General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path! Rss Feed  
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2008-02-07 11:34 AM

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Subject: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
Hey all, does anyone know any good bike paths (long) around ahwatukee or chandler? I ride along Pecos quite a bit and just wish there were a safer place to train...thoughts?


2008-02-07 3:38 PM
in reply to: #1199163

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
I know of no good bike paths for road bikes. Even over here where the Paseo is largely paved it's not good.

1) You still have to cross streets
2) Largely paved means not completely paved.

I know my bike handles like a beached manatee on gravel.

The question then turns into what are good roads?

Answer, none, but some suck less.

I ride Riggs a lot. Once I'm past Sun lakes it's only 3 stop lights for about 20 miles of road.

I also ride down towards Casa Grande on 87, where it's even few numbers of lights and you can largely ride on the shoulder as opposed to the road.

Group rides also help, not because it makes the roads any better, but having more people makes the drivers more aware.

HTH

-Jot
2008-02-07 9:11 PM
in reply to: #1199775

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
sadly that's what i figured. maybe I'll give riggs a try, i spend all my time up in the ahwatukee foothills and on Pecos right now. I love the weather down here, but i sure miss the paved trails up in Washington-- when it isn't pouring on ya.

Thanks for the repyl
2008-02-07 9:35 PM
in reply to: #1199163

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!

I don't think this qualifies as long but it is better than nothing...

http://www.chandleraz.gov/Content/Paseo_Trail_Map.pdf

It is easy to park at the tennis courts at Tumbleweek park and then go to the trail.  There are bathrooms there... I ran it last week and was passed by several bikers...



Edited by etknowles 2008-02-07 9:36 PM
2008-02-07 11:18 PM
in reply to: #1199163

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
There is a path along the Arizona canal that they built tunnels under all the roads.

Runs from the Biltmore all the way to 75th avenue.

It is however not in Chandler.

http://www.srpnet.com/water/canals/distances.aspx
2008-02-08 12:15 AM
in reply to: #1200408

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
The Paseo is rough in several areas.

1) Not paved where it crosses McQueen
2) Not paved where it crosses Chandler Heights
3) Was torn up between Chandler Heights and McQueen (I haven't checked if it still is)
4) Rough section up by Gilbert road

It's a great running trail, just not so much on a bike. Tough to get any real
rhythm going on it.

-Jot


2008-02-08 10:30 AM
in reply to: #1199163

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!

I think Riggs is your best bet.  It's long, hardly any traffic, and a huge shoulder if you need it.

The shoulder is a bit rough, but there's so little traffic that most people just ride on the side of the road.  The loop around South Mountain is pretty good too except for the leg down Baseline.

2008-02-08 10:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
Wait...how do you loop around South Mountain? I live near the end of pecos..is there a road I don't know about? Generally I just do loops in awhatukee, but if there is a way to loop around the Mountain..i would love to give that a try.
2008-02-08 11:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!

Just go down Riggs and it turns into "Beltline Rd", which heads North.  Beltline Rd then turns into 51st Ave.  Just stay on 51st Ave all the way to Baseline.

Baseline S_CKS !  Tons of traffic, and the populous there have shown to be very biker unfriendly.   Send "hmjiii" a PM and he could send you a route that takes a bike path that skips most of Baseline.

2008-02-08 11:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!

Another South Mountain option is Silent Sunday:

Silent Sunday will return each month in 2008!! On Silent Sundays, bicyclists, tots in strollers, in-line skaters and wheelchair users get to call the Park's roadways their own. (Closed to cars). Starting at 5 a.m. the park's roadways past the Central Avenue gate* will be reserved for non-motorized use. 2008 Dates: Feb. 24, March 30, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23 and Dec. 28

2008-02-09 7:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!

The loop around South mountain is pretty good actually. You head down to Riggs and follow it like Cordova said until it turns into 51st Ave. Then you go up to Dobbins (Not baseline) and take that clear over to 20th St. From there it's tricky. You can go up to the Highland canal trail or up to Baseline or Southern. I recommend the canal followed by Southern, and only Baseline in a dire situation. The canal's a little bumpy, but it's paved all the way to Baseline and 41st St. From there you have no choice but to take a major road like baseline over to 48th St, but it's only for a mile. You can take 48th or Priest back down into Ahwatukee. 

Here's a map: http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/maps/AroundtheMtn3.doc
It's a little old, but combine it with the directions I gave above, and you ge the idea.

Gaba is a great group and website for these routes: http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/ridemaps.html
Most of them start from Desert Breeze Park in Chandler.



Edited by hjmiii 2008-02-09 7:48 PM


2008-02-10 2:25 PM
in reply to: #1203178

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Subject: RE: Bike Path! My Kingdom for a Bike Path!
Sweet route! Thanks for the responses guys! I will be doing the loop for sure...but i don't know if I dare brave the towers detour yet...thats one mean mamajama of a hill.
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