Hi all,
Several times now I've needed a good route between Oakland and the Strip District after dark. I'm leaving from Fifth at Craig most of the time. The two routes I'm considering are:
(Melwood/Gold -> 28th st bridge) http://g.co/maps/3x44u
(Center/Herron -> 28th st. bridge) http://g.co/maps/ympks
I haven't taken either of these routes before today. What do you guys think of the routes? Alternatives for someone who is pretty slow up hills?
Melwood/gold is a pretty solid route.
I wouldn't do the centre/herron one if you don't like hills.
My route seems roundabout compared to that one, but I'll throw it out there anyway:
Fifth to Neville to Centre to Millvale
Cross the millvale bridge
Left on Liberty
Liberty liberty liberty
Cross over to Penn somewhere around the low 30s, after the iron city brewery.
my sentiments are the same as @alnilam, and I would probably be more comfortable with their route later at night.
there will be some climbing on the way back any way about it given the difference in elevation.
Thanks alnilam, your route is only a little longer according to the great google. Have you rode that section of Gold? It looks like a small road, in the middle of nowhere, where people may just fly at 50mph. Hard to tell with street view 
I also generally take liberty between these two locations, even though it's further. Just easier to navigate... and you get a bike lane. Especially better at nigh because all the lights in Bloomfield turn to blinking yellow.
Yeah, there's always a risk people will fly through gold way. There are some curvy parts of it, and I always take care to ride to the outside of a curve to be more visible. Also it's not as well lit as liberty (though of course, you yourself should be well lit). I've ridden it at night and it's a little unnerving but do-able.
So if you're going to be riding this regularly, and always at night, you might consider the liberty route. Dunno, anyone here who rides Gold all the time?
I ride Gold way often. Speeding is a problem in part because there are places not wide enough for 2 cars to pass and its a secret shortcut between oakland and the strip district. I stay visible [edit: meaning, I think this is a bad spot for ninja cyclists] and keep to the side. The road is very narrow and very curvy so I think the speeders are at least a little bit on the alert to save their own *sses. Do be very careful when coming back the other way if you turn left from Gold Way onto Baum. Cars you can't see tend to whip around the corner onto Baum from the southbound light @ Bigelow.
I think it's a good route, just be alert. There's also been recent reports of a late-night pickup driving dude harassing women there.
Ha didn't ridegold used to be the url for PAT's website?
A couple of other notes: 28th>Brereton>Dobson is not really that bad of a climb, its just long, but you can catch your breath at each 1/3 and before you know it you'll be comfortable just going the whole way up. (granny gears FTW!). The little chunk of alley called Truro is kinda crappy and behind some bars. I personally would avoid it and take Melwood between Center & Baum.
Keep a couple of bus tickets in your patch kit. If you are feeling too tired or nervous late at night - put your bike on a bus like the 54C.
i agree with most everything that has been said here, except that i think gold is being portrayed as some sort of high-traffic speed zone. in fact, i rarely encounter any cars when i ride through there. also, i think the narrowness makes it seem like cars are going faster, but it's difficult to drive through there and keep above 30.
the problem with it at night is that it's a bit remote. i much prefer going through polish hill to going up liberty, but that's only because it's a much more serene ride. at night, though, i might stick to busier streets. then again, i've ridden up gold at night plenty of times. it's a good route.
there's also a way through the secret back section of bloomfield that is pretty much a straight shot from the millvale bridge to the strip. it appears to be named, in various places, juniper, sassafras, neville, and lorigan. i don't take this route as often because the road surface isn't the best, and there's a rather steep hill in the middle of it all.
i think the narrowness makes it seem like cars are going faster, but it's difficult to drive through there and keep above 30 you're probably right
the secret back section of bloomfield
that looks really interesting - a route I've never tried - thanks!
You guys rock. Thanks for all the route info!
I agree with HV, I go to polish hill via melwood/gold once a week, say between 6pm and 2am and I don't see many cars. Around rush hour is a different story, pricks use it as a bypass for bigelow.
For a while there was a fake road sign there that said local traffic only and/or something about a speed trap with some sort of picture... not sure if its still there but it made me chuckle.
