grew up in Hamilton a long time ago and I've an avid cyclist. These videos are great for me to see what has improved since I left. This one shows a lot of connections to other trails, I hope you do videos about those. Thanks.
Nice to see this. I was just looking through google maps for another way up the mountain instead of always taking the old rail trail at Wentworth which pretty much leaves you near mount Albion... Plus it's dark at night without lighting. This keddy access is brand new to me. I'm right at wellington so it's a simple and safe way to access for me and best of all it stays within the downtown core. Thanks for the tour I now know where to find it. So nice they built this for us. Also beats walking up the Wentworth stairs with a heavy 65lb bike on my back which was another idea I thought about.
There are some oddities about getting onto the Keddy. From Hunter and Wellington is the easiest way (especially since they improved that intersection recently) St Joseph's Drive/Trail is safe, but you have to be on St Joseph's Dr on the East side of John already to access it (there's a bunch of "no left turn signs" that are a hassle), and finally there is travelling up Arkledun Ave for a bit and joining just after the last house on the right (there's two lanes going unbound, but traffic can still be a bit impatient)
@@HamiltonRambler I went up last night. Was perfect.. Coming down was hard to stay at 15 km/h. Especially when I hit halfway mark I noticed I'm 41 km/h. I slowed it down to 30-35 when it was clear. Anyways now I know how to get over to the upper Wentworth stairs from the top of the Keddy trail. I almost felt like going down the jolly cut access I think it was. No cars were going around midnight but not sure where I'd end up or if it's even legal. Thanks again.
It's completely legal to go up and down the Jolley Cut. There's actually a bike lane when going upbound just after the access to the Keddy Trail (where the bridge is). There's no bike lane going down, and the road is slightly steeper than Keddy. It's very easy to hit 55km/h+ when going down. I would suggest not riding too close to the curb when going down, as the cut itself can be a bit dangerous at high speeds. There's two lanes, so cars can give up using that lane to give you space for the brief time you're on the Jolley Cut. The Jolley Cut turns into Arkledun Avenue, and brings you to John Street South (right next to St. Joseph's Hospital). The intersection at the bottom is quite steep, so if you catch the red light it can be a little difficult to sit at. Turning right can bring you to the St. Joseph's Trail (which connects to the Keddy Trail). I'm not sure what the lighting situation is through the forest at night, but the path is paved. Just before the connection with Keddy the path turns right and slopes up -- it's a bit of a blind intersection. Travelling it at night might make it difficult to see the sudden turn, so take the path slowly unless you want to risk riding off the hill and down the remaining escarpment.
Here's the corner I'm referring to on the St. Joseph's Trail th-cam.com/video/4VxzOfHqKUg/w-d-xo.html It may not look like much, but in the dark it would probably be dangerous. Also, it looks like there aren't any lights on the path.
@@HamiltonRambler I am currently riding an e-scooter with about 25km of range at max speed (35-40km on e-save mode) I mainly use it for errands and commuting (roughly from St Joe's to Burlington mall) I've gone up and down the escarpment rail trail a few times (probably my limit for comfort for off roading) and I'm thinking about going around the bay at some point. I'd need to figure out a nice route where I can safely run on e-save mode (aprox 15km/h)
Thanks for your thorough review and bike-through of this trail. I am a new Hamiltonian and a new biker as well so I look forward to watching more of your content. If I could make anny suggestions it would be an elevation map, total length at the start of the vid, and maybe more maps as you mention all the side accesses. Maybe I just need these because I'm new though lol. Keep up the awesome work 🥳
thanks for these videos! i just bought an e-bike so i was looking forward to getting around more but i was having trouble finding a good safe way to get downtown. super helpful!
I love this, I will be sharing it, and since you plan to be riding all the bicycle trails, I'm sure the cycling advisory committee would love to hear your opinions.
Cool video. Would have been cool to stop and show city views. I've walked the trail and there are some great views. Also you mentioned that you wouldn't recommend going on the Bruce Trail if your own a bike. Incase you weren't aware bikes are actually not permitted on the Bruce Trail.
That is something I wasn't aware was a rule. It makes sense, seeing as there is definitely sections that would be dangerous. I will have to clarify that in any future videos that mention the Bruce Trail. Thank you for the knowledge!
Thankyou for your review of the trail, as part of your series will you do a video outlining the best routes when travelling east-west, or north-south through the city? Getting around by bike can be tricky as Hamilton's infastructure is lacking in some areas so a video showcasing and rating the best east-west and north-south routes would be a great thing to see!
I'll definitely be doing that. I do currently have a link to an interactive google map that allows people to de-select lower-scoring roads. There is only the one route as of the moment, but eventually you'd be able to choose the letter grades that you are comfortable riding, and hide the grades that you aren't... I'll be making a video on how to use that map once there are a few more videos in the series.
It's a little disappointing honestly. Having a speed limit of 15km/h and sharing it with people walking, I'd rather go down with the cars or stick to the Jolly cut.
Excellent! Nice perspective on a trail I was unaware of.
I subbed. Cheers!
grew up in Hamilton a long time ago and I've an avid cyclist. These videos are great for me to see what has improved since I left. This one shows a lot of connections to other trails, I hope you do videos about those. Thanks.
Nice to see this. I was just looking through google maps for another way up the mountain instead of always taking the old rail trail at Wentworth which pretty much leaves you near mount Albion... Plus it's dark at night without lighting.
