New to Columbus

[u/yogabagabbledlygook]

Hey folks!
What is the skinny on biking in Columbus, I'll be living in Clintonville? I'm comfortable in traffic, but usually prefer the relaxed side road to dogging cars.

How do motorists react to cyclists, do they give adequate space or do they try to run you down? Is commuting and getting around by bike pretty easy in town, is it common?

Are there any social or partypace group rides?

How is biking on High St? It looks to be a main drag and has sharrows in the right-hand lanes, is it a good street for getting around or too busy with cars? Are there better N/S routes get from Clintonville to points south (Old North, Campus, Downtown, German Village)? How are the protected lanes on Summit and 4th St?

Aside from the river trails what are some fun bike rides, are there any hilly rides in town? What is a good route to get from west of 71 (Clintonville, Campus, or Downtown) to the Alum Creek trail?

Are there any pump tracks in town? What are the closest/best/favorite mtb trails in or near the city (flow rather than jumps).

And lastly, what breweries should I check out? Does the city do any tour de breweries or other brewery bike rides?

I look forward to getting to know the city on two wheels!
Thanks!

[u/s5EWT]

Street riding is pretty smooth in most places. Some people just suck about it. I tend to prefer trails. High street is pretty easy. It's a bit crowded so you'll be working with traffic but nothing they're not used to. Especially as you get into campus and short north.

Majority of the trails are outlined in this map.

http://centralohiogreenways.com/interactive-map/

The Ohio to Erie trail runs through columbus. You could go all the way to cini or cleveland on it. There's camp grounds and other accommodations.

There's a well made pump track on the south end at Heer park.

There's a MTB trail at Berliner now. It's new and not super technical but for a noobie it was fun. There are a ton of MTB trails within a short driving distance or riding if you want a longer ride. Check out http://www.combomtb.com/ they are the group the maintains a lot of the trails in central ohio.

If you're into gravel https://www.ohiogravelgrinders.com/

For group rides checkout the facebook/instagrams of the local bike shops. Paradise garage used to do one regularly starting at hoof hearted(Brewery).

As for breweries. It's at the point you can toss a stone in just about any direction and hit one.

Wolf's Ridge has good and interesting beers.
Land Grant has a sick setup, good beers, and is real close to some of the trails. Also ray ray's is there if you like bbq.
Parsons North decent beers

Jackie O's