03-06-2022, 10:05 PM
(03-06-2022, 09:22 PM)ac3r Wrote: Also...unrelated to your post this reminded me of something, so here's a general question for those who frequently bike...
What's the most direct way to get to Cambridge on a bike (or similar mode of transport)? The only way I can think of is King Street East but that's extremely dangerous to do since there are multiple highway exits and King Street East itself has no infrastructure for anything but cars/trucks...you're stuck riding in the traffic or in the gravel gutter. You need to be suicidal to do that. The only other way I can think of is Fountain Street or Fairway Road but those are very inconvenient and would add another half our or more to your trip.
Is the only option King or just taking your bike on the bus? Or I guess you could use the gravel trails along the river, but that's hardly convenient either. I'm curious since I own a house in Hidden Valley and would like to be able to bike to Cambridge more often, but can't think of any way to do so lest I gamble with my life or just use the bus.
Take the MUT on Homer Watson or Mill Park Dr./Old Mill Road to Conestoga College Blvd/Doon Valley Dr. to the pedestrian bridge over the 401 to Morningside Dr. (or take the trail, but Morningside is straighter) to Fountain St. Take the Blair Trail from Fountain St. to the MUT along Blair Rd. to the trail through the rare Charitable Reserve which will take you all the way to Riverbluffs Park and Dickson Park. Cross the river at Park Hill Rd. or Main St. Stop at the Grand Cafe on Queens Square for a beverage and snack. If you are going to Preston, there is are MUTs on both sides of Fountain St. until it gets too narrow. I am inclined to ride on the sidewalk in that section, sometimes. If you want to go to Hespeler, go through Riverside Park and take the trail all the way there. Most of the trip is great, and you don't have to spend much time sharing the road with cars. It is much better than the other route which is King St. across the Freeport Bridge through the Sportsworld district, under the 401 and down Shantz Hill Road. That route is not very cyclist friendly, but I have done it many times over the last 20 years.