Most of my commute is nsl b roads with most cars doing 60+. I can't avoid this route, but I have found that if I set off half an hour earlier I avoid most of the crazy drivers who are late for work. It also means I get a couple of hours overtime in every week.
Go out of my way for quiet route or man up?
- Thread starter Hotchilidamo
- Start date
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Nigeyy
Legendary Member
- Location
- Massachusetts, USA
Unless 10 minutes means that much to you, I'd say take the safer route (assuming the other route is safer). I personally avoid junctions and roads I don't like whenever and wherever possible -it's just not worth it. For the sake of 10 minutes, I'd rather increase the probabilities of my personal safety. Plus of course, 10 extra minutes on a bike isn't usually a hardship 
Stephen C
Über Member
I have the same deal, the shortest route is by a fairly main road into Cambridge, but I have never used it, my shortest alternative is 2 miles extra (15.2 miles), but regularly doing 16-18 miles. There is no contest really, I just feel safer, and therefore happier, on the quieter longer route. Plus the times have been slowly falling, so you will get the 10 minutes back in no time.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
I don't have a lot of choice, I live in Denmark and only have quiet roads and cycle paths.
But I always chose the quiet roads when I was in the UK for several reasons. I ride a bike to relax. If you are riding in busy traffic and you don't like it then you are arriving at work or home in a stressed condition. What's the point?
You can take more notice of your surroundings if it is quiet. Enjoy the ride, relax.
It's not about 'Manning up'. But a lot of male cyclist have this testosterone idea about cycling. I would be interested in seeing how many of the ladies would admit to preferring the busy route because they are tough. The ladies are sensible and don't have to pretend to be macho.
Ride like a woman and you will enjoy cycling a lot more.
Steve
But I always chose the quiet roads when I was in the UK for several reasons. I ride a bike to relax. If you are riding in busy traffic and you don't like it then you are arriving at work or home in a stressed condition. What's the point?
You can take more notice of your surroundings if it is quiet. Enjoy the ride, relax.
It's not about 'Manning up'. But a lot of male cyclist have this testosterone idea about cycling. I would be interested in seeing how many of the ladies would admit to preferring the busy route because they are tough. The ladies are sensible and don't have to pretend to be macho.
Ride like a woman and you will enjoy cycling a lot more.
Steve
- Location
- Glasgow
While I was doing my level 3 bikability I did choose busier roads in order to practice my manouvres.
A complex right turn downhill on a dual carriage way certainly gets the adrenaline pumping
Back to using the shared path alongside now
The Brewer
Shed Dweller
- Location
- Wrexham
Choose the route you enjoy
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
There are some roads which I will only cycle on when I either have a nice tailwind, or no wind at all. This is because I can keep at a more constant speed and not so many people will be overtaking me.
When going to work, I have three routes to choose from. The beach route is very quiet and scenic, but often covered in sand and involves a rail crossing. The hilly route is hard work, but not much traffic uses the roads, and I have the chance to better some of my Strava times. The main road route is the most direct and quickest, I will only take this route if I am late for work, or the weather is so bad that I dont want to be out in it for long. The road route is very bumpy and a lot of waggons use it as an arterial road from Connah's Quay and Flint, to get to North Wales.
When going to work, I have three routes to choose from. The beach route is very quiet and scenic, but often covered in sand and involves a rail crossing. The hilly route is hard work, but not much traffic uses the roads, and I have the chance to better some of my Strava times. The main road route is the most direct and quickest, I will only take this route if I am late for work, or the weather is so bad that I dont want to be out in it for long. The road route is very bumpy and a lot of waggons use it as an arterial road from Connah's Quay and Flint, to get to North Wales.
Sheffield_Tiger
Legendary Member
Try both...
I took a quieter route today to avoid a "hostile" ring road n unfamiliar territory. The "moderate" minor road was far more nerve-wracking with grandads in volvos brushing past..but "only" at 40 so safe then(!!)...ended up going back on the ring road where things were much more straightforward
I took a quieter route today to avoid a "hostile" ring road n unfamiliar territory. The "moderate" minor road was far more nerve-wracking with grandads in volvos brushing past..but "only" at 40 so safe then(!!)...ended up going back on the ring road where things were much more straightforward
