Touring in UK?
#52
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Joined: Sep 2024
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A wise and sensible response, after all, we ride to enjoy life, not to bring an end to it.
#53
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Joined: Jun 2022
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From: San Diego, California USA
Bikes: 1974 Masi GC, 1982 Trek 728 (aka 720), 1992 Trek Multitrack 750 (Stolen), 2023 Bike Friday Diamond Llama (Fat Boi Edition)
#55
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#57
#58
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Joined: Jun 2022
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From: San Diego, California USA
Bikes: 1974 Masi GC, 1982 Trek 728 (aka 720), 1992 Trek Multitrack 750 (Stolen), 2023 Bike Friday Diamond Llama (Fat Boi Edition)
I've been watching a British tv series that takes place in rural England. Yes, nice scenery and quaintess, but boy are those roads narrow and full of curves. And people appear to drive pretty fast on them as well, even if they take up more than half the road and can't see around the next bend. I guess that's what you end up with when your roads were built by Romans two thousand years ago.
I doubt I'd have the courage to pedal rural England, though I spent some months there when I was young and have kept a deep fondness for the region, especially for the sheep :-)
I doubt I'd have the courage to pedal rural England, though I spent some months there when I was young and have kept a deep fondness for the region, especially for the sheep :-)
I quickly learned to try to follow the National Cycle Network (NCN) routes and Komoot.
The roads were extremely narrow but very rural so lightly traveled.
The vast majority of drivers were careful and driving appropriate for the conditions.
Just stay off the "A" roads as much as possible.
And now for you sheep fans:

Two curious sheep wondering what I'm up to.
From outside St. Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Last edited by HelpSingularity; 11-21-24 at 10:09 AM.
#59
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Joined: Sep 2024
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If you are looking for a slow, calm riding experience, cycling the rural roads of Britain will be the most rewarding. Although those doing the LeJog will want to put the miles in - 100+ a day - taking it slower will reduce the stress and give you much more time to stop and enjoy the small villages. You would be surprised at the number of B&B's there are so really no need to book ahead, just take your time, wave to the locals and soak up the history.
#60
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Joined: Jul 2017
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I've lived in the UK since 2011. I've lived in cities (Bristol, outskirts of London), the suburbs, and now in a more rural location (small town on the edge of the countryside, about 8 miles from Bristol). One of the great things about the UK is that we have lovely countryside that, for the most part, is not too far from small villages or towns for re-fuelling, accommodation, etc (this isn't true for every where, but for a good chunk of the UK it is). Riding along the country lanes for the most part is wonderful and there is very little traffic. But it is important to note, that the speed limit on a lot of this narrow, singletrack road is the National Speed Limit (60 mph). So you do need to have your wits about you. Most people who drive on country lanes, so do carefully, and drive at speeds much more suited to the road because you may come across another car (and it's not wide enough to pass each other, someone always needs to reverse to the closest passing place), a farmer on his tractor, a lorry, cyclists, horse riders, and sometimes a herd of cows being moved to a different field. But there is the occasional knobhead, usually a local lad, tearing it around the lanes. |So while traffic count is low, you still do need to have your wits about you. But most people are courteous.
I much prefer off-road these days. We have a lovely network of bridleways, by ways, forest tracks, single/double track linked up by country lanes here in the south west.
I much prefer off-road these days. We have a lovely network of bridleways, by ways, forest tracks, single/double track linked up by country lanes here in the south west.
#61
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Joined: Sep 2024
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Rivers, One thing I like to do when my route is confirmed is to 'virtually' ride it on Street View just to look for any landmarks that will help when I am actually on the road, and I can concur just having 'finished' the segment Street to Bewdley, is that around Bristol the country is lovely. You are very fortunate to live in such a wonderful part of England. BTW, I'm looking forward to riding over the Severn Bridge, it is one of my iconic bridges to cross (Golden Gate Bridge - among others - already done)
Ken.
Ken.
#62
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 407
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Rivers, One thing I like to do when my route is confirmed is to 'virtually' ride it on Street View just to look for any landmarks that will help when I am actually on the road, and I can concur just having 'finished' the segment Street to Bewdley, is that around Bristol the country is lovely. You are very fortunate to live in such a wonderful part of England. BTW, I'm looking forward to riding over the Severn Bridge, it is one of my iconic bridges to cross (Golden Gate Bridge - among others - already done)
Ken.
Ken.
there's lovely riding in the SW of England. Cheddar gorge is less than 20 miles away, Dartmoor is about 2 hours on the train (which is my favourite place ro ride tbh).
Enjoy your travels







