Cycling down dual carriageways/motorways

[stoatsngroats]

As some have said, it really depends on the local conditions. I have cycled the A27, A259, A23 & A24, but most often at times I have chosen, rather than as a necessity.

 

[Ian H]

There was one, or were possibly two, AUK events which used short sections of the A1. I recall a right turn, which was a bit hairy (can't remember which events). I have TTed on 'A'-roads, including the A303, in various places. Mostly the events are scheduled for times of light traffic, though late starters can sometimes get the benefit of passing HGVs.

 

[srw]

late starters can sometimes get the benefit of passing HGVs.

Wow. A slingshot move - you'd need to be going some to start with to get the acceleration.

 

[Ian H]

Wow. A slingshot move - you'd need to be going some to start with to get the acceleration.

Just the slipstream effect, I'm afraid.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I personally wouldn't, a former colleague and boss of mine was killed on the A40 outside RAF Northolt riding his road bike home. There was a cycle path but it was a pain to use with on/off ramp crossings and broken glass. Sadly he paid for that choice with his life when a pick up was moving from lane two to lane one at 60mph and didn't notice him in the traffic.

I have the A505 between my house and my work, only about 4 miles in an 8 mile commute. I drive and I don't think I'd ever cycle it, the amount of people I see in other cars operating a smart phone is incredible, at least 4 on every short journey... not "on the phone" you understand, but operating it, I.e.texting or checking Facebook. Usually the driver is female, aged 20 to 28 or so, in a Fiat 500 or a Mini. I hate generalisations, but that's my experience.

You stand no chance when somebody is updating Facebook at 70. People use phones everywhere of course, but I see less of it on curvy roads with one lane either way, and I fancy my chances more on those roads. Miles of straight two lane road is too tempting to the younger Facebook updating driver.

 

[mythste]

I found myself on the A38 after an ill-fated attempt to ride over dartmoor last year. Bloody terrifying and I certainly wouldn't do it by choice.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

You almost manage to make it sound as though an inattentive driver killing him was his fault

I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. I'm just saying there were safer, if more inconvenient choices. The choice he made was lawful, if unconventional on a 3 lane A road with a 70 limit and no hard shoulder. The fault of the collision was solely with the pick up driver. I just wish my boss had chosen differently, he'd still be here now.

 

[bondirob]

Why can't we cycle on motorway slip roads?
I find it frustrating.

 

[Tim Hall]

Why can't we cycle on motorway slip roads?
I find it frustrating.

Because they lead to (or from) motorways.

 

[doog]

I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. I'm just saying there were safer, if more inconvenient choices. The choice he made was lawful, if unconventional on a 3 lane A road with a 70 limit and no hard shoulder. The fault of the collision was solely with the pick up driver. I just wish my boss had chosen differently, he'd still be here now.

Don't apologise, someone usually picks up a post like this to use as 'collateral'...bearing in mind it was a colleague of yours I think its pretty bad taste to do so in this case.

Was it this guy ? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...RAF-officer-Tom-Barrett-escapes-jail-sun.html

 

[CanucksTraveller]

It was indeed Tom Barrett, yes. He'd actually not been road cycling that long (I think about 2 years), but like everything else in his life he committed himself fully and he excelled in it. He was extremely fit, brave, and professional in everything he did. Probably the reason why he wouldn't ride in a glass strewn rarely used cycle path. He was sorely missed at Northolt and the wider RAF.

 

[keithmac]

I would never cycle on a dual carriageway, first off cars are travelling at 70mph+, second to be fair they won't be keeping the same eye out for cyclists the would on single lane roads (which isn't saying much!).

It's bad enough cycling 30mph roads..

You can't legally cycle on motorways although I can see why you would even attempt it?.

 

[mjr]

I would never cycle on a dual carriageway, first off cars are travelling at 70mph+, second to be fair they won't be keeping the same eye out for cyclists the would on single lane roads (which isn't saying much!).

Firstly, there's plenty of 30 and 40mph dual carriageway out there, second they ought to be looking.

You can't legally cycle on motorways although I can see why you would even attempt it?.

You really can't see any attraction in a flatter and more direct route along a shoulder five times wider than many A-road cycle lanes?

It is shameful that it has taken forty years and counting to open a more direct link than the M5 for cyclists between Bristol/Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare and I'm sure that there are many similar obvious popular cycling-distance journeys where a motorway is the only route within miles of the desire line.

 

[screenman]

I would never cycle on a dual carriageway, first off cars are travelling at 70mph+, second to be fair they won't be keeping the same eye out for cyclists the would on single lane roads (which isn't saying much!).

It's bad enough cycling 30mph roads..

You can't legally cycle on motorways although I can see why you would even attempt it?.

But you would ride on roads with 60 speed limits just wide enough for two cars maybe not even that and full of blind bends.

 

[4F]

Come on, then! Anyone here ridden the A14 Orwell Bridge?

Yep, but only on a Saturday. Way too many hgv's to do it during the week though