United Kingdom - Best Single Speed Cities in England

What are the best single speed cities in England, in terms of a flat terrains, traffic accommodations, and convenient urban centers? By convenient urban centers, I mean a city with a decent population where most needs can be easily met within a reasonable proximity to your local residence. Like most things needed would be within a few miles of one another and therefore, considered pretty much local.

They all look like a nightmare for singlespeed or multi-speed bike to me.

One of the most ridiculous questions ever posted on BF, and that is saying something. There must be at least a couple of hundred towns and cities in England that meet that description.

One of the most ridiculous questions ever posted on BF, and that is saying something. There must be at least a couple of hundred towns and cities in England that meet that description.


Just admit that you don't possess the scrupples in order to make an intelligent determination as to which cities, to the best of your knowledge, best suits my request.

I'm not from England. Therefore, I would have absolutely no idea as to what your major cities thoroughfares and urban centers look like.

Now I have asked the same question with respect to the United States, as to which cities are the flattest and the most single speed accommodating insofar as terrain is concerned and I got many reponses. Now do you mean to say that Americans are capable of making such an assessment, but Englanders are not?

If so, I would have to strenuously disagree with you. I've personally met many British folks who are very intelligent and possess skills far beyond the simple mention of a city or two which strikes them as particularly suiting to my question.

I just think there's something about me you haven't liked since the very beginning and you're on to me like a pitbull on a bone. It's people like you that possess something dark, held deep inside, and the root of it causes wars, human strife, and discord.


If you feel stifled, stumped, or hampered by the question, then just move on! Don't troll for trouble!


**************

Alternatively, you could have stated that the majority of cities in England are flat and don't possess many hills of any significance, that would impede the progress of most single speed cyclists.

Such a response would have been succinct, intelligent, socially responsible, and polite!

Not crude, obtrusive, disharmonious, and rude!

No, he is saying it is a poor question to ask. He is stating that there are too many cities to list.

I have not been to England so take my input with a grain of salt, but my wife grew up outside of Manchester, and has described to me numerous times that almost every city/town is walkable, there is little need for a vehicle, and the country is relatively flat. Town centers are comprehensive, and people generally don't have a need to travel far from where they live to fulfill daily necessities.

No, he is saying it is a poor question to ask. He is stating that there are too many cities to list.

I have not been to England so take my input with a grain of salt, but my wife grew up outside of Manchester, and has described to me numerous times that almost every city/town is walkable, there is little need for a vehicle, and the country is relatively flat. Town centers are comprehensive, and people generally don't have a need to travel far from where they live to fulfill daily necessities.

So what makes it a poor question if I've have no prior experience to draw upon?

If your wife didn't arm you with that information, would you have been able to respond at all?

I tried to Google the information without much success. I therefore, opted to ask here..

Apparently that's been a big mistake thus far!

perhaps your question will be best answered here: http://www.lfgss.com/

I think this is a completely normal question to ask. I don't get what's wrong with people!

I live in Manchester and it is pretty much flat on the roads, one or two slightly steep hills that you may struggle with riding a single speed but nothing too extreme.

As for the urban centres that you mention - I'm not too sure what you mean but if you mean things like main shopping areas like a high street: there are TOO many in my opinion. In big places like Manchester, no matter what part you're in, you're never more than a 10-20 walk (or 5 minute ride) from any urban centres.

I hope that answers your question! (At least a bit.)

didnt you already do this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/829958-Single-Speed-Cities)?

I think this is a completely normal question to ask. I don't get what's wrong with people!

I live in Manchester and it is pretty much flat on the roads, one or two slightly steep hills that you may struggle with riding a single speed but nothing too extreme.

As for the urban centres that you mention - I'm not too sure what you mean but if you mean things like main shopping areas like a high street: there are TOO many in my opinion. In big places like Manchester, no matter what part you're in, you're never more than a 10-20 walk (or 5 minute ride) from any urban centres.

I hope that answers your question! (At least a bit.)


Thank you, Jackmucky!

I really do appreciate an intelligent and civil response. Of course, you also got the gist of my question concerning urban centers, as well.

Thanks Again! :thumb:

didnt you already do this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/829958-Single-Speed-Cities)?

No. That was for cities within the USA.

This is for cities within England...

Have A Nice Day! :)

Dude, whats up with you?

Dude, whats up with you?

Could you be more specific, DUDE...?

Could you be more specific, DUDE...?

You've recently been bogging up this sub with random questions you don't need the answers to.


Dude.

Are you traveling to England in the near future?

Are you traveling to England in the near future?

Yes. England will just be one of four countries I'll be visting.

You've recently been bogging up this sub with random questions you don't need the answers to.


Dude.

That's the problem! Your crystal ball is way too cloudy...

dude

What are the best single speed cities in England, in terms of a flat terrains, traffic accommodations,

Traffic accommodations? I hear they drive on the wrong side of the road and most of the roads are barely wide enough for one Coupe Deville to fit on. Luckily very few of them drive Cadillacs.

That's the problem! Your crystal ball is way too cloudy...

dude

So's your judgment on what questions to ask.

Dude.

So's your judgment on what questions to ask.

Dude.

There was this stellar gentleman, by the name of Jackmucky, who intelligently and quite sufficiently answered my questions. Since then, I've been besieged by one monkey in particular.

