Any bristolian cyclists out there :)

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Franlea

Member
Hi Everyone

I am novice cyclist. I last had a bike when I was 14 and my partner bought me another at the age of 35 last summer lol. I love to cycle however I am gradually building up my confidence. I can cycle well and am extremly safe when it comes to balance etc etc but roads i am not good with.

My ambition is to start riding home from work (Broadmead to St george). The plan is to get off and push the bike at roads I am not comfortable with and build myself up. I am planning to cycle across castle Park through gardener haskins and find my way to the bottom of Barton hill so I can cycle the remainder of my journey along the river.

My question is does anyone out there know this route if so do you have any advice ie can i get on the river path before barton hill or can you reacommend quit places to cycle through to get to the river path until my confidence is built up???????????

Hope this makes sence.

Many Thanks

Fran

PS I am in the process of getting equipment accesories for my bike does any body know any good websites where I can by a bike basket bells bags etc.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
I'm in Bristol, and know part of that route but not the bit by the river. How far into St George, basically on a high bit or ending up lower down by the river? If the higher up part you could use the Bristol to Bath path to get you home, it would give you an easier gradient. The cycle path starts not too far from Gardiner Haskins. (I'm also wondering how you are intending to get your bike to work since you only mention your homeward journey :whistle::biggrin:
 
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Franlea

Member
Hello thankyou for replying. Ok so my plan hopefully is to get to the bottom of Barton hill cut onto the path at the netham (not sure if you know it) then I come out but the bridges by lookers car show room. I then can cut back onto the river there and come out probably by the bull pub. I live on troopers hill. My partner has a van and drops me to work and I will ride back . This may change once I get my confidence as I have never rode anywhere apart from a cycle track before lol xx
 

Profpointy

Legendary Member
As a fellow Bristolian, my first comment is that I feel the average Bristol motorist (including Buses & trucks) are pretty tolerant and considerate, with a few exceptions of course.

My only real hint, not Bristol specific, is cycle a good way out from the gutter - best part of a metre - and take the lane properly if there's a pinch point or if your in the middle lane at a roundabout.
 

Arjimlad

Tights of Cydonia
Location
South Glos
Hi Fran, I'm up in South Glos and don't know the routes you propose but when I do venture into the city centre I find loads of other cyclists and have been known to follow them for a bit if they've been going the rough direction I need to travel !

As for kit, Aldi have some reasonable stuff/accessories/clothing in this week if you have one local. Otherwise a lot of people use www.wiggle.co.uk or www.highonbikes.com is another one I have had good service from.
 

the_mikey

Legendary Member
I'm also a South Glos cyclist, but I do cycle through Bristol occasionally. I am wondering if you want to cycle along the feeder canal rather than the river? I would use the Bristol-Bath cycle path via Lawrence Hill and get off at whitehall road. Alternatively, you could cycle under the railway bridges on Avon Street and ride along the Feeder Road.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
Feeder road is fine for a more experienced rider but I don't think I would want to cycle there as a relatively inexperienced rider, I think there is a cycle path along part of it but not the whole way, and the bit by the lights which featured on a cycling video (the one where the van jumped the lights and was subsequently sacked), isn't one of the more cycle friendly parts of Bristol.

Franlea can you time your journey so that it isn't at peak commuter times?
 

the_mikey

Legendary Member
Feeder road is fine for a more experienced rider but I don't think I would want to cycle there as a relatively inexperienced rider, I think there is a cycle path along part of it but not the whole way, and the bit by the lights which featured on a cycling video (the one where the van jumped the lights and was subsequently sacked), isn't one of the more cycle friendly parts of Bristol.

I agree, I would try to avoid the Feeder Road too.
 

Fiona R

Formerly known as Cranky Knee Girl
Location
N Somerset
Hi Franlea....I'm another almost Bristolian in that I am just south of the city but commute out to Nailsea (against the flow of the city commuters!), I started last summer and love it. I venture into town on my bike at weekends etc and am still trying to look like I know where I am going ;) I have no idea about your commute but just wanted to say hi and keep on pedalling!
 

Spartak

Powered by M&M's
Location
Bristolian
Another Bristolian here, although my commute is from Downed - Portbury dock.

I would use the Bristol - Bath track if possible & then turn off at most cycle friendly point !

Perhaps use some cycle friendly mapping available to plot some routes.
 

tadpole

Senior Member
Location
St George
Broadmead to St George is possible along the cycle route, and most of it along the cycle path.
From Caste Park to the end of castle street and lower castle street
Wald a cross the lights to Temple Way under pass to West street (old market)
Up West Street to Midland road
Turn off midland road on to St Phillips Road (it's a Back street)
Join the Bristol to Bath Cycle path
2.5 miles from Roll for the Soul (near Broadmead) to Rose Green Road (heart of St George)
I commute from St George to Yate every day 90% of it on the cycle path/Dramway
 
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Franlea

Member
Good Morning Everyone

Thankyou for your replys they are all really helpful. This riding a bike lark I have wanted todo for so long. I set my self some tagets at the begining of the year 1st was to give up smoking - which I have done ( I have been smoke free for 116 days :smile: ) 2nd was to get more comfortable driving again ( lost my confidence after a crash a few years ago) and I have started to drive more. 3rd and final was to get healthy and get more exercise and as I love riding a bike I thought this was a brill way its just my confidence that got in the way.

As I am not very confident as yet I was'nt going to ride along feeder road as I agree its very busy . from barton hill i was going to get onto the path that is at the very bottom of the netham park then come out by the 2 bridges by the car sales business then cross the road and theres another path that runs along the river. This then misses the Feeder road.

Tad pole I am going to look at the route that you mentioned thankyou. As I have never done it before there could be loads of other ways I could go but am unsure as I have never done it. So I plan to explore and take your advice and stalk fellow cyclists lol ;). The way I look at it is if at first I get to apart I dont feel happy with I just get of and walk but at the same time it will be quicker than walking give me exercise and be fun.

Thankyou Cranky Knee girl I am glad to read I'm not alone.


Thankyou Arjimlad I am going to look at the sited I have bought a helmet (should be delivered today ) but want a basket and some sort of bag for the back so will look.

Thanks Guys
 

James Blackwell

Senior Member
Location
Clevedon
Hi,
Fellow Bristol commuter, Clevedon to Filton. Do it most days, just wanted to say hi, and good luck. I have to agree with Profpointy, the majority of Bristolians are quite tolerant of cyclists so you should have no real problems. My only advice would be, only do what you feel comfortable doing, if you find it too busy or imposing and would feel better getting off your bike, do so. Better to be safe.

James
P.S. for all you Bristolians, the Endonmondo App has a City cycling challenge and Bristol is currently in 9th, could do with a few more peeps to help push that standing up a bit more :smile: http://www.endomondo.com/challenges/14998370
 
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Franlea

Member
Hi james.

Thankyou for replying and advice. A few people I know ( mainly mum and fiancé ) are panicking about me riding home from town but like you said and I said to them anything I'm not happy about I just get of and push
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
Hi james.

Thankyou for replying and advice. A few people I know ( mainly mum and fiancé ) are panicking about me riding home from town but like you said and I said to them anything I'm not happy about I just get of and push
What sort of time do you head home? If I'm heading out along the cycle path I'm usually heading out from town about 3:30 to 4 pm, if you wanted a female to ride with you I don't mind taking a detour.
 
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