22 mile commute - what stuff do I need, and how should I start?
- Thread starter sabian92
- Start date
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Widnes-Liverpool City Centre. I crossed the Runcorn-Widnes bridge for college so the only difference is that now I turn left toward Liverpool
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
14 - 18 degrees and you are wearing a long sleeved base layer :O
400bhp
Guru
OK-I know the route along the TPT all the way through Widnes and Liverpool and broadly know the turn off that takes you into Liverpool.
The bit around Speke is a bit crap and might be a bit of a bind doing it all the time (loads of glass on the underpass too). Might want to detour that bit.
I would also look at a few different route options because i) the TPT might be closed now and then, ii) makes it more interesting and iii)on road is likely to be a bit faster (in particular if your up your speed).
The bit around Speke is a bit crap and might be a bit of a bind doing it all the time (loads of glass on the underpass too). Might want to detour that bit.
I would also look at a few different route options because i) the TPT might be closed now and then, ii) makes it more interesting and iii)on road is likely to be a bit faster (in particular if your up your speed).
Any recommendations for where to go then? I don't really know Speke that well. I average 10-11mph so at the moment that's probably going to go down over that distance.
400bhp
Guru
The main problem is crossing Speke Boulevard (which the underpass at speke goes under).
In the first instance, follow the TPT route and use the underpass. Then you know the default way.
Then, hop over to the Morrisons (about 1/4 mile west of the underpass) and go across the junction by using the road and the trafic lights. Google maps should show you although IIRC the Morrisons has been there less than a year so might not show on google maps?
I'm afraid I don't have a great solution for avoiding Speke, someone else might know a good alternative.
And I'm aware (having done it once) that the on road routes to get to widnes from east liverpool aren't spectacular, but if you leave early enough the traffic should be light enough.
In the first instance, follow the TPT route and use the underpass. Then you know the default way.
Then, hop over to the Morrisons (about 1/4 mile west of the underpass) and go across the junction by using the road and the trafic lights. Google maps should show you although IIRC the Morrisons has been there less than a year so might not show on google maps?
I'm afraid I don't have a great solution for avoiding Speke, someone else might know a good alternative.
And I'm aware (having done it once) that the on road routes to get to widnes from east liverpool aren't spectacular, but if you leave early enough the traffic should be light enough.
I know where Morrisons is though. I know there's a cycle path all the way down there but I'd rather avoid for quieter roads as I don't want to have to stop and start with the cycle path (that sucks in places, I see it most days from the bus).
That being said I'd not ride on the dual carriageway regardless. Suppose If I was on the road before 7 I'd get there by half past and the traffic would likely be reasonably quiet?
The TPT bit by the underpass in Speke is awful. You could take Ramsbrook Lane in Hale then left onto Higher Lane to Halewood where you can pick up the TPT again at Halewood Park (or alternatively come off the TPT at Pickerings Pasture in Halebank follow the road out of the car park then go straight across the lights on to Halebank Road, this will join Higher Lane EDIT: Lower Road/Church Road instead of Higher Road would be even quieter!), it will be quiet on those roads at that time and shouldn't add too much time.
Another option would be to go straight on through Speke past the airport and through the Estuary Business Park up to the retail park and brave Garston on the road until you get to Aigburth and can get on the prom.
Hope that helps!
Another option would be to go straight on through Speke past the airport and through the Estuary Business Park up to the retail park and brave Garston on the road until you get to Aigburth and can get on the prom.
Hope that helps!
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RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
Another road option might be via Hough Green and Netherley so....over the bridge, Ditton Rd, St Michael's Rd, Ditchfield Rd, Netherley Rd, Childwall Rd, Picton Rd. Childwall Valley would be a bit of an uphill drag but deffo an option.
Or even Dundalk Road/Hale Road then Liverpool Road until it becomes the Netherly Road! FWIW I commute Liverpool City Centre-Widnes via Woolton Road/Netherly Rd, I prefer that route into the city via the sports park and Lawrence Road rather than Picton and Childwall Valley. To add to the confusion you can get off the TPT pretty much on Woolton Rd at Gatacre Brow!
Seems there's more than one way to skin a cat. I'll sit down with Google Maps with a TPT map and see the best option. Would rather avoid going past the business park/airport as it involves the dual carriageway or a crappy dual use path.
RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
You're right, Woolton Rd is the better option.
first of all, no 22 mile journey is flat so he prepared for some hills. I started off with a 17 mile commute and it frickin hurt for the first two weeks... And i thought it was "flat".... so be prepared for that. Get thro those two weeks and you'll be ok.
bike should have two lights back and front in case one fails. Get good lights for the trail, you'll need to avoid potholes in the dark. Make sure tyres are pumped and you carry appropriate inner tube, pump etc.
For body, depends on temperature. 3 layers does me up to 8 degrees, 2 up to 12 degrees, 1 layer if hotter than that, but you'll work it out. Thermal cycle tights, good gloves, skull cap under helmet will help keep ears warm. Wiggles own brand (dhb) is cheap and good. Carry a waterproof (or use as 2nd or 3rd layer) if you've got nowhere to dry your clothes in the day. If you have cycle shoes with cleats, get neoprene overshoes to keep feet warm/dry, if using trainers get waterproof socks.
try the ride on a weekend first so you know how long it takes.
most important... It will be harder than you expect the first time, but don't give up bcoz in a few weeks you'll be loving it.
bike should have two lights back and front in case one fails. Get good lights for the trail, you'll need to avoid potholes in the dark. Make sure tyres are pumped and you carry appropriate inner tube, pump etc.
For body, depends on temperature. 3 layers does me up to 8 degrees, 2 up to 12 degrees, 1 layer if hotter than that, but you'll work it out. Thermal cycle tights, good gloves, skull cap under helmet will help keep ears warm. Wiggles own brand (dhb) is cheap and good. Carry a waterproof (or use as 2nd or 3rd layer) if you've got nowhere to dry your clothes in the day. If you have cycle shoes with cleats, get neoprene overshoes to keep feet warm/dry, if using trainers get waterproof socks.
try the ride on a weekend first so you know how long it takes.
most important... It will be harder than you expect the first time, but don't give up bcoz in a few weeks you'll be loving it.
That's pretty much word-for-word what I was going to write! There's usually a strong wind on the prom blowing from the Irish Sea, so I'd probably head into Liverpool via the TPT and enjoy the tailwind heading home along the exposed coast
