Commuting - Dual-carriageway

I took my life into my hands and tried the dual-carriageway to work this morning. It was semi-intentional, in that most of the old A2 remains alongside the dual-carriageway whilst some is replaced. I planned to laregely cycle along the old single carriageway but I took the turn-off at the roundabout and 100 yrds down the road discovered a no-cycles sign on the old single-carriageway. Why I don't know... but as there was a cycle path that appeared to run alongside the dual-carriageway I took that, which 100 yds further down the road turned into the hard shoulder. Designating the hard shoulder as a cycle path seems a little disingenuous even by Kent County Council standards...


It wasn't too bad but as the hard shoulder varied from 3ft to 1ft wide including drains it wasn't the best ride of my life, with the associated road debris.

It saved me about ten minutes on my commute, but I'm not convinced I'll be doing it too often...

Richard

Personally I cannot think of a better place to ride than a shoulder. Then again, most shoulders around here have considerably less debris than a bike path anyway.

Richard, I used to use the A 90 dual carriageway into Edinburgh all the time. it certainly keeps your speed up (partly by the fear factor and partly the wind breaking by cars) but at 70mph some drivers just don't react quickly enough.

I don't know who is more dangerous, the driver who shaves past or the driver on a dual c who has to slow down behind you because presumably he can't see far enough ahead to judge his merge into the outside lane.

using the A90 saves me about a mile and 9 or 10 minutes (go figure!) but I use the cycle path because it's MUCH less risky.