Commuting - 494/Nicollet to 394/100??? Help!

[bootsiebee]

So... starting to think about commuting to work via bike this summer at least a few days a week and am hoping you commuters out there can help me find the best route!

Any assistance is appreciated.

[daviebee]

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

[bootsiebee]

was hoping someone would spell it out for me w/o me having to do any leg work... yeah, cuz that's how I roll...:D

[dvo1]

was hoping someone would spell it out for me w/o me having to do any leg work... yeah, cuz that's how I roll...:D

No S@#t!

[rideharder]

i ride from Hennepin bridge to 494 and Lyndale:

i go though down town on Portland then take Park/Portland (bike lanes) all the way down to 74th and cut back over, it take me about 40 mins. i leave a 530 am so traffic is fairly light.

coming home is all trial and error dependent on traffic and time :
most off the time i ride back the same way, you could do the same and jump on the greenway going west out kenilworth trail and head north to the cedar trail and head west. the cedar trail goes right under 100. Park/Portland is nice b/c there is wide shoulders/ bike lanes and the speed limit is 30
when i ride longer i usually go up Pillsbury then i take 66th across to Penn and over 62 the disappear in to the neighborhoods until i hit the kenilworth/cedar trail. this route has higher volume of traffic but the speed limits are around 30 or 35 still.

[jeffgude]

I used to work up there and that's a tough route. There are very few good north-south routes through St Louis Park.

[steef]

I've worked and lived in both those areas, but not at the same time.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1690284

[daviebee]

was hoping someone would spell it out for me w/o me having to do any leg work... yeah, cuz that's how I roll...:D

How bout they just pick u up in the morning and drop you off at work?!?

second verse, same as the first!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

[bootsiebee]

I've worked and lived in both those areas, but not at the same time.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1690284

Thanks Steve - I think this is the route I will try! :banana:

[bootsiebee]

How bout they just pick u up in the morning and drop you off at work?!?

second verse, same as the first!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana::banana:


Hey, the route is only 11 miles... how bad can that be?.?.? I don't see YOU attempting to bike to work...:nono:

[bootsiebee]

hey dv01... go on... make your smart a$$ remark... waiting...

[Pandl]

Looks like a nice route too! :banana::banana:

Good luck!

[bootsiebee]

Looks like a nice route too! :banana::banana:

Good luck!


Yeah right! It's like hmmmmm sit on my a$$ in traffic on 494 & waste money on gas or take a nice scenic bike ride through the twin cities lakes with the benefits of exercise and fresh air! No brainer!

Getting up earlier will be the bummer - or... maybe I'll just get to work later... hmmm....:eyeroll:

[wokerhopper]

Getting to work later is always the better option!!

[Pandl]

Yeah right! It's like hmmmmm sit on my a$$ in traffic on 494 & waste money on gas or take a nice scenic bike ride through the twin cities lakes with the benefits of exercise and fresh air! No brainer!

Getting up earlier will be the bummer - or... maybe I'll just get to work later... hmmm....:eyeroll:
Exactly!

Yeah, that is the problem. i get up about half hour earlier when I commute. but, getting to work later, might mean leaving later...

One good thing, ya got the exercise in, so you don't have to worry about getting some of that, since you already got a ride in, if you worry about getting exercise in.

[daviebee]

Hey, the route is only 11 miles... how bad can that be?.?.? I don't see YOU attempting to bike to work...:nono:

Actually...waiting on my slicks for the commuter. Now what did I say about giving me lip Miss?!?:hit:

[RiverRat]

I don't know how bad traffic is on your normal driving commute to work, but judging from the area, you probably do some significant sitting in traffic. I doubt it will take that much longer to ride than drive. Probably about a 25 minute drive and a 45-50 minute ride. Yes, it's a bit longer, but nothing too bad.

[bootsiebee]

Exactly!

Yeah, that is the problem. i get up about half hour earlier when I commute. but, getting to work later, might mean leaving later...

One good thing, ya got the exercise in, so you don't have to worry about getting some of that, since you already got a ride in, if you worry about getting exercise in.

Yeah - I'm definitely looking forward to the benefit of exercise! My days (especially my mornings) are sooooo much more productive when I've had morning exercise and I do love being up and outside in the mornings! It's just the getting out of bed that I have trouble with. Sleepy Bootsie & Awake Bootsie have two totally different motives! Sleepy Bootsie is very selfish! Just as Night Bootsie is not very considerate to Morning Bootsie!

I don't know how bad traffic is on your normal driving commute to work, but judging from the area, you probably do some significant sitting in traffic. I doubt it will take that much longer to ride than drive. Probably about a 25 minute drive and a 45-50 minute ride. Yes, it's a bit longer, but nothing too bad.

Yep - you're spot on!

Actually...waiting on my slicks for the commuter. Now what did I say about giving me lip Miss?!?:hit:

Liar.

[RiverRat]

One very helpful tip I can give is, check the wind speed and direction before deciding which days you want to ride to work. Nothing ruins a morning more than a 20 mph headwind when you are already running late. Wind on the trip home can still suck, but at least it's not going to make you late getting home.

[bootsiebee]

One very helpful tip I can give is, check the wind speed and direction before deciding which days you want to ride to work. Nothing ruins a morning more than a 20 mph headwind when you are already running late. Wind on the trip home can still suck, but at least it's not going to make you late getting home.

Great tip! Thanks! Yeah - that might be worse than traffic!