As a UK cyclist what is the nicest A road you've ever ridden?

[stephec]

I've never ridden it, but I'd imagine the A686 off the top of Hartside down to Melmerby would be entertaining if you knew it was quiet.

I've done it enough times in a car and know that even though it's a bit curvy at the top (ooerr missus) it's one of those roads where you've got clear vision all the way ahead, quite a giggle

 

[LarryDuff]

The A2 between Portstewart and Ballycastle. Nice road surface and some good hills and the views out towards Scotland are spectacular.

 

[arranandy]

The A701 from Moffat down towards Peebles because once you've climbed the Devils Beeftub (?) it feels like you go downhill for about 40 miles. It's awesome. I did it after midnight so there was absolute no traffic, fantastic!

Nice wee cafe at Broughton as well

 

[stephec]

Nice wee cafe at Broughton as well

Where's that?

I've passed through Broughton plenty of times but never seen a cafe.

 

[Globalti]

A686 Penrith to Hexham. Done it many times very early in the morning on motorbikes and I've left a bit of ground away footrest on the hairpins.

 

[lejogger]

The A701 from Moffat down towards Peebles because once you've climbed the Devils Beeftub (?) it feels like you go downhill for about 40 miles. It's awesome. I did it after midnight so there was absolute no traffic, fantastic!

One of the highlights of my end to end this year.
Although the A93 to Braemar through the Cairngorns, and the A939 through the Lecht Ski centre top the list I'm afraid.

 

[robjh]

The A493 from Tywyn towards Fairbourne and Dolgellau is pretty good - high above the sea, dry-stone walls and steeply-sloping green fields dotted with sheep, then the sweeping descent to the Mawddach estuary with the Barmouth bridge in front of you. In good weather it is a wonderful ride.

 

[arranandy]

Where's that?

I've passed through Broughton plenty of times but never seen a cafe.

on the left just as you turn on to the road to Biggar

 

[stephec]

on the left just as you turn on to the road to Biggar

Coming down from Edinburgh is that the right turn just before the shop?

 

[arranandy]

Coming down from Edinburgh is that the right turn just before the shop?

Yes, white building. Alternatively there's a couple of good cafes on Biggar main street and a cracking chip shop

 

[Donger]

The A87 from Shiel Bridge (at the end of Loch Duich) to Sligachan on the Isle of Skye takes some beating. I've done most of it from Shiel Bridge past Eileann Donan Castle and Kyle of Lochalsh, over the amazing Skye Road Bridge (which I reckon deserves King of the Mountain points); along the coast past Broadford with fantastic views of Scalpay, Raasay and the Applecross Peninsula; and then up past salmon fisheries and the Skye-Raasay ferry terminal as far as Sligachan - in the heart of the dramatic Cuillin range. I'd love to do the rest of this road to Portree and beyond, and probably will one day. Traffic can be a bit busy, particularly near Eileann Donan Castle, where you need to take care, but I have always found drivers on Skye to be very sensible and courteous. Once you get to Sligachan, you are spoilt for choice for lovely little excursions through the Cuillins on more minor roads with simply unbeatable scenery.

 

[tony111]

It's either the first hundred metres when setting off outside our house on a good day or the last hundred metres when I'm coming back if It's bad weather.

 

[stephec]

Yes, white building. Alternatively there's a couple of good cafes on Biggar main street and a cracking chip shop

Cheers Andy.

I remember that chippy putting my pie in the fryer to warm it up.

 

[pplpilot]

You lot need to get off the A roads and discover the wonderful B roads and what they have to offer. Whenever i plan a longish ride it is always as much B road as possible just using the A's to jump to another B .

 

[Donger]

You lot need to get off the A roads and discover the wonderful B roads and what they have to offer. Whenever i plan a longish ride it is always as much B road as possible just using the A's to jump to another B .

Absolutely right. Couldn't agree more.......... but I guess that was the point of the thread, as there aren't that many nice A roads around.