Well I recently quit my job at NRH2O Water parks (the reaseaon being that I just was miserable there. 1 hour commute (give or take) in the heat, then sitting out side in the heat for 3-11 hours a day (depending on shifts and everything). So I went and applied at a near super target, and after I got home (my girlfriend drove me as she lives near it) I got to thinking "How am I going to ride a bike with 50 MPH traffic and no shoulder?" There are of course ways to avoid it, but it takes me down a two lane road full of construction and the like. Does anyone have any advice for commuting around the high(er) speed traffic? Or should I just go through the construction zoned two lane road and just cross the 'highway' at the light? For those that are from my area, I am refering to "Highway 377/Denton Highway/Fort Worth Road" Depending on what area you are from you may know it as one of those names.
Elvish
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There has to be a longer, albeit safer commute. Take some time on your 'o' day to
discover it. I really don't want to think about you biking on a highway with a bunch
of dstracted drivers.
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Even the most rabid VC advocates agree that there comes a point where traffic is so much faster than you that you can't ride safely in it. OK, maybe not the most rabid, but everyone else. I recall Allen says if you can't go half the speed of traffic you don't belong.
Construction may not be that bad, I ride through it all the time in the city and it's actually good because it slows traffic, and there's often opportunities to go around that are only available to bikes.
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My concern about the construction zone is the two lane road...and has little to no shoulder access on parts granted I can go about half their speed(at least).
Though I was thinking about they 'highway' I could probably just cross it closer to my house and instead of riding on it, riding on the street that ruins parrell(sp) to it about a block down, I'd be in a speed zone that I could manage to almost keep up with (30-35ish...ok say prolly 10-15 slower but still...I like those odds better than 50-55 (30-35 slower)
Elvish
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When traffic is stopped because of construction, it's pretty rightous to ride past a huge line of traffic, roll up to the flagman, then lead the cars thru the construction zone.
As to your new commute to work, is it highway speed roads, or the everpresent suburban four lanes with center turn lane 35 to 45 mph? That type of traffic is definetly ridable, if not slightly nerve wracking. And I agree with marge, there should be a better way, perhaps a bit more roundabout.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by Bekologist
When traffic is stopped because of construction, it's pretty rightous to ride past a huge line of traffic, roll up to the flagman, then lead the cars thru the construction zone.
As to your new commute to work, is it highway speed roads, or the everpresent suburban four lanes with center turn lane 35 to 45 mph? That type of traffic is definetly ridable, if not slightly nerve wracking. And I agree with marge, there should be a better way, perhaps a bit more roundabout.
The road I would be either riding down or riding across (easier due to lights) is a speed limit of 50...with the avg speed of at least 60.
Elvish
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That's too fast fer sure without a shoulder...
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Ride a couple feet from the side and mash like hell. I have about 1/8th of a mile where traffic goes by @~40-60 and there is little to no room. You want to make yourself as visible as possible.
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The road I would be either riding down or riding across (easier due to lights) is a speed limit of 50...with the avg speed of at least 60.
if the big road has sidewalks that are deserted or almost deserted, i'd consider just riding on the sidewalk.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by Marge
There has to be a longer, albeit safer commute. Take some time on your 'o' day to
Originally Posted by Bekologist
When traffic is stopped because of construction, it's pretty rightous to ride past a huge line of traffic, roll up to the flagman, then lead the cars thru the construction zone.