Does this route look safe for a commute (Cannock)?

[smartdev]

Ok,

Recently I decided to get some more exercie, I currently drive to work each day (about 5 miles) and spend most of my time sitting in an office. I have not been driving for long (9 months?) and I have not been working full time all that either, having recently finished university. My main means of exercise before was the walk to the university campus every day, which was a pretty decent walk.

I thought about going to the gym but im really an outdoors sort of person so I thought I may as well get a bike! I was going to get a mountain bike and do some cycling over the chase (woodland area) but then I though hey why dont I cycle to work? There are only two real negatives to this, the first is I sometimes need my car for work so I would have to drive in on Monday and leave it there during the week (which isnt a problem) for the few days that I cycle in. The other issue is the route, im not overly convinced that it is "safe" to cycle, so I though id post it on here and maybe you guys could tell me what you think?

I quite like the idea of working towards something so I have been looking at some of the uk sportive events.

Here is a link to the calculated routes http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/2326221/. On the last stretch of the busy route there is in fact what appears to be a cycle path so that could be usable, however those big islands are mayhem!

Cheers!

 

[Norm]

Safe is a difficult thing to gauge as it depends on a gazillion factors like time, weather, speed, confidence, riding position... etc. I'd also say that almost any road could be considered inherently safe (it's the drivers which make it dangerous) and any trip could be considered safe until you have an accident, so the best response you can hope for is "I would / wouldn't ride there".

I don't know the area around Cannock but I would say that sort of distance shouldn't be an issue for anyone. I currently commute about the same distance and it doesn't, for the most part, really feel like I've cycled at all. In the mornings, I take it easy and take about 18-20 minutes so I don't need to shower on arrival. On the way home, I'm about 5 minutes faster.

BTW, I've amended your title, in the hope that it picks up someone with more detailed local knowledge.

 

[smartdev]

Thanks for your reply Norm. Having not cycled since I was a child I don't want to make the investment if it isn't going to work out. Over the next week or so I will drive the different routes to work and see if there are any potential issues I may encounter (too excessive?)

 

[Norm]

(too excessive?)

Not at all, IMO, which is why "confidence" was so high up my list of potential factors. Knowing what you are doing and where you are going and being assertive enough to take the space you need to get there whilst clearly communicating your intentions to your fellow road users makes a massive difference to a rider's safety, IMO, and that all comes from confidence.

 

[Glow worm]

5 miles should be a nice distance and I'm pretty sure you'll be wishing it was further once you get into it. Maybe you could do a test run one evening or weekend before starting the cycle commute?

I'm not familiar with that area either but quick look at the O.S map suggets the lanes up to Hawks Green would be good if slightly longer. Looks like there might be a path through some woods (a 'nature park'?) to Rumer Hill then it's through Cannock. A second glance suggests this is part of the suggested 'quiet route'.

One thing to be wary of with the quiet route is that some of those lanes look like they link quite large towns so may be subject to rat runners during rush hour. Also, perhaps use Google Street View to help fill in some gaps.

(I should add a caveat that although I'm fine cycling on roads, I always look for more pleasant, quiet alternatives especially if they are car free. So my preferences may not suit you or others of course.)

 

[Recycler]

It's very difficult to say without really knowing the area but FWIW I hate right turns or "aheads" on big dual carriageway roundabouts. Be prepared to get off and walk if necessary. However, I'm quite relaxed going along a main road if it is wide enough for me and the passing traffic.

Thanks for the link to Cyclestreet. I've not seen it before and I'm off now to have a play with it!

 

[Pauluk]

I would recommend the Cyclecraft book by John Franklin, it was invaluable to me when I started cycling on the roads and helped me with my knowledge and confidence as Norm has said here.

Also bear in mind, if you find yourself a little out of your depth at some major hazards you can always dismount and become a ped for a few minutes until you get more experience. Unless your route/roads are like hell then go for it, take it easy and build your confidence.

Also by following these forums you'll learn a great deal too, I have.

 

[smartdev]

I have been reading the guide by Johnny that is stickied in this section. I have studied the quiet route a bit more, I was first put off by the stated time, but then I remembered why I was doing this and that is to get fit, so the longer it takes the better I guess .

Thanks for the reply's guys!

 

[Hawk]

As Pauluk said, Cyclecraft is an essential!

 

[smartdev]

Seeing as two of you guys have mentioned the same book ive just placed the order

 

[MickL]

I would avoid the red route (A5 Walting street) its just no worth trying that way at all, it gets busy and the Islands on there and are manic in a car let alone on a bike. The Amber route is ok but still got that horried Island at the bottom of the orbital, rather than going round the Island you could go up Eastern Way and turn left at the Island by Mill Green. Or take the green route and go down the Lichfield Road rather than go the round the nature reserve. Cycling through Cannock centre is ok as well because of the amount of traffic lights, traffic moves slowly, but best thing to do is try a route (Not the red one !!) and remember these only follow main routes, you can cut down streets etc, Cannock isn't a to bad place to cycle just the A5 Islands are biggest problem.

 

[smartdev]

Thanks for the reply Mick. I totally agree about the orbital/red route. I have to drive it every day, you get so many morons that time in the morning its unreal.

I'm still deciding whether to get a road bike or a hybrid, though im learning towards hybrid considering my area.