Bicycling in Bloomington

Sunday March 9, 2008 

Every winter, I usually take one or two long walks as my Sunday exercise. Most times, the walks are part of a recovery from a cold or bad weather that made it difficult to bike or run. I thought this year I might miss the walk if I waited for a similar day, so I decided to walk on Sunday. The walk had some bicycling connections.

The day was reasonably warm and sunny. I walked through the goat farm which is at the end of Winslow and High Streets. Then, I crossed over to Sherwood Oaks Park. I checked a path along west side of Jackson Creek that has usually ended in a muddy mess. I’ve taken my mountain bike on it a couple times. It hasn’t changed; still muddy.

Then, I walked up the path towards Olcott Park. A few weeks ago, fellow Bloomington biking blogger Mitch Rice mentioned that mud covered part of the path. The mud is mostly removed and straw bales were put on the side of the path to prevent more mud. A typical Bloomington response to a problem – an unattractive solution that is bound to fail and doesn’t solve the real problem.

About half-way up the hill, there is a series of paths that appear to be used both for walking and off-road riding. The paths continue to be developed. But, many places on the path a rider would have to dismount to cross the obstacles. Good riders could ride over obstacles that I can’t, but some just don’t seem possible to ride.

While on the path, I stopped to talk to Mitch Rice. He and Jojo were on the path. They stopped to throw snowballs.

I finished the walk on the east side of Sare Rd. A new biking / walking path has been laid down near the small creek east of Sare Rd. My initial review indicates it will be maintenance problem, just as is the biking / walking path near Sare Rd. I guess the developers say they are doing something and then dump the problem on the city. Some things never change in Bloomington.

Bloomington has many off-street paths that can be used by bicyclists but they are poorly maintained.