jondubus

I'll be visiting in the middle of this month and would like to do some cycling-sightseeing Downtown and environs. I'm a 50+ rider but have ridden urban streets before here in Pittsburgh, Philly, Cleveland, Paris and Lyon. I've booked a guided bicycle tour on my first day in town with Adventours to help me get oriented. Any "must see"or "must avoid" is appreciated. Moderately priced Restaurant recs, are welcome too; e.g. seafood at Neptune's? Many Thanks. John

turtle77

heh, I've lived in Pittsburgh (well,Wexford), Ohio (Marion), AND Boston. That's weird...

Unfortunately, when I lived in Boston I was a poor college kid, so a lot of my cycling was commuting, and I wasn't able to go check out very many cool restaurants and stuff. That said, there's a beautiful bike/MUP path along the Charles river that I used to access via Mass Ave. at the bridge. On this bike path there is what they call the Memorial Hatch Shell which is an outdoor Amphitheater that often has free concerts in the summer. Also, at the Back Bay side entrance to the MUP, you'll be close to cool stuff like Kenmore Square (hey, Fenway Park and Landsdowne Street!). Newbury Street (the Rodeo Drive of Boston, if you're into that kind of thing), fairly close to the Boston Commons, and right across the bridge from MIT. Then, if you continue further up Mass Ave past MIT, you'll end up in Cambridge through Central Square (where you'll pick up an on-street bike path) and eventually Harvard Square. You might as well check that out.

Wish I could be of more help. Someday maybe I'll ask the same of you for Pittsburgh (I may move back - I live in Minneapolis now)
Have fun!
-Brian

gear

There are some bike paths in what is called "the emerald necklace" which is Olmstead's string of parks surrounding the city. There is also a bike path along the S.W. corridor. Riding above the "big dig" is nice and you can go over the channel into the south Boston waterfront. Riding through the "big dig" used to be great till they finished it and opened it to cars. You can cross the Charles river into the Bunker Hill area and see Breed's Hill and the Constitution.

Gingergin

If you want to head to the burbs a bit the4 Minuteman MUP is an 11 (22rt) mile railtrail. You can pick it up in Cambridge at Alewife T-Station. After Cambridge you will go thru Arlington then Lexington and then the path starts to get pretty nice to Bedford. It is well kept and lots of trees.

jondubus

Great stuff,turtle77, and many thanks also to gear & ginger gin. Just the stuff I was looking for. More suggestions are welcome. Turtle: Nearing completion in Pittsburgh,there's a pedestrian/bike bridge across the Mon river to southside trails near the Steelers practice complex.The bridge will connect southside with trails on the other side of the Mon going downtown and pretty much completing about 15-20 mile loop along all 3 rivers. Let me know if you're ever coming to town.

MAK

If you want a tip to instantly increase your speed and stamina...wear a jersey with a New York Yankees logo on it.