Yesterday I discovered my new favorite bicycle route!

As a cyclist, I often struggle to find a safe, north and south bike route that allows access to all areas of Oak Cliff.

Most of the north-south through-ways in Oak Cliff are very hilly, have high speed traffic and are not exactly what I would call “scenic.”

Edgefield Ave. is the perfect solution to our North-South Cycling Dilemma. The street is wide, the traffic is slower and it passes through residential areas.

I knew I could access Kiest Park by use of Edgefield but I had always been intimidated by the distance from North Oak Cliff. It just seemed so far.

Finally I mustered up the guts and to my surprise, the ride was smooth and less strenuous than anticipated.

I’m the kind of cyclist with one speed: all out, pedal to the metal. But the cute houses and bright day seemed to invite me to slow down and savor the scenery.

My favorite stretch of the ride is in Elmwood, between the DART Rail Tracks and Illinois Ave.

There are taquerías, muffler and tire shops, salons, and a boxing gym. Everything you would ever think to ask for or need. A great place for a pit stop and a quick bite.

The only significant road hazards I encountered were on the north side of the intersection of Illinois Ave and Edgefield. The road is really rough there.

Saner Ave on the south end of the route leads straight to Kiest Park.

Edgefield Ave offers access to:

1. West Dallas

2. Trinity Groves

3. Belmont Hotel

4. The Foundry

5. Chicken Scratch

6. Sour Grapes Crew Studio

7. Steven’s Park Golf Course

8. Kidd Springs Park

9. Methodist Hospital

10. Lake Cliff Park

11. The Kessler Theater

12. Bishop Arts District

13. The Texas Theatre

14. Dallas Zoo

15. Elmwood Neighborhood

16. Kiest Park

17. Oak Cliff Nature Preserve

Edgefield Ave really is a cyclist’s paradise, so enjoy and ride safe!

Thomas Cantu, Community Cyclist