Riding distances

[pooks]

I'm not even sure where to go to ride distances. The bike trail at White Rock Lake is 10 miles; if I added the trail to North Dallas to it, I think it can end up around 30, RT. I don't know whether to simply double and triple up on rides like that, or what.

I know a lot of you live in smaller communities and may have nice roads/scenery/whatever to take longer rides on, but ... around here? Everything is very busy with road traffic that flies. I guess I could drive out of town somewhere, but this is all new to me.

Where do YOU ride when you're putting miles on your bike? Do you have good bike routes in your community? Do you ride out of town on the highway?

What do you do?

[Veronica]

I ride on some country roads with no bike lane and there is traffic. Some places I ride have a bike lane, but it's in the middle of strip mall heaven, lots of turning traffic. My commute is along on the canal trail, nice but I have to watch for clueless walkers occassionally. One road I ride has been closed to traffic. Some of my rides are through housing developments. The danger here is cars backing out of their driveways.

V.

[silver]

I live in a rural area. I asked at the bike shop. I looked at the local club website, I explored. I got a detailed map of the area. Some of my longer routes follow some of the club marked routes (marked with Dan Henry's) And then I've asked some locals when I stop in a conveniece stores. One of my favorite roads is one that the Sheriff's deputy pointed out to me.

I try very hard not to ride on bigger highways. Mostly state and county roads. If a road has lots or fast traffic I won't use it any more. I plan my routes so that there is a conveniece store every 10 to 20 miles.

I merge together shorter routes. That way I can ride the shorter routes and feel comfortable with them then add them together for longer rides.

Sometimes if there is a particular section of a ride that I like (maybe lots of hills for hill training or scenic) I'll double back and repeat it for more mileage.

Good luck

[indysteel]

I love in a rural area. I asked at the bike shop. I looked at the local club website, I explored. I got a detailed map of the area. Some of my longer routes follow some of the club marked routes (marked with Dan Henry's).

That's exactly the same approach I took. I felt frustrated at first about where to ride, but I finally bit the bullet and started exploring the outlying countryside. That means that I drive to ride most of the time. Since I live downtown, it's a practical necessity. The multi-use trail that links downtown to the northside is a death trap. Baby carriages, rollers bladers, kids, dogs. It's not worth the risk or frustration. I hate that the environmental irony to that, but I'm not willing to risk my life to save a little gas.

At first, I followed one of several routes that my LBS marked for training rides. Now, I explore a bit more on my own or follow the Dan Henrys for the numerous weekend rides out in the country. I also keep all the maps that my local club uses for weekend rides and use them when inclined. I prefer, however, not to fiddle with a map when riding. Once I got over my initial nervousness, it was like a whole new (cycling) world opened up to me. When I look at a map of the state, I'm amazed at how far from home I sometimes get. My guess is that Dallas has at least one cycling club. Recreational club rides are a good place to start and the club might offer some route information and maps on its website.

But before you load your bike on to your car and explore the unknown, make sure that you know how to change a flat and carry the tools you need to do so; leave word with someone where you're going; carry some form of indentification, along with insurance and emergency contact information; carry more than enough food and water for the ride length you're doing; carry a cell phone.

Good luck,

Kate

[Fredwina]

I live in Southern California , so I wind up on City streets 99% of the time. My Particular city (Rancho Cucamonga, aka Sandy Place Ranch). Most of the main streets in "Rancho" are bike lane equipped. good thing, since we are Cul-de-Sac heaven. Alas, most of the surrronding Communites are not as "elightened", which is problem in LA (200 surburbs in search of a Downtown )
The only rural riding nearby is in the San Gabirel Mountians, Pretty, but challenging.
After bike shops, you may want to see if you can hook up a bike club. Libraries may also have books on popular bike routes, And just seeing where that road goes is fun, too

[rij73]

I live in Brooklyn, NY and thank god for Prospect Park 3 blocks away! I rode 15 miles there the other day by doing laps (3.3 miles) and half-laps (there is a road that cuts the park in half). I assume I'll get tired of that, though, and will have to make some excursions. There are lots of good places to ride here (there's a bike path that goes practically all the way around Manhattan), but I'll have to take my bike on the subway, or brave lots of traffic (and bridges!) to get to them. On weekends my husband and I will probably get into the habit of driving out of town to nice, bikeable areas.

[mimitabby]

a bike path that goes around Manhattan?? Wow! BIKE MANHATTAN! sounds like a fun ride!

[pooks]

What are Dan Henrys?

And Fredwina -- I found Downtown LA by accident, and had a panic attack. I've never been SO AWARE OF SKYSCRAPERS TOWERING OVER ME. We have skyscrapers in Dallas, but I'm not aware the whole time that the earth may hiccup and bring it all down on me. LOL

Honest, I never once thought about or worried about earthquakes in CA except when I was driving in Downtown LA and trying to find my way out. Also, I suddenly felt like I was driving in a weird cave or underground parking garage or something -- and then realized there were buildings on either side of me and an elevated freeway overhead, and I remembered what happens when the earth moves and you end up the filling in a road sandwich.

When I say I practically had a panic attack, I'm not kidding. I hyperventilated until I managed to find Wilshire Blvd and head back to Beverly Hills!

Sorry. End of flashback.

[LadyinWhite]

I ride either inland through a pretty quiet part of the world (by NJ standards) and can actually go up to 3 min w/out being passed by a car. Sat. mornings it's roadie heaven.

OR - I ride to and then along the ocean. TONS of traffic and even MORE roadies!! LOL - I have a healthy respect for traffic but no fear anymore.

What can you do? It's NJ.

[li10up]

Lots of county roads around here. The traffic isn't very heavy and there is usually a pretty good shoulder - even though it's usually littered with broken glass. It's probably the same jerks that throw out the bottles that are yelling at me to move over. I WOULD IF IT WASN'T COVERED WITH GLASS! Sorry, just had to vent.

Sorry can't help you with Dallas routes. But I hear White Rock Lake is pretty.

[rij73]

a bike path that goes around Manhattan?? Wow! BIKE MANHATTAN! sounds like a fun ride!

Yep! Check out http://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/manhattan-bike-map.php
The green lines are dedicated bike paths! They are beautiful all going along the water...

[Geonz]

Don't be afraid to repeat yourself. I have a nine mile lo9p that has a four mile loop inside it so I can do 9 or 13 or 17 or... some people take issue with the "boredom" - but as soon as I start comparing times between loops I'm not bored, I'm competing

[ehirsch83]

really crowded down here in south fl. I either wake up early(95% of all cyclists here are done with there rides by 9am) so I can ride before the traffic hits, or I ride in the mid day/afternoon and just stay really aware of the cars around me. I can't think of a club ride down here that meets later then 6:30am, maybe 7.

[Fredwina]

What are Dan Henrys?

They are paint markers that clubs put on the roads to help you find your way at tours:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html
http://www.tulsabicycleclub.com/misc_dan_henry.php
I think of things that donotes how big SoCal is that you have to designate "which" downtown you're referring to i.e Downtown LA, Downtown Ontario, etc...

[pooks]

Yes, Fredwina -- Downtown Beverly Hills and (beautiful) Downtown Burbank didn't bother me a bit!

Thanks for the Dan Henry info.