Routing question - what would you do?

[OakLeaf]

There are some streets I would never, ever ride on in my areas, and having visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway a few times, I know there are streets in that area I would never, ever ride on, either (except as part of a large group such as a Critical Mass/Critical Manners/Ride of Silence demonstration, charity parade, or the like). I'm a staunch vehicular cyclist, but I value my life, too.

[Melalvai]

Have you taken the bicycle class, Traffic Skills 101, that the Bike League offers? Look at http://www.bikeleague.org to find classes offered in your area.

Knowing how to ride safely in traffic will expand your options. There will still be roads that you don't want to ride on, but having this knowledge, confidence and experience will open up so many roads to you. I know a guy who had biked in traffic for 20+ years, who said after he took that class that there were roads he used to avoid, which now he bikes on.

[Catrin]

There are some streets I would never, ever ride on in my areas, and having visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway a few times, I know there are streets in that area I would never, ever ride on, either (except as part of a large group such as a Critical Mass/Critical Manners/Ride of Silence demonstration, charity parade, or the like). I'm a staunch vehicular cyclist, but I value my life, too.

Yep - then you know what I mean. I live less than a mile from the Motor Speedway and I can't get to the coveted country roads from my apartment without going down THOSE roads.

Of course I have only been on real roads twice now with my bike -

Melalvai, there are several of those offered here this summer, and am certainly going to take one of them

[withm]

Take a look at Map My Ride

http://www.mapmyride.com/

and search for bike routes in your area that others have posted and give them a try. No sense in trying to reinvent the wheel. You may find a good route there, or be able to merge a couple of those to give you a good routing around your problem area.

[Catrin]

Take a look at Map My Ride

http://www.mapmyride.com/

and search for bike routes in your area that others have posted and give them a try. No sense in trying to reinvent the wheel. You may find a good route there, or be able to merge a couple of those to give you a good routing around your problem area.

I am a member, and it is a great site - I use it to keep track of my rides and spinning workouts. I have their cheapest membership so I can print maps. I've also already been there looking for this.... I DID find something that will work very early in the morning, so I am going to try it on a Saturday morning at dawn very soon

Too much traffic any other time though. The problem is that there are few roads that actually go that direction, but there is a LOT of development that direction so the roads that do head the right way are carrying far more traffic than they were originally designed for - and only have 1 narrow lane in both directions and absolutely no shoulder - and a heavy stream of traffic most of the time...

I am thinking about commuting to work one day a week just to get some more miles under my belt. With my current schedule it can only be one day a week - and at first it will only be one way (at least our buses have bike racks). We have a local bike club that I am going to send an email to and check with them on the safest route. Speedway is an interesting place to bike around - and as much as I like my apartment, am considering moving in November

The nice thing about my out-of-county riding loop is that a lot of other cyclists also use it

[Juliegoddess]

Im' so glad this was posted, thanks Catrin! I have a similar problem. In Monroe, where I live, we have the occasional bike lane here and there. This is NOT a bike-friendly town, and i hate it. But anyway...what do you do when there is only one lane on ONE side of the road? Do you ride in it ONLY in the direction following traffic, and on the way back, ride on the other side of the road, where there is no bike lane?

[ny biker]

Im' so glad this was posted, thanks Catrin! I have a similar problem. In Monroe, where I live, we have the occasional bike lane here and there. This is NOT a bike-friendly town, and i hate it. But anyway...what do you do when there is only one lane on ONE side of the road? Do you ride in it ONLY in the direction following traffic, and on the way back, ride on the other side of the road, where there is no bike lane?

Yes. Ride with traffic.

[MommyBird]

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...29es0SEMv0CdlA

You may want to drive your routes, both ways, on several days of the week, and at various times of day to check the traffic patterns. Then Practice on the bike you are most comfortable with before you try the new bike.

Cross roads and driveways are areas that require special attention. Watch for approaching vehicles, not just the ones at the intersection. Always make eye contact with the driver to insure that they know you are there. It is always best to exchange a wave or nod with the driver. We even do this on our country roads when we pass a driver getting ready to pull out. We never assume that we have been seen.

