How to find a good cycling spot?

[s5s]

Hi guys,

I went to the Devil's Dyke on Friday. I found the address of a parking lot from some newspaper review of cycling routes. So I started looking around South Downs National Park (this is where Devil's Dyke is) on Google Maps and I've found a few good tracks (are they really good - please comment). However, I'm not really sure about parking.

Sometimes there will be small sections on the side of the road for parking like this or this or this. Aren't these sections for vehicles that have broken down or need to stop for a short period of time? Can you park there for a few hours?

Let's say you wanted to ride along this road. Would you just park on the side? I've seen cars just park on the grass but is that OK?

I guess my main questions is: how would you plan a weekend trip? Is there a repository of well known paths (incl. where to park etc). Would you just use Google Maps and rely on knowing where to park because you've been there or just finding a place on the fly? I live near Reading, Berkshire so South Downs is the closest place to go out for cycling.

Also, how do you feel about cycling on country roads (which are usually 50-60 mph)?

 

[Spinney]

Hi s5s - welcome to cyclechat!

Sometimes there will be small sections on the side of the road for parking like this or this or this. Aren't these sections for vehicles that have broken down or need to stop for a short period of time? Can you park there for a few hours?

I would park somewhere like those with the proviso that if it's a single track road, ensure there is still enough space to act as a passing place, and be sure not to block any gates.

Let's say you wanted to ride along this road. Would you just park on the side? I've seen cars just park on the grass but is that OK?

For that particular road, it looks far too narrow to park on the grass. You must make sure there is plenty of space for cars to pass you if your car sticks out onto the road, and park on a long straight stretch so people get plenty of warning and can also see to pass your car. Much better to use a layby like the ones in your first paragraph, if you can.

I guess my main questions is: how would you plan a weekend trip? Is there a repository of well known paths (incl. where to park etc). Would you just use Google Maps and rely on knowing where to park because you've been there or just finding a place on the fly? I live near Reading, Berkshire so South Downs is the closest place to go out for cycling.

I ride on the roads, rather than tracks, but if I'm heading to an unknown area I often use Google maps to find a suitable car park or parking spot.

Also, how do you feel about cycling on country roads (which are usually 50-60 mph)?

I do it all the time. It very much depends on the road - some are fine, busier ones can be a bit hairy.

 

[Crackle]

Do you mean paths or roads or both? Whichever, I would use one of the many mapping sites, such as mapmyride, ridewithhgps etc.. and plan a route. Most of them will show designated cycle paths as well. For going off-road, I would search on-line for information on routes, either dedicated websites or forums.

As for parking, unless it's a passing place or has signed restriction, then park. So long as you are considerate and don't block access or other traffic, it should be fine.

 

[Old Plodder]

I take it you want to go offroad riding. There are lots of places closer than the South Downs. Get yourself some Ordnance Survey 1:50 Landranger maps & just look at how many bridleways are marked on them, also proper car parking as well. They will show you what the terrain is like just from looking at the contour lines. Very easy to plan a ride using maps like these.

 

[Cubist]

If you want some well researched and entertaining off road routes, treat yourself to the Vetebrate Publishing Mountain Biking guides. South Downs and North Downs are covered in volume 12, but nearer for you would be the Ridgeway And Chilterns volume 11.