See below.
Bonnie Gruber
> ----------
> From: Richard Raphael[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 2:13 PM
> To: Andrej Andrejko; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Moving to Madison (slightly off topic)
>
> >Hi.
> >
> >I will be moving to Madison about the first of the
> >year. I have some questions:
> >
> >What are some recommended parts of town that have good
> >bike access to the University (I will be a student)
> >and essentials like grocery shopping, with good rental
> >rates?
>
I don't know about rental rates, having been a homeowner for many years, but
for access to the University, anything close to campus (Vilas, University
Heights, downtown) or along the Southwest (Dudgeon/Monroe) or Isthmus
(Marquette, Atwood) bike paths. Unfortunately, the grocery store on Monroe
Street closed recently. I've found I have to alternate among Regent Market
Co-op, Whole Foods (University Ave.), Capitol Centre, and occasionally
others to get all the things I used to get in one place. We've organized a
cooperative and hope eventually to get a grocery store on Monroe.
> >
> >Are there any bike shops that specialize in selling
> >bikes for winter use? I have lived in Phoenix for the
> >past 5 years and have little winter riding experience?
>
Either Budget Bicycle on Regent Street, Williamson Street Bicycle Works, or
Yellow Jersey should be able to help you.
> >
> >Any other advice/information on carfree living in
> >Madison would be appreciated.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Andrej
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________
>
> Andrej,
>
> This is definitely on topic. As far as a good place to live for a
> student and be carfree, the Hildale area(near West, roughly 3000-4000
> block
> of University Avenue) would be a good choice. There are other good places
> as well, but this is the area of town I am most familiar with. It is
> within
> walking distance to two grocery stores, as well as a mall with a hardware
> store, pharmacy etc. In addition, many of the city busses pass right past
> that area, so catching a bus in bad weather is not a problem.(I think
> there
> would be service at 15 minute intervals during rush hour). Also, there is
> a new bikepath which allows easy access to campus 3 miles away. Rents are
> about $650-750 a month for a two bedroom apartment(I assume as a student
> you would find a roommate).
>
> As far as a bike for winter use is concerned, any of the bike shops
> near campus(Budget, Williamson, Yellow Jersey) will be able to help you
> with that. I found that a standard mountain bike(no suspension) with
> Nokian studded tires worked well for year round commuting in Madison,
> although there are varying opinions on the best type of winter commuting
> bike.
>
> Richard Raphael
>
>
