Commuting - Should I *create* a shortcut?

I have three choices of routes, though one really doesn't seem like a choice because it involves about five miles on a four-lane U.S. highway, 60 to 65 mph, and narrow, if any, shoulders, for a total of about 11 miles. Another choice is the 17-mile route through rolling, curving rural roads, 35 to 45 mph, that I've mentioned (ad nauseam) on this board. The third choice cuts off about 2.4 miles. I have to ride about half a mile on that highway but it's on the end furthest from town so traffic is the lightest. After that, it cuts through three neighborhoods (A, B, and C) that do not connect to each other by road.

To get from A to B, I can take a horse trail for less than a mile. I have an electric mountain bike and have already gone over this route with no trouble. B to C, however, involves some creativity. One cul-de-sac backs up to another and one of the neighborhoods built a huge wood and stone fence separating them. There's a gap between the fence and a private barbed wire fence but it's not wide enough for my bike. If I take the battery and bags/panniers off, I might be able to lift my bike over but it's doubtful. My bike still weighs a lot with the motor and steel frame. *Someone* has already unhooked the wires of the barbed wire fence (not cut -- that might be a hanging offense in Texas! ;)) and bent them back so that I can go around the post. However, there's some pretty stiff brush there, including cedar brush, which kind of burns for awhile after it scrapes you. This potential passageway is right on the edge of someones property. The house has a pending contract on it so the current owners will be moving. The house is in the middle of five acres so you can't even see it from the road.

Anyway, I'd love to bring some nippers with me and trim back those branches just a tad so that I can get through. Not only would I save those miles but the ride is through practically vacant rural neighborhood roads so it would be safer, too. Am I rationalizing too much? ;) What if I add that the new owners probably wouldn't even know that it wasn't always like that? Pedestrians can already get through now. Also, this is out in the middle of the boonies. I guess one neighborhood didn't want traffic from the other neighborhood to cut through.

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. :)

An electric mountain bike? WTF?

I'd do it, i used to do something like that with a apartment complex that had a fence backed up against some subdivision. I found the shortcut on globexplorer and then went and knock a couple boards out and rigged them so they looked like they always did. Cut about 5 miles and 4 traffic lights and countless *******s.

Plus, it will make you feel like a kid again, which is always good, i guess.

As a practical matter brush can be trimmed a little at a time just by absent mindedly bending a few twigs with your fingers every time you pass by.

sweeny: It's a pedal-assist bike. Has a motor on the rear wheel and a battery that sits inside the frame. It has seven speeds (42t on the front with a 12/28 cassette on the back.) I pedal all the time but when I have a big hill (of which there are plenty on my commute) I can hit the throttle and get some help. Thanks for your encouragement!

Hi, Platy: Great idea! I really don't want to destroy anything -- just make it a little more passable. If I make it too obvious, someone might decide to put up something more permanent. Thanks!

Being inconspicuous is definately key. If you haven't noticed most people don't even notice that there are cyclists on the road so use that to your advantage. As long as you are covert about it nobody will care. Don't look like you are doing something wrong, just act like you know what you are doing and you can get away with anything.

Good point, BTC. There aren't even any houses within view of this spot and no traffic. I'm not so worried about getting caught as doing something I shouldn't. Frankly, I just don't see how it's harming anyone since there is already a passage there but I'm the queen of rationalization. :)

you lost me at electric :(

ever thought of asking the current or new owners if its okay? I mean if its not really their property but you just say something like "hey, I know this is public property but it comes pretty close to you. Dont suppose you care if I trim some of the brush to get by". They really dont have much right to say no and if they say its okay, well then they shouldnt give you any problems.

i dunno, i could be wrong tho, as i often am

No you should not create a short cut. Your trying to cut off 2.4 miles, you should cycle the 2.4miles. My opinion.

Now if you had an emergency at home or work-and had no alternate fast way to get there (ie cab/friend/family)-obviously do what you have to, to get there safe&fast.

Get a decent regular bike and it might not be any harder to pedal up that hill than your electric one with its extra weight+assist.

