Road Safety?

[jlnc]

I am trying to add a few extra miles to the route I ride in my neighborhood area. There is a road nearby that is about 3.5 miles long, flat and shaded. Sounds nice, right?? It is a little 2 lane road, I think the speed limit is 45 mph, but I could be wrong on that, but it gets a fair amount of traffic at almost all times of the day and has no shoulder at all. So, if I ride on it, any car that comes up behind me will not be able to pass unless the other lane is totally clear. I still consider myself a beginner, but I have gotten more comfortable riding in traffic, signaling, following the rules of riding in traffic, etc. But I still get a bit nervous if a car is behind me because it can't pass. I wouldn't say the drivers on this stretch are aggressive or anything...just normal traffic. So, I am trying to decide if I should try it. Do you believe 100% in "share the road", or do you think there are some times where a cyclist should just say, this isn't a great idea and stay off that road?

[Velocivixen]

If you're a beginner (I too am a beginner), I'd stay off this road if there is no shoulder for you to get off onto. Just not worth it. If it's between you and a car the car will always win regardless of who's really "right".
Could you do other routes?

[Antaresia]

Trying it once probably won't hurt; if you find it too scary/frustrating you can decided to not do it again for a while. Cars might try to pass you anyway if they think there is enough room for them & you in the lane, so don't ride right on the edge. Take a bit of the lane so there is room for you scoot over to the right if you think a car is passing just a little too close.

I'm a beginner too and have traveled similar roads, but the traffic in my city is pretty aware that bikes belong on the road.

[OakLeaf]

I think it depends on sight lines. With tens of thousands of miles under my belt, and as a committed vehicular cyclist, there are roads I don't ride.

You say the road is flat ... is it also straight? If so, and if there's really no alternative, I would go ahead and ride it, being sure to take the lane. If it's curvy so that traffic behind you might not see you well in advance, and oncoming traffic might not see a car in their lane trying to pass you, I'd just stay off it.

[jlnc]

Thanks for the responses...I was just wondering if I was being a big chicken. I think I am going to drive the road again and scope it out a little bit more closely. It's good advice to take some of the lane. The road is totally straight, so at least drivers could clearly see around me. Maybe I'll try it on a Sunday morning or late evening.
Just trying to add a little variety to my rides, and there aren't a ton of options right near my house....

[westtexas]

I say you should try it at least once. I ride on roads with no shoulders with 45+ mph traffic regularly. But I pretty much ALWAYS take the lane. There's so much trash up against the curb anyway and fixing flats is hard and annoying, so I like to ride just to the right of center (this is legal in Texas as the law does not clearly define a zone for cyclists to be in, just as far to the right as is "safe", which in my interpretation is just right of center and a few feet from the curb - but I would check your state laws).

I used to get really nervous but after a while you realize the vast majority of cars are trying not to hit you. And after all, most drivers need a lesson in patience anyway

[laura*]

So, if I ride on it, any car that comes up behind me will not be able to pass unless the other lane is totally clear.

They will pass anyway. If the other lane isn't clear, they will squeeze past you without crossing the center line.