Bicycle Tour #1

From Fort Harrison YMCA to Downtown Indianapolis and Back

Facing the YMCA entrance go right (west) through the YMCA parking lot. Go slightly to the left to catch the exit road. Proceed 0.26 miles to a four way stop on Wheeler Rd. (Total 0.26 miles)

Proceed straight ahead to Merritt Rd 0.13 miles (Total 0.39 miles) to another 4 way stop. At the fork in the road go right 0.1 miles (Total 0.49 miles) to Post Rd. Be careful Post Rd can be heavily trafficked. Go 0.15 miles to a 4 way stop and then 0.05 miles (Total 0.69 miles) to a dead end at 59th St. Take a left into Fort Harrison State Park. There will be a charge to enter the Park.

A one day pass will cost $2.00 and a year long biking pass will cost $10.00. Both are bargains and support a great park. Go about 0.40 miles (Total 1.09 miles) to the guard house where you will buy or show your pass. Stay on the main road for 1.09 miles until you see the end of the road in a turn around. Right before the circle take a right for about 100 feet and then a left on a trail. Follow the trail 0.19 miles, (Total 2.40 miles)out of the park, to Boy Scout road. Be careful for the next mile there will be traffic. Go right on Boy Scout road 0.21 miles (Total 2.51 miles) to Fall Creek Blvd.

You will cross Fall Creek (the actual creek) on a bridge in need of repair so be careful, as you approach Fall Creek Blvd quickly get to the left and watch for traffic, when clear go left and quickly get on the right side of the road. There will be traffic, but the road is wide. Proceed 0.39 miles (Total 2.9 miles) to the busy Shadeland Ave. intersection. There is a stop light with four lanes get on the right side of the one lane that will go straight. On the green light hustle across the intersection and pass under the interstate. Proceed 0.30 miles (Total 3.2 miles) to a left turn on Fall Creek Parkway. It is the first left after the interstate.

Stay on the Parkway for 2.4 miles (Total 5.6 miles) until you almost reach Kessler Blvd. You will find the Parkway a delightful place to bike wide with little traffic. Note the construction of the Fall Creek Trail on your left. Hopefully by next year it will connect to the State Park. As you approach Kessler the entrance to the present Fall Creek Trail is the second left guarded by low square posts.

Be careful for the next half mile. The trail is narrow and has some sharp turns, and some could be on wet bridges. Go for 2.82 miles (Total 8.42 miles) to a lbridge. Stay on the trail for another mile (Total 9.42 miles) to 38th St. This is the toughest part of the trail cross 38th St carefully, and take a right over the bridge. The bridge is narrow so be careful. Go 0.55 miles (Total 9.97 miles) to the Monon Trail.

To go downtown take a left on the Monon trail, and pass over the bridge. To go to Carmel you would take a right. Stay on the Monon for 2.76 miles (Total 12.73 miles) until it ends. On this stretch of the trail there are many cross streets that do not stop so be careful and do look both ways. Lift your bike off the curb and go right under the interstate for 0.13 miles until you take a left onto Mass Avenue. (Total miles 12.86 miles) Mass Avenue is the first left after the underpass. From the “ top” of Mass Avenue it is possible to ride all over the downtown. Go slow, watch for cars backing up, ride defensively and you will have a great time.

The Return

From the “top” of Mass Avenue take a right under the interstate. Go 0.13 mile (Total .13 mile) Note the start of the Monon Trail is on the other side of a concrete island just after the interstate underpass. Go around the island , a U turn, and ride back to the start of the Monon. Go 2.76 (Total 2.89 miles) miles to where the Monon intersects the Fall Creek Trail. As with the earlier trip beware of all the cross roads and cross traffic.

The entrance to the Fall Creek Trail is tricky so watch for it. It is from the bridge that crosses Fall Creek and is elevated so watch your odometer and pay attention or you could end up in Carmel. There is a small sign that marks it.