Originally Posted by
crazybikerchick
I sorta deduce traffic volumes from the size of the dots that the road connects on the map. The road only goes through tiny villages? Excellent. Probably quiet. The road connects cities, and it doesn't look like there would be a more major route to take if you were driving? Avoid. (if there's a better choice)
Some places you want to go there is really only one road so you have to suck it up and ride the conditions. If a road sucks and there is a reasonable density of road grid around, I'd get off at the next paved road and go over the next road parallel to it.
Lucky Machka..I think most of the time she has called home Canada and Australia... My impression you have lower traffic volume and wide shoulders on roads such as the Trans Canada Highway.. Plus, Canadians are respectful people, so I've sensed.. Try high traffic volume roads with congestion and narrow lanes... In cities such as Cleveland, Detroit, or Cincinnati, there people are in a hurry and hostile towards slow moving vehicles such as bikes... Crazy biker.. Your plan sounds like a good one.. Sort of what I do.. Don't forget to check with highway authorities in your county.. Often they have maps offering suggested bike routes...