The state of our roads these days!

[Accy cyclist]

Anyone else in despair about what we're supposed to cycle on? I find myself these days moving from side to side when i ride, as opposed to say 10 years ago when i could keep in a straight line. The reason being i have to sway about to avoid the potholes and the patched up bits,much to the annoyance of the driver behind who sees cyclists in the TdF riding in a straight line on pristine roads and thinks why isn't he doing the same. Some serious deep holes have opened up recently on some of my regular descents. One in particular stands out. It's about 2ft long and 6" deep, at the bottom of a hill i once came down doing 46 mph without pedaling, it's that steep. When you reach where the hole is you'll be doing about 40 mph as you level out, so imagine hitting the thing at that speed! My average speed has dropped a bit over the last few years even though i've doubled my annual mileage, due to me covering my brakes all the time on descents. What can we do about it?

 

[sidevalve]

It may unpalatable but this is an imperfect world and cyclists are a tiny minority. What to do - same as anyone else - try slowing down

 

[classic33]

It may unpalatable but this is an imperfect world and cyclists are a tiny minority. What to do - same as anyone else - try slowing down

If I damage a wheel at 10mph, because I've been forced to the side of the road, who pays?

I can hit 30-40 mph going down singletrack roads, I'd love to be able to get the same speed back up them. Often when your slower, you've less chance of avoiding surface defects.

 

[summerdays]

What can we do about it?

Have you reported them? I usually get a good response sometimes they are fixed within a day or two.

 

[outlash]

Perhaps a new bike would help?

 

[outlash]

It would but perhaps something a bit more robust than a skinny tyred road bike.

Is there enough storage space available for a thread of that magnitude?

 

[vickster]

What to do...Move to France? Although I think you'd be disappointed by the roads there too

In the meantime as above report them on fill that hole

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Unfortunately with public roads. Being able to stop in the distance you can see safe is applicable to us too.

As fun as big fast descents are, if you cannot see the road is clear on the distance you can safely stop or avoid then your speed needs to be reduced.

The distance you can see is safe. Isn't just other road users but the road condition and potential debris too.

 

[raleighnut]

Anyone else in despair about what we're supposed to cycle on? I find myself these days moving from side to side when i ride, as opposed to say 10 years ago when i could keep in a straight line. The reason being i have to sway about to avoid the potholes and the patched up bits,much to the annoyance of the driver behind who sees cyclists in the TdF riding in a straight line on pristine roads and thinks why isn't he doing the same. Some serious deep holes have opened up recently on some of my regular descents. One in particular stands out. It's about 2ft long and 6" deep, at the bottom of a hill i once came down doing 46 mph without pedaling, it's that steep. When you reach where the hole is you'll be doing about 40 mph as you level out, so imagine hitting the thing at that speed! My average speed has dropped a bit over the last few years even though i've doubled my annual mileage, due to me covering my brakes all the time on descents. What can we do about it?

The 'government' has recently announced that they're tackling it and releasing funds to do so, they hope to have 4 Million of them filled.



















By 2020/21
Not sure what we're supposed to put up with in the meantime.

 

[Oldbloke]

What to do...Move to France? Although I think you'd be disappointed by the roads there too


Not where I live you wouldn't!

 

[Venod]

Having had 4 months off with injury I was looking forward to getting back on the bike but a bit nervous of traffic, the road surface doesn't help, we have third world roads in places. I passed a bloke yesterday who was filling small holes with tarmac and it patting down with a shovel, a sticking plaster when it should have been surgery.

I started back off road on the MTB which I think is going to get most of my atention untill the roads improve, which I doubt will happen, there are some dangerous potholes to contend with.

I remember the pot hole cards you could send to the council, did they work ? did the council take any notice ? would they take any notice nowadays? there are so many holes they wouldn't cope with all the post and probably regard it as not important untill someone gets killed.

 

[Hacienda71]

Actually use fillthathole.org, if a stretch of road is constantly requiring filling they might take the view a full resurface is an option. They might not but it can't hurt.

 

[nickyboy]

Actually use fillthathole.org, if a stretch of road is constantly requiring filling they might take the view a full resurface is an option. They might not but it can't hurt.

As a local rider, you may be interested to know that what I reckon to be the "Worst Local Road Surface in the Peak District" is in the process of being resurfaced

It's the first km or so of the Rushop Edge climb out of Chapel en le Frith towards Castleton. It's as if they have put a very thin layer of tarmac on the Arenberg Trench....except now it's all smooth and lovely

 

[Tiger10]

Custard powder. !!!!!

 

[Globalti]

Upload the Street Repairs app to your phone and use it to report potholes. It was developed by a couple of guys in Preston.