I do almost all my errands on my motorized bike, rarely taking a car. Today I did a 30-mile round trip to a doctor's office, riding through Farifax County, Arlington, and Alexandria, VA.
It was a challange planning the route. The street naming system for back roads is bizarre. If you go straight, the road will probably change names several times. One street name will be used for several disconnected streets. Sometimes I had to jog 2 blocks to the left or right to find the continuation of the street with the same name. Of course, I got lost a few times, but eventually was able to get back on track.
A few sections of road had 6 lanes and lots of traffic, but they were really no trouble because I can pretty much go fast enough to work my way into the traffic, like when switching lanes to amke left turns. But a rear-view mirror is essential so you know what's behind you.
I used 2 short sections of bike trails to connect parts of my route and i alsmost always cut off the motor on trails. The first trail was down hill so that was easy. The second one a steep uphill - I figured sc**w it and used the motor. That was nice!
I rode 30-32 mph whenever I has a flat straightaway. Average speed was 22 mph (lots of stop signs and traffic lights). Max (downhill) was 37 mph. The route was hilly. I did 2400 feet of climbing. On a pedal bike that would be hard, but it was nothing on my motorized bike. The temperature was 97 when I got home, but it didn't feel too had because the bike makes its own breeze.
It was a challange planning the route. The street naming system for back roads is bizarre. If you go straight, the road will probably change names several times. One street name will be used for several disconnected streets. Sometimes I had to jog 2 blocks to the left or right to find the continuation of the street with the same name. Of course, I got lost a few times, but eventually was able to get back on track.
A few sections of road had 6 lanes and lots of traffic, but they were really no trouble because I can pretty much go fast enough to work my way into the traffic, like when switching lanes to amke left turns. But a rear-view mirror is essential so you know what's behind you.
I used 2 short sections of bike trails to connect parts of my route and i alsmost always cut off the motor on trails. The first trail was down hill so that was easy. The second one a steep uphill - I figured sc**w it and used the motor. That was nice!
I rode 30-32 mph whenever I has a flat straightaway. Average speed was 22 mph (lots of stop signs and traffic lights). Max (downhill) was 37 mph. The route was hilly. I did 2400 feet of climbing. On a pedal bike that would be hard, but it was nothing on my motorized bike. The temperature was 97 when I got home, but it didn't feel too had because the bike makes its own breeze.
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