Is a 20 mile round trip far for a newbie?

[summerdays]

trend on this forum, based on my observations over the past 3 years or so is that people are very conservative in their estimations of what a newby can/should do. Ofc just my opinion!

I think that I would rather not leave someone new to cycling feeling as though they were doing really badly because we over-estimated what they could do. Better that they find it is easier than predicted.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/8877953/ Looks a bit bumpy, I'd give it 1hr 20 and take it easy after the climb up to Chorley New Road so that you can cool down a bit.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

I used to go up there as a day release from high school but that was in a car, the only thing I'm nervous about is this busy junction at the bottom of a hill...

Actually really looking forward to this now, wanna get fit, loose some weight and join a footy team.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I used to go up there as a day release from high school but that was in a car, the only thing I'm nervous about is this busy junction at the bottom of a hill...

Actually really looking forward to this now, wanna get fit, loose some weight and join a footy team.

Most car drivers are curtious and give you space the odd cretin doesn't, but then you get cretins on bikes too.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Most car drivers are curtious and give you space the odd cretin doesn't, but then you get cretins on bikes too.

I've just looked at the route on street-view and 95% of it has bike lanes but I guess that doesn't stop some drivers...

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Personally I think bike lanes on roads are a waste of local government money, there are a few around here, but they tend to be full of debris or cars are just parked in them so whats the point, a better use would be to put gaps in anti speed ramps that are wide enough for bikes to go through (there are some that go all the way across the road), but that just my opinion.

 

[summerdays]

I've just looked at the route on street-view and 95% of it has bike lanes but I guess that doesn't stop some drivers...

Just because there is a bike lane - you don't have to use it. Some are badly designed, not knowing the area I can't comment on these ones. Sometimes they encourage you into the door zone and leave you to the left hand side of traffic turning left.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

I'll find out when I try them out, fast traffic isn't a worry its more like you say about left turning lorries. I'll just give them the space they need and assume that they haven't seen me.

 

[summerdays]

I'll find out when I try them out, fast traffic isn't a worry its more like you say about left turning lorries. I'll just give them the space they need and assume that they haven't seen me.

It's not just lorries, cars will also left hook you.

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Damn, fingers crossed aye?

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'll just give them the space they need and assume that they haven't seen me.

Spot on

I've only just seen this thread, welcome to CC from another Bolton lad bloke

TBH I'd use the main roads on that route, and probably go straight along Crompton Way/Moss Bank Way and drop down to Chorley New Road, or when you're feeling fitter you could hang a right at Doffcocker roundabout and go over Chorley New Road and past the Bob's Smithy.

Granted, at busy times these roads will be chocablock and as such may be best avoided until you get your confidence up a bit.

I don't use cycle lanes at all TBH, and some of them are neither use nor ornament anyway.

Ride safe

 

[Tom Oglesby]

Haha cheers smokey, I think I've decided on this route, again don't know if the link worked, because its more familiar to me than Crompton way. But as I get more fit/confidant and fancy a magical mystery tour I'll see about going the long way.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I think I've decided on this route

Seems straight forward enough

There are easier ways to get through Bolton town centre, but it's something you can experiment with as you go along.

Also, I don't understand the detour near Newlands Medical Centre on Chorley Old Road? There's no one way, no entry, or any other traffic issue there, so just carry straight on there

 

[Tom Oglesby]

The one on Chorley St? That's just to avoid that busy junction (I'm a coward haha), once I'm on Chorley New Road I don't come off it, I don't know if the link changed the route or something.

 

[smokeysmoo]

No it was at the Horwich end of C.N.R. Must have been a glitch though as it's gone now