Hi Guys & Gals,
I've shed my parking pass and geared up to start commuting this winter. I'm going from Marda Loop to North Hill mall and I'm a little fuzzy on getting over the river. My current plan is to heard down 17th street'ish to 10th Ave where I'll get across the river on 14th street, pop over to 15 street and ultimately up 19th street or 14th street to 16th ave.
If there's a way through Scarborough that'd be an option but I'm not as familiar with that area.
Any advice is appreciated.
Try this one
Submitted by gyrospanner on
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4233829
I have to apologize. My routing from knob hill down to the Crowchild bridge might not be the best. The bike polo guys might be able to suggest a better route in this area.
Part of my fuzziness in that area comes from the fact that I often go to all the great stores around that area when I'm near 17th Avenue - BikeBike, Boyd's Lobster shop, the Ski Cellar, McDonald's, etc. etc.
Sorry I picked the brutal 19th street hill! It is fun to go down!! Although it's better to tuck 14th and 19th in the morning, when there is less traffic.
Anyways, I hope this helps.....
Better info on that route
Submitted by gyrospanner on
I just double-checked the gmap and it didn't recognize the "shortcut" under the Crowchild bridge. You can walk your bike from 10th Ave across the railroad tracks to go under the bridge and get to the north side of the river.
I see, rather than the route
Submitted by jitenshakun on
I see, rather than the route all the way back to pumphouse road you just hop the tracks from 10th.
19th street ain't that bad. I'm used to much steeper and longer hills :)
Thank you for the route.
Some updates.
Submitted by BCDon on
I used to ride part of that. You can either cross 17th at Richmond Road or at 19 Street which I prefer. Just across at the pedestrian crossing lights and then "down" and along 19 Street to 10Ave, turn left and you are able to take a pathway across the tracks which will drop you in a bit East of Pumphouse Theater. You can either head directly to the pathway or, go through the parking lot at Pumphouse theater, due West as there is a dirt pathway which joins into the regular MUP right at the point where you can go under the bridge. Don't know if that dirt path is passable this time of year or not.
Lot of potential pathways once you are across the river. I'd likely give 19th a try as there is a bike lane on the East side heading up. Coming down is a bit of a downer because you immediately end up in a playground zone.
What bike are you using? You
Submitted by pinkrobe on
What bike are you using? You should get a new one, specifically for this commute. :-) I have some spare studded tires if you need 'em, plus some spare pogies so your hands don't freeze.
I picked up a Kona Fire
Submitted by jitenshakun on
I picked up a Kona Fire Mountain and chucked on some Ice Spikers. I may have to take you up on the offer of some pogies.
That 19th street option looks like a pretty good one. Thank you for that suggestion.
Don't use 19 St NW
Submitted by ride on
I think 19th St NW hill is a poor location for a bike route. It's brutally steep. Try it on a fixie! Instead, take 17A St as it has a much more gentle, sustained slope. Well worth the slight detour, both up AND down.
I went for a bit of a drive
Submitted by jitenshakun on
I went for a bit of a drive through Scarborough and a route down to 10th ave is pretty obvious. I also confirmed that the slight detour over the tracks by foot is the quickest way onto the foot bridge under Crowchild.
Once I'm on the North side of the River I'll try both 19st and 17a street.
BTW, thank you to Pinkrobe for lending me some pogies.