274 replies to this topic

[dubone]

that master plan is actually pretty cool.  i read the whole thing last fall.  

I'm also possibly the only white man in charlotte to walk the stretch of completed greenway from belmont avenue in optimist park to cordelia park.  I was in a courageous mood (and i have since done it a number of times).  I must say, though, that when i noticed park signs with bullet holes in them, i had to think twice about doing it often.

From what i understand, the first priority of this greenway is to acquire property and build out the greenway section north of freedom park.  There are already a number of sections done, but they will likely see some enhancements.  Last year, the businesses were purchased and converted to grass along kings north of cmc.  The CPCC part will likely be done in coordination with campus contstruction and Elizabeth Avenue upgrades.  The Midtown section will probably timed to coincide with the Pappas development.  


As far as sections with no creekside connection, you can see those on the detailed LSCG maps.  There are some parts of the greenway that will be routed through city streets, but those sections will get sidewalk and bikelane enhancements.  The main reason given for those would be that to follow the creek would be too expensive or damaging.  I think there are explanations in the literature.

[uptownliving]

I look forward to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway as I live 2 blocks from its future path in First Ward. Will be nice to be able to bike down to Freedom Park and back.

[dubone]

i love that charlotte/mecklenburg is doing so much to connect parks and greenways, as it creates a network of greenspace that also serves as safer routes for pedestrian and biking commutes.  It will help redeem charlotte's extreme negative image in the bicyclist community.

[reverbandwhiskey]

When the Greenway is completed I will be able to bike commute to Pineville safely. Currently I have to take my life in my hands while bike commuting down Park RD and South Blvd.

[Neo]

How far do you bike to work Reverbandwhiskey?

[reverbandwhiskey]

Neo, on Apr 12 2005, 08:47 AM, said:

How far do you bike to work Reverbandwhiskey?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

about 12 miles each way.  It would be a great ride if I didn't have at least two SUV's yell/accost/throw things at me every day.  I swear, people get so angry simply because I am trying to do my part to help the city have cleaner air.  

[DigitalSky]

reverbandwhiskey, on Apr 12 2005, 10:43 PM, said:

about 12 miles each way.  It would be a great ride if I didn't have at least two SUV's yell/accost/throw things at me every day.  I swear, people get so angry simply because I am trying to do my part to help the city have cleaner air. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow. well I applaud your efforts. I'm really thinking about getting a Hybrid for my next car

[UptownJ]

12 miles... WOW!

I would be hard press to bike more than 2 or 3 miles back and forth to work...

But I do look forward to the day I can get ride of my car and fully rely on public trans, my feet, and a bike

[dubone]

out of curiosity, where do you work in pineville?  Are there employers in pineville outside of retail?

little sugar creek greenway will/would really change your life, then.  Not only can you avoid cars for most of your commute, but you'll be surrounded by trees, flowers, and flowing water.  Quite a different life than biking down park or south.

[Neo]

That's one heck of a commute via bike!

[reverbandwhiskey]

I work at a local bike shop in Pineville.   As for miles on a bike, the longest ride I have taken so far is about 67 miles.  I am training to do the 24 hours of booty, solo.

[Neo]

reverbandwhiskey, on Apr 13 2005, 10:09 AM, said:

I work at a local bike shop in Pineville.   As for miles on a bike, the longest ride I have taken so far is about 67 miles.  I am training to do the 24 hours of booty, solo.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm, I think I need to talk to you about a bike and a rack then!     I'm looking to get a good bike, I want to start riding.  I have a 2004 Acura TL and need to get a rack for the trunk that's secure and won't scratch anything.  I'm not really looking to spend over $700 for a bike, less is better but I don't want to skimp on quality, I'd rather pay more for a quality product.  I just want to ride greenways for the most part, no hard mountain biking or road only riding, just something hybrid of sorts.  monsoon made the suggestion of either a Trek or Cannondale, what's your input?

[reverbandwhiskey]

Neo, on Apr 13 2005, 08:33 AM, said:

Hmmm, I think I need to talk to you about a bike and a rack then!     I'm looking to get a good bike, I want to start riding.  I have a 2004 Acura TL and need to get a rack for the trunk that's secure and won't scratch anything.  I'm not really looking to spend over $700 for a bike, less is better but I don't want to skimp on quality, I'd rather pay more for a quality product.  I just want to ride greenways for the most part, no hard mountain biking or road only riding, just something hybrid of sorts.  monsoon made the suggestion of either a Trek or Cannondale, what's your input?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cannondales have crappy frames.  They earned the nickname "CrackN'Fail" for a reason.

