Choosing cycle routes
- Thread starter Pjays666
- Start date
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DooDah
Veteran
- Location
- France, now Northamptonshire
I use garmin connect and/or ridewithgps and a garmin 500. Find it excellent. Generally though I just plot the route and memorise it as I know the area I live in very well.
- Location
- Egham
I tend to join together some of the shorter loops. This often ends in a crossover point but at least you always know how far from home you are! If I'm a bit stuck then I see what others are doing on cycle-route or similar.
OP
OP
Pjays666
Über Member
- Location
- Burnley lancs
We are spoilt really, I haven't done much road cycling, started doing training on canal last year, did Leeds Liverpool in May this year, then decided to do some road cycling as I am doing way of the roses in April.
OP
OP
Pjays666
Über Member
- Location
- Burnley lancs
I ordered this and it arrived today. Went for the active (waterproof) one so time to get studying, will let you know how I get on.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I went out and tried to ride as many of the rural minor roads as I could. I have done most of them now, but every now and then I spot ones that I missed.
Take a look at the tiny road from Fence to Padiham Heights, that's a good one. The roads round Barley and Newchurch-in-Pendle are other favourites of mine.
The Old Roman Road from above Padiham to Read then the golf course above Whalley is my preferred way of getting to Whalley, to avoid that nasty busy A-road. From Whalley, it is easy to get out into Ribble Valley loveliness!
Also recommended - the road from Haggate to Trawden via Coldwell Activity Centre (cafe there), then to Laneshaw Bridge. (Stay on the lanes rather than dropping down onto the main road). Take the long climb up from Laneshaw Bridge towards Haworth. Either continue to Haworth, or turn right after Stanbury and climb up over Penistone Hill, descend to Oxenhope, then turn right and climb up to Cock Hill, and have a great 4.5 mile descent to Hebden Bridge.
- Location
- London
Your knowledge of these roads shames me Colin as many are in my home patch - have doubtless driven some of them but of course you very often don't remember roads you've driven, particularly narrow country roads where you're concentrating on not hitting oncoming stuff.
Agree with you totally about 50,000 and 25,000 maps - I have a large amount of the latter, including some for your neck of the woods, which have lots of empty space as far as on-road riders are concerned.
Went along a road road round Pendle to Blacko recently for the first time in my life. Can recommend the Riising Sun at Blacko - tis truly a beautiful bit of the world.
Agree with you totally about 50,000 and 25,000 maps - I have a large amount of the latter, including some for your neck of the woods, which have lots of empty space as far as on-road riders are concerned.
Went along a road road round Pendle to Blacko recently for the first time in my life. Can recommend the Riising Sun at Blacko - tis truly a beautiful bit of the world.
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
When I was trying to do longer rides I used to give myself a target for the ride. In my case, I like visiting other people's gardens, so when I was aiming to do (say) a 50 mile ride, I'd find one that was around 25 miles away. Cycle there, partake of refreshment (they all lay on tea and cake), view the garden (which gave my legs a rest) and then headed home.
Gardens probably don't float your boat, but you could aim for particular cake shop, or having a pint/half/shandy at a particular pub.
There's the Lancashire cycleway near you as well. I'm aiming to do that with a friend next year - in two two-day trips. Maybe that's a longer term target to aim for? It's signposted, I think, so navigation should be easy.
Gardens probably don't float your boat, but you could aim for particular cake shop, or having a pint/half/shandy at a particular pub.
There's the Lancashire cycleway near you as well. I'm aiming to do that with a friend next year - in two two-day trips. Maybe that's a longer term target to aim for? It's signposted, I think, so navigation should be easy.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I just look at the OS maps and ride everywhere I can that doesn't look built-up and/or busy!
There are still roads in that area that I haven't explored yet. I hope to be riding out there again from next spring onwards and if so, I will organise a forum ride to go and check out those roads!
