Bike Routes in Boston + Trip Tips (Cambridge, Somerville: hotel, houses, neighborhoods)

[Boston Shudra]

I like the Southwest Cooridor as much as the next guy, but unless the OP is interested in visiting Sam Adams or Jamaica Pond I don't think the path has much appeal to a tourist.

I don't know when OP is coming, but I remember that Memorial Drive was closed to cars on Sundays last year. That'd be a great urban biking opportunity if they do it again and it lines up with the OP's visit.

[id77]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

I like the Southwest Cooridor as much as the next guy, but unless the OP is interested in visiting Sam Adams or Jamaica Pond I don't think the path has much appeal to a tourist.

I don't know when OP is coming, but I remember that Memorial Drive was closed to cars on Sundays last year. That'd be a great urban biking opportunity if they do it again and it lines up with the OP's visit.

As you've also posted previously, between Copley and Mass Ave the corridor is also not a very viable stretch to ride through. There's enough pedestrian/dog traffic along that stretch that a responsible cyclist should be walking their bike along that part (or ride the wrong way down Carleton) anyway.

Doesn't stop the tour groups from riding through there a couple times per week in the summer though, but that's a rant for a different thread.

Having said that, it draws quite a few tourists on foot. My guess is it's appealing to the urban sightseers or people looking for some nice pics that aren't Beacon Hill. You can get some lovely pics that have a mix of glass/steel (a la 200 Clarendon), Victorian brownstones, and green space along that stretch.

[massnative71]

The Southwest Corridor has zero appeal to a tourist, not to mention it goes through a very unsafe part of the city. BAD suggestion.

[bostongymjunkie]

It's also not the greatest of road conditions. I've ridden it quite a bit with hybrid tires but I wouldn't recommend it for touring or racing type tires. Better off around the Charles. I also wouldn't ride around the Freedom Trail and downtown for two reasons. First, you will need to lock it up every time you stop. Second, locking it up doesn't guarantee it will be there when you return. If you're interested in touring downtown venues leave your bike at home base and walk. You might want to take your bike out to UMass on the Red line and ride along Day Blvd to Castle Island in Southie.

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

First, you will need to lock it up every time you stop. Second, locking it up doesn't guarantee it will be there when you return.

If the OP uses blue bikes, they wouldn’t need to worry about this.

[Urban Peasant]

Originally Posted by massnative71

The Southwest Corridor has zero appeal to a tourist, not to mention it goes through a very unsafe part of the city. BAD suggestion.

Unless the O.P. is riding in the middle of the night, he/she should be fine. I've walked and ridden on that path numerous times during the daytime and find the southern section of it from Stony Brook southwards to be the most pleasant. Yeah the section close to Northeastern University can be a bit shady at night but during the daytime, there should be no problem. BTW, I don't know which part of the city you're referring to as very unsafe. Do you mean the Bromley-Heath Housing Projects? The surrounding area is now very gentrified and unless you're actually riding straight into the projects, which the path does not take you, you should be fine.

[Statz2k10]

Update: I'm really liking what I see in Boston. I checked out google maps and really love the stuff I'll be able to check out around the North Church? Paul Reveres house. That whole area

Is there a good parking garage around there that I could park? I checked google and it looks like a lot of parking garages but not sure if they are public or not. Doesn't really say.

If anybody knows a good centrally located parking garage where I could park and walk out and explore a 3-4 mile area I'd love to know

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Urban Peasant

Unless the O.P. is riding in the middle of the night, he/she should be fine. I've walked and ridden on that path numerous times during the daytime and find the southern section of it from Stony Brook southwards to be the most pleasant. Yeah the section close to Northeastern University can be a bit shady at night but during the daytime, there should be no problem. BTW, I don't know which part of the city you're referring to as very unsafe. Do you mean the Bromley-Heath Housing Projects? The surrounding area is now very gentrified and unless you're actually riding straight into the projects, which the path does not take you, you should be fine.

It's right next to Bromley-Heath. Sure you might pass through a dozen times without issue, but many would still consider that too close for comfort. That path literally brushes shoulders with multiple projects (including Mission Main or whatever that's called now), Roxbury Crossing/Madison Park HS. Pretty much from Northeastern down through Jackson Square, is not where I'd send a tourist especially. Either way, I see absolutely no reason to go there over the Charles River paths. If you already done that and looking for a second option, maybe head to Castle Island and whatever that path is that goes down around UMASS Boston. Good spot when the weather gets nicer. The Minuteman is nice enough but pretty boring, and if your idea is to stay in Boston then it takes you away from that.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

Update: I'm really liking what I see in Boston. I checked out google maps and really love the stuff I'll be able to check out around the North Church? Paul Reveres house. That whole area

Is there a good parking garage around there that I could park? I checked google and it looks like a lot of parking garages but not sure if they are public or not. Doesn't really say.

If anybody knows a good centrally located parking garage where I could park and walk out and explore a 3-4 mile area I'd love to know

https://www.massconvention.com/about...-common-garage


https://www.governmentcentergarage.com/

[Statz2k10]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

https://www.massconvention.com/about...-common-garage


https://www.governmentcentergarage.com/

Thank you so much! favorited!