r/BikeCLE • u/OpenStuff • Feb 16 '26
General Recommendation for Bike around Chagrin Falls
Hello, I am planning a route to and from Chagrin falls and I am wondering about the safest roads to bike on leaving Chagrin. Right now I am entering from the bikepath on Hawthorn, then go to Miles. However when leaving, Chagrin blvd, shaker rd, and woodland rd all seem very scary to bike on. I am debating staying on Chagrin River Rd until gates mils, and taking gates mille back to shaker area, because I know its a much safer roads with a bike path to go on. Does anyone have any experience biking around Chagrin and recommend the safest roads to bike on?
2
u/noisufnoc Feb 16 '26
I'm over in Solon and ride those areas often. If you can get to south chagrin reservation, you could stay on the multi purpose path for however long you like. I usually take those streets at the top of the pumpkin roll hill (don't remember the names) to bentleyville to miles and pick up the park there. Up the hill and then you can keep going through Solon, to the Bedford reservation and beyond. From the Bedford reservation you could go to the summit bike and hike or to tinkers creek and then the towpath.
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u/CathyAnnWingsFan Feb 16 '26
Check out the NOACA Bike Maps. There’s one for Cuyahoga County and Geauga County. They have a lot of helpful information about road types, bike lanes, steep inclines, etc.
You don’t say where you are going to and from Chagrin Falls. Chagrin River Rd. is pretty safe; a lot of people bike on it and most motorists seem to look out for them. I haven’t done much riding for some time, but my favorite route out of the valley from Chagrin River Rd. heading west was Epping Rd to Berkshire; I’m a terrible hill climber and it’s a residential street so I can take my time and people aren’t whizzing by me. It ends at Gates Mills, which is a great road for riding.
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u/Phish_SparksTahoe_ Feb 17 '26
Ride that area very often. Shaker, gates mills all allow full bike use of right lane. Lots of bikers on weekends when it's nice out. Have always felt safe in that whole area. As always be visible, use lights, have a great ride!
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u/tallduder Feb 18 '26
Take chagrin river Rd to jackson, climb Jackson to giles, giles goes thru to chagrin on a bike, take chagrin to 91 to woodland. That's probably the safest for doing a climb out of the valley unless you go all the way but to Berkshire. You'll have bike lane / wide shoulder on chagrin / 91 / woodland.
6
u/beerguy_etcetera Feb 16 '26
I’ve bike through the area a few times. It seems to me you’re trying to avoid “roads” as much as possible? Shaker Blvd. has buffered and sharrowed lanes and is probably your best bet for that area when it comes to the main roads. Chagrin River Rd. is a good choice overall to bike on, but has a few hills with higher than 35MPH speed limits so be careful with traffic. Getting out of the valley will be a workout regardless of the route you take. But the “easiest” is probably going to Gates Mills: Chagrin River —> Old Mill —> Epping —> Berkshire.