Starting from squirrel hill, more or less direct is bonus because I'd use it. Washington Blvd seems more than a bit unfriendly owing to speed.
Quietest looking thing that's not too far out of the way I can come up with from some street view (and street view is just a snapshot so who knows) is starting and staying east of washington blvd until the last minute. Say, N Dallas->N Murtland->Lincoln->Lemington. Would definitely be relying on Lemington to be quiet on the way back, looks like a stern climb and no shoulder at all.
Does this seem pretty reasonable or still just bad stuff?
byogman
2013-02-26 13:51:52
Not sure why I left highland park reservoir on the title, may can edit.
Or, if there's a cut through where you don't have to get back on washington blvd (certainly not apparent from google maps), but would be huge bonus, that would be great to find out about.
byogman
2013-02-26 13:54:09
I would probably ride Forbes to Beachwood Blvd, cut through the park at 5th and penn and take east liberty blvd to highland. If you head to the race track, I go the same way but go down Negly Run and the sketchy bit is the short sprint on Washington Blvd.
flys564
2013-02-26 14:03:57
I wasn't sure what to make of Negley Run. Wide and 35 limit, presumably with less traffic than Washington Blvd, but especially coming back it made me worry. How thin is the traffic there?
byogman
2013-02-26 14:59:54
flyS564 is correct in the way to get there. Negley Run is fine. Going down you're going about as fast as traffic on a 4 lane divided road. Going back is what it is, but it's not that bad at all. And really what other choice do you have unless you walked up the trail and then rode out. Going up Washington is going to be worse, as is going down Washington and then up Zoo Hill or something.
You'll be fine.
mayhew
2013-02-26 15:36:16
Well, the other choice I have is to put my bike on the bike rack and drive. But the idea of driving some place (especially some place close!) to ride rubs me the wrong way. I'll give it a try some time, thanks guys.
byogman
2013-02-26 15:38:34
Chris sort of mentioned this, but if you don't mind carrying your bike or pushing it up a steep (but short) trail, there's a nice connection from where the set of bleachers is up to Lake Drive. View from top:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=40.47655,-79.910903&spn=0.004611,0.00773&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=40.47655,-79.910903&panoid=nwrrq53BS58wO7sirOAPcQ&cbp=12,87.91,,0,4.87
I personally always take Negley Run to get there (2 lanes going downhill so not hard to keep up with traffic, of which there's usually very little) and the trail / Lake Dr. to get back.
ted
2013-02-26 18:28:48
flyS564 wrote: If you head to the race track, I go the same way but go down Negly Run and the sketchy bit is the short sprint on Washington Blvd.
This is what I do.
brybot
2013-02-26 18:48:19
Thanks Ted, that connection is really nice to know about for getting between the oval and reservoir, too.
byogman
2013-02-26 19:13:46
As far as going to the Oval once you go down Negley run if you jump the median and then the curb on the far side you can ride through the grass then there is an access road that leads to the police station. At least that way you can avoid Washington all together. Coming back to Negley run the access road is the way to go. I also hate going up Negley run and feel I have almost been hit from behind multiple times but that's my only option so it is what it is. A separated bike lane would be nice.
tetris_draftsman
2013-02-27 07:10:36
I've ridden from Oakland to the oval a few times, as others have said, Negley Run isn't too bad because of the dual lanes, but Washington can seem a bit harrowing at times.
Hopping to the grass at the light is a good idea if you have any concerns about traffic.
pbeaver
2013-02-27 07:46:28
mikhail
2013-02-27 09:09:48
Can't you go down Negley Run and make a bit of a U-Turn at the bottom and cut through that access road where the fire department practices and such. That way avoiding Washington Blvd altogether? I just wouldn't ride on Washington Blvd.
gg
2013-02-27 10:08:44
gg wrote:Can’t you go down Negley Run and make a bit of a U-Turn at the bottom and cut through that access road where the fire department practices and such. That way avoiding Washington Blvd altogether? I just wouldn’t ride on Washington Blvd.
You don't need a U-turn just make a left a little bit earlier. you should take left lane in any case. BTW last time going left from Washington Blvd on my bicycle I had to wait for a car to turn left. This light did not sense me at all.
mikhail
2013-02-27 10:25:23
