Is Riding a Bike From HOJO to Esplanade A Possibility?

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

My DH and I took a stroll with our DDs around the neighborhood last night to see how long it would take to walk the 3063 feet (about 1/2 a mile) that is the furthest distance between the Esplanade and the most distant HOJO room. It was a very pleasant stroll, but we took about 20 minutes. Now, if it were just my DH and myself, we could have done it easily in 10 minutes and even in about 7 minutes if we were doing a fast walk. But our two princess girls ( 6 and 3) feel the need to stop and look at various and sundry leaves, flowers, cracks in the sidewalk...you name it. That's all well and good...I actually really like that they take the time to stop and smell the roses (or dandelions this time around), but it did get us to thinking:

What if we could ride our bikes from HOJO's to the Esplanade???!!!???

Now, I have no idea if this is doable. Here are my questions:

1. Would HOJO have a place to store our bikes (we'd likely bring a road bike with a toddler seat attached and a road bike with a trail-a-bike attached)?

2. Is there a place to lock your bike up over at the park without having to go all the way over to the parking garage or some other out-of-the way spot that would defeat the purpose? And finally,

3. Does the lay-out of the streets and entrance into DLR support the use of bike riding?

[DangerMouse]

Now that's a question you don't see every day on the DisBoards!

Honestly, I don't think I would feel safe riding a bike between the HoJo and the Esplanade. The streets are so busy with many buses and there are so many people walking on the sidewalks that you would be forced to ride on the street with not much shoulder for a bike.

I know I have seen a bike rack for CM's just inside the gate where they workers enter in the morning, but I don't recall ever seeing one for the general public. There may be one over by the picnic area???

I'll be interested to hear what others have to say. I think walking with a stroller will be your best bet.

[Potterswife]

There is a place where the ART, hotel and CM shuttles drop you off to the right is where you can lock up your bikes (off Harbor). That being said, I agree with DangerMouse, it will most likely be waaaaay to busy to actually ride your bikes safely, not that it can't be done, but you are better off walking IMO.

[bumbershoot]

I don't know about the 6 year old as we're not there yet, but for the 3 year old...stroller! I would have torn out my hair if I let DS walk that walk....and we are NOT stroller-people. Disney (and fitness walks) is the only time we use a stroller, and use it we do.

[pixiewings71]

There are bike racks, but the sidewalks are too busy or too narrow to ride down, and I wouldn't ride in the streets at all, people drive too fast down that road. I'd definitely have a stroller in your case, especially for the 3 y.o.

[ballarinamom]

Yes WAY TOO CROWDED sidewalks, especial in the evenings. And the cars are in a rush and rude. DMIL actually flipped her scooter because some folks cut her off with their stroller. To avoid hurting the child in the stroller, she clipped the sidewalk and flipped. DH had to get her up and haul the scooter with a bus a several cars who saw what happened, honking at him to hurray up. Fortunately that was our last day!

[jernysgirl]

And to add, there may be a place there to lock up your bikes, but I would be too worried about someone stealing the children's seat or trailer.

If it were me, I would much rather walk.

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Okay, okay, you have all convinced me! No bike riding amongst the hordes along Harbor Blvd.!

We'll definitely plan on taking our stroller. Like Bumbershoot, we are not stroller people and was trying to think out of the box. We bought a nice Joovy sit and stand for our last trip trip to DLR two years ago. We'll just plan on bringing that along with us. I must say, the stroller is excellent for storing drinks, jackets, and the inevitable "things" two kids manage to collect during the day even if they don't ride in it for much more than the morning and evening (and possible mid-day) walks.