Commuting - I'd like to commute but...

My commute would be 42 miles one way but I only have to make 2 trips per week. Not bad.

The drawback is a five mile stretch of highway, 55mph, no shoulder, early morning (dark), and foggy in the winter. It doesn't get that cold here. The poor visibility in the early morning and then the fog make me apprehensive.

When the fog is really bad, I can see the distance between two telephone poles, sometimes a little further.

My question is will the other driver see me in these conditions, provided I have adequate lighting. As most readers here already know when the weather gets bad and visibility drops, most people drive faster and many aren't even paying attention.

I'd love to hear suggestions, thoughts, or comments.

Much appreciated,

KS

"My commute would be 42 miles one way but I only have to make 2 trips per week. Not bad."

You're a bigger man than I. 42 miles ain't nothin to scoff at, that round-trip mileage is more than most tourers do in a day. Doff of the hat to you if you're up for that distance.

That being said, the no-shoulder highway would give me concern. Any way around it? (as if you really need to add to the distance) Don't compromise your safety. Its very hard to say to give an opinion without seeing the stretch of road.

If it's only twice a week, can you make it, say . . . zero times a week? Or move?

What if you drove half way and then commuted the rest. Would you avoid the highway? It is better to drive halfway than to drive the entire distance.

Good idea, GeezerGeek.

What if you drove half way and then commuted the rest. Would you avoid the highway? It is better to drive halfway than to drive the entire distance.
That's what I was going to suggest. Is it possible to do this, ksheuk?

CHEERS.

Mark

Yea, driving half-way is the next best thing.

Why not look for housing within 5 miles of where you work. I'm sure you can find something within that distance if you look really hard. The upfront cost of moving would be offset within a year of selling your car. Think about it.

My commute would be 42 miles one way but . . . KS

I stopped reading there. Gaaaaaaa! 84 miles per day would be pretty killer. What is that? At least 4 hours of riding, assuming you can maintain 20mph!!!

84 mile r/t would almost certainly get you crowned the bikeforums uber-commuter! You would become a legend at work.

Maybe you could do this later in the year when the days are longer. Perhaps that 5 mile stretch will be in daylight then and won't be so bad. Or maybe there's a way around it? Remember, you're just as fast on residential streets as on a super highway.