Fast dual carriageways.

[Banjo]

Do any of you ride on fast motorway type dual carriageway A roads?

I dont think I would but wondered what the thoughts on it are.

On long touring journeys it must be hard to avoid them sometimes.

 

[fossyant]

I have done, and TBH, quite regularly use a stretch into Manchester, but it's wide and supposed to be 40 mph, so not too quick.

 

[johnnyh]

use alot of them around me, all 60mph dual carriageways, and yes they are fast (70 to 80mph is usual), but safer than the 60mph country road alternatives when I have no or little visibility.

Not too keen on the A303, but A36 isnt too bad.

 

[Downward]

Yes but it's very wide and currently comes with road works so the traffic is v v slow.

The times it's fully up and running I am out early enough for it to be not too busy

 

[Joe24]

Yep.
I often ride down the A52, and sometiems the A46. Fast dual carriageway sections mean you can fly down them at a good speed, and are often nice sections of road

 

[luplowe]

There is a long descent on the A36 into Salisbury, not to steep but it goes on for ages, so you get the speed up. although it can be iffy when you go past a slip road,
all off a sudden you've got em both sides of you..

 

[HLaB]

I only ride fast dual carriageways when on the club run but I tend to avoid them myself. I came down the A68 once on my own in the pitch dark but that was because I wanted the most direct route home and didn't want to get lost off the beaten path.

 

[Banjo]

OK thanks for the rapid replies sounds like something I will try when a bit more experienced on the bike.

 

[Baggy]

If I have to, but I don't like doing it. I really hate going across sliproad entrances and exits.

 

[Breedon]

Yep.
I often ride down the A52, and sometiems the A46. Fast dual carriageway sections mean you can fly down them at a good speed, and are often nice sections of road

LOL you crazy man.

Often thought about the A52 but early in the morning, rush hour would be a no no for me, I would have to pluck up the courage to ride it any other time.

 

[stoatsngroats]

I regularly use the A27 between Chichester/Arundel which is 50mph, and also the bit around Shoreham airport.
70mph though is a bit too fast for me!

 

[on the road]

I ride on them quite frequently. One such road that I ride on is the A540, it's been in the news recently

 

[Joe24]

LOL you crazy man.

Often thought about the A52 but early in the morning, rush hour would be a no no for me, I would have to pluck up the courage to ride it any other time.

A52 is easy.
Ive hit a few vans/cars that have come back too close.
Trick is to stay out far enough that they have to move into the second lane.
You get the drivers that come right up behind you before moving over, but often they will see you and move over in advance.

A46 i have gone between Newark and East Bridgeford(single) and a between a few junctions when we were tryign to get to six hills, but my mate had got us lost.

The RAB at Gamsten i think it is, big RAB, A52 goes off one way, straight on either takes you to Ratcliffe on trent/West Bridgeford, is one where you have to be aware, but can go around it pretty fast and safe.

 

[mcb2080]

I went out for a ride today and had to ride on the A77 for 3 miles before I could get off and on to a cycle path. I got a few toots of the horns of lorry driver but I just gave them a wave back. It was very busy at about 13:00 with lots of cars doing 70-80+ mph.

My usual commute to work sees me going on an A road for a couple of miles but I am usually on the road at 05:45 so there is little traffic and as I do 12 hour shifts there isn't much on the way home either.

The A77 was a wee bit off putting, I have remapped my route to now go through Kilmarnock so as to miss out the 77 altogether.

 

[nigelnorris]

I've done it but round by me they're all tarmacced with the stuff that has lumpy gravelly bits on the surface and the vibration has had me near enough in tears of agony before now.

Smaller roads tend to have a smoother surface but more surface wear / potholes, you takes your pick I guess.