A roads vs Country Lanes

[simonB2014]

Ok, so I'm a newbie .... so if this is a mad discussion, just ignore me ... maybe the frustration between rides is just overflowing into rambling forum drivel !?

But anyway, I was planning a route out to a lovely countryside spot about 10 miles away.
There is a very simple and direct route along several A roads, so simple I could do it blindfolded.

Sitting on Google Earth however, I found myself going to extraordinary lengths to avoid any A roads whatsoever.
Getting out of the immediate Urban area I scoured OS Maps and Arial Maps to find alleys, woodland paths, bridleways, moorland (cyclocross bike).
Once past the urban, I then set to navigating all the little B-roads, which involves zig-zaging left-right-left-right to keep in the direction I need.

Amazingly once I'd finished, there was only about half a mile difference between the two routes !
Obviously 1 would be faster & simpler, but the other so much more scenic and 'interesting'.

I guess I then became curious if I was 'normal' spending such attention to avoiding A roads ?
Actually riding the route, I suddenly found myself feeling very vulnerable as I rode the narrow & winding high-hedged country lanes... just waiting for a speeding boy-racer to come up from behind and right up my arse ... and wondered if in fact the A-roads might have been safer !

So, not sure why I'm posting to be honest ... just interested in others 'habits' I suppose... ?
How far (effort) do you go in achieving a 'scenic' route as opposed to speed & simplicity ?

 

[MikeW-71]

Quite normal to me, I avoid busy A roads unless unavoidable. Country lanes and smaller B roads are far more interesting and quiet

If I'm out late at night though (think 9pm or later) then some local A roads become very quiet indeed and then I don't mind them at all.

 

[welsh dragon]

Quiet b roads for me whenever I can,. Much nicer and quieter and less hassle.

 

[simonB2014]

Nice to know
Do you do much to enhance visibility ?
Yellow tops don't seem to make as much sense in the daylight against green hedgerows ?

Maybe my paranoia will die down with experience .......

 

[Hill Wimp]

It's all about the ride so there is no contest,country lanes win hands down every time.

 

[numbnuts]

Country lanes for me too and at night, there is nothing better than riding through the New Forest after dark.

 

[summerdays]

Depends what the purpose of the journey is, getting from A to B I'll probably pick the more main roads, but if I've got the time and fancy enjoying the passing scenery more then the B roads will do fine. On quiet country roads you can normally hear the car approaching and if you think it sounds a little fast you can can look for somewhere to pull over possibly.

 

[coffeejo]

I ride both, depending on circumstances. For example, it's quicker for me to cycle into town on the main A road than it is along the country lanes, so the A road is my default. If I want to head west towards Watchet, Dunster and Minehead, I'll take that those A roads as there isn't a sensible way of getting there on the lanes. I also stick to the main roads during prolonged periods of bad weather as the lanes round here are far more likely to flood and are much less likely to be gritted - or to receive sufficient sunlight for ice to melt.

 

[JasonHolder]

I ride A roads as often as I can.
Always have.

But only because I am fearless, Ignorant, hi-vis and a little bit pro. Wouldn't recommend scenic route down dual carrigaways for newbies.

 

[stuee147]

i would say its normal why would you want a busy road when you can have a nice quiet lane.
i used to do the same if i was driving somewhere id try and avoid the motorways yea there quicker but if times not the issue then its much nicer to go scenic and motorways in a car is like an A road on a bike a bit mind numbing and boring.
plus going new ways is how you find the little sweet shops and quiet pubs

stuee

 

[Spinney]

It depends very much on the A road. Where I live now, the A38 (goes from Bristol to Gloucester) is not all that busy (most of the traffic is on the parallel M5) and is mostly wide enough for cars to overtake you with enough space even if there is something coming the other way. Likewise, where I used to live, the A6 between Levens and Carnforth was relatively quiet (thanks to the M6!), and again mostly wide enough - and in that case, had much gentler hills if I was returning home knackered from a ride.

On the other hand, the A65 across the Pennines was to be avoided - not wide, and very busy.

 

[stuee147]

It depends very much on the A road. Where I live now, the A38 (goes from Bristol to Gloucester) is not all that busy (most of the traffic is on the parallel M5) and is mostly wide enough for cars to overtake you with enough space even if there is something coming the other way. Likewise, where I used to live, the A6 between Levens and Carnforth was relatively quiet (thanks to the M6!), and again mostly wide enough - and in that case, had much gentler hills if I was returning home knackered from a ride.

On the other hand, the A65 across the Pennines was to be avoided - not wide, and very busy.

and the A66 along that way is a nightmare and some big hills too lol

 

[theclaud]

They each offer different pleasures. You'd be silly to forego either, and the best rides will probably contain both. One of my favourite things to do is to climb out of the Swansea valley via a picturesque little road that sweeps up from the Crai reservoir to Heol Senni. From there you could head South again and go up the Devil's Elbow, but the really fun thing to do is hurtle down the nine-mile descent towards Brecon and join the A470 dual carriageway at a speed that startles the motor traffic.

 

[Globalti]

Why would you want to use A roads when the alternatives are as beautiful as this?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.8...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sti2-czZ9Sbh8JLJLY6yjhg!2e0

 

[welsh dragon]

Why would you want to use A roads when the alternatives are as beautiful as this?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.8...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sti2-czZ9Sbh8JLJLY6yjhg!2e0

That's a lovely little lane and just the sort of thing I like.