Favorite back roads

[rugby bloke]

We all have our favorite back roads to ride ... This is currently top of my list - Ravenstone to Stoke Goldington, in that little corner where Northants, Bucks and Beds come together. Not a long way but a real joy to ride.

New tarmac, rolling countryside, almost always care free, I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Drago]

I know that road well Mr Bloke, not far from me. Easy to get lost!

My favourite is not far from yours. From the village of Hartwell, in a loop down to Bozenham Mill, then swing around and cross the county line into Buckinghamshire, through Pindon End and emerge into Hanslope. Not a huge route, can be disposed of comfortably in an hour, but takes in rural areas, farmland, river, railway, quite a few interesting sights in a low traffic environment

 

[Spinney]

This is mine - don't ride it often as it's the other end of the country, but I've stopped up the top there a few times (in the car as well as on the bike) and watched the sun start to go down over the hills. In the right spot you can't see or hear the M6 to your west, and only the tarmac says you're not in the wilderness. It's that wide open spaces feeling. There are lots of other good roads that give similar views and feelings, but that's the stretch that sticks in my mind, perhaps because I've diverted off the M6 there on long journeys a couple of times to spend 15 mins looking at the sunbeams slanting down through gaps in the clouds.

B6261 between Shap and Orton, Cumbria.

 

[Haitch]

The south bank of the River Lek. Head south and your into mile after mile of orchards, beautiful throughout the seasons. Go west, young cyclist, and it's Utrecht, Germany is to the east. Historical towns, lovely villages and, on a good day, sunshine. It's like being in a foreign country.

 

[rugby bloke]

I know that road well Mr Bloke, not far from me. Easy to get lost!

My favourite is not far from yours. From the village of Hartwell, in a loop down to Bozenham Mill, then swing around and cross the county line into Buckinghamshire, through Pindon End and emerge into Hanslope. Not a huge route, can be disposed of comfortably in an hour, but takes in rural areas, farmland, river, railway, quite a few interesting sights in a low traffic environment

I was introduced to that loop a couple of weeks ago. Its amazing how you have be cycling in the area and not pick up these little gems. As you say its a really nice little loop.

 

[Dave 123]

Out of Puerto Pollenca in Mallorca us the 'garden route'. Lovely views, smells and plants.

Then the road to Caimari is equally beautiful.

 

[Drago]

I was introduced to that loop a couple of weeks ago. Its amazing how you have be cycling in the area and not pick up this little gems. As you say its a really nice little loop.

You would've come close to Drago Manor. Let me know when you're planning to do it again and I could join you, finish up with a coffee and sticky bun in them forest Cafe.

 

[rugby bloke]

You would've come close to Drago Manor. Let me know when you're planning to do it again and I could join you, finish up with a coffee and sticky bun in them forest Cafe.

I'm planning to head out on my bike tomorrow am, so I may be passing your way.

 

[ColinJ]

I really like Widdop Road between Slack (above Hebden Bridge) and Thursden (above Colne). I don't have my nice summer photos to hand, so here are some winter ones instead ...

 

[Spinney]

I do love that kind of countryside. My legs don't always appreciate the hills, though!

 

[Drago]

I'm planning to head out on my bike tomorrow am, so I may be passing your way.

Watch our for the Bank Holiday wallies heading for the forest.

 

[ColinJ]

I do love that kind of countryside. My legs don't always appreciate the hills, though!

That's why I have triples on 3 of my 4 bikes, and I put a double with a 34/36 bottom gear on my CX bike!

 

[Spinney]

ALL my bikes have triples. My favourite steed is a tourer with mountain bike gearing (not ultra-low, but still lower than a standard triple). And my legs still don't like the hills much!

 

[rugby bloke]

I really like Widdop Road between Slack (above Hebden Bridge) and Thursden (above Colne). I don't have my nice summer photos to hand, so here are some winter ones instead ...

Great views, my soft East Midlands legs are hurting just looking at the hills !

 

[MontyVeda]

There's so many to choose from.

The road west of the Lune between Halton (Lancaster) and Kirkby Lonsdale is by no means traffic free (not really a 'back' road but compared to the road running up the east side of the river, it is). It's got a tunnel of trees and a panoramic view of the Cumbrian mountains, Ingleborough, the Bowland Fells, plenty of ups and downs and is far superior to the alternative A683

There's a little lane from the A683 up to Brookhouse. It's only about 1/4 of a mile but it's lovely as it gets into the village, almost lost in time. Best going up than down.