Hey #SomervilleMA - please gimme your best low-stress route from the Community Path/ Davis Square to Assembly Row
@bikepedantic I go through East Somerville. Cpx Walnut Gilman Cross Pearl MtVernon GrandUnion. For me, a little less stressful when carrying kids vs broadway/temple
@bikepedantic the lowest stress option goes down the mystic. Highland Rd, Boston Ave, tiny bit of Harvard St then jog right onto the side streets (Marion, Bonner). Cross Mystic at flashing beacon by dunks. Cut through bank parking lot, pick up sidewalk under I93, then you’re on the path all the way to Assembly.
@bikepedantic it’s also probably the flattest option, as it goes the long way around the Somerville hills.
@ef4 the rollercoaster ride up and over those hills are ... something else. @bikepedantic
@ef4 took this route, worked PERFECTLY, thanks!!!
@bikepedantic I often ride along Alewife Brook to Medford Square, cross 16 under 93 and ride on the paths on the far side of the Mystic River all the way to the bridge just before Assembly. It’s long but flat, and I have found it fairly stress free.
@bikepedantic CPX to Washington st (PPBL) to Myrtle st (low traffic) to Pearl (low traffic) to Mt Vernon (PBL/MUP) to Grand Union (PBL) is my go to.
@sofio @bikepedantic that is my way home. My major problem is 8 get bored of the same route so I just mix them up. And I was cycle commuting in 1994!?!? when bike lanes were a myth so am pretty casual... So happy with the explosion of cycle routes, btw
@sofio in wondering if there is an option that works with the cross street entrance. Though going up and over the bridge might not meet the high comfort that @bikepedantic is looking for
@andr_w @bikepedantic yeah cross isn’t a low traffic street, I’d avoid it personally
@sofio @bikepedantic this is the way. the hill on myrtle and passing under the highway before entering assembly suck, but the latter is unavoidable. Two alternates
1. Least elevation: exit cpx at walnut street downhill, quick right turn to marked contra flow on Gilman street under McGrath. Left on cross, [right on flint, immediate left on rush,] right on pearl down to mount Vernon then continue as above.
2. Fewer turns: exit at cross, left on cross, omit [brackets] above
@sofio @bikepedantic also clarifying the [bracket] section is because the pearl/cross intersection is a timed light and it feels like it takes forever, plus it’s a little narrow with cars and sometimes buses there.
@bikepedantic Community Path to School, School to Broadway, Broadway to Temple (optional stop at Winter Hill Brewery), Temple to Bailey, Bailey to Shore (this is to avoid the hill), Shore to the bike route under the bridge, follow toute to Assembly Square.
OR as above, but follow Broadway all the way to Lombardt, then go along the nice bike path on Grand Union.