Super sensitive

[jessmarimba]

I think "freeway" is used to distinguish limited-access highways (that aren't toll roads or interstates), while a highway can be any busy road that exists primarily to move people quickly.

I'm too scared to ride on either, so it's no difference to me! (My general rule is, if I find people too aggressive on a road when I'm in a car, then I don't take the bike on that road).

[goldfinch]

I use freeway for all limited access four lane highways that aren't tollways, interstates included. Must be a regional thing!

Any, Melavai, I trust that continuing to ride will eventually result in you being less sensitive to the bad behavior of drivers. Take care and be patient with yourself!

[Melalvai]

In Missouri bicycles are even allowed on interstates. In Iowa they are not. However I wouldn't voluntarily ride my bike on the interstate. (I got trapped on I-29 accidentally once for 3 miles in Joplin! It wasn't actually so bad. Big big shoulder, and I took the next exit, it just happened to be 3 miles away.)

The highways in question are 2 lane highways. The recent one does have shoulders, but they are in terrible condition, not actually usable unless you have a mountain bike. So a lot of cyclists get told "Get on the shoulder!" when they're biking on that road. It's the only way to get to Thousand Hills State Park. I'm on the steering committee for the Forest Lake Area Trail System (FLATS) which will put a 4 mile trail directly to Thousand Hills. (It'll be a really hilly FLATS trail!) I was on that highway because a group of us were doing a practice triathlon at Thousand Hills, and the real triathlon route involves that highway. The other highway, where my daughter was hit, is where we lived. We couldn't leave the house (or come home, which is what we were doing) without using that highway.

Around here you can bike around town on the streets, but if you go anywhere else you have to use a highway. Town isn't very big.

Thanks for the encouragement. It just came as a bit of a shock that I still have this hang up!

[Crankin]

Triggers last for years. As long as you know what it is, practice the things you did before...

[redrhodie]

I don't think getting yelled at has gotten any easier for me, even with all my experience. It's just so rude, and something you don't come across in any other setting in day to day life. It's so unsettling. One thing that has helped a little is riding with the group I ride with. They are so quick to wave and yell "hey!" with a big smile. I wish I could do that. I hope it becomes easier with time and effort. I hate that it rattles me so much.