Busy Roads... Avoid or go for it?

[Brandane]

I much prefer quieter roads; or better still traffic free cycle routes like disused railway lines. I don't think it has anything to do with confidence; I have plenty of confidence in my riding ability, having done it for nearly 50 years. What I don't have confidence in, is drivers ability to avoid colliding with me through their inability to concentrate on what the F*** they are doing rather than faffing around with phones, satnavs, razors, make-up, DVD players, arguing with passengers, etc. etc..

 

[400bhp]

There's no pleasure at all in using busy roads but sometimes they offer the most direct route. On ColinJ's comeback ride earlier this year we set off to ride home from Glasson Dock but Gti Junior was tired so he and Kiwi Sal and I took the old A6, which heads in a straight line back to Preston with very few hills. It actually wasn't too bad as there were no trucks, it being a weekend.

It's actually OK, most of the A6 up to Penrith as it's wide. Preston centre though is awful.

 

[ColinJ]

I much prefer quieter roads; or better still traffic free cycle routes like disused railway lines. I don't think it has anything to do with confidence; I have plenty of confidence in my riding ability, having done it for nearly 50 years. What I don't have confidence in, is drivers ability to avoid colliding with me through their inability to concentrate on what the F*** they are doing rather than faffing around with phones, satnavs, razors, make-up, DVD players, arguing with passengers, etc. etc..

I almost got squashed once on the climb of Saddleworth Moor by a large car whose driver had turned to remonstrate with her children who were squabbling in the back seats. I will never forget the look of horror on her face as she cut me up facing back down the hill at me!

 

[summerdays]

Literally on a road by road basis, and what time of day or how I am feeling. I generally find it more pleasant on quiet roads as there is more time to look around at the passing scenery or to chat to a friend without the road noise, but sometimes the main road can be exhilarating. I'm not so keen on dual carriageways or multi-lane roads where I don't know which lane I need to be in, whereas once you have that sussed and the best times to change lanes then they are OK generally.

 

[snorri]

Do you just bite the bullet and say sod it and use these busy roads or do you avoid them?

My answer would be....sometimes.
It is a combination of factors, average speed and volume of motor traffic, width of road, weather conditions, quality of the road surface, time of day, ie light conditions, all come into the decision to use or avoid.
Only the individual can decide if conditions are ok or not.