National Cycle Network Maps - Britain
 

Hi there,

Does anyone know of how to get hold of a map of the national cycle network in England in their detailed entirety, i.e. showing the exact roads and paths rather than just an A3 version showing the general direction! Would really help out as at the moment all I can find are bits and pieces published by their respective counties. It's a bit of a mess really.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Freckers

You can order them from Sustran

http://www.sustransshop.co.uk

I've ridden in Britain a couple of times and have always used the AAA Road Atlas (1 inch = 3 miles) to create my routes. It has all the roads, some elevation information, and some city details. They are available everywhere in Britain.

I try to take the unrated roads. This is usually means a meandering route but very little traffic.

I find the sustrans maps to be greatly detailed but expensive for longer routes.

Ray

Yes, is it a mess for those of us on the outside looking in.

After spending 2.5 months last summer on sustrans routes here is my 2 coppers worth.

Bring your serious gears and tires 700cx28 -> no
Where the #$%$@# is a centralized addenda page for the Major routes
Scale back your expected mileage.
It's ok to get fed up and jump on the main roads no one will think less of you.
In some areas there are way way way to many gates and gate styles.:crash:
Routes through cities are usually ill signed except for the 56 through Liverpool which should be a model for all city bike routes.
ACA maps are better.
Yes, I really do think route planners go out of their way to hit every hill in an area.

Which routes would I inflict upon friends?

Sustrans 7. (It's really popular with some sweet riding)
Northern Ireland Loop.

I agree with many of your comments. I rode from London to Middlesbrough last spring and tried to follow the NCN routes, but found them to be poorly sign posted and often to be more suited to a MTB rather than a rode bike. I found that Google maps worked just fine. I kept to B roads mostly, and found lots of quiet and beautiful routes, but went on A roads if I needed to be somewhere quickly

http://opencyclemap.org/

All the data is user created so it isn't complete. The routes that are there however usually have plenty of detail. It also gives a good overview of where the routes are and how they fit together.

Thank you so so much all of you - It's going to make planning a whole lot more effective and easier!

Freckers