Biking in New Orleans

[Blitzzzzz]

Since we got on the topic in the Kermit at Vaughn's thread, I thought I'd start a thread for the bikers, that is bicyclists.
Where do you ride? Tips and tricks? Horror stories? New considerations in the Post K, high crime reality of the present?

Last year, I rode from the lower Quarter out to photograph the Dew Drop Inn and the ride back was a bit of a struggle, as the CBD was like a mirage that didn't seem to be getting any closer. Hardest part, I find, is trying to stay out of the glass and debris (the bad kind) in the roadway while still keeping an eye on traffic.:cool:

[bywterbro]

well if your biking in the marigny into the bywater, the best route is on chartres
street....its smooth, will lit....an easy ride...ive dont it at 2am but i dont suggest
it.....heading thru the quarter of course the bike trail along the missisnipi is
the easiest,.....then id suggest going up tchopotoulis.....or if your in the
cbd either camp or magazine.....audobon park is real nice for biking...
theres a trail along the river behind the zoo....and if you can find it
theres a connection to the levee trail that goes all the way to kenner...
thats a long ass trip.....in general other streets are pretty bumpy,
and lots of holes...id suggest a mountain type bike.....esplanade is
not bad for riding up to the fairgrounds, but im not real fond of it...
lots of cars, not alot of space for bikers......i love biking in nawlins...
where are you staying blitz?

[swag]

http://www.neworleansbicycleclub.org/rides.htm

[steveo]

I plan on renting a bike while in new orleans, I wish i could bring mine. mountain bike are tuff on my legs but with some of the streets in new orleans it might be a good idea. I noticed a few stop lights didnt work right when we were down in feb. look out for that. Is the 'Dew Drop Inn' still open?

[Mardigrasbaby35]

I plan on renting a bike while in new orleans, I wish i could bring mine. mountain bike are tuff on my legs but with some of the streets in new orleans it might be a good idea. I noticed a few stop lights didnt work right when we were down in feb. look out for that. Is the 'Dew Drop Inn' still open?

Yes, if you are biking in NOLa PLEASE be careful and aware of your surroundings, a number of the red lights/traffic lights don't work AND as to those that are working, many were just recently fixed, so drivers aren't used to them being fixed, so there are a number of people running redlights ... when i drive i always wait about 5 to 10 seconds after the light turns green before going, one out of two times a car and/or truck blasts through the red light...

for biking in the NOLa area, check out the Abita bike trail on the northshore, its very popular with bikers...you'd also happen to be close to the Abita Beer Brewery, you could take the tour, they have a fabolous hospitality room.....

[Blitzzzzz]

i love biking in nawlins...
where are you staying blitz?

I stay on Burgundy, 900 block. I rent an urban cruiser bike (mountain bike with ciity tires) when I'm at the Fest and ride everywhere. I can only guess that things are a little bit better street wise than last year, but who knows? I use it to get everywhere I want to go except clubing when I'm going to be out late. For pure biking fun, I love taking my bike on the ferry and riding around Algiers.
I usually ride out Esplanade and then over on Bayou Rd. to the Fairgrounds and it's not too bad though I do use the sidewalks when the traffic is thick. This year, I'm bringing my bell. It's the one thing I miss on my rental bike, and I find it helps alot when I'm in a crowd so this year it's coming with me!

No, the Dew Drop is not open and doesn't show any signs of having been open in the near past. It is just across the street from one of the bricks (projects,) Magnolia maybe? on LaSalle St. They were empty last year, I don't know the status presently.
More on the Dew Drop Inn at http://www.satchmo.com/ikoiko/dewdropinn.html (http://www.satchmo.com/ikoiko/dewdropinn.html)
:cool:

[stlbarb]

Yes, if you are biking in NOLa PLEASE be careful and aware of your surroundings, a number of the red lights/traffic lights don't work AND as to those that are working, many were just recently fixed, so drivers aren't used to them being fixed, so there are a number of people running redlights ... when i drive i always wait about 5 to 10 seconds after the light turns green before going, one out of two times a car and/or truck blasts through the red light...

for biking in the NOLa area, check out the Abita bike trail on the northshore, its very popular with bikers...you'd also happen to be close to the Abita Beer Brewery, you could take the tour, they have a fabolous hospitality room.....

wow, that's odd. they never ran the red lights pre-K. ;)

seriosuly, i know it doesnt look cool, but please wear a bike helmet.

