When do you ride?

[fallstoclimb]

I'm just entering my second season of cycling, and have recently purchased my first road bike. Last year my husband and I would basically just ride on a bike path or maybe a 10-miler close to our house once a week, and on the weekends would fit in progressively longer rides.

I'd like to become a stronger rider this season and I'm pretty sure the answer to that is to just ride more. My question: when do you do it? Living in a high-traffic suburb, it never really seems like a good idea to go out after work. We've found some nice low-traffic roads but we have to spend a little bit of time on busy no-shoulder roads to ride any of our routes in the area, and once my job starts up I won't get home until 5:30 -- seems a little late to drive out to the country. I'll have to leave for work at about 7:30 so going out before work doesn't seem like much of an option either. To be honest, this is the one thing I miss about running, and prefer about it over biking -- it's easy to fit in a run, and traffic is not really an issue.

So what do you all do?

[Crankin]

Ah, you have to make an effort to fit riding into your life and schedule it, just like anything else. It is a bit more effort than going out for a run.
Right now, I am riding 2 days a week before work. I go out between 5:15 and 6 AM and ride anywhere between 10 and 20 miles. I used to have to be at work at 7:30, also, and I still did this, especially when the sun comes up so early. You just have to be organized. Get the bike ready the night before, lay out both bike and work clothes, and get everything ready for work. Then you can ride, come home, shower, eat, and go. I also bought a light, and rode in the early AM through the fall. I am on a different type of schedule now, as i used to get home from work as early as 3:30 and also rode then.
Maybe you should allow yourself to feel more comfortable riding on the higher traffic roads. None of the roads I ride on have a shoulder. They are narrow, country/suburban roads. Or, put your bike in the car, bring your bike clothes, change at work, and drive to the place where you want your ride to start right from work. I did this for awhile after I moved and I preferred riding around my work area rather than my house.

[indysteel]

When I first started riding, I lived in a downtown urban area, so I quickly learned to ride on higher volume roads. I figured out some decent routes eventually hooked up with other riders so that I at least had some strength in numbers. I also used to drive to somewhat more rural areas for weekday evening rides. I would try to leave straight from work so I at least could go straight there. Despite the drive itself being a PITA, the rides themselves were nice.

I live in a more rural area where it's easier and safer to ride straight from home after work, but still, I prefer to run after work. I can get in a good workout in less time and with less hassle.

[Trek-chick]

I just bought a road bike and also live in very high traffic areas It is a PITA but I'll drive 6 miles to the local state park (lots of cyclist go here--pacelines galore) and ride there unitl I get more comfortable on the regular roads. I like the park because the road speed is only 35 mph and cars are used to the many cyclists that frequent the park.

I'm sure it will get old soon enough but, for now I am happy with this option. I also, commute to work on my touring bike to get extra miles in. I have to take some gravel paths to get there so, the road bike is not an option for that.

I like the idea of early morning riding since, the traffic is at lower level, at that time, where I live.

[Miranda]

Something that might help you find a better route is looking for a bike club and/or lbs with organized rides.

Even if it doesn't fit into your schedule to ride with the group, you can obtain a copy of the route map. The routes that are chosen by the groups typically take into consideration the traffic, road quality, etc with cycling in mind.

One of our local bike clubs I belong to has their maps posted on line in their web site. Before I ever began riding with the group, I used those maps to help find a more suitable route.

As posted, you may hafta drive somewhere to start your route. Many group rides start from local schools where the parking lot is free in the evening with class not in session to park.

[tulip]

The absolute best way to fit cycling into your lifestyle is to commute to work on a bike. It may take some figuring out to get some good routes worked out, or perhaps a class on safe cycling to get comfortable. There are almost always alternate routes than the ones we drive on--routes that are much more pleasant on a bike. My outer limit for commuting is 15 miles each way; everyone has their limit.

The big plus is that you don't have to sit in traffic in your car, your costs are reduced, you are energized the whole day, and you actually enjoy your commute! Most people complain about their car commutes, but most bike commuters rave about their bike commutes.

[Roadtrip]

Ah, you have to make an effort...
Right now, I am riding 2 days a week before work. I go out between 5:15 and 6 AM and ride anywhere between 10 and 20 miles.

Catrin, you've inspired me to give the mornings a shot, just have to make myself go to bed before Midnight! DH is buying a new light for his bike and were going to give it a shot! We both are nervous about riding the road, so perhaps AM rides will help us feel more at ease with that too.

Shannon