Originally posted by Rich Clark
Cagers are scared of getting lost and hate to go slow (that's why they spend so much time sitting in traffic jams on main arteries
), but exploration is soul food for any cyclist.
I'm not saying it's always true, but some time with a detailed street map and a few days of poking around can frequently reveal excellent commuting routes that mostly avoid busy highways.
RichC
Yes, I agree with this. Drivers crowd around certain well-known
routes because they are just passing through.
A fellow commuter from another part of town was talking with me about his route, and when I mentioned a familiar street name, he said, "You seem to know your way around." Well, that's the benefit of scouting out the backroads with a map!
(My motto is, "Why breathe more exhaust?")