For the first time, there is bike connectivity between the Inner and Outer Harbor, and also between RiverFest Park and Mutual Riverfront Park.
The bike lane that runs along Ohio Street, over the Ohio Street Bridge, and on the the Outer Harbor, is now complete. Cyclists looking to take a safe trail from Canalside to the Outer Harbor can now do so effortlessly.
This past Friday I was hoping to take the bike-ped ferry to the Outer Harbor, but there was a half hour wait just to get on the next voyage, so I figured that I would just cycle the trail instead, and take the ferry on the trip back (more for the fun of it than the time savings).
From the Central Wharf (Canalside) I hopped on the trail that essentially starts at the DL&W terminal (behind it, along the Buffalo River). From there the trail pops out at the home for The Cotter fireboat, near The Swannie House and Ballyhoo. The trail then extends out along Ohio Street and to the Outer Harbor…
For those cyclists (pedestrians) looking to explore more of the Old First Ward, the bike trail also veers off at St. Clair Street…
… just before the Ohio Street Bridge. That dedicated trail delivers cyclists to Mutual Riverfront Park, where there is a kayak launch. That’s also in close proximity to McCarthy’s Pub and Brewery, Cook’s Bar & Grill, and The Barrel Factory (not yet open).
After considering both routes, I opted to head over the Ohio Street Bridge to the Outer Harbor. I figured that I would pay a visit to the wind sculptures at Wilkeson Pointe, before heading to the Outer Harbor Ferry launch to catch a ride home.
It was at the Wilkeson Pointe beach that I came across a Sweetwater boat loaded up with a bunch of guys and gals who looked to be having a great time. I was surprised to find that they were the only boaters who had figured out this “secret” waterfront passage into the sandy bay inlet. If I had a boat, especially a party boat of this nature, I believe that this would be the ideal place to land. There are no fees, there’s a lot of soft sand (not like the sand at the Small Boat Harbor), it’s protected from the elements, and there are even a couple of volleyball courts. There are even bathrooms for those in need.
After wishing my friends adieu, I rode over to the Outer Harbor bike-ped ferry launch, only to find a huge line of cyclists looking to make passage.
It was at that point that I decided to see if I could beat the ferry back to the Inner Harbor. Of course that would have been a lot easier, if there was a pedestrian bridge at the foot of Michigan Avenue… but that’s another story for another day. Instead, I headed back over to the Ohio Street Bridge, huffing it to make haste. Unfortunately my timing was cut short, as I ran into the owner of The Swannie House, Tim Wiles, who was sitting out on the front ‘patio’ catching some sun. Before I knew it I was no longer racing the ferry as I had planned. Instead I was clinking beers with a couple of Buffalo lovers who had drifted in from NYC for the weekend (that story coming soon).
It’s so nice to see that there are so many cycling opportunities at the Inner and Outer Harbors. And now they are all interconnected, making the rides a lot more enjoyable and safe for the whole family. It’s incredible how many people are now using these trails. A bike trip is now a flurry of waves, ringing bells and hellos, as people pass each other by.
Take the trails, or catch the ferry. Either way you are guaranteed to have a splendid time.