Good sites for plotting commute?

[Paulwakefield]

Hi,

I'm wanting to try and plot a route out, it would basically be from Wakefield to Bradford, well Wakefield/Barnsley (Royston area) to Fagley area of Bradford (near Pudsey/Leeds) and I'm after some nice scenic cycleways, plenty round here, but unsure if any run near where I want to go.

Anyone do a similar route to me like to share, or know of any web resources I could scour ?

Many Thanks,

 

[Wood Myster]

I find that map my ride is good for plotting routes, think you can also search for rides on it so you might find something there

 

[Peteaud]

Ive used this :-
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/JourneyPlanning/FindCycleInput.aspx

 

[mcshroom]

Bikehike is one of the best mapping sites I've used as it links OS maps as well

 

[HLaB]

I quite like cyclestreets for coming up with suitable routes and RideWithGPS for planning them my self.

 

[jim55]

if u have an iphone(prob android too) bikehub is pretty good ,its free and you just plot two points and it gives you a few options

 

[DCLane]

Wakefield, Leeds & Bradford council cycling maps; Wakefield's is a lot better than the rest though. However, you'll find most routes are about going into the city, rather than around.

I've used the Leeds one plus Google maps and local knowledge.

You should be able to pick up the top part of the Spen Valley Greenway, which is on local roads and through Bowling park for the Bradford bit. The A650 from Bradford ring road into the city centre isn't a good route to choose. I did it once my accident and it scared me, even with my daily 70mph dual-carriageway commute.

Your downside is the A650; it's a main road from Wakefield to Bradford but a busy one. You could skip through Drighlington on the B6135 and there's some cycle lanes through the Wakefield bit.

Where's the start/finish and I'll check my maps. I go from Dewsbury into Leeds city centre but sometimes go via Wakefield to add the miles on.

 

[Paulwakefield]

The start would be at Ryhill in Wakefield, and the finish is Gain Lane, Bradford.

I know the A650 is the main route, and I understand how busy it is. Just wish there was a nice towpath all the way

 

[biggs682]

good old fashioned o s map of area

 

[DCLane]

This is my attempt; http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...in+lane&t=h&dirflg=h&mra=mrv&via=1,2,3,5&z=13

Note that it doesn't involve the A650 at all! However, it's a bit longer.

Basically, maps plus local knowledge helps. I've tried to not put you via the bigger hills and there's other riders taking this route; I sometimes use the bit out of Wakefield on my commute home.

How's that for a 1st start?

 

[400bhp]

Use one of the gpx mapping sites, some of which have been mentrioned already (we could do with a sticky for such sites).

My personal choice is bikeroutetoaster, 2nd choice being ridewithgps. I prefer bikeroutetoaster as it generally doesn't send you down off road tracks with the automatic routing on.

Then (and importantly if you don't know the roads) use Google maps as an overlay, using the street view to drill down on to roads so that you get a sense of the layout/traffic density etc.

Plus, post your route on here for people to comment.

 

[jonny jeez]

I second bike hike. It shows elevation and ordanance survey if you wish. Easy to use, save, import and export.

 

[Paulwakefield]

Thanks guys you're all too kind. I will give this some thought when I return from work!


---
Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi - Book combined - 58MPG
On a mission to beat that figure so much it'll be like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

[Paulwakefield]

Oh just realised when I send a message from my Tapatalk app on my phone, it puts the signature from another forum I visit, ignore the mpg signature haha.

Thanks DCLane, that route looks spot on! I know the area fairly well too, so shouldn't get lost, found out today that my work place has large lockers on a first come first serve basis, and their full up for the week. You just hire on Monday for the week and then leave all your shirts/trousers etc in all week. I'll have to wait until next week and get one bagged first thing Monday morning.

Thanks again all !