koulmodee

Hello all. I'm moving out of the city of Boston to the 'burbs of Winchester. Naturally, I want to continue commuting but after looking at the map, the right -- 'safe' route is not apparent. Does anyone out there know a good route to get me downtown, keeping me (mostly) out of harms way?

smr260

I grew up in Winchester!

There are probably a number of different routes to take and you will probably have to figure out what you like best by taking a couple rides back and forth. You are right - I think the biggest challenge you will face is that there is no straight, apparent route. You could begin by leaving Winchester near Wedgemere station and go through West Medford via Somerville if you work in the financial district. That's the way I used to go but that was also out of habit - the commuter rail runs that way, and as kids we naturally went that way. It might not be a bad idea to pick a route that follows the train line from Winchester to West Medford and then through Charlestown near Sullivan Square and Bunker Hill Community College and then into Boston. Any route to the east would mean crossing too many bridges and roads where bikes aren't allowed.

Another route might be straight down Mass Ave. You leave Winchester near the Country Club and head into Arlington on Mystic Street and eventually take a left on Mass Ave., which will lead you through Harvard Square and the rest of the squares and right into Back Bay. This route is not as direct as one you can figure out on your own but it is simple and aside from some tricky spots (Harvard Square, etc.) it might be safer.

drthos

I take this route in from North Andover.

I come down along Mystic River Parkway and then cut over to Mass Ave, on my way to the Fenway area. I use the bikeway on the north side of the Charles to get to the BU bridge...

Hope this helps...