Construsucktion

Construction's got me down. Last month they were working on another stretch of the road I usually commute on & it didn't hinder my cycling. This time around there's no place for me to duck into if traffic gets behind me. 3/5's of the road is completely chewed up and the other 2/5ths are traffic lanes for about a mile just before work. There's no place for me to go except the traffic lane & I'm just not going to risk my neck and hold people up. And I'm sorry, but the recumbent is not built for sidewalks. So, commute modification.

This morning I biked in from on of my company's plants that's about 6 miles from the office where I work. Once I got in today I worked out the mileage. Normally, with the truck on the expressway It's about 20 miles to work (one way.) The direct route on the bike is usually 17 miles. This combination route was 14 miles by truck and 6 by bike (mostly on a rail trail.) I have another spot where I could park that I think is about 11 miles by truck / 6 by bike, but it involves parking at a public school - not a work lot and no rail trail, all residential sidewalk. 6 of one half dozen of the other I guess. It is a bummer that I'm not getting the mileage I want on the Cruiser right now.

Speaking of the Cruiser I'm thinking about modifications. I think I want to go faster. However, faster means bumpier. So fast or comfortable commute? I'm thinking about a tire upgrade to 100 psi tires (current ones are 40.) Tires are really my only suspension other than the frame itself, so I'm not sure. The other mod I'm thinking of is a big wheel in the back. Utah trikes has a kit that lets you tack a 26" wheel on the back in place of the stock 20". I've been wanting more top end gear & the larger wheel gives you a bump.