Back in June I posted about a Bike Jax program called Commuters Mentors. The program is pretty simple in theory. Bike Jax would match experienced cyclist and commuters with those in their area that would like a little help with the transition from single car driver to bike commuter.
I received the following email today:
I have been riding for about 5 months now. Even before I started riding I have been dying to try riding into work! I think I am finally ready, but I would like some advice. I plan to ride from Jax Beach to Southside. I have been trying to research which bridge would be best to cross and which roads would be best to take. Do you have any opinions or know of anyone I could ask for advice from?
I mapped out a route I plan to try out. Please let me know what you think.
View Larger Map
I have to admit that I rarely travel to or through the beaches area and am not completely familiar the best cycling routes into or out of the area. I couldn't really offer any advice other than to do some test rides on the weekends. Just looking at the map, it would appear that crossing the intercostal on Beach Blvd. would shave a few miles off of this commute. But that may not be the case and since I don't live out that way, I'm asking if any of you faithful Bike Jax'ers are willing help this individual out. Can you spare a weekend ride or two to help this person gain a certain level of comfort with their route? Can you help them find a more friendly route? Maybe provide practical tips that can only be gained from the experience of commuting?
If you would like to help them out, please email [email protected] with your contact information and I'll forward it along and let them get in contact with you.
2 comments:
you are better of going south on 1st street, right on Beach Blvd, straight though Beach Blvd, left on St. John's Bluff, Town Center, Gate, Deerwood, Centurion.
Glen Kernan is a gated community and you can not cut through it. Beach Blvd has bike lanes for a majority of the distance. It is also very wide, so there is no relief from headwinds. I do recommend crossing the beach blvd bridge. I would walk up on it the first few times before building up the stamina to climb it and then continue the rest of the way.
This is a very long commute. Hats off to you. I work on Deerwood, so feel free to contact me if you need any assistance in this area.
The bridge on Atlantic is a bit longer but not quite as steep as the one on Beach and it also has a wider lane to ride in vs. the sidewalk on Beach. And definitely use the sidewalk, there's no bike lane at all over the bridge (nor is there one from the base of the bridge to San Pablo). I agree with Shek, St. John's Bluff is a lifeline to get you to the Southside...
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