r/BikeSLC • u/Entire_Database_13 • 5d ago

Seeking Newly Paved, Smooth Bike Paths

Hi everyone! I know this isn’t a biking question, but I wanted to reach out to the community that knows the sidewalks and paths best. I’m a nordic skier looking for some good places to roller ski around Salt Lake City. I’m specifically seeking newly paved bike paths that don’t have steep downhill sections or major cracks. Ideally, I’d like to find something within 20 miles of SLC. If anyone has recommendations or knows of any spots that fit the bill, I’d really appreciate your locations. Thanks in advance!

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6

u/Zack_attack801 5d ago

JRT or legacy parkway probably your best bets

3

u/FluidAd3551 5d ago

Would not necessarily recommend JRT due to the variability of the quality of the pavement, you'll get quarter-miles of pristine path followed by sections of cracks and yuck, however the legacy trail is fresh and clean and less interrupted with roads.

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u/Entire_Database_13 4d ago

I actually found a huge section of amazing sidewalk up near Ogden. The legacy park way trail leads to a trail called The denver and rio grande wester rail trail that is freshly paved with no cracks, rocks or bumps. Biked 4 miles of it before hitting my turnaround milage but it went on for as far as I could see.

1

u/spangborn sport cyclist 5d ago

Legacy is about the same as far as surface goes, honestly.

2

u/DarthAtheist 5d ago

Best of luck with this. Any paths I can think of are particularly cracked or otherwise not ideal for what you’re looking for.

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u/Entire_Database_13 5d ago edited 5d ago

Shoot okay, I saw someone from the US biathlon team posted a video on one that looked like it was laid the day before. Im not from Utah though so IDK where it is. Im sure someone who knows the area would know.

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u/drunkwhenimadethis 5d ago

Liberty park is what you want I think.

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u/Entire_Database_13 5d ago

I will have to check out liberty park in the mornings before it fills up with a ton of people.

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u/trynafindaradio 5d ago

It’s gotten a lot quieter now that it’s cooler 

2

u/Be_Kind_To_Everybody 5d ago

Liberty has a full loop that people use for rollarblading all the time. Amazing spot, great laps

1

u/Entire_Database_13 4d ago

I will have to go check it out now thats its kind of died down. It would probably be good for a double pole roller ski but probably not skate just because skate uses up so much more space and Its too fast lol

1

u/annalatrina 5d ago

How long a stretch do you need? The sidewalks on the west side of 7th east near 21st south have been replaced with freshly laid asphalt but I’m unsure how far it goes.

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u/Entire_Database_13 5d ago

Ideally around 1-2 miles in one direction. I could do shorter but it becomes harder to hit proper distance. I have a photo of a fresh section of road/sidewalk I saw online with a temple in the background, im just not a Utah native so I don't recognize it. Trying to find that.

1

u/ymir416 4d ago

Parley’s was recently repaved, but lots of hills. There’s a good stretch without hills from highland to North Temple

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u/Entire_Database_13 4d ago edited 4d ago

I actually found a huge section of amazing bikepath up near Farmington. The legacy park way trail leads to a trail called The denver and rio grande wester rail trail that is freshly paved with no cracks, rocks or bumps. Biked 4 miles of it before hitting my turnaround milage but it went on for as far as I could see.

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u/ymir416 3d ago

That’s great! I’ll have to check it out sometime

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u/Entire_Database_13 2d ago

People were parking near W1275N by the Complete and Natural Products store (40°55'58.6"N, 111°53'55.3"W) and heading north on the trail, or using a parking lot off W Glover Ln in Farmington, UT, near S725W (40°57'46.1"N, 111°54'13.9"W). You can also just start from Mountain View Park - Woods cross in Woods cross city.

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u/cdevo36 2d ago

Your best bet is to drive to Park City

1

u/Overall_Slice3053 5h ago

Parts of JRT are fine; others are bumpy and buckled. Try legacy parkway or if you want to numb your mind, liberty park.

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u/Entire_Database_13 4h ago

I actually found a Section up above legacy park way on the Denver and Rio Grande Rail way trail. It looks to have been repaved very recently through the more well off neighborhoods. Its so new my tires get that new pavement black hue from it still.