Cyclists....When/Where Do You Ride?

All depends on what type of riding and workout. Most of my workouts during the week are either on my road bike on the trainer (high intensity less than 1.5 hours) or on the cross bike on a limestone trail as I commute to work. Weekend rides can vary from technical single track on the mountain bike to long boring rides on farm roads. If your looking to ride with others, look for a local bicycle club, possibly based out of your LBS (local bike shop). Most have daily or weekly rides for riders of all levels. And if you are looking for fun weekend rides, look to see if any clubs sponsor supported rides often called sag rides. These rides are usually organized by a bike club or shop and for $10-20, you get a planned route (from 15 to 100 miles) with stops along the way to refuel with snacks, homemade bake goods and other goodies. Some even have a nice lunch afterwards. Here in Chicagoland one can find a SAG ride almost every weekend from April to October.

I ride to work, 3.5 miles each way, on my commuting bike, I take my mountain bike out to some killer trails when the weather is right, and sometimes I'll do a distance run on my road bike.

Lights are a good idea, as is reflective material if riding at night.

A helmet is an obvious requirement.

The best thing you can do is ride defensively. Know where the traffic is, know the traffic patters of the street you are on. It's a lot safer to avoid cars than it is to expect them to avoid you. Even though you legally have the right of way, you are going to get the worst of it every time.

Definitely get a helmet.

As for why multiple bikes... it's a matter of efficiency (and to some degree, comfort). I can average about 20mph on a flat route on my roadie, but would never get close to that on a mountain bike. That's not a big deal on a 2 mile ride, but is a HUUUGE deal on a 50 mile ride.

Plus, I'm a big gear hound, so any excuse to buy a new bike is a good excuse in my book. I currently have 5 bikes that get regular use, always looking for another.

Yep. The gears are different, so that's a limiting factor right off the get go. The body position you are in is different (mtn bikes more comfortable, road bikes more efficient) which makes a difference. Even if you went with road slicks on your mtn bike, the narrower road tires are faster. The aerodynamics are totally different, which make a difference in both speed and energy use.

I started road biking on a hardtail. I traded in the knobby tires for road slicks and thought I was in heaven. Then I actually got a road bike and it was night and day. It's a totally different sport.

Feel free to add.

Where in the south do you live? Im in NC just outside of raleigh and there are TONs of trails around to ride.
Live in Atlanta before here and same thing - tons of places.

Google Mountain bike trails and your area - you will be surprise how many are around.

During Daylight Savings Time....do a 1/2 bike commute, the absolute best way to get in miles and not have to set aside extra time(sort of). I have done a full bike commute like on days where I have my car serviced, but its 65 miles round trip and not doable day in and day out. I shoot for 100 min/week. In the PM I may add extra loops or side trips to keep it fresh,

OP: I'm in Arkansas and I feel your pain with not having places to ride like many in the northern states do. If you are riding solely for exercise, it doesn't matter if you just have a mountain bike. I started triathlons last summer but only had a mountain bike. I rode the mountain bike on the roads (and on the paved tri course I was going to be racing in) in training then just borrowed a road bike for the race. If I weren't competing, I never would have spent the money on a road bike. Yes, the road bike is MUCH faster and if you get into group rides, you'll want a road bike so you can keep up with the others. But if you are just riding for exercise, it makes no difference.

I do know that my mountain bike, while much slower, was definitely easier to maintain. The mountain bike tires can ride over the pieces of gravel and other small fragments on the roads without any problem. I went 9 months on the mountain bike without a flat. I got a flat on my 3rd ride on the new road bike because I wasn't used to having to watch out for every little piece of gravel and the tires puncture much easier. The area I live in doesn't have bike paths, like I said earlier, so the only choice is the regular roads--some areas of the country, especially in the northern states, don't have that problem because there are so many running & biking paths that are maintained well.

I also agree--helmet is an absolute must! You can get a good one for $40-$50, make sure the bike shop or a cyclist friend helps fit it for you so it's snug. If you will be alone a lot, I recommend getting a RoadID. Go to www.roadid.com and you can explore what type would be best for you, but many cyclists and runners will have a RoadID wristband with their basic med info so that if you are unable to tell a paramedic your info, they can get it from the RoadID. They're under $20 for most styles.

the helmet is a must. No questions asked.

as for the reflective clothing, you should be able to get reflective bands for your wrists and or ankles at most sporting good stores. target and walmart probably have them to, though maybe only in season.

the road Id is a great suggestion. a good alternative is to print up a small card with your info, emergency contact, etc, laminate it and stash it in your saddle bag.