I just bought a Trek 7.2 FX last Thursday, and have ridden it probably 50 miles since then. I usually ride twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, on a 10.6 mile loop near my home. I have found the 7.2 to be very efficient and easy to ride (at least compared to my Schwinn Aluminum Comp). Anyway, I mapped out the route that I usually take to work today, it's about 10.8 miles one way. I know that's a very easy commute, but there are some long, sloping hills on the route which should provide a challenge. My problem is that I will have to ride 3.7 miles on a state highway that in my opinion will be extremely dangerous. There is no paved shoulder on the road and the traffic generally moves around 60-70 mph. It also has a few curves that may create blind spots for fast moving cars. I will be leaving for work around 2am and returning home at 2:30pm. I will, of course, install a headlight and taillight and put my reflectors back on (I really hate the way they look, so I took them off). I guess my question is: Is it worth the risk? I want to do this because I believe the benefits (gas prices, fitness benefits, pure enjoyment of riding everyday) would outweigh the risks, but I've never had a close call with a car. Has anyone had this type of situation and what was the outcome.
Bike Cafe · Public discussion
My first commute.
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- 29 July 2006
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- brad g
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Brad
Kudos to commuting to work via the new bike.
To address your post, do you have another route that you could take? Perhaps, it may be a little longer but something with a bike lane would be much safer. -
Unfortunately not. All the roads around here are pretty much the same. In fact, I have to ride one of these state death traps on my fitness days, but only about 1.6 miles where I can turn off onto a smaller country lane. It's only a few miles and the 2am jaunt will be a breeze, nobody is on the roads at that time, but at 2:30pm, a lot of logging trucks (Katrina cleanup) run those roads and they all seem to be in a hurry.
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I made the round trip today, it totaled 21.26 miles and took me 1 hour 45 mins to complete. It would have been considerably faster, but I found a route that eliminates most of the state highway travel, but requires about a mile on gravel, glad I got the hybrid now.
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brad g said:
I made the round trip today, it totaled 21.26 miles and took me 1 hour 45 mins to complete. It would have been considerably faster, but I found a route that eliminates most of the state highway travel, but requires about a mile on gravel, glad I got the hybrid now.
That is a good call. Try and stay off the State Highway at night. At that time the drunks are often going home, and they will not see you, even with the lights. I often commute at night home (around 10pm), but mine is all on city streets and is a lot safer. -
Good to see you have found a safer route. I was going to suggest that you ride in the gravel at the side of the road. Being hit by a truck is bad for your health.
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I left the house at 2:30 am. The road was very dark and was a bit unnerving at first. Within the first mile, I found a comfortable pace but don't know how fast I was going because I couldn't see the speedo in the dark. It became relaxing and peaceful, except for a dog that took interest and ran to the edge of the road. I decided that since the highway was so desolate, I would ride it all the way into town, which shaved a few minutes off of the commute and I was able to avoid the gravel road. I ended up making it to the Distribution Center (where I work) at approx 3:20am. The only wierd part of the trip was when a woman in a white mini van slowed and wanted to start a conversation with me about my destination, my origin, how often I ride, etc... Kinda strange. I had to get my wife to come pick me up from work because my boss brought his utility trailer and I had to tow it home to put some graphics on it for him.
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