A new bike lane prompted me to try a new route home last night. It was 11.5 miles versus my usual 9 miles. But I arrived home at the same time as usual. This was due to:

-Fewer and more favorably timed traffic lights.

-Fewer cross steets.

-A flatter, street with a gradual elevation change.

-Using a Mixed Use Path along a flat, old railroad bed.

The flatness is a big deal, here in hilly Colorado Springs.

There was more traffic on the "new street" than on my usual routes, but because the bike lane is a full traffic lane wide, that was not an issue. And then on the MUP, there was no traffic, and the paved trail had been redone over the last two years so it is smoother and wider than before.

On the way in to work in the morning I tried a short, downtown section of the new street, but because my ride is generally downhill in the morning, I didn't realize the "flatness" of the street.

The scenery is about average for my commutes.

I can't wait to try it in the rain and snow!