Pooks, when I lived in Seattle and was just starting out, I used the paved bike path for a LONG time. Then, with my then-husband's help (he was more experienced), I started venturing out into urban traffic behind him. Later, I found I could go to it alone, and I got used to truly urban riding. I don't love that, though.

Now I live in a more small town area, but the traffic is on the rise. It is a rather interesting thing because we literally only have one highway into town and one highway out of town. We are squished between mountains and salt water, on a peninsula. So, for long routes, it is either all the main highway, or climbing the foothills.

Mostly my challenge is finding a route with only as many hills as I want that day. So, some days I drive my bike out to a flatter area about 30 minutes away, and I ride in the country, although still a lot of traffic.

Other days I ride out my back door and in 5 minutes I am heading up into the national park climbing up the local mountain. That is a serious climbing day. the first 6 miles take me up 1600 feet of climbing, and it only climbs up from there.

Other days to do the longer loops there is no avoiding the 2-lane highways, complete with RVs and loaded logging trucks. I just wear my ID, use my helmet mirror, and wear bright yellow.