Help with roads marked A
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gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
I would certainly avoid some a roads. the A303 comes to mind..
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Most A-roads where cycling is prohibited have an (M) suffix - like the A1(M). They're essentially motorways, and you wouldn't want to be on them!!
You'll also find stretches of A-roads where cycling is prohibited, normally where there's tunnels or some such. The A505 Baldock bypass and bits of the A55 in North Wales spring to mind.
You'll also find stretches of A-roads where cycling is prohibited, normally where there's tunnels or some such. The A505 Baldock bypass and bits of the A55 in North Wales spring to mind.
As said, it really depends on the road. For instance, in and around Warwick there are two A roads that spring to mind. A4177... which is perfectly ok to cycle on, it's more like a B road with a 50mph limit. But the A46 ... no way hose. It has no (M) after it but it is like a motorway... a very fast dual carriageway with 3 carriageways in parts. the only thing that gives it away before the slip road onto it is the sign for the "alternative cycle route".
So really i think it's all down to your own judgement. I think that an A road with a 50mph limit is ok, but once the A road start becoming dual carriageways with a national speed limit sign (so 70mph) i think i would start considering alternative routes.
So really i think it's all down to your own judgement. I think that an A road with a 50mph limit is ok, but once the A road start becoming dual carriageways with a national speed limit sign (so 70mph) i think i would start considering alternative routes.
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
A couple of very general 'rules':
The smaller the number, the more busy the A road. So the A1 is generally bigger and busier than the A1079. Although I wouldn't choose to ride on the A1079, unless I was needing to ride as fast as I can. It's not a perfect rule, but it's a clue.
The other thing is that an A road in an urban area may well be more attractive to ride than in a rural area, because it's likely to have a lower speed limit. So I'm happy on the Fulford Road, but I wouldn't be keen on riding on it once it leaves York and becomes known just as the A19.
Generally, I use A roads in town, but try to avoid them when out riding for fun, unless I really have to use one. B or unclassified roads are just nicer. The first tour I did, I rode the A1079 to Beverley, and then once over the Humber Bridge, took to the A17 (or was it the A15?) for a while into Lincoln. Madness, and I didn't know any better at the time. Much nicer to take a slightly longer route on the back roads.
The smaller the number, the more busy the A road. So the A1 is generally bigger and busier than the A1079. Although I wouldn't choose to ride on the A1079, unless I was needing to ride as fast as I can. It's not a perfect rule, but it's a clue.
The other thing is that an A road in an urban area may well be more attractive to ride than in a rural area, because it's likely to have a lower speed limit. So I'm happy on the Fulford Road, but I wouldn't be keen on riding on it once it leaves York and becomes known just as the A19.
Generally, I use A roads in town, but try to avoid them when out riding for fun, unless I really have to use one. B or unclassified roads are just nicer. The first tour I did, I rode the A1079 to Beverley, and then once over the Humber Bridge, took to the A17 (or was it the A15?) for a while into Lincoln. Madness, and I didn't know any better at the time. Much nicer to take a slightly longer route on the back roads.
RyanW
The abominable Bikeman
- Location
- Ashford, Kent
A3 where i am comes to mind, there are enough accidents with car on car. You would be s$%^£$% on a bike!
Simba
Specialized Allez 24 Rider
- Location
- Tottington - Lancashire
The A56 can be quite chaotic during evening rush hour
lanternerouge
Veteran
- Location
- Leafy Cheshire
Ausra said:Thanks for help. I was looking mainly roads between Liverpool and Manchester - I'd prefer to ride this direction. I even don't know Liverpool as a town, so I don't want to lose myself somewhere in Wales.
Sounds to me like you've got the hang of the Uk already! Keen to get out of Scouserpool and avoid Wales!
(puts helmet on)
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
Ausra said:
You need to come on an East Yorkshire posse ride some time. I've been known to fit 3 cafe/pub stops into 50 miles*. Plus additional cake carried for emergencies.
Just today we did 45 miles or so, with icecream and pasties.
I think what you call riding slowly, I would call 'pootling' - just ambling along, enjoying the countryside, seeing what's to be seen. Nothing wrong with that at all!
*a couple of months back, I joined a ride that managed 3 cafe stops in 27 miles!
