The gravel section of the Guadalupe River Trail that I use every morning is now closed for paving. The official detour is a busy, unpleasant city street, but there’s a perfect alternate path that’s closed for flimsy legal reasons. A massive hole in the fence beckons, but I ignore it. This goody-two-shoes can’t take the stress.
About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.
David
July 13, 2012 at 12:32 pm
I went through this secret route today, and it was rather nice! I kept having the fear of some cop catching me though. There was one section where there were a bunch of garbage trucks lined up with the drivers sitting inside. I was afraid one of them would stop me but they just looked at me strangely haha.
I get onto the Guadalupe trail from River Oaks Pkwy and I have seen trucks doing a bunch of work; do you know if they will plan to close off this whole segment for paving as well?
ladyfleur
July 13, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Hi David, the full length of the trail will be paved within a year. Fortunately, they’re doing it in segments so we’ll be able to use the trail as much as possible.
But it really annoys me that we can legally use a trail that’s infinitely safer than the official detour. Especially since they cite safety as the reason we can’t use the path. Truth is that it’s all about liability. If we get run over by a speeding car on 1st street it’s not the city’s fault. But if something happens to us on a benign trail, the city worries we will sue. Ludicrous.
David
July 13, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Ah, ok. So once they start paving the other parts of the trail I’ll need to figure out the best (safest) way to get to downtown. I will avoid riding on 1st St. for sure. What street would you recommend taking?
I know, it’s rather ironic. It’s so nicely paved that it seems they originally made this path with pedestrians and bikers in mind! Such a waste to close it off like that. I’m not too privy on breaking the law though so I think I may have to find another route to take.
ladyfleur
July 13, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I took 4th Street today. Better than 1st, but nothing like the river path(s). But my office is south of 101. If I were north on 101, I’d take 1st street through the 101 underpass and then cut over to 4th at the 101 south frontage road (Matrix) or Archer or Gish. I took 4th from Gish to San Fernando tonight and it’s a bit hairy until you get to Jackson, but it’s leagues better than 1st.