I have Blackburn Fleas on my bike. Front and back. I keep them in the flashing mode. They are extremely bright LEDs that charge by USB.
http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html

I am blessed to live on a country road but I have toured around a lot of cities sightseeing and I know it can be intimidating.

[nscrbug]

Im' so glad this was posted, thanks Catrin! I have a similar problem. In Monroe, where I live, we have the occasional bike lane here and there. This is NOT a bike-friendly town, and i hate it. But anyway...what do you do when there is only one lane on ONE side of the road? Do you ride in it ONLY in the direction following traffic, and on the way back, ride on the other side of the road, where there is no bike lane?

Yes, ABSOLUTELY ride with traffic at all times. I ride many roads in my area, that are only 1 lane in each direction with no bike lane and very little (if any) shoulder. We just stay as far right as reasonably possible and let car traffic pass us. We don't have much choice in my area...it's either ride these roads or be forced to ride on the MUP...which is actually more dangerous with all the walkers, runners, dogs, kids, etc.

[ny biker]

Yes, ABSOLUTELY ride with traffic at all times. I ride many roads in my area, that are only 1 lane in each direction with no bike lane and very little (if any) shoulder. We just stay as far right as reasonably possible and let car traffic pass us. We don't have much choice in my area...it's either ride these roads or be forced to ride on the MUP...which is actually more dangerous with all the walkers, runners, dogs, kids, etc.

Do not stay too far to the right if the lane is not wide enough for a motor vehicle to pass you with several feet of clearance. If the lane is not wide enough, take the lane. Make them cross the yellow line in order to pass you.

I've learned this the hard way -- hug the right side of the road and you get side mirrors within inches of you because drivers think they can pass while staying to the right of the yellow line. Move a foot or two to the left and cars partially cross the yellow line and give you enough room to pass safely.

See page 15 of this document:

http://www.bikearlington.com/tasks/s..._Bicycling.pdf

[indysteel]

I agree that it's unsafe.

I always had a similar dilemma living downtown. Depending on the time of day, I had a lot of traffic to deal with. I did it, but I didn't like it. From there, I could ride up the Monon but that meant going through an area where there have been repeated safety issues. Plus, by the time I got anywhere decent to ride, I would have already ridden 10-15 miles. So, more often than not, I just drove to ride. It was a PITA for sure and not exactly green. With our new house, we can just ride straight from home. It feels like such a treat.

That said, I do think with some additional experience, you will find a route that you can navigate from Speedway. I'll look at a map when I have a chance. Are you hoping to head due west or northwest?

[Catrin]

I agree that it's unsafe.

I always had a similar dilemma living downtown. Depending on the time of day, I had a lot of traffic to deal with. I did it, but I didn't like it. From there, I could ride up the Monon but that meant going through an area where there have been repeated safety issues. Plus, by the time I got anywhere decent to ride, I would have already ridden 10-15 miles. So, more often than not, I just drove to ride. It was a PITA for sure and not exactly green. With our new house, we can just ride straight from home. It feels like such a treat.

That said, I do think with some additional experience, you will find a route that you can navigate from Speedway. I'll look at a map when I have a chance. Are you hoping to head due west or northwest?

You lived downtown? Yes, that would have been a long ride to get someplace decent to ride.

I live around Cunningham and Crawfordsville road, and I would like to head due west to Hendricks County. From what I can tell, there is only one reasonable way to go NW and that is up High School Road which wouldn't be TOO bad depending on timing, but then I have to deal with 38th Street and cross the redesigned bridge over 465 - there again I think that if I time it right that it would be ok. No shame on walking my bike through a particularly scary bit if I must.

Riding NW would have me riding quite a distance to get to decent roads though, which is why I am focusing on finding some good route to get to Hendricks County. 21st west from Cunningham is the most direct, but that is the narrow 1-lane both ways with no shoulder/lots of traffic route. Unsure if this would be any better than US 136 west... There is always dawn if nothing else Or pre-dawn with a REALLY good light/tail light!