Hills are funny, a hill I had a hard time on a bit more than a week ago, was easy enough to talk with other bikers while going up a couple of days ago.

I am glad you're looking at short cuts, Longhorn. Your commute sucks compared to going by car. I would definitely bring along snippers and discreetly snip away a few twigs every time I went by. Don't listen to the other idiots here, they know nothing. ;) I would second the idea of talking to someone. But that can bring about the wrong result; often people won't know enough for permission but are unwilling to give it, leaving one on a limb. Going ahead and doing it and then handling any response might be acceptable. Hey, the worst that could happen is someone would shout at you. Just smile and shout hello right back.

Get a decent regular bike and it might not be any harder to pedal up that hill than your electric one with its extra weight+assist.

Hills are funny, a hill I had a hard time on a bit more than a week ago, was easy enough to talk with other bikers while going up a couple of days ago.

I have a "decent regular bike." What I don't have is the time or endurance to ride 17 miles of one hill after another, culminating in a 10.7% hill that causes my heart rate to spike in the mid 200s, especially when the temps are in the 90s, which will continue here until November. It's kind of hard to get excited about commuting when, for me, it was a torture session.

I also have no choice on an alternative route, except for the shortcut I'm considering, because I live out in a rural suburb of a large city, so there are no neighborhood arterials and the rest of the roads are highways too dangerous for bikes. I can't even take a bus -- my campus is at the end of the line. So frankly, a power-assisted bike is perfect for my situation, at least until I'm strong enough to go back to my hybrid. I am exercising and doing something good for the environment.

I am glad you're looking at short cuts, Longhorn. Your commute sucks compared to going by car. I would definitely bring along snippers and discreetly snip away a few twigs every time I went by. Don't listen to the other idiots here, they know nothing. ;) I would second the idea of talking to someone. But that can bring about the wrong result; often people won't know enough for permission but are unwilling to give it, leaving one on a limb. Going ahead and doing it and then handling any response might be acceptable. Hey, the worst that could happen is someone would shout at you. Just smile and shout hello right back.

Thanks, Jur. :) You hit the nail on the head! I can be at work in 20 minutes by car, a straight shot at high speeds, five lights, most of which are green, faculty parking near the front when I get there. Not only that, I love driving my Saleen Mustang convertible! :D So it's not easy sometimes to hop on the bike so that I can sweat like a pig for an hour and a half, then have to clean up in a sink when I get there. But I'm determined to do it.

I've thought about asking the owner adjacent to the fence but I'll just have to ask all over again when the new owners move in. And once I get a "no", I'm stuck. I would definitely ask if I really thought I was trespassing but the intent of the fence was to keep out auto traffic. And these aren't landscape trees and shrubs -- they're basically weeds.

Longhorn, ignore the anti-electric crowd. An electric assist is a great alternative to other forms of transportation and can make a difficult ride easy and enjoyable. I have been intrigued by the idea but my commute is short and its the only exercise I get so I can't justify getting one myself.
As for the shortcut, I'd probably go for it. Trim just enough to get through and if you do see any of the neighbors wave and act friendly.
Craig

And these aren't landscape trees and shrubs -- they're basically weeds.

Heh heh, in that case just burn it all off! Wear some suitably official looking clothing and start a fire. "Just controlling some noxious weed, ma'm!" :D

Thanks, CB! I'm on intersession now but I'm going to ride the route a few times before school starts later this month. I started off doing a park-and-ride commute of 12 miles rt. Now I'm advancing to a one-way commuter due to my schedule and the fact that I don't think I'm ready yet for 34 (or even 29 ;)) miles per day. I hope by the spring semester, if my schedule works out, I'll be able to do the full commute. I just started riding in March but I've made a lot of progress! :)

Mid 200s?!? :eek: Holy hell, you must have a high max HR!

Anyway, I would definitely trim the brush. Probably in a way that doesn't attract too much attention, but that route sounds way better than the others.

It definitely did not feel healthy! I don't mind a good workout but I don't see any benefit in pushing it that much and that was zigzagging up the hill in the lowest possible gear. I think as I lose weight and get more fit, the situation will improve.

Thanks for your input! :)