Route from Mockingbird DART to Corinth/Ervay?
Tue, 02/23/2010 - 10:15am
Hi, all!
I'm contemplating becoming a commie for part of my commute. I plan to drive to Mockingbird DART then bike the rest of the way to Corinth/Akard/Ervay (Bill J. Priest Institute, 1402 Corinth to be exact).
I'd leave Mockingbird at 8am and am wondering what the best route would be (in regards to time/traffic/safety)?
Should I go down to McCommas then over to the Katy trail, but what are the best streets once I get off the Katy (I'm guessing before Reverschon Park)?
Or is Katy bogged with workout enthusiasts that would slow my commute and be something I'd want to avoid?
Or do I stay on streets east of 75 until I get downtown or wherever?
Also, any tips on maneuvering through/around traffic would be greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking of doing a 'trial' ride on Friday to see how it goes (I work from home on Fridays so it'll be purely investigative and won't have to actually get to work at a certain time.)
Thanks in advance!
Tue, 02/23/2010 - 2:07pm
#2
That's probably as good a route as one can find.
Tue, 02/23/2010 - 10:52pm
#3
Thanks for the map.
I drove the route this afternoon. Biggest concern are the streets south of Baylor--not exactly the nicest part of town (putting it mildly). Hickory St goes right by the Austin Street Shelter and there were at least 20 homeless guys standing outside of it when I drove by today. Lots of empty lots and industrial--just a rather isolated, rundown area. Just don't feel it'd be in my best interest (or smartest decision) to ride solo through that area.
Am wondering if I could head west from Baylor instead of continuing south. Get on the west side of 75 then head south, so I'd get on Ervay somewhere north of I-30. I currently drive 75 to 30, get off at St. Paul/Ervay exit, so I know there's not much traffic on Ervay right around that area, just don't know what's happening on the streets north of there or the best way under 75 
Suggestions? 
Wed, 02/24/2010 - 12:41am
#4
I really like riding Elm in the morning. A bicycle can usually keep up with out too much effort.
Wed, 02/24/2010 - 5:26pm
#5
it's common to exaggerate perceived dangers when starting an urban commute - my advice - ignore it, you'll be fine
I wouldn't worry about poor homeless dudes or deserted areas - keep your head down and attend to your business - you're more at risk in the suburbs from soccer moms on their cell phones than poor homeless dudes
Wed, 02/24/2010 - 8:20pm
#6
it's common to exaggerate perceived dangers when starting an urban commute - my advice - ignore it, you'll be fine
I wouldn't worry about poor homeless dudes or deserted areas - keep your head down and attend to your business - you're more at risk in the suburbs from soccer moms on their cell phones than poor homeless dudes
Ummmm...no.
I've worked this area of town for 25 years...Pay CLOSE attention to "poor homeless dudes" and "deserted areas". And avoid both of them if at all possible. If you're just riding along, probably no issues...probably. But what if you flat or have a mechanical issue? Trust me on this one, please.
I'd do what MMACH suggested. Take Elm all the way from the Baylor area. Elm is busy as all get out as you near downtown (espcially after you pass I-45), but like he said - a decent rider can go pretty fast, as it's downhill most of the way. Then take St. Paul south and it will intersect Ervay south of downtown. You can then continue down Ervay to Corinth and then head west a block or so to the institute. You'll still have to go past the Bunk House labor hall on Ervay, but Ervay is busy enough that time of day where you shouldn't have any issues. Any way you go, though, you'll have to pass through some rough areas.
PM me if you want my phone number, as I'm working that time of day. My partner and I can meet you and show you some different routes, finding the one that you're most comfortable with.
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 10:35am
#7
...Pay CLOSE attention to "poor homeless dudes" and "deserted areas". And avoid both of them if at all possible. If you're just riding along, probably no issues...probably. But what if you flat or have a mechanical issue? Trust me on this one, please.
...
PM me if you want my phone number, as I'm working that time of day. My partner and I can meet you and show you some different routes, finding the one that you're most comfortable with.
Cool--I can get a police escort? 
