Beacon Hill route suggestions….

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  • February 27, 2013 at 5:42 pm #963462
    Amalitza
    Guest

    @Terpfan 44882 wrote:

    Google maps of course suggests taking Beacon Hill Rd down to Belle View Blvd to MVT. This seems fine in the morning, but at night, I’m not sure it will be a very wise path given I will be going very slow on a road without a shoulder (albeit a sidewalk for what seems like a decent portion of it). I don’t mind street riding, but prefer to stay somewhat close to the pace of the cars.

    I live on Beacon Hill Road, and this is what I do. It’s safe. The lanes are plenty wide, and there’s enough bike traffic that drivers aren’t surprised that you’re there, and cars tend to move near the speed limit rather than racing past. There’s also a center turn lane once you cross Quander and the road becomes Beacon Hill, which gives drivers **plenty** of room to pass you without needing pass too close (or get stuck behind you and have to slow down and get annoyed).

    February 27, 2013 at 5:43 pm #963463
    Rootchopper
    Participant

    There is a bike commuter who regularly rides Beacon Hill Road straight up. He is superhuman.
    There are only a couple of ways around this route. One is take the MVT beyond Belle View Boulevard to Tulane Drive. Cross the GWMP and take an immediate left on Park Terrace Drive. Then a quick right on Westgrove Boulevard. Climb the hill (sorry) and take a right on Fort Hunt Road then a quick left onto Quander Road. Quander runs back to Belle View Boulevard where it becomes Beacon Hill Road at a traffic light.

    To avoid the steep part of the hill altogether (and having to cross the GWMP at grade) you really have to ride the MVT down to Alexandria Avenue and the stone bridge. That would probably add a couple miles to your route. Look on the bright side, assuming you ride up Belle Haven or Westgrove, you wil be an awesome climber insde of a month.

    February 27, 2013 at 6:35 pm #963469
    Amalitza
    Guest

    @Rootchopper 44886 wrote:

    There is a bike commuter who regularly rides Beacon Hill Road straight up. He is superhuman.

    To avoid the steep part of the hill altogether (and having to cross the GWMP at grade) you really have to ride the MVT down to Alexandria Avenue and the stone bridge.

    Just to belabor the obvious, I did say “safe”, not “easy and fun”. ;)

    February 27, 2013 at 6:54 pm #963472
    Amalitza
    Guest

    If it’s the slow climb up the hill itself with traffic passing that concerns you, you can avoid this by taking Belle View across Fort Hunt, then the first right onto Bluebill then to Princeton, to Cavalier, and back to Belle View just before Quander. You are still climbing, of course, but it is longer thus not quite as steep and is residential streets that are not trafficky.

    February 27, 2013 at 8:58 pm #963496
    Terpfan
    Participant

    If you see a slow guy commuting up the hill in April and onward, have pity on me given my commute now is fairly friendly hill wise. Many thanks for the advice, it’s most helpful!

    May 7, 2013 at 4:46 pm #969315
    Terpfan
    Participant

    I’m going just a little further over to Collard/Groveton area so I modified it a little on way back. I basically stay on MVT through Dyke Marsh and then Tulane to something to Westgrove then down Ft Hunt briefly to Paul Springs and it pops me out by Popkins. Adds about 1.5 miles, but it’s scenic and little in the way of traffic. Mornings I’ve been sticking mostly to going down Beacon Hill as it’s the most direct route.

    May 7, 2013 at 7:39 pm #969337
    KLizotte
    Participant

    I went up Westgrove on to Rollins over the wknd for the first time. Ouch. That is one beast of a hill; there is no way I could do that in July or August with a full pannier and not have to walk. My hat’s off to any folks in that area that tackle those hills on a daily basis.

    May 8, 2013 at 1:02 am #969377
    Amalitza
    Guest

    @Terpfan 51304 wrote:

    Mornings I’ve been sticking mostly to going down Beacon Hill as it’s the most direct route.

    Wave if you see a black Jetta with a bike rack… (on Monday mornings, there’s usually a bike on the rack).:)

    Welcome to the neighborhood. Sorry ’bout the hills.

    May 8, 2013 at 2:54 pm #969412
    Terpfan
    Participant

    @acl 51369 wrote:

    Wave if you see a black Jetta with a bike rack… (on Monday mornings, there’s usually a bike on the rack).:)

    Welcome to the neighborhood. Sorry ’bout the hills.

    Ha, will wave if you see. I’m the guy with the backpack going up and down in the area during rush hours on a hybrid so do wave back.

    Oh the hills, well, I guess I can’t complain as they also provide the beautiful partial view of a valley from my backyard.

    May 8, 2013 at 2:56 pm #969415
    Terpfan
    Participant

    @KLizotte 51330 wrote:

    I went up Westgrove on to Rollins over the wknd for the first time. Ouch. That is one beast of a hill; there is no way I could do that in July or August with a full pannier and not have to walk. My hat’s off to any folks in that area that tackle those hills on a daily basis.

    Yah, that’s around the 12.5 mile mark of my return trek and my backpack/items on bike seemed fairly light until I get a few feet up that hill and then I swear they’re like anchors.

    May 8, 2013 at 6:53 pm #969474
    KLizotte
    Participant

    @Terpfan 51409 wrote:

    Yah, that’s around the 12.5 mile mark of my return trek and my backpack/items on bike seemed fairly light until I get a few feet up that hill and then I swear they’re like anchors.

    You must have buns of steel. ;)

    May 9, 2013 at 2:01 pm #969555
    Terpfan
    Participant

    @KLizotte 51470 wrote:

    You must have buns of steel. ;)

    Ha ha. Quads of steel for sure and working on all the rest

    May 10, 2013 at 12:25 am #969624
    MV Clyde
    Participant

    I don’t even like to drive up that hill. :)

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