I like it round Blacko, but the A682 is a bit dodgy at times. The road itself is fine, but drivers go way too fast considering how twisty and narrow it is in places.
As for the Lancashire Cycleway ... I forgot to mention that, or rather - them, given that there are 2! Map of northern loop - here. Southern loop - here. Also see - Pendle Cycle Tour and Bowland by Bike.
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- Location
- London
Have done bits of those routes.
Beware the potential crash on the Lancashire Cycleway between Downham and Barnoldswick - beautiful road - a closed gate round a corner. Every time I do it I think, oh they have taken the gate away, I round a small corner and it's still there. Amazing I haven't run into it. Should be a warning sign.
Another nice pub thererabouts: was there recently - think it could do with a bit more trade.
Permanent sign promises free beer tomorrow.
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/23/23077/Cross_Gaits_Inn/Blacko
For non drinkers the cafe at the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford is nice as well.
Will look out for your rides and if I'm in the area at the time it would be great to pop along.
Beware the potential crash on the Lancashire Cycleway between Downham and Barnoldswick - beautiful road - a closed gate round a corner. Every time I do it I think, oh they have taken the gate away, I round a small corner and it's still there. Amazing I haven't run into it. Should be a warning sign.
Another nice pub thererabouts: was there recently - think it could do with a bit more trade.
Permanent sign promises free beer tomorrow.
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/23/23077/Cross_Gaits_Inn/Blacko
For non drinkers the cafe at the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford is nice as well.
Will look out for your rides and if I'm in the area at the time it would be great to pop along.
I know exactly the road you mean I nearly killed myself round that corner just stopped before the gate. Comes out on the A682 but you can go straight accross on the back road to Barnoldswick. Be very careful.
- Location
- London
Glad I'm not the only one - was wondering if I'm particularly daft. I was on that road a few weeks ago - definitely challenging - up and down/up and down.
And at cetain times of the year it can be puncture hell - lots of small woody thorny debris washed into the road (and some of the roads round there often have thin streams of water on them at the best of times) - I got two punctures at the same time and had to fix them in pouring rain (that's why the countryside is so beautiful and green doncha know). Fixed the back wheel, just starting off again and found the front flat. Maybe an idea to check tyres in either Downham or the locks in Barnoldswick, depending on which way you are going.
An easier way - and also beautiful in its own way - between Downham and the A682 is Rimington-Howgill Lane.
If you're local Kbrook give my regards to Pendle next time you pedal past or up and over.
HorTs
Über Member
- Location
- Portsmouth
I think at the moment I have a premium subsription to MapMyRide and with that you get the Ride Genius feature.
You choose your starting point and the distance you want to go and it will work out a cyle friendly circular route.
I have used GoogleMaps to create a route before and its not bad but it will choose paths that aren't exactly suitable.
In the middle of a 100m ride it took me a few miles down a bumpy farm track (only just rideable), only to be greeted with a locked gate. I had to undladen my bike of all its bags and panniers and throw them over (and the bike).
You choose your starting point and the distance you want to go and it will work out a cyle friendly circular route.
I have used GoogleMaps to create a route before and its not bad but it will choose paths that aren't exactly suitable.
In the middle of a 100m ride it took me a few miles down a bumpy farm track (only just rideable), only to be greeted with a locked gate. I had to undladen my bike of all its bags and panniers and throw them over (and the bike).
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
I use lots of ways to plan a route. In the summer I will often just choose a direction and head that way for a couple of hours and ride down the roads that I like the look of or have not been down before. I then turn round and find other ways back.
If you are that close to home the area is often familiar to you or you Pick up town names which help you get back. Once you have done this for a while it is easy to start connecting these rides up to make long rides. Eventually you are spoilt for choice.
Steve
If you are that close to home the area is often familiar to you or you Pick up town names which help you get back. Once you have done this for a while it is easy to start connecting these rides up to make long rides. Eventually you are spoilt for choice.
Steve
