Freeway Question

[ho hum]

I am considering riding my bike to my parents house (65 miles) tomorrow and getting there in time for Thanksgiving dinner. From my town to theirs I can do about 32 miles on frontage roads but will have about 30 miles of only freeway (I-10) with a very good shoulder. I am a little nervous because the traffic moves so fast. Any experience from anyone would be appreciated.

I could also take my cross bike and do the railroad frontage on dirt for the 32 miles where there is no pavement. I just was thinking I could go faster on the pavement on my road bike.

What do you all think?

[noisebeam]

It oftens seems worse than it is. You can ride fairly far to the right on the shoulder. If you have a mirror it can help you monitor when large trucks are coming (which is of course often) and also if it looks like any vehicle is going to slow and merge into the shoulder for a stop.
Off/on ramps are the real concern. Either exit at all of them or just be patient and sure before crossing them. But I imagine in your 30mi stretch you only will have 1-2 of them to deal with unless crossing thru a town. I've only ridden on i-10 west of Phoenix, but as I remember driving thru NM I-10 is not much different there. Debris is often more of a problem than traffic itself.

Al

[Keith99]

Where on the 10? On the parts of the 10 that are legal near me I would have no problem riding it. I've found that with wide shoulders having cars go by at 70 pluss is no big deal.

Do consider however that each offramp is a big potential problem, though generally the sections of highway where there is no other option often run over 5 miles between offramps. Consider getting off and back on at each set of ramps. A bother but much better than getting cleaned out by some guy who almost missed his exit and did not miss you.

Oh and sometimes you hit really nice straight smooth sections of shoulder where you can really fly on your road bike. Major fun.

[noisebeam]

Oh and sometimes you hit really nice straight smooth sections of shoulder where you can really fly on your road bike. Major fun.
Hee, hee it can be tempting to ride a bit further to the left in the shoulder to pick of some of that 70mph (actually it may be 85mph) draft!

As to the exits, Keith and I made the same points, if you don't exit them, you can even stop and wait until there is a huge gap in traffic so you can cross the ramp before any vehicle comes that may pull a last minute exit. Since exits are likely so far apart the 'lost time' is worth the extra safety.

Al

[ho hum]

I will be riding between Deming and Lordsburg. There is a safety corridor where they are supposed to get double fines if they are speeding so I think I am going to try it! Drafting off of the trucks is major fun. I've noticed my speed increase with no effort of my own as they go by. I will watch the ramps. I think there are 5 of them between the towns. This should be interesting.

[noisebeam]

I will be riding between Deming and Lordsburg. There is a safety corridor where they are supposed to get double fines if they are speeding so I think I am going to try it! Drafting off of the trucks is major fun. I've noticed my speed increase with no effort of my own as they go by. I will watch the ramps. I think there are 5 of them between the towns. This should be interesting.
Well it sounds like you at least know what you are getting into, always good if there is 30mi of it.
Anyway, have fun, be safe and enjoy the TG dinner, it will taste all the better having powered yourself to it.

Al

[pleaseassist]

What I think; I think your cat picture is hilarious.
I also think that getting off is only necessary at that ramp. They go fast, but you're quick to perceive where they intend to go.

I lived outside of Flagstaff and the only road into town from Bellemont is I-40. I've also crossed the country and used the freeways (in 5 states) when most appropriate. Just remember it is a very busy day tomorrow and everybody will be out on the roads. Definitely better than the railroad frontage I would think.

it can be tempting to ride a bit further to the left in the shoulder to pick of some of that 70mph (actually it may be 85mph) draft!
From what I noticed, the best push came when a passenger vehicle was in the L lane and just ahead of a semi in the R. Then I received the most force forward. I did have a bit of gear though.

Have fun, you're lucky you don't have ice. Andrew

[Roody]

It oftens seems worse than it is. You can ride fairly far to the right on the shoulder. If you have a mirror it can help you monitor when large trucks are coming (which is of course often) and also if it looks like any vehicle is going to slow and merge into the shoulder for a stop.
Off/on ramps are the real concern. Either exit at all of them or just be patient and sure before crossing them. But I imagine in your 30mi stretch you only will have 1-2 of them to deal with unless crossing thru a town. I've only ridden on i-10 west of Phoenix, but as I remember driving thru NM I-10 is not much different there. Debris is often more of a problem than traffic itself.

AlThanksgiving Day. Car traffic will be extremely heavy. Truck traffic will b practically non-existent.

[noisebeam]

Thanksgiving Day. Car traffic will be extremely heavy. Truck traffic will b practically non-existent.
Not neccesaily true on this stretch of I-10. Truck traffic is a huge component on this stretch and even if it reduced by 75% there will still be a lot of trucks. All the more reason to be able to monitor what going on behind so an infrequent truck will be less surprising.
Al

[LCI_Brian]

I've cycled many freeway shoulders, mostly in CA and AZ, but some in other western states, with no problems. Worst problem would be debris. Do watch for things like drain grates with wheel sucking slats.

[Bekologist]

Freeway with wide shoulders always makes ME feel like I'm putting the hammer down with the cars and trucks to my left. And relatively relaxed. Yeah, on/off ramps are touchy, copious hand signaling sometimes helps if your on the main road and dealing with merging vehicles. As in the "Okay, I'll go BEHIND you" point or the "Go Ahead" sweep.

I've run into wierd concrete water bars the size of 4x6 posts embedded in highway shoulders, sometimes there's wierd things done with the pavement. Another spot to watch your line is on highway overpasses, sometimes the shoulder goes to virtually nonexistant.