pnelson
New Member
I've been in on many discussions with riders planning cross-country trips who say they want to avoid travel on Interstate freeways. All the studies show though that travel on divided highways is safer than on undivided roads. Here's just one article that talks about it:
http://www.npr.org/2009/11/29/120716625/the-deadliest-roads-are-rural
I've spent my fair share of miles on both. When they're empty, rural roads are often more scenic, go through interesting little towns (full of left-turing cars) and are generally more fun to ride on, even if there are no fences on the sides to deter deer and livestock from entering the roadway. Not to mention the gravel left behind by the local water company digging up a sewer line on that blind corner. When rural roads are backed up with traffic, the crazy cagers will try to pass at every chance, even when it's not safe. How many times have you started flashing your high beams at the car headed straight towards you in your lane bent on passing as many cars as possible in the short stretch of road you happen to be riding on?
Interstate travel has its advantages. There are rest areas. There are more gas stations. The legal speed limits are faster. The road surface is more likely to be maintained. You can always find a McDonalds. (Though some of my best meals have been at hole-in-the-wall cafes in the middle of nowhere on rural roads. I've learned to stop anywhere there are lots of pickup trucks in the morning.)
I confess that one of my favorite rides is down 395 on the east side of California. I especially like Hwy 139 out of Susanville, CA. These roads are often empty but I don't think I'd use them late at night when the drunks are out.
I'm interested in your thoughts as I think about routes from Oregon to Arkansas for a potential trip to the 2014 Tenere Rally. What do you guys think? (And should this topic be in the debate room?) <grin>
http://www.npr.org/2009/11/29/120716625/the-deadliest-roads-are-rural
I've spent my fair share of miles on both. When they're empty, rural roads are often more scenic, go through interesting little towns (full of left-turing cars) and are generally more fun to ride on, even if there are no fences on the sides to deter deer and livestock from entering the roadway. Not to mention the gravel left behind by the local water company digging up a sewer line on that blind corner. When rural roads are backed up with traffic, the crazy cagers will try to pass at every chance, even when it's not safe. How many times have you started flashing your high beams at the car headed straight towards you in your lane bent on passing as many cars as possible in the short stretch of road you happen to be riding on?
Interstate travel has its advantages. There are rest areas. There are more gas stations. The legal speed limits are faster. The road surface is more likely to be maintained. You can always find a McDonalds. (Though some of my best meals have been at hole-in-the-wall cafes in the middle of nowhere on rural roads. I've learned to stop anywhere there are lots of pickup trucks in the morning.)
I confess that one of my favorite rides is down 395 on the east side of California. I especially like Hwy 139 out of Susanville, CA. These roads are often empty but I don't think I'd use them late at night when the drunks are out.
I'm interested in your thoughts as I think about routes from Oregon to Arkansas for a potential trip to the 2014 Tenere Rally. What do you guys think? (And should this topic be in the debate room?) <grin>
