How do you decide?

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mr_hippo

Living Legend & Old Fart
"Where are you going?" That’s a question that I am often asked but what’s the answer? The simple answer is “I don’t know!” My first stop is a cup of coffee at a petrol station about 20kms from home – we are moving soon so it will only be 13kms away. I normally leave home between 6 & 6:30 am to avoid the heat and the traffic; even at that time, the traffic has already started to build up. All of my routes head north or north east against the flow of traffic.
So, I’ve had my coffee and it’s time to go but I still do not know where! Take Monday for example. Weather? Calm with no wind and coolish. Bike? NashBar road bike. Self? Feeling great. The HathaiRat circuit is out – still have road works there, Lam Lukka is a possibility. Seeing it was such a nice day, I decided to go down Hwy 304 towards ChaChoengSao. Should I go to Nong Chok? No, I went there a few days ago so I’ll continue on 304 until I decide to turn round. There are plenty of roadside noodle stalls; I’m not a fussy eater but when out cycling I tend to stick with the foods I know! Hwy 304 is one of the main routes to Thailand’s ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ – Pattaya so one would assume that there would be at least one KFC or McD’s but no! I was about 11kms short of ChaChoengSao when I turned for home. There’s a Bangchak petrol station about 12kms away with an Inthanin coffee shop -nice coffee & hot food so that decided it. Back home about 1 o'clock after doing 111.59kms.
Now, where can I go today? Ask me when I’m coming back!
So how do you decide where to go? Careful planning or just go where the bike takes you?
BTW, where did I go today? As we are moving shortly, I decided to extend my semi-regular, 45 km route and was disappointed that it was only 5 kms longer so when we move that route will be less than 40. Time for a rethink and more exploring!
 

Keith Oates

Janner
Location
Penarth, Wales
Unless commuting I usually try to go into the wind going out and with it coming home. Stopping for coffee never enters my head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

rh100

Well-Known Member
Sounds nice.

For a longer day out I tend to use Bikehike and start plotting a course for quiet roads and distance i think I can manage.

Shorter runs just go out with a rough idea of a circuit - or a place to go to and back from so there is a purpose other than the ride itself - like a local point of interest or something.
 

BigonaBianchi

Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
For me its usually about how I feel as I set off..which way the wind is blowing etc....although I have been known to turn left instead of right and ride another 20 miles just because I got distracted
 

Ian H

Ancient randonneur
First decison: hilly or not so hilly? Second: how long for?. Third: fixed, gears or mtb?
Unless I'm plotting an event.
 
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