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Skybrook to Uptown Charlotte

Routes
Good afternoon everyone!!!! One of my fellow Toastmasters gave a speech on commuting to work via bicycle and he supplied us with this web site.

Commuting by bike is certainly going to be in my plans...though probably in the Spring when it stays light longer. At that time I will be residing at Skybrook near the Huntersville, Cabarus County line. What would be a good bike route for me to take?

Thanks,
Tony

skybrook to downtown

Hi Tony - I live close to that area & would also love to know of a safe route - please let me know what you find out.

Thanks,

Ann

thanks

Thanks for your comments.....the only reason why I want to wait until spring is because it will be nearly a 20 mile commute. I do not want to commute in the dark when we lose an hour of day light in the near future. I also do not have a bike yet....I want to wait until I close on my new house (FEB), buy the blinds, furniture, etc, then get the bike. I used to ride a lot, but that was many years ago...back then 20 miles would be nothing and it was in Vermont, so riding at night was not an issue since I would maybe see a dozen cars on a busy evening :o)

Commuting Season

I'm glad you're planning to start bike-commuting. I live in Raleigh, so I can't help you with the route except to say that once your bike handling skills are sufficient, it's often a matter of using the same route you would by car. The "busy" roads often have the most generous lane width, allowing cars and bikes to easily share the space -- on a 14' wide lane, cars pass cyclists easily within the lane with no interference. On the smaller roads, the lanes are often so narrow that cars can't easily pass a cyclists and poor surface conditions and on-street parking force cyclists to ride farther to the left.

Don't put it off too long though. The exercise naturally keeps you warm, so even when it's too cold for walking, it's still pleasant for biking -- even in the middle of winter, a good wool jersy, long tights, a balaclava, full finger mittens and a light wind-jacket will get you through comfortably on even the coldest days in this part of the country.

Fall riding is great too. Summer heat can be intense, moreso on the evening return home. The biggest problem in the Spring is the pollen.

It seems to me too many people wait until too late in the year and miss out on the great cooler weather riding.

-Adrian Hands
Raleigh NC USA
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