Help me liven up my regular routes!

[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.

[Veronica]

You can also try changing your gearing and doing a super spin on a section, or going hard every other light post.

V.

[Trekhawk]

If I decide to try a new route I drive it in the car first nice and slow so I can get the feel for it. If it is full of mad dogs or something like that I try some other route. Driving it first helps me to feel a little better prepared as I cycle on my own. Having said that it is nice to just wander and find new views etc. The other day I ventured down a long hill which I normally turn at the top of and found a whole new area to ride with amazing mountain views. Hmm the down side was the climb back up the hill.

[CorsairMac]

If I decide to try a new route I drive it in the car first nice and slow so I can get the feel for it. If it is full of mad dogs or something like that I try some other route. Driving it first helps me to feel a little better prepared as I cycle on my own. Having said that it is nice to just wander and find new views etc. The other day I ventured down a long hill which I normally turn at the top of and found a whole new area to ride with amazing mountain views. Hmm the down side was the climb back up the hill.

so would that be your version of "Up the Down Hill"?

ok so now I"m out of control coz I was also thinking "Up the Down Side"

or maybe Down the Up Side? hmmmmmmmm.................

[Trekhawk]

so would that be your version of "Up the Down Hill"?

ok so now I"m out of control coz I was also thinking "Up the Down Side"

or maybe Down the Up Side? hmmmmmmmm.................

LOL - not sure but which ever it was It wasnt pretty. I was looking like I could use an emergency response team by the time I got to the top.

[Embellina]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions! I'll try reversing my route and branching out a little beyond my comfort zone...

And perhaps we can file my previous post in the category of speaking too soon. My ride today (on my very regular route) surprised me and turned out to be absolutely fascinating. About halfway through, I decided to try going no-hands. I entertained myself for a good 20 minutes trying to keep my balance and even succeeded in sitting up for a few seconds at a time! Coming from a klutzy girl who would never have attempted this as a child, this was a big feat! Still a ways to go before I can throw both my hands in the air at a sprint finish, though!

It's wonderful when rides inspire you and you discover you're capable of more than you thought!