Wanna banana? :D

There was this stellar gentleman, by the name of Jackmucky, who intelligently and quite sufficiently answered my questions. Since then, I've been beseiged by one monkey in particular.

Wanna banana? :D

Do you have one?

Yes. England will just be one of four countries I'll be visting.

So why not ask about the area you will be visiting? You've received info on Manchester, but what if you are in the south of England, or the north?

So why not ask about the area you will be visiting? You've received info on Manchester, but what if you are in the south of England, or the north?

We will spend an entire week in England alone. We'll be all over the country. I was hoping that more British responders would chime in, so that I could get a better picture of typical English urban life and the cycling terrain of Britain. We won't be so much northwest and into the Highlands (perhaps just one day), as we will focus more towards London and the East Anglia area.

We will be cycling for the most part. However, I was just wondering if we could just traverse all of England, simply on single speeds!

We will spend an entire week in England alone. We'll be all over the country. I was hoping that more British responders would chime in, so that I could get a better picture of typical English urban life and the cycling terrain of Britain. We won't be so much northwest and into the Highlands (perhaps just one day), as we will focus more towards London and the East Anglia area.

We will be cycling for the most part. However, I was just wondering if we could just traverse all of England, simply on single speeds!

You appear not to know the difference between England and Britain, for a start. As for the terrain, why don't you just look up the geography of the country or countries that you are visiting rather than expect forum members to waste their time answering questions that are so unspecific that they require either a several hundred-word answer, or none. FWIW, East Anglia is flat.

You appear not to know the difference between England and Britain, for a start. As for the terrain, why don't you just look up the geography of the country or countries that you are visiting rather than expect forum members to waste their time answering questions that are so unspecific that they require either a several hundred-word answer, or none. FWIW, East Anglia is flat.


You're so ignorantly wrong again!

Not only do I know the difference between Great Britain and England, I also know the difference between Great Britain and the UK. Do you?

Just what is it that iritates you so about me?

Growing up in Leeds I have heard many times that Lincoln is very flat.

Growing up in Leeds I have heard many times that Lincoln is very flat.

Thanks Flootz!

We'll avoid Leeds and traverse Lincoln, then! :thumb:

FWIW, I find the OP's question to be of some interest to me. One of my 2013 goals is to ride LEL on a fixed gear, so I had some interest in the type of terrain I could expect on the route. I did PBP on the fixie last year and had no difficulty with it (Roc Trevezel was long, but not steep, and the only really steep part of the ride (10% grade or steeper) was coming back up thru the Forest of Rambouillet at about km 1200).

I know that the west of Britain (isn't Britain the part of the UK that does NOT include Northern Ireland? Or do I have that backwards?) around Wales can be impossibly steep, but I wonder if there are sections in the east, along the LEL route, that I should anticipate with some dread?

My knowledge of GB is unfortunatley rather limited - I've ridden in Manchester, but primarily to get from the hotel to the velodrome. And I've ridden in London and gotten lost. But I'm hoping that riding LEL will give me a much better understanding of the geography of the country, in the same way that riding from Paris to Brest and back has given me a good understanding of that section of France. As in PBP, the plan is to ride as much as possible in daylight. I don't see the point of trying to break records by riding at night, especially when hotel and meals are already paid for the duration! I want to actually see the countryside! And then afterwards, the plan is to stay near Glyndebourne and attend the summer opera festival & do rides in the south of England. Should be a great holiday, but I have to get into LEL first...

Thanks!

Luis

How about an answer that fits the question and not just pages of trolling.

Its impossible for me assure you that you can travel england on a single speed. The is ridge of mountains that runs up the middle of the country. Some of the climbs can be quite steep. The IS an extensive cycling network between towns but at times you might be on "B roads" which are two way single lane 55mph roads, yes some people do play Micheal Schumacher. Watch out for BMW, Merc, and Audi drivers as they tend to be ****.

In towns you tend to be safe. Yes the roads are narrow, but at least people see you! Pedestrians will wait, cars with acknowledge you as well. The cities are urban so those rules apply. There will be one way systems, which are a pain, but if you go to far, just get off and walk. Ride sensibly. Traffic rules apply and I have been stopped for no lights.

There is also an extensive rail network, and for the most part you can take your bike on any train. Some operators require a ticket which is free, but you have to book. Rush hour is also very difficult. What out for the Para-Olympics as well, not just in London.

Hopefully you found this useful.

Hi slim rider - london is not a bad place to start - accommodation expensive unless you share in the suburbs - but the bike culture and some of the babes that ride the bikes is something else - Fixed gear and slim handlebars to negotiate the traffic looks cool - however being both a tack and road man a road bike is probably slightly safer (2 brakes) with gears - though the simplicity and lightness of a track bike compensates. Having seen the cyclists gang up on the traffic at the traffic lights frightens me now as a motorist..........

Yep you are right - as a cyclist who has raced and toured all over britain you "100% need a road bike" not only the hills.... but what kills you is the constant wind. The towns are just as bad as the country - narrower roads and traffic that just does not recognize a biker. If you want UK info contact me I will let you know the best places to go - Sandy sb33ry@aim.com

Its not that flat - a bit open and long straight roads - thanks to the romans who did not have bikes.