commuting to Blackpool

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wilkie

Active Member
Location
Lancashire
Hey everyone
I live in Coppull and work at Blackpool Vic I'm thinking of cycling to work (an easy way to get my milage in) however Blackpool isn't the most cycle friendly place, can anyone recommend the safest route out of Blackpool where I wont get squashed!!
Thanks
 

wisdom

Guru
Location
Blackpool
Hi Wilkie,used to work there myself,Blackpools not too bad for cycling.have a look at the cycling route planner website (cannot remember its name though),it gives you several options,safest,fastest and most traffic free routes.
Good luck
 

PaulSB

Squire
Impressive commute. I can't suggest a complete route but I guess you'll have to go through Preston. If so just be aware of the Millenium Wheel cycle route which circles Preston and is well surfaced. It has "arms" radiating outwards and one of these can take you as far as Freckleton and possibly Kirkham.

There are plenty of country land routes from Preston to Blackpool but none I know of are very direct but then I only meander around rather thank try to get from A to B.
 

Sheepy1209

Veteran
Location
Blackpool
Assuming you want a reasonably direct route, the A583 isn't too bad despite being a major road - it used to have two lanes each way but was reduced to one lane, with a cycle lane separated by wide road markings, and a 50mph limit.

The trouble is, getting to the A583 can be a bit troublesome, the main problem being the junction with the M55, which has no cycle provision, and southbound the left two lanes sweep onto the motorway without a give-way; not a nice place to be on a bike. This is one place I'd give up my right to the road and walk if need be - it's treated by drivers as if it's part of the motorway and is a classic example of barriers to cycling. I think there ARE footpaths and a pathetic attempt at shared use, but they're on the south side (the shared use dumps you into the road just before the roundabout!).

My suggestion - though bear in mind I know these roads from weekend leisure rides - would be to head along East Park Drive, Lawson Road, Lancaster Road and Preston Old Road, join Preston New Road, then turn up Mythop Road, through Weeton and Great Plumpton, joining the A583 a little further on. Mythop Road onwards are NSL roads and unlit but not really all that bad in my experience.

What kind of bike are you using? There's a network of bridleways between the hospital and Staining, which give access to the B-roads to the east of Blackpool without going through the urban area. One route goes round the golf course and on to Staining village, while another heads to the Marton Mere caravan site - and possibly onward to Mythop Road. The surfaces are firm but a bit rough, and I wouldn't go round there at night, but it might make for variety. The big downside for me is Chain Lane, between Staining and Mythop Road, which is a rat run with dips and bends that make cyclists vulnerable.

I'm sure someone with more direct knowledge will come along - my main tip is to avoid the A583 / M55 junction if at all possible.
 

Edge705

Well-Known Member
Personally I would avoid the A583 like sheepy states it can be quite troublesome. Despite it being quite reasonably generous in its layout to cyclists it is used by too much heavy traffic such as large VANs and Lorries besides the 50mph speed limit is often ignored. This is a route I used to do 3 times a week as it avoids heavy traffic in fact for most part you will feel pretty lonely its such a quiet route once you leave Tom Benson Way. If you wanted to get the miles in have you considered say driving to Goosnargh and cycling from there once your over the other side of Preston (Broughton Side) most of the routes to the Fylde coast following the B roads are fairly quiet. Alternatively drive to Preston near to where the above route starts or a bit further in and extend your cycle ride by doing this Again this route will take you along quiet B roads with only a small section on the A585 besides you then have a shorter return option (first route) should you feel a bit fatigued after your days work. Chapeau to you for contemplating such a long commute I commute every day 30 miles round trip and even this one would put me off or at least force me to drive some of the way. Anyway good luck whatever you decide
 
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wilkie

wilkie

Active Member
Location
Lancashire
Thanks guys some great advice, I will look into the routes mentioned and hopefully do a dummy run this weekend :-)
 

Sheepy1209

Veteran
Location
Blackpool
Thanks guys some great advice, I will look into the routes mentioned and hopefully do a dummy run this weekend :-)

To add more - I think Edge705 has by far the best route - there are some lovely roads east of Blackpool but without experience / local knowledge, and the back up of a GPS (Garmin Edge 705 perchance?) it can take a few goes to thread together a route. The benefit of there being no obvious direct 'main road' in that area is that the roads are reasonably quiet; combine that with a sunny day and it can be cycling at its best!
Crossing the A585 can be tricky at times, just sheer weight of traffic, but no biggy.

But Coppull? That's ruddy miles!

(I agree the 583 isn't a pleasant route - not particularly dangerous, just busy, though it does change in character as you get closer to Preston. The big downside for me though is that it's just a bit boring....)
 
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wilkie

wilkie

Active Member
Location
Lancashire
I know its a bit of a trek but I like a challenge. I've enquired about doing lejog next year so the rides to work will all help
 
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