earthworm94

Problem 1. Most roads here are 2 lanes with no shoulder and speed is usually about 40-50mph. Also, these kind of roads are twisty and with lots of blind hills.

Problem 2. The residential streets are in pockets and kind of in a "stem and leaf" approach so most residential streets are disconnected.

Problem 3. People in this part of the town are not used to cyclists. Although all drivers here are very courteous and gave me lots of room when they pass, but I just never think it's right to get into way of cars which are capable to travel A LOT faster than I do.

I understand it's difficult to answer my questions without specifics. But are anyone commuting in areas/neighbors like that and have any solutions when communte under these circumstance?

Thanks.

mtcougar832

1 - To be honest I avoid twisty roads with under a foot of shoulder. If you have to use them maybe go during an off-hour. One road here like that is near a school so in the grass by the road there is a trail where the kids ride - I just ride on that trail.

2 - I have a short (2 mi) route like this - I think of it as extra exercise / more scenic .

3 - I don't have much advice on this one. It sounds like they are able to pass, and you have a right / need to use the road too. Most people here seem courteous too.

squeakywheel

That's a tough one. Can you do a partial commute? Drive out of the troublesome neighborhood and ride the rest of the way?

How about getting a wheel with a hub motor? It's sort of the modern version of the moped. You could cruise on the unsafe roads faster with the motor, then shut off the motor when you get to areas where you feel safer pedaling at a slower pace.

donnamb 

Earthworm, have you ever taken a LAB Road Cycling class? It sounds like you live in a place where it might be of benefit to you.

JeffS

Are there no larger/wider roads at all? or are you intentionally trying to avoid them?

jimmythefly

2. Dedicate a weekend to exploring. Take a lunch and a map and a cell phone and maybe a compass. Be willing to get lost and ignore "dead end" signs and you might find some gems.

Teenagers, dogwalkers, and kids of all ages often cut little footpaths between neighboorhoods(and schools), behind houses, along ravines, etc. Also along busy roads on the other side of the ditch might be a footpath, look closely at driveway entrances for where the footpath crosses. With the right tires you might have a wonderful mixed-surface commute. Also, (maybe a good map would help) investigate any powerlines in the area, those ones with the huge scaffolding towers. Many have access roads/trails that run underneath them that you might be able to ride.

Not sure how up-to-date google maps' aerial photos are, but they might provide a clue.

3. Of course it's perfectlly legally right to do what you do. More importantly (soapbox alert!!) it's perfectly right for a tax-paying cyclist to use community roads and to be in the way of cars who are capable of paying more road tax/complaining to the government about how roads with substandard shoulders are built and not upgraded. You're not holding up traffic, you ARE traffic.

chephy

So drivers are nice, and you really seem to have only one problem: and that's your own attitude. You're afraid of "being in the way". However, most people probably have to wait for you only for a few seconds, and there is no way to avoid getting in people's way if you're driving ANYTHING in traffic. For example, a left-turning car on such a road would slow everyone behind down for a few seconds. So what? Does that mean you never turn left?

All road users have to make compromises to be on the road. Cars are always restricted in how fast they can drive: by speed limit, by other cars, by lights, by pedestrians. It's not their private race course. You have as much right to be there as they do. Actually, more (driving is a privilege... walking and cycling is a right).