Traffic Vs Bad Road

[rc86]

Looking for some advice on which path to take, generally speaking, I have two main road ways to get from my house to work. Both take about the same amount of time so that's really not an issue either way. But one way is a semi-recently repaved road, so not a whole lot of cracks and pot holes (big problem with those around here) but it's 3 lanes each way of pretty busy traffic usually. The other way is a pretty messed up road, lots of cracks and pot holes to dodge while going slightly faster, but a lot less traffic. So what way do you guys think is best/safest to travel. I'm drawn to the road with less traffic just because less idiots trying to run me over generally speaking, but sometimes dodging the potholes is quite a challenge.

[Milky Joe]

Looking for some advice on which path to take, generally speaking, I have two main road ways to get from my house to work. Both take about the same amount of time so that's really not an issue either way. But one way is a semi-recently repaved road, so not a whole lot of cracks and pot holes (big problem with those around here) but it's 3 lanes each way of pretty busy traffic usually. The other way is a pretty messed up road, lots of cracks and pot holes to dodge while going slightly faster, but a lot less traffic. So what way do you guys think is best/safest to travel. I'm drawn to the road with less traffic just because less idiots trying to run me over generally speaking, but sometimes dodging the potholes is quite a challenge.

If you've got your head about you and there's not a lot of gravel I'd prefer potholes to bad drivers.

[z9nine]

I prefer to ride in traffic, in fact I ride the most during rush hour by choice. Don't know why, though around here the roads are bad and there is a lot of traffic.

[Badlands-4-2]

Personally I hate bad roads. Traffic is an issue, but I would choose it over gravel and potholes.

[SpitefulHam]

Give me traffic over potholes. You can learn where the potholes are, but swerving all over the place to avoid them would get old quick. Granted, my commute is 1.5 hours each way, so that it for what it's worth...

[JBorg]

For me it would depend on the traffic. Lots of side roads and intersections, people making turns, pedestrians, stop lights? I might prefer the bumpy road.
One you get more used to dealing w/ that kind of traffic it becomes easier, though IMO, never easy! I'm often trying to adjust my route to work just to avoid a bad intersection.

[rc86]

Traffic along the road can be hell-ish around rush hour. It runs right in front of the university down here and, well college drivers and old people that need their license taken away. Most of my transit time though is middle of the day and past rush hour so traffic usually isn't too bad. It's 3 lanes wide, so I usually try to stay out of the right lane until I get close to my turn. So far overall the ride has been better taking the traffic road over the potholes. I can spend more time focusing on the cages around me and planning then dodging the potholes.

[z9nine]

If you need practice driving in traffic, take a trip to the mall parking lot this time of year. Just left there, and holy crap people get feral in mall parking lots.

[rc86]

I hate going to the mall period.

[drunk]

you just need to watch out for them darn potholes

[vista101]

Honestly as a beginner i prefer less traffic obstacle are alot of fun lol

[DuckyTopTN]

Honestly as a beginner i prefer less traffic obstacle are alot of fun lol

As an experienced rider I ALWAYS take the opportunity to take the nasty little backroads on my way to my destination. Less cars, re-tests the skills of dodging potholes, downed trees, stray dogs, other critters and sliding through gravel and fine sandy dirt before I get to my serious play spot. Just like warming up before you begin your stick and ball games.

[zmago]

I'll take the potholes. They don't retaliate when I flip them the bird.

[Honda]

I basically just want to keep moving, so traffic or not, I don't like sitting still on a bike.