why the dislike for out and back rides?

[Llewellyn]

I don't do them simply because I never think about it but if it means that someone is out riding their bike....who cares what route they're doing.

[cabriggs]

I think for me it depends on whether I have a specific purpose or destination for the ride. If I have one of those, an out and back is fine. If I'm riding just to ride, then I prefer a loop.

[dem]

Many routes are just much nicer one direction, at least where I live. Like going up a 45 minute climb at 7 AM is nice.. descending it with a zillion cars later is pretty awful, so I'd descend a less popular route in another direction.

I also tend to do mixed dirt/pavement rides, so I prefer dirt up and pavement down which also means loops.

I imagine if I lived in Kansas (sorry Kansas!) it wouldn't matter, because one way is the same as another.

So put me firmly in the "out and back is to be avoided" camp.

[sokyroadie]

I live on a lake, if I turn right out of the subdivision I am literally in the lake in 1 mile (road ends in a boat ramp) if I turn left in 2 miles it dead ends into a state highway, can't turn left because it dead ends in 4 miles into a major state highway. I am forced to turn right which offers lots of routes but I am forced to ride the same route out and back for a significant part of the ride.

[bicycletricycle]

A lot of comments about the scenery. I like scenery.

Maybe all the commuting has done something to me.

I love being on the bike, I like to explore and see new things but am not sure I enjoy it that much more than just riding to the market or home depot.

out and back vs. loop, all the same to me.

Oh well, no big deal

[72gmc]

I'm doing a lot of lollipop routes (out-short loop-back). I find this helps me manage my time better--not able to get very far from a to-do list these days.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Ozz

One of the most fun and scenic rides I've done is an out an back: Tour de Blast

I agree-a great ride.

[bironi]

Originally Posted by bicycletricycle

Seems like a lot of people don't like out and backs. I don't understand, can anyone explain?

My mother always told me hate was not the word to use, but dislike was appropriate.

I have disliked out and backs for most of my riding years.
Now, whatever if the road is quiet and scenic.

[bikinchris]

I kinda like an out and back ride here I ride out into a head wind and come home with a tail wind.

[mhespenheide]

I like loops, but if you have to ride a section of boring or traffic-filled road in order to make a loop, I'm down with out-and-back. Of whatever kind, even if it's the "telephone poles", or a random spur off of a loop. If it's a good road and good riding, I'll enjoy riding it twice.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by bicycletricycle

A lot of comments about the scenery. I like scenery.

Maybe all the commuting has done something to me.

I love being on the bike, I like to explore and see new things but am not sure I enjoy it that much more than just riding to the market or home depot.

out and back vs. loop, all the same to me.

Oh well, no big deal

For what it's worth I agree with you.

[Vertical]

Really though, it's all about point to point.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

I always see my LA friends rides and always shed a tear... ride ride ride, tiny loop then back the same way

Paulo, your LA friends need some education!

And I'll take an out-and-back with climbing over a flat loop every time. It takes some truly exceptional scenery to make a flat ride enjoyable for me.

[merlinmurph]

Hiking, biking, always look for a route with a loop. Always.

[cuda]

i really just dont like how it looks on my Strava activities page.

Seriously though, I find that loops tend to force more of a commitment on me. Out and back if I'm not feeling it or more often the case if the weather turns crappy I can just 180°