Originally Posted by
Qwertyportne
My solo and group rides have been loop, point to point and out and back routes. There are probably other types I don't know about, but the most common complain I hear from other riders is that out and back routes are just plain boring. So yesterday I got to the turnaround point of one of my out and back routes and began heading back home. A few miles later I realized it was not boring. The up hills were now down hills, the down hills were now up hills, and my view of the road ahead was not the same. Anyone have a similar (or different) perspective of out and back routes?
I completely agree. The return leg is different in many ways. Of course, it is perhaps not as different as a loop, but different just the same.
I have several out and backs I do regularly. I have several loops I do regularly and change up the direction of the loop.
I honestly don't pay that much attention to the scenery. I keep my attention on the road ahead to avoid hazards. That's not to say I never look around, and I do enjoy the occasional picturesque view. Sometimes just how the sunlight hits an old broken down building. I'm always a bit surprised how different things can look from different directions or in different light.