Originally Posted by supcom
2. An out and back ride is no easier or harder than a loop. Many people, myself included, enjoy loop rides more than out and back routes. A better strategy is to map out a route that avoids difficult hills, passes evenly spaced convenience stores, avoids heavy traffic, has interesting scenery, etc.
Most people like to have a target. Going 'somewhere' and back is a good way to do a ride, otherwise you might as well ride round your block 1500 times. I've found that a loop route usually gives too many opportunities to shortcut when you are going through a bad patch...