Dayton, OH area commuters?

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09-29-15 | 05:40 PM

#26

Hibonite

Junior Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 84

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From: SW Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroEng

I actually just got back from a business trip in Dayton. Having seen the streets (and a few people commuting down them), the marked bike routes were nicer than I thought. They were wide residential streets and (most importantly) had few stop signs. The Dayton area seems to have a lot less major streets (6 lanes or more) and more 2/3 lane roads with 30/35 mph speed limits. I did see a number of people commuting in the traffic lane on streets that would be vary dangerous to attempt something similar here. Perhaps the drivers are more accommodating?

In the little time I was in town, I got the feeling that downtown Kettering might be a good fit. It had enough services (rec centers, libraries, grocery stores) that it felt a little more walkable/bikeable/urban than Beavercreek. Oakwood was pretty, but other than very high end shopping, didn't look like as much of a walkable/bikeable community. I also found the bus route that goes up 48 and connects to an Area B express bus, so it'd be a nice backup.

Hibonite - How long does the 13 mile trip take you? My current ride is 8.5 miles through town and takes me about 35-40 min... Do you bike year round? I do it here, but obviously it's a bit easier in Albuquerque. We get just as cold, but far less snow.

Again, thanks to everyone for their feedback. I did get to use some of it and explore the bike gate, bike routes, and other parts of the city.

AstroEng, It take me about 50 min. +/- 5 min. door to door depending on how I hit the lights. I try to bike year round. In summer when I'm not travelling, I average 4 days a week and in the winter I draw the line at 20F, 32F if the roads are wet. Some years I can ride a day or three every week in the winter and others I basically take off from mid Jan to mid Feb. BTW, I always take the lane since the shoulders are usually full of debris and are usually too narrow anyway. The only time I've gotten a flat on my way to/from work over the past 10 y has been when I first started commuting and I rode on the shoulder for a good stretch of Grange Hall near Area B.

10-01-15 | 01:49 PM

#27

SloButWide

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Joined: Sep 2015

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From: USA Midwest

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I second the advice about taking the lane. The rightmost 2-3' of road is terrible. When the roads are plowed, the grit and gravel seems to pile there, even in communities that sweep the streets. Also, the roads seem to degrade in that region, creating a crocodile skin effect. I suspect it's because water undermines the sides of the road more, but I'm not sure. Shoulders and bridges also accumulate crap.

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11-11-15 | 11:18 AM

#28

jasonthelee

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Joined: Nov 2015

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I'll be TDY to WPAFB for a few months this spring and trying to find out if I can commute from Area A (Lodging) to Area B (USAFSAM). I've been to the base several times before so I'm familiar with the traffic backups near National Rd and wouldn't consider it until I read about the "bike gates". Supposedly there is one at 16B, near the Wright Memorial and Kauffman Rd but not sure what it takes to use it (or if it even works). I'll call Pass and Registration tomorrow to check as they are closed for the holidays today.