Originally Posted by neon
A good way to get to the Arboretum is to take the linear path that parallels the Orange Line... You can go back on the older, multi-use paths that take you thru the Emerald Necklace (park network designed by Olmsted). I seem to remember the path tries really hard to lose you at the Rt. 9 crossing. When you come out at Audubon Circle, if you do not want to try rotary cycling you can walk across...& shop for bike doodads at the new REI in the Landmark Center. The CT2 goes by there and could take you & bike back across the river, although it heads for MIT rather than Harvard.
Thanks, Neon. I did try both those bikepaths, the one parallel to the Orange Line and the one that runs from Jamaica Pond to the Landmark Center. Yes, crossing rt 9 is tricky. I think bikepaths are great for commuting, but when I go for a fitness and endurance ride I don't want to deal with pedestrians and others who share the same path.
I did check out the CRW website more carefully. Having looked through their cue sheets, I found a few nice rides that are not too far from Fenway, where I live. There's one ride that runs from Harvard Square to Belmont and Waltham and back via Concord Ave. And then there's another nice one that runs around Newton and Needham.
Has any of you Bostonians checked out the websites of university cycling clubs around here? MIT and Harvard have really nice sites with maps and cue sheets. Those college cyclists seem to love riding to Concord. Perhaps I should try their routes out.
Again, thanks all for your valuable input. Ride safe and, who knows, I might run into you on the road. :-)