General Discussion Triathlon Talk » short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte? Rss Feed  
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2011-04-15 10:30 AM

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Subject: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

hi... spending our spring break with my mom, providence/sardis area, and looking for a couple mile loop to ride w/quiet or well-behaved car traffic. rehabbing injuries, so don't need anything too intense or too hilly - loops i can repeat until i start to hurt will be just fine.

thanks,

Marla



2011-04-15 12:55 PM
in reply to: #3448516

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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

It's a little closer to town, but are you familiar with the Booty Loop in the Queens University/Myers Park area?

If you wanted to drive in to ride, there is a lot on the Loop at the corner of Queens/Queens when Providence turns hard right.  It's available everyday except Sunday (I believe).

 



Edited by Goosedog 2011-04-15 12:58 PM
2011-04-15 1:22 PM
in reply to: #3448516

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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

Yeah I live just a few miles from there.   These two are only a couple miles from Providence / Sardis so you could ride or drive.

I do both of these loops 2x a week (usually together in some variation) and in rush hour so I consider them "safe".

Loop 1 - 6 miles (You could park at the church at the corner of Sharon View and Carmel)

Sharon View (at Carmel Rd).  --> (R) Olde Providence Rd --> (R) Rea Rd --> (R) Colony Rd --> (R) Carmel Rd.   6.5 miles.  One 1m hill on Colony (that is the only hill of note).  It is long but not steep.  Rest is rolling, rarely flat.

Loop 2 - 8 miles (you can park at Harris Teeter at Carmel and Quail Hallow).

South on Carmel Rd (at Quail Hallow Rd). --> (R) Little Ave (just before Hwy 51) -->  (L) Walsh --> (R) Park Rd --> (R) Sharon Rd --> (R) Quail Hallow Rd.   This loop is flat and fast.  One small climb near the Harris Teeter at that is it.

Both loops have bike lanes on some parts, the others are 3/4 lane 35mph roads. 

If you want to get dizzy, you can go to the "Booty Loop" around Queens College.  It is 3m loop in a beautiful part of town (I would drive there from your Moms due to major traffic).  LOTS of riders at all times on this route.

Park along Selwn Rd. 

South on Selwyn --> (R) Croydon --> (R) Queens Rd West --> (R) Queens Rd West (yes, that is correct).  --> (R) Hopedale --> (R) Selwn  Lots of cars but lots of riders so traffic almost never uses the right lane.  One short hill on near Hopedale.  This is a beautiful loop if you aren't going too far. 



Edited by bgraboski 2011-04-15 1:23 PM
2011-04-16 2:08 PM
in reply to: #3448516

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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

Thanks very much for the suggestions - really appreciate that! I completely forgot about the booty loop, but that's a great idea - not that I've ridden it, but I do 24HoB up here, so know about it. The other route sounds good for me, too, esp since a little longer - hills are only an issue bc I'm trying to heal so that I can tackle a hilly oly course in 5 weeks.

marla

2011-04-16 7:40 PM
in reply to: #3448516

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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
If you have any questions about the routes, shoot me a PM and I can help you out.  I am very familar with that area.  Enjoy spring break!
2011-04-16 8:03 PM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
Just a quick reminder:
There are no well behaved car routes in Charlotte. Drivers do not even know that bicyclist have the same rights on the roads.
Be safe out there.


2011-04-19 12:14 PM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

thanks to all  - maybe i'll have better luck navigating queens road by bike than i ever did in a car. heading that way in a little while - what a gorgeous day for a ride!

marla

2011-04-19 12:27 PM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
MarlaS - 2011-04-19 1:14 PM

thanks to allĀ  - maybe i'll have better luck navigating queens road by bike than i ever did in a car. heading that way in a little while - what a gorgeous day for a ride!

marla

2011-04-19 12:27 PM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
MarlaS - 2011-04-19 1:14 PM

thanks to all  - maybe i'll have better luck navigating queens road by bike than i ever did in a car. heading that way in a little while - what a gorgeous day for a ride!

marla

Just follow the other bikers! 



Edited by bgraboski 2011-04-19 12:27 PM
2011-04-19 4:10 PM
in reply to: #3454906

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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
bgraboski - 2011-04-19 1:27 PM
MarlaS - 2011-04-19 1:14 PM

thanks to all  - maybe i'll have better luck navigating queens road by bike than i ever did in a car. heading that way in a little while - what a gorgeous day for a ride!

marla

Just follow the other bikers! 

LOL - thought about that, but they headed off in different directions. If only our MD booty loop was 1/10 as pretty as Queens/Selwyn - I forgot how gorgeous Charlotte can be, and especially in the springtime. Drivers were really courteous, too...except for the predictable buzz by the mini-van, ironically as we passed the "share the road" sign. What a great day for a ride.......

Smile

2011-04-20 6:57 AM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

Those "Share the Road" signs actually say "Get the f*&( outta the way bikers, I gotta go talk to my friends at the Y then off to Target"!!

The Booty Loop is pretty for sure, especially in the summer when the trees make a canopy and keep most of the area shaded.  I work just a few miles from there and whenever the heat is on, I incorporate the loop into my lunch time runs. 



2011-04-20 4:55 PM
in reply to: #3448928

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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?

South on Carmel Rd (at Quail Hallow Rd). --> (R) Little Ave (just before Hwy 51) -->  (L) Walsh --> (R) Park Rd --> (R) Sharon Rd --> (R) Quail Hallow Rd.   This loop is flat and fast.  One small climb near the Harris Teeter at that is it.

Do you consider the Park Rd & Sharon RD safe?  I have never come that far into town to ride.  How are the drivers...I know those roads are very crowded!?

2011-04-20 6:22 PM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
bgraboski - 2011-04-20 7:57 AM

Those "Share the Road" signs actually say "Get the f*&( outta the way bikers, I gotta go talk to my friends at the Y then off to Target"!!

The Booty Loop is pretty for sure, especially in the summer when the trees make a canopy and keep most of the area shaded.  I work just a few miles from there and whenever the heat is on, I incorporate the loop into my lunch time runs. 

LOL! truly is a universal language...our booty loop in MD is just a circle in a paved concrete business park...enclosed, yes, traffic sat-sun minimal, but just not the same...no place to buy cheerwine nearby either

2011-04-21 7:31 AM
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Subject: RE: short-ish loops to ride SE Charlotte?
bhc - 2011-04-20 5:55 PM

South on Carmel Rd (at Quail Hallow Rd). --> (R) Little Ave (just before Hwy 51) -->  (L) Walsh --> (R) Park Rd --> (R) Sharon Rd --> (R) Quail Hallow Rd.   This loop is flat and fast.  One small climb near the Harris Teeter at that is it.

Do you consider the Park Rd & Sharon RD safe?  I have never come that far into town to ride.  How are the drivers...I know those roads are very crowded!?

For the parts described above, yes.  Park Rd has a bike lane on the section mentioned above for all but maybe a 1/2 mile.  The Sharon Rd section of this loop is actually more of a "side road" that leads to the busy part of Sharon Rd.   That section is a two lane rd that sees light traffic in the afternoon rush hour (everyone is going the other direction).  You turn right onto Quail Hallow before the busy part.  Quail Hallow Rd has a bike lane for most of the road.  Carmel road has no bike lanes but that is one road where bikers are somewhat respected (I live right off of Carmel and there are lots of bikers that use Carmel Rd. 

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