Interesting. Riverside Street between Brighton and Warren is one of the suckiest roads I know for bicycling. Not just the 4 narrow lanes, which doesn't bother me so much but I know it does some people, but there's just more motorist entitlement there than almost any other road I know of. Probably related to the proximity to the interstate, even though it's not technically part of the interchange.
I don't know if this would be an appropriate topic, and I think we've brought it up on a similar ride to Westbrook a few years ago, but there's that RR ROW alongside Warren that passes right near the end of Pinecrest. It would be awesome to have a bike/ped cut-through to Warren there. Yes, it's only Warren, but there are a lot of commercial destinations there, or a shorter way to continue on to Morrill's Corner. Otherwise it's 6 miles between the end of Pinecrest and the nearest point on Warren Avenue, along that stretch of Riverside, as compared to less than a quarter mile apart as the crow flies. (Lucky crows!)
BTW, following Ludlow through to Pinecrest and then continuing to Holm Avenue is a great low-traffic alternative to Brighton Avenue to get to Westbrook. Saves you laboring up the hill in the travel lane (or sidewalk, if you prefer) past the shopping center. You even now have a bike lane from there to the Westbrook line. (And since this spring, BMUFL signs along the Rock Row stretch in Westbrook.)
P.S. More CyclingSavvy courses
plus other cool stuff, like a lighthouse ride, lobster bake, and overnight bikepacking trip to the Peoples Perch in East Baldwin, coming up in a few weeks. I'll send a separate message about that pretty soon.
John Brooking
Cyclist, Cycling Educator, Technologist