arterture

Do you guys prefer to ride on trails, the road, or even a little of both? I'm not really talking about group rides of course, since you can't get too many people riding together on a trail.

I feel there are advantages and disadvantages to both, but I prefer the trails in my area. I usually go to the same trail and will usually ride it back to back a few times. If I'm there at the right time I can usually avoid walkers, people with dogs, and or babies, and rollerbladers. All of which tend to interrupt your momentum. My favorite trail is well kept as well, so the pavement is always smooth.

I don't really like riding on the roads near me because they are usually really torn up from the winter, and there is no shoulder on my street and most people do 55-60 mph in a 40. And since my favorite trail is only a 5 minute drive I usually elect to take that instead.

So what do you prefer?

JMT114

I like bike paths if they aren't overrun with walkers dogs, geese and goose **** (The last two might just be a local problem). And I am always afraid I am going to hit a kid who manages to get away from his parents.

I also like roads that aren't filled with cars, potholes, glass, sand, or gravel.

Since neither of the above exist, I guess I will take a little of both.

Bontrager

I prefer roads but I hate multiple near-death experiences. Drivers around here are idiots. I can ride to the trails without really getting on the roads.

Machka 

Most definitely ... road.

Besides the fact that I strongly dislike trails, there aren't any trails once you get out of the city ... and that's where I like to ride. On the road, in the country.

tekhna

F*ck bike paths. MUPs suck.

CastIron

Roads. They actually go somewhere.

arterture

Funny you mention geese, since that is a downside for trails in my area. I've actually ran one over once. I figured it would get out of the way in time but instead it turned around and went back. I couldn't stop fast enough. so after I looked down and saw a goose go underneath me, I looked back and saw it get up and waddle away. It's actually kind of a shame I didn't kill because there are way too many in the area ever since they became protected.

Machka 

Exactly!! My city has 50 kms of MUPs that meander up and down and back and forth ... and go nowhere. I rode most of them one day back in 2005 to see what the hype was all about. And I've never ridden them since. If I'm going to ride 50+ kms, I'll head out to the next town and back.

crtreedude 

You need to learn to bunny hop - it works well with chickens I can tell you, and getting chicken feathers out of your spokes is a drag.

Cdy291

I am fortunate enough to have a really big bike trail less than a mile from my house. Its called then silver comet trail and its a rails to trails project. I first road on it in 1999 when I was 10 years old and every since cycle has been an important part of my life. The Georgia section is about 66 miles long and then it goes into Alabama for like 40 miles or so for a total of almost 110 miles. They have been working on it for 10 years and its still not completely finish. But I use it to get me places where I don't want to take the road. I actually dislike riding on it much though and about 95% of my riding is on the road.

arterture

I better get a pair of open pros before I try doing bunny hops...

johnny99

I used to mountain bike a lot. I gave up on it since the nearest good trails are an hour away by car (2 hour round trip). I'd rather spend that 2 hours on my bike. There are decent roads right out side my front door.

Machka 

If your trail is that close, why not cycle to the trail instead of driving? If you added up the time it took to load the bicycle into and out of your vehicle, plus the drive, it would probably work out to about the same as cycling there.

arterture

I've actually thought about planning a route to that trail from my house, which I will probably do soon now that the weather is getting nicer. It just sucks that the roads (especially mine) are so torn up from the winter. Hopefully they will repave parts of my road this year because its becoming unbearable even for driving.

daddystheman

Gotsta ride the roads. To me, riding the trails/MUPs is kinda like having a computer with no Internet access. It's much safer but how are you ever going to get to the good p0rn? Wait, I mean, um... it's much safer but you'll never expand your horizons. Crap... bad analogy.

azvelosport

Gotta ride the roads, the cars just make it more interesting. Plus I have the ability to purchase drinks and whatnot at will if I should run low...No circle k on the local bike path around here.

jimbud

Maybe yours do. I have 250 miles of paved trails 100 feet out my back door. And yes, Normally they're empty.

LanceFanBoy

^^^^ Lucky

I'll take my chances with the cars in the suburbs before I hit any of the paths in Western NY

Psimet2001 

Roads, but I commute on a MUP. 50 miles round trip.

I have had more close calls and one accident on the MUP in the last year than I ever had in the previous 20 of riding, but it is what it is.

It's either that or ride down some of the busiest roads in the Chicago burbs.

jimbud

Hopefully your not on the Tri-State or Eisenhower.

Psimet2001 

Basicly.

Randall Rd. 25 miles of SUV laden suburban shopping hell.

arterture

Where are you located by the way? I actually really like the amherst trail that takes you past UB. It's very scenic, somewhat technical, and well kept.

jimbud

You must be North of Sleepy Hollow. Next time on 90 I'll wave.

ericcox

I also commute on a MUP (22 mile roundtrip), but prefer road riding when not commuting, though commuting makes up the lion's share of my riding these days.

Ritterview

It all depends on how wide and crowded is the trail. This trail is on my commute, and I prefer it to the road mainly.