Hi, My daughter and I are planning to ride from Ann Arbor, MI to the Madison, OH area. We are looking at Lakefront Bike Trail through Cleveland. I'd appreciate any input on the safety of the areas it passes through, or any suggestions for alternate routes. Thanks!

When are you doing this trip? I live about 25 miles east of Cleveland and know plenty of routes to get you through. There is also a Hostel in CLE and I have a friend who owns a bike shop and regularly hosts tourists at his home in the Ohio City area (near downtown CLE). The lakefront "trail" isn't really a trail it is an on road route that can be a bit bumpy outside of downtown. It is a pretty safe route I ride it often to get into the city.

I cycled through Cleveland on the Adventure Cycling Northern Tier route and had absolutely no problems. I traveled through on a weekend and traffic was very light and I felt very safe. If you get a chance stop at Joy Machines bike shop and say hi. That's a great neighborhood.

Besides the lakefront route, ACA also shows a hills route that sounds pretty cool.

Check out my long winded reply in the Great Lakes forum.

Small world...that is the shop I was referring to.

If it's the same route that it used back in the late 90s, it goes through the "Emerald Necklace," Cleveland and Shaker Heights. Quite nice.

Joy Machine guys are pretty friendly and a good shop if you bike needs service. If you are in the area of them and the right day of the week, check out the Cambodian restaurant and Westside market on the same street. Good eatings there. And the brewery in the area (Great Lakes IIRC....), and can't forget the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame on the lake.

Also check out Euclid Ave. Many strange buildings in the University Circle area and its rather a pleasant place to hang out (my wife lives there).