

I'll look forward to the next NEO_BF group ride!

The start point would be the coventry road area or there abouts. i can't remember if the parking in the deck is metered on saturdays/sundays but ill check. coventry is at the top of a nice decent.

now, it doesnt have to be on the 11th, i just threw that day out there. anyone have any better ideas? as long as i have a weeks notice i can take the day off.

EDIT: no, i lied sorry. the 12th, 18th and 19th are no good for me. ill be at the ledges the weekend of the 18th and won't be able to take the preceding sunday off.

If we could do it, like, after noon on any Saturday or on Sunday, that would be great. I have a commitment on Friday nights that runs into early Saturday.

If we could do it, like, after noon on any Saturday or on Sunday, that would be great. I have a commitment on Friday nights that runs into early Saturday.

Dude, you're finally getting laid! :beer:

Dr. Strangelove is on TCM at 10:30

I'm up for it, I can usually make the weekend rides since my wife is off putting food on the table.

Dude, you're finally getting laid! :beer:

yyyyyyeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh no. Nope. Still have a firm grip on my virginity. And I just saw you're a mod......


:worship1::worship1::worship1::worship1::worship1::worship1:

Bump

so what's up with this?

sorry, i've been rather busy at work. unfortunatly the 10th and 11th won't work for me since i have to work. i usually don't get two weekends off in a row and since i took off the 4th and 5th and will be on vacation from the 16-19th i looks like the first sunday i caneverytake is the 26th.

so how does the 26th sound everyone?

Might be doable for me

I could probably attend. If this gets serious it might not be a bad idea to start another thread just in case others aren't checking in here.

bump 26th anyone?

bump 26th anyone?

Theoretically, I should be there.

I can make it but only in the afternoon. I am on call at CHP until noon.

Is this on or not? The date is perfect as it is the same date and location as the walk and roll which on the detroit shoreway/edgewater park. The shoreway will be blocked off, some protion for the event. From 1:00-4:00 or later. So if the ride ends in that area we could ride down into the event along with all the other cyclists whom will be riding on the walk and roll date.