In a couple weeks I'm going to need to go to Blumengarten Flower shop on Penn Ave in the strip, just a couple blocks from the Spaghetti Warehouse. I usually stick to the Southside/Duquesne University/Jail Trial areas, and have never been remotely close to the Strip since I was little and went there with my dad. Is it totally ridiculous for me to ride there? Should I just walk it? Is there an "easy" place to get to by bike, then walk the rest from there? You guys know the area much better than I do, any help would be awesome!
The simple way would be:
Jail Trail to Grant Street, then take the shared use sidewalk to Smithfield. Then Smithfield to Liberty, left on 10th, right on Penn, left on Smallman, and follow Smallman the rest of the way 'til you can cut up to Penn.
Yes, there will be some traffic, but it shouldn't be too bad. There are probably some other, quieter options that others can suggest, too.
You can ride on a trail most of the way once you get to one of the 6th, 7th or 9th st Bridges downtown. The trail goes around the convention center by the river thru an area that's fenced on each side, but from there its a pretty normal bike trail up to about 20 th street. There just go one block in and take Railroad Street to 26th and the ride over to Penn. I think at least the 7th Street bridge has a ramp that goes from the bridge down to the trail.
what bjanaszek said... Traffic is very light between smithfield/liberty/10th. the heavy stuff is the left 11th or 12th street off of penn and the section of smallman between 11th and 15th street. lanes are tighter, and lots of cross traffic.
thanks a lot!
left on 10th, right on Penn, left on Smallman, and follow Smallman the rest of the way 'til you can cut up to Penn.
Actually, left on 11th from Penn, then right on Smallman. Otherwise @bjanasek's route is perfect.
Smallman has some traffic at times but it's okay. It's also about 1,000 miles wide once you cross under the 16th street bridge up to 22nd. And it's fine after that as well.
Just keep your eyes open and you'll be a-ok if the streets are cleared (mostly they are now)
I have a route that involves getting to the trail on the river behind the convention center once you're downtown and on Grant St.
