Would you feel safer if you took a cellphone on those out-of-the-way rides? Could you get a good signal? I feel that riding on a Veloway could be really boring. Or if you don't start til noon, drive somewhere -- preferably in the opposite direction to where you work -- ride, and then drive home to shower and change. You would probably feel better, and if you ride really early it won't be so hot and humid.
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Zero gallons to the mile