Routes Across Hwy 79

Crossing Highway 79 from the north side of town to the south side of town has its challenges.

The most dangerous route over 79 is traveling west on 79, under 35 and then turn left (south). You have to stay on the frontage road, which is even crazy just driving. There's a Starbucks on the corner and several cars have been hit from behind as they try to slow down and make the immediate right. Traffic is also merging there -- it's coming off of 35 and it's trying to get on 35. (Instead of turning left on the frontage road, you could continue straight and turn left at Chisolm Trail.)

I've crossed south using Mays, and that's also a heavy traffic area. Plenty of cyclists cross there, though, because it's an unobstructed view in all directions. The light helps you get across without a problem. At night the green light is set to change in about 5 seconds. Priority is given to 79, not to Mays.

The safest route from north to south is on Georgetown. It has a light that you have to sit at for a long time. But it gets you from north to south in a jiffy.

Other routes:
I've never ridden A.W. Grimes. It's a wide street, and it also has sidewalks (for those of you who would rather ride on that). I know traffic moves fast, really fast. I need to check it out because it does connect to a few areas.

Further east, you could also use Red Bud Lane, but I think that's a dangerous road. Don't get me wrong; I'd love to ride my bike on it because it's a pretty road, but the lane is narrow and, again, the traffic is fast. Red Bud Lane, however, connects you all the way to Gattis School Road. You could turn right on Forest Creek and run parallel to Gattis, which is probably a safer route. (Also, I think there's a Dunkin' Donuts on Red Bud Lane.)