Help me liven up my regular routes!

[Embellina]

Ladies:

I find myself riding the same routes fairly often because I'm comfortable on them and they aren't heavily trafficked. I like feeling safe, but at the same time, the scenery is getting a little monotonous. Do any of you do any drills while riding to keep things interesting?

Thanks!
Emily

[cindysue]

my boyfriend is the same way about restaurants, but whenever we try something new, he is usually pleasantly surprised.

Explore! There is so much to see and so many new challenges to overcome.

go to your local bike clubs website and check out some new routes

[DeniseGoldberg]

I agree with Cindy - it's a good thing to explore!

But, that said, I also often ride the same routes, especially this time of year. When it's cold out I tend to ride shorter loops so that if the weather should happen to change I am not that far from home. I've found that it helps to ride the routes in reverse rather than always riding the same direction, and to add some small loops though neighborhoods where I usually don't ride.

--- Denise

[anne_77]

It might be safer to vary your routes so you're not as predictable to strangers.

[bikerHen]

I also seem to frequent the same routes and they do get a little stale. I surprised and amazed myself by turning a block before my regular turn one day and was rewarded with a whole new and interesting street to look at. I do this alot now, small changes but still in "safe, known" areas. Try it out it's lots of fun! BikerHen

[Deanna]

If you're not ready to venture to new routes, you can try riding them in reverse direction (if you haven't already). The scenery will look different and hills frequently have a different profile depending on the direction you go up.