OK, so you're allowed to....
Discussion
But frankly, why the hell would you want to cycle up the A3 from Guildford???
I'm not one for being pushed off roads by motor traffic, and happily commute along the top end of the A3 from Clapham to work, but on the weekend, I saw some daft bint riding North up the A3 from Guildford. Not on the hard shoulder (which there is for much of it) either, but full on primary position in lane one!!!!
I've never seen anything quite so insane before, but I have seen a number of people riding there, and I've never been able to figure out why on earth they'd want to do it? Surely if you're out riding a bike for pleasure (and given that we're talking evenings and weekends on expensive bikes, I'm assuming we're not talking commuters), why on earth would you choose a busy dual carriageway when there are so many nicer alternatives?
I'm not one for being pushed off roads by motor traffic, and happily commute along the top end of the A3 from Clapham to work, but on the weekend, I saw some daft bint riding North up the A3 from Guildford. Not on the hard shoulder (which there is for much of it) either, but full on primary position in lane one!!!!
I've never seen anything quite so insane before, but I have seen a number of people riding there, and I've never been able to figure out why on earth they'd want to do it? Surely if you're out riding a bike for pleasure (and given that we're talking evenings and weekends on expensive bikes, I'm assuming we're not talking commuters), why on earth would you choose a busy dual carriageway when there are so many nicer alternatives?
Possibly they were either unaware of the alternative route or unaware it was quite such a busy road though after a few minutes and several clsoe passes you'd be thinking if you were doing the right thing?
I saw someone cycling along the A4174 this morning, the north bristol ring road. The cycle path that runs alongside it is perfect, pretty much always free from debris, good surface, nice friendly people and few pedestrians during rush hour. Why someone would choose the road over the path is beyond me, clearly a case of someone ready to quote "Its my legal right to cycle here....." You can not miss the path on the section I saw him, its clearly visible and the fact that he was overtaken by a few of us would suggest its the quicker route too....
I saw someone cycling along the A4174 this morning, the north bristol ring road. The cycle path that runs alongside it is perfect, pretty much always free from debris, good surface, nice friendly people and few pedestrians during rush hour. Why someone would choose the road over the path is beyond me, clearly a case of someone ready to quote "Its my legal right to cycle here....." You can not miss the path on the section I saw him, its clearly visible and the fact that he was overtaken by a few of us would suggest its the quicker route too....
Have a look how many have been killed especially around the M25 junction, by the way you will also find a defined cycle path on it just after the M25, When I say on it I mean ON IT not at the side like a cycle path.
It is a wonder that more have not be killed with how some people pull in late at this junction !
It is a wonder that more have not be killed with how some people pull in late at this junction !
Edited by The Walrus on Monday 13th July 16:50
I cycle everyday from Swindon to Marlborough in Wilts, the "main road" is lethal narrow fast busy A road with hidden summits and impatient drivers!
There is a lovely country back road that runs parallel , meaning my bike commute avoids the road and is very pleasant, there is also a cycle path that runs the route, but isn't great for road bikes (bar summer)
I see the odd bike on the main road and think blimey brave/stupid (well stupid) , the other week I saw a snake of about 30 cyclists, 90 miles into a century on the dangerous A road! Lots were really struggling with walking pace and caused a 6 mile talkback with cars struggling to get past loads of little steep hills that had some wobbling on the granny ring.. All whilst there was a lovely quiet back road running 30 seconds off the a road! I looked them up on Strava and it was a company sponsored bike ride from London to Wales over 2 days. The route took advanced and slower riders and was all on main roads! They came out from London all on the A4 through Reading Hungerford et at, when there are lovely side roads that run parallel, talk about poor lazy route planning! Poor buggers were like lambs to the slaughter during rush hour
There is a lovely country back road that runs parallel , meaning my bike commute avoids the road and is very pleasant, there is also a cycle path that runs the route, but isn't great for road bikes (bar summer)
I see the odd bike on the main road and think blimey brave/stupid (well stupid) , the other week I saw a snake of about 30 cyclists, 90 miles into a century on the dangerous A road! Lots were really struggling with walking pace and caused a 6 mile talkback with cars struggling to get past loads of little steep hills that had some wobbling on the granny ring.. All whilst there was a lovely quiet back road running 30 seconds off the a road! I looked them up on Strava and it was a company sponsored bike ride from London to Wales over 2 days. The route took advanced and slower riders and was all on main roads! They came out from London all on the A4 through Reading Hungerford et at, when there are lovely side roads that run parallel, talk about poor lazy route planning! Poor buggers were like lambs to the slaughter during rush hour
I see similar quite often on the A50 coming out of Stoke. 70mph dual carriage way. Does make me wonder if some of these people have a death wish, esspecially considering there is ALWAYS an alternative route almost the whole length of the A50 from Stoke to the M1.
Seems there are cycling races held on some stretches of it too. I don't understand. Again, there are perfectly good, quieter roads that run the whole length of the A50.
Seems there are cycling races held on some stretches of it too. I don't understand. Again, there are perfectly good, quieter roads that run the whole length of the A50.
After a police closure on my usual commute, I once made the mistake of using the elevated section of the A40 (Westway) and I was, not terrified exactly, but I certainly realised my mistake pretty quickly.
