Lots of sound advice here.When I cycle to work I never take the direct route there while the road is lightly travelled it has a blind bend that drivers take too fast. I would never be completely through the blind spot so I go the long way.As some posters cited here look for cycling friendly routes. If I am going to cycle somewhere unfamiliar I will google it and check for the less traveled roads, to the point of checking the street view. I live on Long Island besides heavy traffic there are people who seem to drive with their heads up their you know what.