I’m traveling to New Orleans on business next month. I’m wondering if some local triathletes can advise me on a relatively safe place to bike (or run) starting at the Convention Center.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not take this as a criticism of your city. All large cities have areas that the locals avoid because of high crime, and I’m trying to avoid those areas.
I used to bike in the city a little bit. I know you can ride a loop around city park and along the lake shore roads. I’m not sure of the best way to get there from the convention center. You should be about to get there by going thru the French Quarter which is a nice ride if you hit it early.
Here’s the link to the local bike club. http://www.crescentcitycyclists.org/
Board of directors page has phone numbers of the officers, they should be able to help…
Enjoy your stay in the Big Easy.
It summer in Louisiana, just bring your trainer and set it up in your hotel. Otherwise, if you must venture out:
If possible, stick to Lakeshore Dr. or the river levee, although getting to either from the Convention Center will be an adventure, as both the New Orleans pavement and “characters” can make riding on the streets very…interesting.
If going uptown to Audubon Park and the levee trail, stay on St. Charles and watch for car doors, if going to Lakeshore Dr., I’d stay on Canal and wind around that way.
Here’s a website, and you can also call Marc at Bicycle World for any tips or to find people to ride with. If you’re cute, that shouldn’t be a problem.
http://www.neworleansbicycleclub.org/rides.htm#Red
Bicycle World 504-828-1862
Good luck with all that.
-bobo