Still a Poseur, but Improving

I hate to admit it, but sometimes I'm a sidewalk rider.

I know, I know. It's supposedly more dangerous riding on sidewalks than with traffic, but this particular stretch of my commute gives me the heebie-jeebies:


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It doesn't look menacing in the photo, but by the time I hit this bridge coming home it's dominated by angry trolls driving big vehicles. Here's the good news. In the early morning this overpass is empty and today I made my first venture onto this multi-lane behemoth. Results: I shaved 10 minutes off my commute, increased my avg speed to 13 mph, I felt safer than I usually do on the sidewalk, and I felt legit.

I've read the articles and I know traffic coming from behind isn't nearly as deadly as traffic turning into you from the sides. And I'm always coming across horrific sidewalk injury stories like this one.

I do come across—and take advantage of—a wide multi-use trail on my commute, but even that poses some challenges. Mainly dog walkers using super-long leashes, groups walking shoulder-to-shoulder, and there was a deer I nearly smacked into.

I guess it's just a matter of knowing and addressing the risks.