Indy's East-side Cyclists get More Options

Pennsy Trail signage

A blurb in the Indianapolis Star a few months ago mentioned that the Parks Department had closed a gap in the Pennsy Trail on the city's far east side. This rail-to-trail offering parallels the old National Road, aka US 40, also known as Washington Street. The Ms grew up in the Irvington neighborhood, so we thought it might be interesting to check out this new section of trail, which reaches from Post Road to Shortridge (the street, not the high school).

At its western end (as of this writing, anyway) the trail connects with the Pleasant Run Parkway multiuse trail at Ellenberger Park via a wide sidewalk along Ritter. After a little bit of twisting and turning along Bonna Avenue, the trail takes off, arrow straight, headed for Greenfield. Well, headed for Mt. Comfort Road, actually – more on that later.

There are surprisingly few at-grade crossings along the wide, paved trail; unlike the stop-and-go traffic on the Monon Trail. In the first couple of miles headed east from Audubon Circle, you only have to stop at Arlington and Kitley. A spanking new bridge takes riders over Shadeland, and a short while later they tunnel under I-465. If hills aren't your thing, the 2½-mile stretch from Ritter to 465 only climbs 22 feet. Be forewarned, however, of a hilly section where the trail crosses Grassy Creek, between Mithoffer and German Church Roads.

The Pennsy continues on for another five miles beyond 465, crossing into Hancock County at Carroll Road before dead-ending at Mount Comfort Road (600 W). After a gap of 4½ miles, the paved trail picks up again at 150 W and continues for another five miles or so through the town of Greenfield. Cyclists comfortable with country roads can continue on either 100 N or 200 S, those who don't mind high-speed highway riding can bop up to US 40 through Gem and Philadelphia before dropping south again on County Road 150 W to a trailhead.

Just east of the Marion County line (Carroll Road) riders will find the two-mile Buck Creek Trail, a pleasant paved route that winds along the creek before ending at 100 N (21st Street).

If you'd like a lightly-traveled, flat and easy trail for a weekend (or evening) jaunt, the Pennsy Trail might just do the trick. By itself, the trail is about 8½ miles one-way from Ritter to Mt. Comfort, but planners have provided easy access from neighborhood streets through Irvington if a 17-mile round trip seems a little steep. Or, you can add in the four-mile out-and-back of the Buck Creek trail to get over 20 miles, not to mention starting at Ellenberger Park and adding the half-mile sidewalk down to Bonna.

Our ride started at Canterbury Park (56th and the Monon) and reached Ellenberger via a poorly-maintained New York Street bike path/lane. On our return, Michigan proved more bike-friendly. The whole shebang was about 31 miles.

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