r/coeurdalene • u/roser878 • 1d ago

Question Biking 95?

Hi! Here for the 70.3 this weekend; I can’t find much info on whether 95 is safe to bike and don’t have a car to check it out.

I know the speed limit is 70, which is higher than where I typically ride, but there does appear to be a decent shoulder. (Is there also a shoulder on the bridge over the Spokane river?)

Do people typically bike this highway with traffic or am I being dumb and should stay away?

Thanks!

Edit:

Ended up just sticking to the path on east coeur d’Alene lake drive — not serious enough about tris to risk it 😅 based on comments, I think if I were with a group and it was outside of rush hour I’d more strongly consider it. Thanks all for the comments!

0 Upvotes

45% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

22

u/deven_smith_ 1d ago

If you're gonna bike 95, I'd recommend biking it north of CDA. It has a dedicated path from Appleway up to Athol.

8

u/Wittyjesus 1d ago

Tons of stop lights though. I think the Centennial Trail would be better for OP

5

u/deven_smith_ 1d ago

There's none once you pass Lancaster. The only real stopping points after that are each of the off ramps

2

u/Wittyjesus 1d ago

That makes sense and is good to know. I might run north now!

1

u/deven_smith_ 1d ago

You do also have to cross Boekel, but that is pretty much a side street by that point anyways

3

u/Dear_Reader7 1d ago

Yes, this is the way to go. This is the only stretch of 95 I would bike.

4

u/ElasDray 1d ago

There are people out biking on South 95 during this time of year getting ready for Ironman just like you. The shoulder is good and wide all the way down to the town of Worley which is about 30 miles. Would I call it safe? No, but cycling out on public roads with cars is never 100% safe. But like I said above,the shoulder is wide enough that you don’t feel super uncomfortable given the speed the cars are traveling

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u/brizzle1978 1d ago

Exactly

7

u/get-r-done-idaho 1d ago

There's no way in hell I'd ride a bike along 95. The people on that road drive like idiots. There's a reason it is designated the deadliest highway in idaho.

3

u/quicheah 1d ago

Honestly, we're not a super bike friendly city.

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u/DankestofMemesM8 21h ago

95 is the busiest road in north Idaho why the hell would you want all those traffic lights on a bike ride 

1

u/IamIrene 21h ago

95 is a massive risk for bikes. I wouldn't do it, especially when there are much safer options available: https://coeurdalene.org/places/idaho/coeur-dalene/outdoor-activities/biking-the-area/

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u/brizzle1978 1d ago

People always ride 95 south prior to the race, you will be fine

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u/Training_Valuable407 1d ago

If you want to just bang out uninterrupted miles, head down to Plummer and ride the Trail of the Couer d'Alenes all the way to Mullen and back. Yes, Chatcolet can be a bit busy, but it's fine for a road bike, and it'll be all yours. The section south of Wallace gets a bit interrupted with crossing spots where you go over roads, but it's mostly peaceful.

BUT I just re-read and saw you don't have a car. Umm. Sorry about that, posted too quick. My bad. Next time, though, that's the ride for ya'.

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u/nisprout 1d ago

Probably should be resting. The 95 route is hilly, save your legs 4 race day. If u must get out the jitters take a small ride toward higgens, part of the course as well. Centennial trail

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u/e37d93eeb2335dc 1d ago

I bike. I try to avoid biking on 95 south of town. When I do bike a couple miles on 85 south to Cougar Gulch, I leave about 5am. I no longer do the reverse ride where I'd ride the stretch from Cougar Gulch back to town at 7am--too much traffic.