This keddy access is brand new to me. I'm right at wellington so it's a simple and safe way to access for me and best of all it stays within the downtown core. Thanks for the tour I now know where to find it. So nice they built this for us. Also beats walking up the Wentworth stairs with a heavy 65lb bike on my back which was another idea I thought about.
There are some oddities about getting onto the Keddy. From Hunter and Wellington is the easiest way (especially since they improved that intersection recently) St Joseph's Drive/Trail is safe, but you have to be on St Joseph's Dr on the East side of John already to access it (there's a bunch of "no left turn signs" that are a hassle), and finally there is travelling up Arkledun Ave for a bit and joining just after the last house on the right (there's two lanes going unbound, but traffic can still be a bit impatient)
@@HamiltonRambler I went up last night. Was perfect.. Coming down was hard to stay at 15 km/h. Especially when I hit halfway mark I noticed I'm 41 km/h. I slowed it down to 30-35 when it was clear. Anyways now I know how to get over to the upper Wentworth stairs from the top of the Keddy trail. I almost felt like going down the jolly cut access I think it was. No cars were going around midnight but not sure where I'd end up or if it's even legal. Thanks again.
It's completely legal to go up and down the Jolley Cut. There's actually a bike lane when going upbound just after the access to the Keddy Trail (where the bridge is). There's no bike lane going down, and the road is slightly steeper than Keddy. It's very easy to hit 55km/h+ when going down. I would suggest not riding too close to the curb when going down, as the cut itself can be a bit dangerous at high speeds. There's two lanes, so cars can give up using that lane to give you space for the brief time you're on the Jolley Cut. The Jolley Cut turns into Arkledun Avenue, and brings you to John Street South (right next to St. Joseph's Hospital). The intersection at the bottom is quite steep, so if you catch the red light it can be a little difficult to sit at. Turning right can bring you to the St. Joseph's Trail (which connects to the Keddy Trail). I'm not sure what the lighting situation is through the forest at night, but the path is paved. Just before the connection with Keddy the path turns right and slopes up -- it's a bit of a blind intersection. Travelling it at night might make it difficult to see the sudden turn, so take the path slowly unless you want to risk riding off the hill and down the remaining escarpment.
Here's the corner I'm referring to on the St. Joseph's Trail th-cam.com/video/4VxzOfHqKUg/w-d-xo.html It may not look like much, but in the dark it would probably be dangerous. Also, it looks like there aren't any lights on the path.
much appreciated!
been looking for some decent bike paths to take, I subscribed because this is excelent.
Awesome! Thank you. If you want any specific suggestions, just let me know the areas, and I can tell you the routes I know.
@@HamiltonRambler I am currently riding an e-scooter with about 25km of range at max speed (35-40km on e-save mode) I mainly use it for errands and commuting (roughly from St Joe's to Burlington mall) I've gone up and down the escarpment rail trail a few times (probably my limit for comfort for off roading) and I'm thinking about going around the bay at some point. I'd need to figure out a nice route where I can safely run on e-save mode (aprox 15km/h)
Thanks for your thorough review and bike-through of this trail. I am a new Hamiltonian and a new biker as well so I look forward to watching more of your content. If I could make anny suggestions it would be an elevation map, total length at the start of the vid, and maybe more maps as you mention all the side accesses. Maybe I just need these because I'm new though lol. Keep up the awesome work 🥳
I will look into adding that info for future videos. Thank you for the suggestions!
thanks for these videos! i just bought an e-bike so i was looking forward to getting around more but i was having trouble finding a good safe way to get downtown. super helpful!
so they should look into paving that sidewalk and make it multi use
I love this, I will be sharing it, and since you plan to be riding all the bicycle trails, I'm sure the cycling advisory committee would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks! I'll have to look into contacting them.
@@HamiltonRambler message me privately and I will put you in contact with them
Cool video. Would have been cool to stop and show city views. I've walked the trail and there are some great views. Also you mentioned that you wouldn't recommend going on the Bruce Trail if your own a bike. Incase you weren't aware bikes are actually not permitted on the Bruce Trail.
That is something I wasn't aware was a rule. It makes sense, seeing as there is definitely sections that would be dangerous. I will have to clarify that in any future videos that mention the Bruce Trail. Thank you for the knowledge!
Thankyou for your review of the trail, as part of your series will you do a video outlining the best routes when travelling east-west, or north-south through the city? Getting around by bike can be tricky as Hamilton's infastructure is lacking in some areas so a video showcasing and rating the best east-west and north-south routes would be a great thing to see!
I'll definitely be doing that. I do currently have a link to an interactive google map that allows people to de-select lower-scoring roads. There is only the one route as of the moment, but eventually you'd be able to choose the letter grades that you are comfortable riding, and hide the grades that you aren't... I'll be making a video on how to use that map once there are a few more videos in the series.
@@HamiltonRambler Amazing!! I look forward to your future work!
they do not allow bicycles on the Bruce trail
It's a little disappointing honestly. Having a speed limit of 15km/h and sharing it with people walking, I'd rather go down with the cars or stick to the Jolly cut.
I don't mind taking the Jolley Cut, but the Keddy definitely feels safer. It really depends on the time of day for me.
your not allowed to ride a bike on the Bruce Trail
I like it but I would love to see some art and colors added to that trail, it's very bland, especially this time of year
Very true. Maybe have some local artists paint the concrete barriers and add some large rocks to sit on the grass sections.