Two really nice options:  The Gary Fisher Tassajara

http://fisherbikes.c...&bike=Tassajara

sells for 600$ This is a real mountain bike, that is at home on the trail as well as in the city.  

Also, if you're looking for something super fast, but not a road bike, try the Trek 7500FX.

http://www2.trekbike...00_FX/index.php

It is also 600$   It uses 700cm road wheels and removes the front shock in order to make it lighter and faster.  The trade off is that you lose some of the cushyness of a bike that has a front suspension.  The benefit is that it is crazy fast.  


There is also a nice comfort hybrid, the Navigator 300.  It sells for 420$  and is designed to be super comfortable.  Trade off is that it is a slower bike.  It is still a quality bike, with some really nice touches such as built-in lights in the seat and peddles, as well as a suspension seat to reduce saddle sorness after riding.


You really can't go wrong with any of the big three bike companies: Trek, Giant, or Specialized.   Don't spend less than 400$   Car racks will run you around 100$  When shopping for a bike ask what type of service is included(our shop gives free lifetime adjustments on the brakes and shifters),  if the wheel have double wall rims (singlewall rims  suck)  and make sure that they are giving you a bike that fits you, not just what they have on the floor.


P.S.  dept store bikes are the devil.

[Neo]

Thanks for the tips!  The Trek really catches my eye.  I'm going out of town this weekend but next week I'll probably head over to a bike shop that sells Trek and have a talk with them, hopefully taking one home. 8-)

[orulz]

I commute daily on bike (only 3 miles each way though) but I ride around town a lot here in Raleigh. I have a $300 Raleigh hybrid, which is pretty fast but still pretty comfortable. Not the most durable piece of work, though. I've found that city streets are generally more comfortable to drive on since drivers tend to be more alert anyway. What really scares the hell out of me are two-lane suburban streets with 45mph speed limits.

I really think that "Share the Road" signs help a lot - on the roads where they are posted. But they're a mixed blessing because I'm sure that the presence of those signs on some streets and the absence on others makes some people out there think that bicycles aren't allowed where the signs aren't posted.

Anyway, unless you live in Carrboro, don't ride a bicycle if you aren't willing to get made fun of and jeered at. It's an unfortunate fact that there are a lot of ignorant jackasses out there who think that they're better than you because they're in a car and you're on a bike.

[reverbandwhiskey]

"Anyway, unless you live in Carrboro, don't ride a bicycle if you aren't willing to get made fun of and jeered at. It's an unfortunate fact that there are a lot of ignorant jackasses out there who think that they're better than you because they're in a car and you're on a bike."


Yes, that is sadly true. I get harassed on an almost daily basis.  I am ordering a helmet mounted video camera this summer.  I plan on putting together a video of the jerks I deal with every day. I am hoping to get one of the local news channels to run it as part of a piece on sharing the road...

When people give you %^$ for riding a bike on the road just ignore them and keep going.

[dubone]

"I get harassed on an almost daily basis. "

are you serious?!?!?  

so many roads have extra wide outside lanes for the express purpose of carrying bikes!  why would be people do that?

I remember in chapel hill, the bicyclists said they preferred the wide outside lanes to bike lanes because it helps to sweep away rocks and sand, but i'm wondering if bike lanes are better for awareness for the general public.  

Do you ride in the middle of the road/lane? Beyond that, i cannot imagine why anyone would harass a bicyclist.

[Raintree21]

I would say a lot of the frustration is towards bikers who don't follow the rules of the road. Yes, bikes are allowed on the road and in many cities, they are actually banned from the sidewalks.  But personally, I think that if bikers want to share the road, they need to follow the same rules as everyone else.

[dubone]

for purposes of this discussion, we'll assume orulz and r&w follow the rules .  (No whiskey on that 12 mile bike commute, right?).  I can imagine some car drivers assume the bike is in their lane, even if the bike on the far right side of an extra wide lane.

[eastsider]

The dedication for this section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway will be held June 4th at 11 am near the corner of Brandywine Ave & Westfield Rd.

http://www.ci.charlo...enway051205.htm