Favorite back roads

[SteveF]

Goatsmoor lane coming out of the NE of Billericay towards West Hanningfield, little traffic, quiet through the woods and a very smooth road surface.... always puts a smile on my face when I cycle it

 

[Spinney]

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.

Oooh yes, some lovely back lanes east of the M6 between KL, Carnforth and Milnthorpe. Used to cycle those a lot when I lived up there. A few bits are rather bitter-sweet - when I heard that a good cycling friend was going into a hospice and would not be coming out again I went for a bike ride around there. And now I think of him when I go on those roads.

 

[stephec]

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.
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I've done the same thing a few times, coming down the M6 on my way home from a job in Scotland I'll divert off along that road if I've got the time.

 

[Spinney]

I've done the same thing a few times, coming down the M6 on my way home from a job in Scotland I'll divert off along that road if I've got the time.

Don't tell them all or it'll get crowded!

 

[raleighnut]

Spoilt for choice in Leicestershire.

 

[growingvegetables]

I really like Widdop Road ...

+1.

And for those whose legs quail at the thought of those climbs ... a killer the first time. Ah but, if as you come over the top (riding from the Colne side), there's a lone piper practising; way out in the middle of the Widdop dam???

Makes it a whole lot easier next time - the memory (and the remote off-chance that the piper might be out again) makes such a difference .

 

[growingvegetables]

A short bit of favourite lane, a bit nearer to home for me - from Thorner, via Milner Lane to East Rigton; on via Compton Lane to Collingham. I like riding lanes along the ridge tops .

 

[13 rider]

Part of my favorite loop is a single track road between Belton and Shepshed part of Ncr6 . Virtually traffic free rolling terrain . Always enjoy riding that bit . It's a strava segment so sometimes I ride it fast sometimes I ride it slow and enjoy the views but either way it makes me smile .

 

[Welsh wheels]

The back roads from Cardiff to Caerphilly. Very hilly but some stunning views.

 

[Shortandcrisp]

The narrow lanes of North Norfolk:




And home for some post ride recovery fuel:

 

[Gixxerman]

Quite nice in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Miles of rural backroads and, despite rumours to the contrarary, some hills too.

 

[mjr]

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.

Except when the steam rally's on, assuming that is still as big as it was

Here's maybe my favourite local non-seasonal one - just as you crest the final ridge before descending arrow-straight to the coast road. The sea comes back into view and you know it's not far before a good lunch stop at either the deli or the RSPB cafe: http://www.instantstreetview.com/@52.949231,0.593871,345.65h,-28.11p,1z

I've tons of seasonal ones around here - at the moment, heading east along Setch Road between the tulip fields is pretty lovely as you round corners and fields of strips of extreme colour swing into view. In high summer, I've a soft spot for this one because there aren't many places in Norfolk where you climb into dense tree cover and get that blast of cold air, having just come from another great lunch stop at either Holkham or Wells and ridden past the obelisk: http://www.instantstreetview.com/@52.908673,0.790593,220.15h,-12.16p,0.85z

In France, can I have the D 803 east of Bordeaux?

 

[Alan O]

I don't really have any new favourite roads yet since I got back to cycling after a long gap, but back in my student days at Leeds I used to love the old road to Otley - especially the final downhill section before Otley itself, which is the only place where I've ever had a car pull out to try to stop me from overtaking

I've recently "traveled" that road again on Google Streetview, and it looks like there's a lot more traffic on it these days.

 

[Effyb4]

My favourite bit of road is Fobbing high road. There are great views over the Essex marshes and some interesting buildings. Plus there's a downhill at the end of it.

(not my pictures)

 

[biggs682]

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

Will have to try that one could easily be added to one of my rides

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.

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Yes i know that road well and as you say just been re surfaced