Thanks for your input, bikecop -- you said exactly what I've been thinking and realistically concerned about. I've worked down here for over a year and am not blind to the neighborhood. I've driven across Grand a few times to get here due to traffic and knew what that area was like, but driving Hickory was even MORE eye-opening--Yikes! Although I want to bike commute for a variety of reasons, it is a completely voluntary/optional endeavor and safety IS a priority. That's where Katy trail was my first consideration since I knew areas east of here weren't that good.
M.J. -- I agree with you to a small degree, but being a 5'4" woman of slight-build who will be riding solo, I think I'm also being realistically cautious. Would be somewhat different if I was a guy.
MMACH5 -- I'll take a drive down Elm and see what I think.
Thanks everyone!
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 10:41am
#8
I realize I am going against the flow here , but…..
M’bird DART to McCommas (or Yale/SMU Blvd to Airline) to Katy Trail all the way to AAC. Victory Ave to Continental which merges with Lamar to Corinth.
That is my basic route to Lee Harvey’s. After a few cold ones, I usually catch DART at the Cedar’s back to my neighborhood!
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 2:05pm
#9
I realize I am going against the flow here , but…..
M’bird DART to McCommas (or Yale/SMU Blvd to Airline) to Katy Trail all the way to AAC. Victory Ave to Continental which merges with Lamar to Corinth.
That is my basic route to Lee Harvey’s. After a few cold ones, I usually catch DART at the Cedar’s back to my neighborhood!
Thanks--I haven't ruled out the Katy, however, would like to avoid going all the way to Reverschon Park as it simply takes me much farther west than I need to end up. Cedar Springs is the farthest I'd want to go. Need to see how the route would ride from that point (how busy/fast are the streets that would take me south and east to get to Lamar/Akard/Ervay.) Katy may be slightly longer but feel I'd make up some time due to lack of stops/turns that will be encountered riding eastside streets. And if taking Elm west from Baylor instead of going south, the different in distance between taking an east route versus a west route also dwindles.
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 2:15pm
#10
Cool--I can get a police escort?
Yup...I'll PM you with my number, just call when you're close and we'll meet you if we're free. Seriously, if you have a few extra minutes we could show you a few different routes so you can choose the best one.
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 3:32pm
#11
I realize I am going against the flow here , but…..
M’bird DART to McCommas (or Yale/SMU Blvd to Airline) to Katy Trail all the way to AAC. Victory Ave to Continental which merges with Lamar to Corinth.
That is my basic route to Lee Harvey’s. After a few cold ones, I usually catch DART at the Cedar’s back to my neighborhood!
Thanks--I haven't ruled out the Katy, however, would like to avoid going all the way to Reverschon Park as it simply takes me much farther west than I need to end up. Cedar Springs is the farthest I'd want to go. Need to see how the route would ride from that point (how busy/fast are the streets that would take me south and east to get to Lamar/Akard/Ervay.) Katy may be slightly longer but feel I'd make up some time due to lack of stops/turns that will be encountered riding eastside streets. And if taking Elm west from Baylor instead of going south, the different in distance between taking an east route versus a west route also dwindles.
If you want to include the Katy Trail in your ride, then you would want to bail out at Routh. It's easy to see, there is a bench there, a small gym/personal trainer place and that swinger/sex club, the "Jet Set". Routh is a safe route under Woodall too. I think it's 20mph'ed for a school zone in front of Booker.
I agree with Bikecop too. The homeless are really random in their moods. I have never had a problem with them while riding but if I had a flat or mechanical I could see how things could go south quickly. At least with most parts of Downtown there are people around. The warehouse sections, south and east of there don't have many people.
I think the biggest thing to watch out for in Downtown are DART buses. They are like lumbering hippos on Elm, the DART drivers really seem to have a dislike for cyclists. They are easy to out accelerate at the lights but will quickly jump around you and block you off if given the chance, on purpose.
Kind of a pain in the butt to ride from Mockingbird Station to the Katy Trail though.
I would stay on East Dallas side streets for the most part.
Baylor Route
Let us know how it goes.