First time highway riding...

[sveesix]

And bugs. Keep mouth closed.

Especially on 95N after Georgetown. Yuck.

[Rusty the Scoob]

Route 2 is a much better choice than 495 IMHO... 495 screams along at 80+ mph, and with lots of turns. Route 2 is straighter, wider, slower, and has some stoplights where you can rest if needed.

[nhbubba]

Honestly the first time I've ever heard someone describe 495 as having "lots of turns".

[scubasteveRR]

And the first time someone ever described a 2 lane highway as being wider than a 3 lane highway?


EDIT... and "lots of turns"? i know if you look at a map 495 is curved and RT 2 looks straight but you don't notice this curve when driving on 495 and also RT 2 is the highway that turns the most IMO... for example. the 90 degree turn where it means RT-190. the 90 degree turn at the motel with the light right after it. the 360 degree turn at the rotory near the prison and the 90 degree turn in Concord near the gas station and Volvo dealership are...

[LaRNZ]

route 2 has some sketchy parts with the jersey barriers being close - it feels alot tighter to me. - 495 is the way to go. granted its one big half circle, its still pretty tame - ppl go 80+ because of that

[Stromper]

bot

I always accelerate when changing lanes.

So in the flow of traffic you are pulling into the spot that is in front of you in clear view. It prevents changing into the blind spot etc.

Of course look first but I feel it is safer to move forward then left and right.

Actually on an expressway if possible I like to ride 5 to 10 faster then the traffic hopefully so I don't get run down by the

sexting, eating, make up, reading commuter

[jwm2k3]

Ya, all this bad stuff...highways and such...best to stay home. Its safer.

[fineout]

Since Im also just learning maybe i can give you some tips i used to get used to driving the highway. you might also want to try wearing earplugs as well, theyve helped me a lot. the noise can be really fatiguing and helps me focus more on the riding thing since its not so loud in my helmet as im going along.

I live right near 295 so there are a lot of exits close together and they have back roads connecting them so i just went and would go one exit down from where i am and then take the back roads home then the next time go two then three and by the time i was comfortable with that i started riding the 30 miles to work pretty much all highway. 295-95-4

[Rusty the Scoob]

And the first time someone ever described a 2 lane highway as being wider than a 3 lane highway?


EDIT... and "lots of turns"? i know if you look at a map 495 is curved and RT 2 looks straight but you don't notice this curve when driving on 495 and also RT 2 is the highway that turns the most IMO... for example. the 90 degree turn where it means RT-190. the 90 degree turn at the motel with the light right after it. the 360 degree turn at the rotory near the prison and the 90 degree turn in Concord near the gas station and Volvo dealership are...

That's all true - but Route 2's turns are more like city street turns, and 495's turns are more like a NASCAR oval where you're 3 wide, going full speed.

It's all a matter of opinion but as a highway newbie I was WAY more comfortable on Route 2. Then again I had plenty of urban experience so that probably made a difference.

[nhbubba]

I believe it is. I am from a rural area and HATE riding (or even caging!) in an urban area. Rt2, with the random at-grade side road access, scares me more.

That said, both highways blow at rush hour, no matter how you slice it.