Although I have never used that strategy, I don't see anything wrong with it provided that the merge back into traffic is done safely and appropriately.

I have considered a similar approach where I am required to merge across several lanes of traffic to make a left hand turn at a signalized intersection. I haven't done it yet but I don't think I would lose much time (seconds only, if anything) and it seems safer than merging with moderate to heavy traffic moving at good speed when everybody is impatient to get home. The only thing that stops me is my misguided perception that a "real" cyclist wouldn't need to

Jalopy