A3 Cyclist

[Sittingduck]

People's perception of the dangers of cycling are much exaggerated.

I never said cycling was dangerous but I know that stretch of road very well.

 

[XmisterIS]

[QUOTE 1540064"]
For me, it's not just the speed of the cars there. It's the concrete, inhumane, metal bleakness of it. It sinks the soul. I've done a bit of the A13 with no hard-shoulder, the bit before Barking heading west, and that was exposed enough. Thing about the A12 is that at least it has a hard shoulder![/quote]

You have hit the shiny metal fixing implement on the head!

The most glorious cycling, IMHO, is to be had as far out into the wilderness as it is possible to get! I love the fact that when you stop and listen ... all you hear is the wind and the tweeting of the little birds, the singing of the medium-sized birds and the honking of the big birds, the rustling of the small mammals, the skittering of the medium sized mammals, the pounding of the big mammals and the eerie call of the Whale. Or the snark. I forget which.

 

[oldfatfool]

Or the snark. I forget which.

I think it's actually the Honey badger

 

[Norm]

And the A3 is what you use to get to that idyllic cycling nirvana (a.k.a. Surrey) if you live in Kingston, Tolworth, Surbiton...

 

[dellzeqq]

[QUOTE 1540064"]
For me, it's not just the speed of the cars there. It's the concrete, inhumane, metal bleakness of it. It sinks the soul. I've done a bit of the A13 with no hard-shoulder, the bit before Barking heading west, and that was exposed enough. Thing about the A12 is that at least it has a hard shoulder!

[/quote]I think that's the attraction. I love the noise going through the underpasses - it's almost a scream. It's elemental. It shears through the soft underbelly of southwest London like a septic razorblade through flesh. It says 'forget the rest, just ride the bike'.  Hot damn. I'm going back for more!

 

[marzjennings]

I think that's the attraction. I love the noise going through the underpasses - it's almost a scream. It's elemental. It shears through the soft underbelly of southwest London like a septic razorblade through flesh. It says 'forget the rest, just ride the bike'.  Hot damn. I'm going back for more!

+1

To cut through fast moving traffic, drafting, dodging and sprinting is a complete rush.

 

[PBancroft]

Came back from Chichester yesterday on the A27 - think cars were more courteous on that road than usual tbh.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

You have hit the shiny metal fixing implement on the head!

The most glorious cycling, IMHO, is to be had as far out into the wilderness as it is possible to get! I love the fact that when you stop and listen ... all you hear is the wind and the tweeting of the little birds, the singing of the medium-sized birds and the honking of the big birds, the rustling of the small mammals, the skittering of the medium sized mammals, the pounding of the big mammals and the eerie call of the Whale. Or the snark. I forget which.

wilderness? on a road bike? on a road? where?

Seriously though I get what you're saying but the cut and thrust of urban cycling is glorious too, as is the elemental thrill of xc mtb.

Let's face it cycling anywhere is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

 

[byegad]

Not my idea of fun all that noise and exhaust fumes. I'd feel very exposed, even on an upright bike on some A roads. I do ride some, the A167 and A689 are almost always part of my local rides, but as short a stretch as possible before I dive into quiet lanes with bird song and silences. BLISS!

 

[Red Light]

Let's face it cycling anywhere is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

Or off !

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Or off !

Les Gets World Cup Downhill Course, at night, drunk, naked apart from SPD shoes and a helmet and gloves. Oh yes!

 

[Black Sheep]

I've done the A45 from Coventry to Rugby
Also the A61 from Barnsley to Wakefield

the A45 was only done once, the wife wasn't happy (she was only the gf back then but still)

 

[martint235]

Come on User. MTFU and get your fixie onto that road!!!

 

[EltonFrog]

I cycled up the A3 from the Cobham roundabout to the Wandsworth one way system, not long after the A3 was finished, I was 15, I did it on my Dawes Kingpin, and it seemed to take forfeckinever.

 

[Smurfy]

I love A-roads.
A23, A38, A61, A272