I like to ride downtown on the weekend. Our downtown is "up and coming" and most areas are offices that are closed on the weekend. There are a few blocks that have unused city offices. Right around the federal buildings and city government is awesome on the weekend. There are few cars, some roads are one way others are two way, but most have 3-4 lanes.
Anyway ay you can take the lane and it is free and clear. And most of the pavement is really nice.
it it is like my own private road. (The government building section connects the two areas that are busy during the weekend.)