Re: Urban Crossings

hi Jon!

     i wouldn't be likely to go out of my wayin advanceto avoid a route 
while i'm touring; though i wouldn't hesitate to find a map and look for 
alternates if i get to someplace and it turns out to be uglier than i 
wanted to deal with.
     i'm sure i have a higher tolerance to traffic than some people and 
less than others, but i've had enough issues with bad advance 
information and changed route conditions that i don't necessarily rely 
heavily on what i get in advance and just expect to do some 'winging it' 
along the way. that's part of the Adventure!    ;-)


cheers!
e


On 11/Feb/11 05:05, Jon Meinecke wrote:
> As a counterpoint to the bike paths/lanes/tracks are safer-
> or-not threads, perhaps there is some interesting and useful
> group experience with "urban crossings".
>
> How do people deal with crossing through medium to to
> large to very large urban areas on long distance tours?
>
> Avoid them?
> Skirt them?
> Just follow the main route?
> Avoid the main route?
> Call a cab?
>
> I read a trip journal of a cross-country cyclist who rode
> through my not large, but not small city.  He commented
> on the traffic patterns and the comfort-level of the route
> he took in not entirely complementary terms.
>
> His route was basically the main drag and most direct
> route through town.  Though not unsafe,  it was not a
> route that many local cyclists would recommend.  And
> alternatives, not as direct, but lower traffic could be
> been derived from simple city street maps.  Even better,
> more scenic and bike friendly routes could have been
> used, but only with local cyclist input...
>
> Even smaller cities can pose similar obstacles to
> crossing.  The main drag coming into Lawton, OK
> from the east loses it's shoulder and gains curbs and
> heavy city traffic.  I rode well 'out of my way' just to
> get off that street as soon as I could.
>
> Major cities can pose even larger challenges.
>
> What is other people's experience?  Do you plan
> urban routes, or just wing it?
>
> Jon
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