Monday, January 11, 2010

Steep connection


As the Master Bike Plan was created, one connection that got in there was this little bit through Pioneer Park. The thinking behind this connection is that we have a south-bound route on Howard. The route stops at 7th without providing a nice way to get up that big cliff there across the street from The Roosevelt Apts. Hence the connection.


The City owns the park between 7th and Cliff Drive so a connection was added there. Clearly, the idea was to get the conceptual plan nailed down and figure out implementation later. I'm looking forward to seeing how that happens, though I suspect I'll not see a solution any time soon.


I remember hanging out in this park when I went to LC. We'd eat lunch there. Smoke there. Maybe drink too. There was a ton of overgrowth. It was pretty neat to creep around the trails back up in there and hang out at the deserted pool. Now it's all cleared and pretty and nice.

But mother-of-pearl, that's a steep set of stairs. Made harder to climb when covered with a layer of ice. And while wearing SPD cleats and lugging a turdy snow bike.


The view is worth the effort. Especially at night.

11 comments:

Dylan said...

HAHA. You said "turdy".

**sigh**, I wish I needed a snow bike. It's like 50 degrees on this site of the state.

Dylan said...

I meant "side", not "site".

Schrauf said...

That's a great potential connection. We just need a 1/4 mile long ten-foot wide bike path with gentle switchbacks. There is plenty of room without removing many trees.

Heck, even a fine gravel path would be a big improvement from other options up the hill.

Traditional Bike Club Curmudgeon said...

I was "hanging out" there in the early 70's. Sort'a miss those days, but don't want to go back.

Traditional Bike Club Curmudgeon said...

I was "hanging out" there in the early 70's. Sort'a miss those days, but don't want to go back.

Pat S said...

I vote for a tunnel straight into the side of the hill and then a bike elevator to the top. As long as I'm dreaming, make it a really cool, Bruce Wayne-type elevator.

Anonymous said...

Switchbacks would be pretty great - or, Stevens could be modified so riding a bike up the hill isn't so scary.

Until then, this is the route I use:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3406853

John Speare said...

Chad: you're right -- there's probably a way to wind a path up there behind the Corbin house. There's still that cliff at the end to contend with, but I guess engineers have figured out how to move big rocks by now.

Luke: good route. I come down that way when it's super icey and I don't want to deal with that corner on Lincoln and 8th.

Dan O said...

That "connector" trail would make an awesome sled run....

Anonymous said...

Keep those self pics cummin...they're golden...

mtbfag said...

Do you spend time with your family?