It's supposed to be 50 along that stretch, but invariably is more like 70-75. Staying in lane one felt very dangerous, so I crossed the white line, thinking there'd be lots of room. There was, and also there was lots of debris.
I would never do it again.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.516168,-0.215681...
It's supposed to be 50 along that stretch, but invariably is more like 70-75. Staying in lane one felt very dangerous, so I crossed the white line, thinking there'd be lots of room. There was, and also there was lots of debris.
I would never do it again.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.516168,-0.215681...
Clocked someone riding along the A35 through the New Forest yesterday, assume his wife had checked the life insurance and sent him out on an errand!
There are a couple of places where main A roads are difficult to avoid, my in-laws live in Ferring on the South coast and when I cycle down there from the Thames Valley I have a choice of crossing the South Downs via the A24 or A29/A284 - either way is less than ideal for a pedal pusher.
There are a couple of places where main A roads are difficult to avoid, my in-laws live in Ferring on the South coast and when I cycle down there from the Thames Valley I have a choice of crossing the South Downs via the A24 or A29/A284 - either way is less than ideal for a pedal pusher.
Kermit power said:
But frankly, why the hell would you want to cycle up the A3 from Guildford???
I'm not one for being pushed off roads by motor traffic, and happily commute along the top end of the A3 from Clapham to work, but on the weekend, I saw some daft bint riding North up the A3 from Guildford. Not on the hard shoulder (which there is for much of it) either, but full on primary position in lane one!!!!
I've never seen anything quite so insane before, but I have seen a number of people riding there, and I've never been able to figure out why on earth they'd want to do it? Surely if you're out riding a bike for pleasure (and given that we're talking evenings and weekends on expensive bikes, I'm assuming we're not talking commuters), why on earth would you choose a busy dual carriageway when there are so many nicer alternatives?
Oh it winds me up, I'm in Farnham so we have the nutters who ride the TT midday on any given Saturday battling cross winds and people shooting past them at 70+ I'm not one for being pushed off roads by motor traffic, and happily commute along the top end of the A3 from Clapham to work, but on the weekend, I saw some daft bint riding North up the A3 from Guildford. Not on the hard shoulder (which there is for much of it) either, but full on primary position in lane one!!!!
I've never seen anything quite so insane before, but I have seen a number of people riding there, and I've never been able to figure out why on earth they'd want to do it? Surely if you're out riding a bike for pleasure (and given that we're talking evenings and weekends on expensive bikes, I'm assuming we're not talking commuters), why on earth would you choose a busy dual carriageway when there are so many nicer alternatives?
Also people who ride the hog back road who struggle to get over........
With the amount of side roads I really don't understand it, yes it's not like Scotland (which is far nicer/ quieter to ride) but there's roads you just feel people put risk into a ride that doesn't need to be there.
Barchettaman said:
I accidently ended up on the Lille perepherique on my road bike a few years ago, I´ve never been more terrified. Plus the drivers got a bit of a shock too.
THAT's one busy MoFo road with speeds between 90-110km/h!
I passed a cyclist this morning, giving him 1 lane of space as I, along with everyone behind me, was driving at 110km/h. I didn't understand why this guy was on the main road, long dragging hill = slow progress for him, when there's a tarmac cycle route 400m south of this that goes the same way!
ts riding along the A27 dual carriageway bewteen Brighton and Lewes............at peak time........... when there is an adequate cycle path alongside.I'm pretty certain I've still got a KOM for the Speke Expressway in Liverpool. We were late for a ferry, it was the most direct route, we were only on it for a couple of miles and one of my idiot mates had planned the route. Never ever again, it was terrifying how close people would pass you at 70mph+. I just put the hammer down and got off there as quickly as possible. I'd never ride a DC out of choice. I plan my routes very carefully to completely avoid major roads for this exact reason.
carreauchompeur said:
Interesting topic, I was hearing about how lots of JOGLE'ers use the A30, having driven down it at the weekend there's no bloody way I would cycle on it.
The problem for LEJOGers is that the alternatives in Cornwall/Devon are sparse and very slow and they've usually got a schedule to stick to. I'd adjust my schedule though...I have ridden that stretch of the A3, though in fairness it was early on a Sunday Morning and very light traffic, however the long junctions (M25 slip road) is an absolute nightmare 70mph traffic on either side of you.
Most days I drive that section into work. Some parts have a good cycle path, but a few sections don't especially around the junctions.
If I cycle however I always use to the back lanes into work via Elstead and Shackleford, it is a little longer for sure, but the climbs are shorter.
That said there are some hardened commuters on the A3 every day, mostly on the paths, but I do see them on the roadway too occasionally.
Most days I drive that section into work. Some parts have a good cycle path, but a few sections don't especially around the junctions.
If I cycle however I always use to the back lanes into work via Elstead and Shackleford, it is a little longer for sure, but the climbs are shorter.
That said there are some hardened commuters on the A3 every day, mostly on the paths, but I do see them on the roadway too occasionally.
Kell said:
After a police closure on my usual commute, I once made the mistake of using the elevated section of the A40 (Westway) and I was, not terrified exactly, but I certainly realised my mistake pretty quickly.
I would never do it again.
Never say never: East-West Cycle Superhighway Section 18: Westway - ActonI would never do it again.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff