Rode on the freeway today
#1
I've always wanted to do this. My commute route goes over two freeways. One is running south-north and the other goes east-west. I have to do a long detour just to cross the second freeway, thanks in part for the city since they destroyed the pedestrian bridge that allowed for a more direct route. It was raining quite a bit this morning, which caused congestion, accidents, even some deaths.
So after my replacement co-worker arrived (late, because of traffic), I went home in the rain (after a nightshift). As I passed over the southbound freeway I notice the traffic jam, so I thought, why not? Entered the freeway, rode on the wide shoulder I had for myself, riding around 32km/h, passing parked cars, and got out at the next exit, where both freeways connect.
Easiest commute ever. I wish I could ride there everyday. Freeways are so convenient.
So after my replacement co-worker arrived (late, because of traffic), I went home in the rain (after a nightshift). As I passed over the southbound freeway I notice the traffic jam, so I thought, why not? Entered the freeway, rode on the wide shoulder I had for myself, riding around 32km/h, passing parked cars, and got out at the next exit, where both freeways connect.Easiest commute ever. I wish I could ride there everyday. Freeways are so convenient.
#3
HomeBrew Master!

Joined: Jan 2001
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From: West Central Illinois
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Originally Posted by gear
Just imagine riding on the freeway with no cars, OOOHH.
#4
commuter extraordinaire
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: San Antonio, Tx
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Originally Posted by Gus Riley
I think riding on the freeway would be more boring than driving it in a car.
#5
Drive the Bicycle.

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From: Northern California
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Originally Posted by Toasted
Not with as many people as would be riding with you. I think it would be a blast!
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"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
Last edited by 77Univega; 10-09-05 at 03:08 AM.
#6
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Ohio
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I look at them big wide shoulders longingly all the time. Then reality bites as some idiot in a Beamer comes flying up the shoulder to get someplace ten minutes quicker, gets a blow out from all the crap lying on the shoulder, and rams into the rail. I assume the drivers you got up yonder are better than the ones we got down here - at least I really hope they are.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#7
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NYC
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Ooo... freeway..
Come on, be a man, get on the interstate during rush hour with 50-60 km/hr traffic and ride in a lane and draft for your life.
Come on, be a man, get on the interstate during rush hour with 50-60 km/hr traffic and ride in a lane and draft for your life.
#8
done with civilization
Joined: May 2005
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From: roaming the wild lands of the gods
Bikes: Xtracycle connected to a Schwinn Sport Hybrid.
slvoid, LOL
Thats hilarious. I would love to see that. Taking a lane on the freeway. HAHA. Does that even count as vehicular cycling.... or death cycling?
Thats hilarious. I would love to see that. Taking a lane on the freeway. HAHA. Does that even count as vehicular cycling.... or death cycling?
#9
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM

Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NYC
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Originally Posted by CagerTools
slvoid, LOL
Thats hilarious. I would love to see that. Taking a lane on the freeway. HAHA. Does that even count as vehicular cycling.... or death cycling?
Thats hilarious. I would love to see that. Taking a lane on the freeway. HAHA. Does that even count as vehicular cycling.... or death cycling?

https://www.digave.com/videos/monster.mpg
#10
Infamous Member
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Originally Posted by CagerTools
slvoid, LOL
Thats hilarious. I would love to see that. Taking a lane on the freeway. HAHA. Does that even count as vehicular cycling.... or death cycling?
Thats hilarious. I would love to see that. Taking a lane on the freeway. HAHA. Does that even count as vehicular cycling.... or death cycling?
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#11
The most fun was zooming by the cars stuck in "traffic". I called and e-mailed the city many times about the pedestrian bridge because they had fenced it. Now it sucks because the peds bridge is gone, so there's no way to get around those damn freeways (and a bunch of railroad tracks as well). I told the city I'd have no choice to use the freeway. Well, I did and I'll do it again when traffic isn't moving. That part gets jammed everyday but unfortunately, I finish work after rush hour. It wouldn't be very safe with the high speed traffic as there's a 90° turn inside a short tunnel. Not everyone makes the turn... And it's illegal anyway but if traffic isn't moving, perhaps I can talk my way out of a ticket.
#12
SERENITY NOW!!!

Joined: Aug 2005
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From: In the 212
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
I've ridden on the highways here w/ no traffic. It's a blast. The 5 boro bike tour and the MS ride both close down highways around NYC for riders so all you see around you are cyclists taking up all the lanes on the highway. And we still get backed up at the hills.
I dunno about riding the highways when traffic is moving at 75-80 mph though. There are some terrible drivers out there who tend to drift into the breakdown lanes cuz they're not paying attention or they just can't drive.
I dunno about riding the highways when traffic is moving at 75-80 mph though. There are some terrible drivers out there who tend to drift into the breakdown lanes cuz they're not paying attention or they just can't drive.
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