Riding country roads

[prairiechicken]

So I'm not a newbie when it comes to cycling. I've been riding for a number of years now, I've had a couple of different bikes (now I have a Schwinn Supersport and a Specialized Dulce... my Terry got swiped). A year or so back I moved with my fiancee from the Windy City to a farm about two hours away. I love my farm and my new life, but I haven't been riding much since I got here and I MISS IT SO MUCH. So why haven't I been riding? Okay, it probably sounds weird and backward, but I'm just not comfortable riding the country roads I live off of. Hey, I used to commute everyday in busy traffic. I biked in winter. But I'm not used to riding out here, and I need advice!

I don't live off of quiet country roads. I live off of relatively busy ones and when I do drive I have to say that if I don't drive faster than 60 mph the other cars/trucks pass me. I'm trying to find the local bike groups, but I'm finding that nice people I know don't go to their rides because the people who organize them are known to be big a-holes. I'd like to be able to train for a century, but I know that's not going to happen if I have to drive to where I want to bike everyday.

I'd normally not be this nervous, but I've almost been sideswiped in chicago several times, and the idea of that happening with a semi going 65 mph...

[Owlie]

I get what you're saying. The roads around here are a mix of suburban and rural--high speed limits, but high traffic density as well, probably higher than the roads were designed to take. And people drive like nut jobs around here. I get around it because we have a nice network of rail-trails around here, but not everyone has that luxury. (And riding around here scares me even more than riding around in urban/suburban Cleveland!)

I'd invest in some high-viz clothing for a start, and see if other nice people with bikes are willing to join you for a ride. Check out MapMyRide for your area (there are others) and see what looks good. Figure out when the low-traffic hours are, and if it makes you feel better, drive it beforehand. If you've got a friend willing to drive, even better, because that means you can concentrate on looking at the route from a cyclist's perspective.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Maybe invest in one of those side sticking out reflectors? At least they are cheap to replace if a car does get too close. Also proof that they got too close.
It's a round reflector on a stick you attach to your bike so it sticks out sideways.
+2 for hi viz clothing. And of course don't wear anything that matches the landscape (green, tan etc).

[Bike Chick]

I guess it all depends on your perspective. The thought of riding in the city scares me to death

Illinois has official bicycle maps which will show you the best and safest country roads to ride. These are published by the Secretary of State, divided into separate regions of the state, and are free. Pick one up for your location and start finding some routes to ride.

You can also map out some routes by using Map My Ride or Ride With GPS and start riding. I don't know which direction you to moved from the city but it sounds like you live on a busy highway. That would scare me too. Do you have a bike rack on your car? Load that bike up and drive to a quieter, safer location to ride. I'm sure there are plenty of roads to ride, you just need to find them. You can also find some local charity rides that are well supported. This will give you an idea of what roads to ride and might help you meet some other cyclists in the area that aren't a-holes. League of Illinois Bicyclists has a list of charity rides on their site.

It won't be long before you will start to enjoy the peace and tranquility of riding country roads. Yes, you will have your occasional idiot that trys to run you over or a farm dog that runs in front of your bike, but overall I prefer it to riding in the city.

[goldfinch]

I live in southeast Iowa this time of year and there are rural roads I will not ride on. Two lanes, no shoulder, and too much traffic. You just have to make a judgment about safety. However, there are rural paved roads around here that are safe enough to ride on, so I just have to pick my route carefully. I found that other cyclists had used MapMyRide and plotted out routes. You my end up having to drive a bit to find the safe roads. I am fortunate that I can get to several good routes out my door. The drivers in the part of the country tend to be polite and give you a wide berth. Maybe it is because they already have learned to share the road with the Amish.

[OakLeaf]

I definitely get more respect in the Amish country 75-ish miles from here than I do closer to home. I think you're right about that (although typically a buggy is rear-ended by a car at least once a year ).

+1 on what everyone else has said. There are definitely roads I won't ride on. Even though you don't feel compatible with the local club, you could look at some of their routes. And if your chainstays will accommodate it, it might be worth investing in a second set of wheels with fatter tires so you can do a few miles on the gravel roads to get to quieter paved roads.

[Miranda]

The thought of riding in the city scares me to death

I've never been much of a city chick. When my city loving friend wanted me to visit Chicago with her and ride bikes around the city... omg I thought I would not make it! But, loving my friend, I did it...

Wow, what a surprise! Not only did I survive, I loved riding around in the city! There was this wonderful thing called a "bike lane". And one that cars actually stayed out of! Even the taxis. Plus, with the large buildings... no to very little wind (in the windy city, what irony, eh?)... and warth.

When my friend lived in these parts we were re-visiting, she was car-free. Bike or public transportation only. After my exerience first had, I can totally see that. Plus, the city parking is so limited. It was nice making progress riding too in our lane... while the traffic stood still in the car lane.

Pretty awesome.

[Miranda]

You have good suggestions thus far. Always gotta love TE for that!

On the routes, you could get the organized routes from those groups, without actually riding with them (as you mentioned them to not be nice people). That's one of the things I did to find more suitable routes here in rual Mayberry.

And yes, unfortunately, I know exactly what you are saying. Things are so bike-unfriendly here. Even with the few so called bike lanes, people will run you over in the city while in the bike lane.

I know you don't want to hafta drive to start your ride, but sometimes you do what you gotta do. I once asked a church pastor permission to park in his lot to start my ride. To avoid a deadly busy road. Most of the club rides start from schools, where public parking is not an issue with school not in session at the start time.

My routes leaving directly from home also involve riding on the "death roads" I call them. But I did figure out how to avoid as much of that road as possible. When I'm on the bad road, I just put my head down, get in the drops, and ride my azz off like I'm time trialing or something. To get off the bad road as quick as possible.

Good Luck!