Friday, January 9, 2009

Best Routes for Biking to Hopworks

The sun is shining on me, and it looks like there's a break in the weather for the next few days. You might have a mind to hop on your bike and hit a pub or two this weekend. Seems like a good time to trot out this Google map I made to show the best bicycle approaches to Hopworks.


View Larger Map

The Hopworks website links to a (huge) hard-to-read map from the city that doesn't even have the pub marked on it. I proposed this map to Christian Ettinger as a replacement, and we exchanged a couple emails, but nothing ever came of it, so I'm releasing it into the wild. (HUB folks, feel free to link to the map or this page.) If you click over to the Google map, there is a column of text explaining the markers and lines on the map.

Of course, we're not talking Tigard or Gresham, but by inner-Portland standards, Hopworks' location on Powell Boulevard is not that great for bicycling. The map tries to show routes from north or south that would be comfortable for most Portland bicyclists. Very experienced cyclists might brave the left turn onto Powell at 26th, and even stay on Powell for the short stretch to Hopworks. I've done that myself, but that left turn can be a problem in busy traffic. So I list a couple of other options for more cautious riders, or those traveling with children.

One weakness of this map is that it really only helps you if you're already on the Eastside. Put yourself in Christian's shoes: he lives in Southwest, so to get to his pub he rides his bike on the sidewalk across the Ross Island Bridge. That's got to be a nasty ride. My hat's off to him.

Have fun enjoying Portland's beer and bike cultures! Be safe out there. Follow the traffic laws -- they're there to maximize everyone's peace of mind -- and don't terrorize the pedestrians.

14 comments:

  1. If you're coming from the south you can continue on 30th through the big gravel parking lot behind the stip joint. May not be the best route for skinny road tires, but it avoids a pretty big hill and makes it so you don't have to walk your bike up Powell.

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  2. "Follow the traffic laws"? Says the guy who got annoyed with me back when we were roommates for doing exactly that. ;-)

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  3. Joe: That's a good tip; coming from the north I didn't know about that. It's not totally clear looking at the Satellite view of the map -- do you mean 31st instead of 30th?

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  4. Lee: that's a fair cop. You (among others) were a good influence -- I am now a law-and-order bicyclist.

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  5. If I've got the kid on my handlebars I usually cut through the McD's parking lot via SE 28th Place...it hits Powell right at the ped crossing.

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  6. Possibly, it's pretty easy to tell when you're coming that direction since you can see if you're on the right street. I typically let my wife navigate.

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  7. Dave: I already have your route on there: it's the purple line.

    Joe: I'll check it for sure next time I'm over there, and add your shortcut to the map.

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  8. Bill: You have 28th Ave, not 28th Place. It's minor, but shaves a block off of Powell.

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  9. Damn, next thing you know you'll be voting Republican.

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  10. Dave: I think I understand. There's a driveway into the McDo's on Waverleigh? Where should I draw the purple line from 26th over to 28th Pl.? Still on Franklin?

    Lee: You want to take credit for turning me into a Republican?

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  11. I'm just glad you finally took down your "Don't vote, it only encourages them" sticker.

    Or did you?

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  12. Bill: Yes, Waverleigh leads into the McD's parking lot. Mainly this shortcut avoids biking on the sidewalk past a crowded bus shelter.

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  13. Dave, joe: Thanks for the pointers. I've changed the map to reflect your ideas.

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  14. Three miles along a busy highway--- that's what I have to contend with just to get a glass of public suds.

    Weep for me, you who live in Beervana.

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