A5, A444, A515, A6 and A624

[martint235]

Not sure of the best place to put this but as my trip to Nelson is getting closer, I thought I'd seek advice. What are the following roads like and is there anything I need to look out for:

1. The A5 specifically between Dunstable and Nuneaton. I'll be riding this at night hoping to hit Nuneaton around 6am.
2. The A444 to the A515 and onwards to the A6. I won't be on the A6 for long, just till I can get on to the A624.
3. The A624 northwards

Are the roads ridiculously busy, poorly surfaced etc. I still have time to alter my route but this is more a case of forewarned rather than it being likely I'll change anything.

TIA

 

[alans]

The A515 is a local road for me,which I don't use because I know of quieter alternatives.
The A6 is medium busy IME during bthe day,more so at commuting hours,less so evening,night & e\arly morning.
A624.......
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYAbYmOCYeg


If you need more info or ride company let me know
hth

 

[alans]

I forgot to say...
road surfaces on A515,A6 & A624 (last used a couple of years ago) are o.k..
I'd be happy to use your route if I didn't have an alternative

 

[martint235]

Alans, I have to say that is almost certainly the most useful reply I have ever received to any post! The video is great. I now know exactly what I'm going to be facing.

The route has been chosen as a reasonably straight line. I would say I'll be hitting Buxton at around about 10-11am at a guess. It's now starting to hit home just how stupid an idea this is but then again to say I've ridden "Home to Home" in a day will be a fantastic achievement

 

[alans]

I reckon stupid ideas often generate the most satisfaction when fulfilled

I wonder if your straight-line philosophy provides the least hilly,most scenic & expeditious route wrt the A515 to Buxton section?
Have you considered approaching Buxton via the Tissington Trail & before that the Manifold Trail.The latter being almost flat:the former being,at worst,easy inclines.Both are very pleasant traffic free routes.
If you wish I could do a route for you begining at the start of your A515 & up to Buxton.
Are you night riding?If so you might want to know of food/drink locations,least busy main road sections for most progress etc etc.
Apologies if this appears to be an attempt at teaching you to suck eggs.

 

[martint235]

I'm open to all advice but a bit stubborn.

I'm leaving London at around midnight and hope to be past Nuneaton by 6am. I'll breakfast there and then maybe a sandwich somwhere around Rochdale. Hoping to get to Nelson by about 3pm.

I find I can go quicker on an A road than a trail which suggests a cycle path (apologies if I'm wrong about this)

 

[alans]

I assume you are
onto the A444 at Fenny Drayton
perhaps hanging a left @ Church Gresley
to Yoxall A515 ( via Rosliston, Walton & Barton under Needwood)
A515 from Yoxall to Buxton (via Ashbourne.This is where you could drop onto the Tissington Trail to it's junction with the A515 just south of Buxton.The Trail gains the same height in an easier manner than the more lumpy A road)
Exit Buxton on A6 to it's junction with A624 just past Chapel en le Frith.I'd expect this part of the A6 not to be busy at your planned mid-morning passage.

 

[alans]

I find I can go quicker on an A road than a trail which suggests a cycle path (apologies if I'm wrong about this)

My thinking is coloured by the fact that I am slow on uphills.
I would use the Tissington Trail knowing it would not be slower for me & easier riding
ymmv

 

[martint235]

Ok I usually never have any idea of where I actually am. Here's the route. To be honest it'll take "This bit of road is almost certain death" to make me change it but also between Watford and Rochdale I have absolutely no idea what I'm up against.

I average around 16mph and I'm working on what goes up has to go down ie climbing has a quick descent to it. I know I'm gaining 800ft overall though.

 

[alans]

I am familiar with the roads from 105 to 176 miles & FWIW I'd be o.k. to use that as a main road direct route for rapid transit as it were.
Hope it all goes well for you.

 

[northernsouthern]

Hey Martin,

Going to follow your route tomorrow eve heading back to the other side of Pendle. Just wondered if you had any hints or tips for the ride as setting off at midnight on Friday.

 

[ianrauk]

Hey Martin,

Going to follow your route tomorrow eve heading back to the other side of Pendle. Just wondered if you had any hints or tips for the ride as setting off at midnight on Friday.

Martin hasn't been on CC since 18th Feb i'm afraid.

 

[martint235]

But I got an email and I'm an exceptionally nice person! . Actually seriously, I did get an email alert and couldn't let someone ride the route without some advice.

First of all eat a lot. Or at least whenever you see food. There's not as much on the A5 as I expected there to be. I ended up not eating between home and Rugby services which is about 100 miles in.

I also got lost around mile 189, when you go up Gorsey Brow it looks like it goes nowhere and I kept turning back and trying again (and it's a very steep start to the hill). I've checked on Google Maps and it does keep going so do that. Alternatively as the given route takes you down into a steep valley for no apparent gain, turn right on Glossop Road at mile 188. You can then join the A57 and follow it round back to where you should be.

At Ashbourne, eat a substantial meal if you can. Up until this point it looks like the Peak District has nothing to offer that should scare you and there isn't. But the hills do start at this point and you need fuel. Enjoy the Peak District though, it's gorgeous. Again refuel often and take on water (my dad still finds it hilarious that I ran out of water in Buxton).

I think that's about it, I'm riding it again around 17th June.

 

[northernsouthern]

Thanks Martin, Setting off in an hour so just doing the last few checks, Thanks for the tips

I'll let you know how I get on. Just got to decide whether to cycle over Pendle hill at the end or skirt around the side.

Cheers

Chris

 

[PaulSB]

Skirt round the side, no doubt about it.