what roads dont allow bikes?

[p90ade]

im doing end to end in june and have started planning a route. now i know you cant ride on a motorway but are there any other roads on which it is illegal to cycle along?

might sound a silly question but might save me abit of trouble on my trip.

 

[andym]

In France - a few sections of Routes Nationales and some D roads (I stress the few). Unfortunately I don't know any way of finding out in advance where bikes aren't allowed - although my experience is that where this is the case, there is usually (always?) some alternative route for bikes - so I wouldn't worry too much.

As a general rule I would avoid any major road if you can - stick to minor roads, they are usually a lot less stressful.

 

[ufkacbln]

Very few, but it is not predictable.

A few places like the Saltash tunnel in Cornwall do not allow bikes on safety grounds (fumes) rather than restricting cycling as a transport mode.

As a rule though, the chances of coming across aroad closed to cycles that you would actually want to cycle on is minimal

Do you have any ideas of where you want to go as local knowledge will be of more help to you than a generalisation

 

[p90ade]

well the intention is to do john o groats to lands end in sround 5-6 days so we need to get a move on so was assuming keeping to the main roads would be the quickest way.

 

[onlineamiga]

Well I dunno if sticking to major roads would be quicker. When ive been planning my routes, ive noticed that minor roads have cut down on mileage rather than their motorway equivalents. And as we're on bikes, the speed we would do on a minor road to a motorway isnt any different. What does make the difference is how hilly routes are. Sometimes it could be quicker (and nicer!) to go round a hill and do extra miles than go over it.

 

[Norm]

And as we're on bikes, the speed we would do on a minor road to a motorway isnt any different.

It would be different, as you'd be travelling it in the back of a police van. However, the time spent in the cells might offset that extra speed.

I see you are posting from Spain so I'm not sure whether you meant that or it was tongue in cheek, but don't even think about cycling on a motorway.

 

[Brains]

Bikes are permitted on the A30

However you would have to be stupid to actually cycle along it, as it's an 80+mph duel carrageway most of the Cornish length, take the more northerly 'Atlantic Highway'

 

[Anthony]

Bikes are permitted on the A30

However you would have to be stupid to actually cycle along it, as it's an 80+mph duel carrageway most of the Cornish length, take the more northerly 'Atlantic Highway'

Normally I would agree with this point, but if the plan is to do it in 5-6days then going along the atlantic highway will add alot of time.

The A30 is normally worth staying well clear of, but it can be done, and is probably the right choice for a speedy attempt of LeJog. For a longer, more scenic approach then I would agree with you.

 

[srw]

Even better, unless you've got a very good reason to do the whole thing in under a week, would be to do a shorter route.

 

[onlineamiga]

It would be different, as you'd be travelling it in the back of a police van. However, the time spent in the cells might offset that extra speed.

I see you are posting from Spain so I'm not sure whether you meant that or it was tongue in cheek, but don't even think about cycling on a motorway.

Yeah you can actually cycle on some motorways here. I did kinda mean it tounge in cheak. Like the A1.. you can cycle on it, but its as good as a motorway, so are other major dual carriageways in Spain and UK. I was just meaning that back roads can provide less mileage than their motorway or major road equivalent.

I wouldnt consider cycling on the motorway, not even in the hard shoulder... and yes in the UK you probably would get picked up attempting it due to all the cameras.

Just to add. I think i remember noticing no cycling signs for the mersey tunnel.

 

[andrew_s]

Yeah you can actually cycle on some motorways here.

There's no choice other than to ride on some of the Spanish motorways, owing to their habit of obliterating the old roads when building the motorways.

 

[onlineamiga]

There's no choice other than to ride on some of the Spanish motorways, owing to their habit of obliterating the old roads when building the motorways.

Yeah exactly ! Especially around the coasts, sometimes theres just no other way round.