[bywterbro]

I stay on Burgundy, 900 block. I rent an urban cruiser bike (mountain bike with ciity tires) when I'm at the Fest and ride everywhere. I can only guess that things are a little bit better street wise than last year, but who knows? I use it to get everywhere I want to go except clubing when I'm going to be out late. For pure biking fun, I love taking my bike on the ferry and riding around Algiers.
I usually ride out Esplanade and then over on Bayou Rd. to the Fairgrounds and it's not too bad though I do use the sidewalks when the traffic is thick. This year, I'm bringing my bell. It's the one thing I miss on my rental bike, and I find it helps alot when I'm in a crowd so this year it's coming with me!

No, the Dew Drop is not open and doesn't show any signs of having been open in the near past. It is just across the street from one of the bricks (projects,) Magnolia maybe? on LaSalle St. They were empty last year, I don't know the status presently.
More on the Dew Drop Inn at http://www.satchmo.com/ikoiko/dewdropinn.html (http://www.satchmo.com/ikoiko/dewdropinn.html)
:cool:

ey Blitzz if you can post some contact info maybe some of us
could bike up and back to fest together

[Blitzzzzz]

ey Blitzz if you can post some contact info maybe some of us
could bike up and back to fest together
Sounds like a possibility. E-Mail is probably best for that, I should be on every day, JTiboni@emich.edu (JTiboni@emich.edu) and I'll be at the patry.
I tend to ride a pretty indirect route cutting back and forth thru the neighborhoods down and back and occassionally buzzing the walking members of my krewe.:cool:

[jenni]

wow ~ yall are really brave ~ biking down Esplanade ~!!!

I would not have the guts to do that .

I would also recommond wearing the helmet ~ and be careful at night PLEASE ..Esp in mid city ~ bywater / lower 9 and the french quarter ...

I know a number of people who have been held up on their bikes at night ..

Best not to travel with things showing ~~ such as backpacks and such .

all the crime aside this is still the best place in the country to live .

ride safe and have a fun fest yall ~ j

[Blitzzzzz]

wow ~ yall are really brave ~ biking down Esplanade ~!!!

I would not have the guts to do that .

I would also recommond wearing the helmet ~ and be careful at night PLEASE ..Esp in mid city ~ bywater / lower 9 and the french quarter ...

I know a number of people who have been held up on their bikes at night ..

Best not to travel with things showing ~~ such as backpacks and such .

all the crime aside this is still the best place in the country to live .

ride safe and have a fun fest yall ~ j

Jenni,
Thanks for the tip about being robbed on a bike. Can you provide more details? And you're all right about the helmet, but I just can't make myself do it.:o

[jenni]

sure ,

A number of people have reported being robbed at gun / knife point while riding at NIGHT ..

all of them were carrying large backpacks or purses ..it appears if you ride at night with big bgas you become an easy target ...

the most recent story i heard was a gal over at zoots coffee house who got robbed on her way home from work .

I am a NOLa gal and i have never owned a car here .

But i dont ride at night anymore after katrina ...

Esp in neighboorhoods that were hit by katrina ~ ie mid city ~ 9th ward .....

It's just to dangerous .

This crap really pees me off ~~ this town is full of so much love and inspiration ...

I wish these gun tooting fools would get outta here and leave the place to the people who love life here ~!!!

[jenni]

oh and the HELMET

Keep in mind that ~~~ people tend to get really drunk round here ~!!!

and they drive .

[bywterbro]

shes right...things have changed in the past year...
there are also small groups with sticks, they shove in
your spokes, you crash, they rob you, and your bike...