Harlow to Epping, Hastingwood roundabout

[robjh]

This is a question for anyone who rides from Harlow to Epping. How do you deal with this great bustard of a roundabout/gyratory system when heading south?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7...-TiaKlO0j9fVQLKA_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

or on the map, heading from the A414 (top left) to London Road (bottom left)

The challenge is a high, near-constant volume of high speed traffic over several lanes, and 1/2 mile distance from one side to the other.

I've so far tried taking the service road across the middle - bad choice as it has gates at both ends and crap surface, and you still have to get across the traffic at the far end; and riding on the footpath on the right - bad choice as there is no dropped curb to get across from the southbound carriageway, and it then involves crossing a double lane of speeding traffic coming off the roundabout.

Or is it best just to follow the main carriageways all the way round?

 

[Cycleops]

Know it well, only option is push.

 

[jiberjaber]

I ridden round the roundabout (on Audax) and also just used the footpath on the South side (on CTC rides) I don't seem to have ridden the rbt on a day other than a Sunday, but have driven it on a lot of different days, I would say Sunday is quieter for sure - I wouldn't have a problem using the roundabout from London Road to Hastingwood Road, but I would never use the A414 in either direction.
If I were coming from Harlow, Chelmsford bound, I'd use Harlow Common if I were heading from Epping to Harlow, I'd use Rye Hill road.

M11 off-slips on to the roundabout are signal controlled, but the on-slips to the M11 are not and can be a bit of a racetrack as the lights change between the various feeds in to the rbt.

 

[KnackeredBike]

Best option if you want to do it is take primary in the lane you want in plenty of time. Good obs all the way around and if you need to change lane move into the left/right tyre track in your current lane and make obvious glances behind you,. 99% of the time people will make a gap for you.

I ride a not dissimilar roundabout on my commute. It is IMO better than you would expect if you are assertive as people are surprised to see a cyclist and it generally seems to make them very cautious. But of course if you don't take a strong position you will end up being pushed into the kerb.

 

[Markymark]

I've ridden it a few times and do what I always do on big roundabouts that have no infrastructure of cyclists.....make like a car and ride in the middle of the lane. Be acutely aware of what is around you and signal clearly when changing lanes. Must have ridden it a few dozen times and never had an issue but it is one I am extra vigilant on.

 

[Milkfloat]

If I could not route around it - I would take primary and ride it like I was in a car. Put out 500W and clench my bottom waiting for trouble.

 

[si_c]

It's not great, but I'd behave like a car, be predictable all the way around and take primary, as said above, most people will give you space.

 

[Lee_M]

I used to live close by and rode round that loads of times. The traffic lights help as I just used to sprint between them and take primary. I wouldn't want to do it without the lights though