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Looking for Roads With Shoulders

Old 10-29-09, 02:12 PM
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Looking for Roads With Shoulders

I am planning a trip from Austin, TX to Little Rock, AR.

What is the best way to determine which possible roads in my route would have/not have shoulders?
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Old 10-29-09, 02:42 PM
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If possible, zoom in on the areas you intend to ride with Google Maps satelite photos, and in some cases, you might even be able to see Street View in towns.
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Old 10-29-09, 03:53 PM
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I'm pretty sure all US highways have shoulders, and in Texas, I most state highways have either shoulders or long sections of 4 lane for passing. Not so in Arkansas.

All the riding I've done in Arkansas has been good, even when no significant shoulder. NO CHIP SEAL. US 67 from Texarkana to Little Rock is great. As it parallels I30, traffic is very light and services frequent. Good shoulder all the way. Ride journal here.
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Old 10-30-09, 09:20 AM
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Thanks to both of you!
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Old 10-30-09, 09:53 AM
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Consider shoulder quality and traffic volume as well. A road with a shoulder that is covered by a rumble strip, badly potholed, or badly strew with glass or other sharp objects is worse than one with no shoulder since it is unpleasant or maybe impossible to ride on and drivers will be ticked if you don't.
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Old 10-30-09, 10:03 AM
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Yep, zoom in. However, shoulders are not always the answer to a better safer ride. Some roads have no shoulders but WAY less traffic and cars will simply go around you. Many of the shoulders along main roads are so filled up with crap that people throw out their window the shoulder can be less safe than the road.

But for identifying good shoulders, roads, the Google satelite view or even street view can be quite useful. Enjoy the ride.
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Old 10-30-09, 10:07 AM
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A hint on street view... If the road you want to see isn't covered by street view some times you can get a pretty good look by looking at it from the street view of a road that crosses it.
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