Gutted!!!

[Barney28]

Went out for a cycle this morning feeling a bit guilty I hadn't been out in over a week to find my local cycle path (strathkelvin railway Path at Moodiesburn) is temporarilly closed for 4 weeks. This is also the route I've started commuting to work on and I aint confident enough to go on the main roads yet for any distance.

On top of that I'm expecting to pick up my new bike on the Cycle to Work Scheme this week (been waiting 5 weeks so far!!). The last thing I needed was for my local path to be closed.

Gutted!!!

 

[amaferanga]

Would seem like a good time to MTFU and get on the road

 

[Wobblers]

It might be worthwhile trying to find some quiet roads to cycle on. You'll find that the more you cycle on the roads, the more confidence you get... in a few months time, you'll look back and wonder what all the fuss was about!

There's no special tricks to cycling on main roads - just be assertive, don't hug the gutter, be aware that cars may pull out in front of you from side roads (so move out a bit [1] and cover the brakes if you see someone waiting to pull out) and maintain an awareness of what's happening around you. My commute, though short, is almost entirely on busy A roads but I very rarely encounter any problems. Perhaps you could try going out on the bike early in the mornings - Sunday morning is best - when it's quieter?

[1] But check behind you first to see if it's clear!

 

[the snail]

Went out for a cycle this morning feeling a bit guilty I hadn't been out in over a week to find my local cycle path (strathkelvin railway Path at Moodiesburn) is temporarilly closed for 4 weeks. This is also the route I've started commuting to work on and I aint confident enough to go on the main roads yet for any distance.

On top of that I'm expecting to pick up my new bike on the Cycle to Work Scheme this week (been waiting 5 weeks so far!!). The last thing I needed was for my local path to be closed.

Gutted!!!

At least it's only temporary, the chippenham-lacock route is closed due to change of ownership, which affects about 100 yards across a field, so now there is little option but to use the A350. Personally I'm ok with traffic, but having someone pass you at 80mph is pretty scary even if they do give you plenty of room, nothing you can do but hold your nerve and hope they miss you. Obviously head-to-toe dayglo is a must.

 

[mcshroom]

Is there any explanation of the closure on the signs? It may be that they are putting in a new super-smooth surface

Have a look at your local map (or use something like bikehike) and see if there is an alternative route that you could take without using the major road if you aren't confident. The best route for a car is not necessarily the best for a bike and vice-versa.

I had to move onto the main roads in the winter when the ice stopped me using my cycle path and back road commute. After a couple days you get used to it.

 

[marinyork]

http://www.opencyclemap.org/?zoom=14&lat=55.91385&lon=-4.092&layers=B000 Seem to be a few options there. Unfortunately some cycle paths do get closed for protracted lengths of time (months) or closed multiple times.

 

[Barney28]

Thanks for the replys everyone.

I think I was more gutted at the time when I initially seen the closed sign, and it is only 4 weeks so at least it is only temporary.

There is alternantive cycle options around where I live which I've been using the last few days, and a bit more hilly than usual so I'm enjoying the different challenges so to speak.

It still does stop my commute to work as I won't go out on the busy roads. This is more due to being involved in a (luckily) minor accident on a moped a few years ago. No fault of my own and luckily no serious damage done, but it has put me off the idea of 2 wheels challlenging for road space with cars/buses etc

It was only when I discovered the ammount of traffic free cycle options around where I live that I decided to get back on the bike and got to say still glad I did.

Just weighed myself yesterday for the first time since I got back on the bike 3 months ago and discovered I've lost 10kg/1st 8lbs. Knew I had lost a bit of weight but delighted when i realised how much.

Nots so gutted today!!