Keep Turning Left

[JennyB]

Quite often, I go for a ride with no particular destination in mind. Yesterday I tried a new variation:

• At every branch in the road, take the leftmost road that you haven't already followed
• If you've already followed them all, turn right.
• Unless you know that will bring you back to the same point on roads you have already travelled, in which case turn left.
  

I managed 28 miles before having to invoke rule 3, and was never more than about four miles from home! 

This looks like a good way to explore a new area without a map; you do end up riding almost every possible route with minimum backtracking and repetition,  and you always have a short, known route back to your start point. It's hard to work out in advance, though, what road you will take - even a few yards difference in your start may alter your route entirely.

The next time I do this, I'll bring a camera.

[Wowbagger]

This would not work well for us. Our movements are severely restricted by estuaries and occupied territories.

[Kim]

This sort of thing leads to graph algorithms (Euler Tours, anyone?).  Graph algorithms lead to GPS data.  GPS data leads to insanity.

[Wowbagger]

This sort of thing leads to graph algorithms (Euler Tours, anyone?).  Graph algorithms lead to GPS data.  GPS data leads to insanity.

Sometimes it leads to a campsite.

[Kim]

This sort of thing leads to graph algorithms (Euler Tours, anyone?).  Graph algorithms lead to GPS data.  GPS data leads to insanity.

Sometimes it leads to a campsite.

Via a number of pubs and tearooms, by the flattest possible path without visiting any pub more than once, yes.

[Fab Foodie]

This sort of thing leads to graph algorithms (Euler Tours, anyone?).  Graph algorithms lead to GPS data.  GPS data leads to insanity.

Kim, I've no idea what you're talking about but I'll defend your right to say it ....