Let's Off-road!

[Tin Pot]

So, having endangered my life guessing at the existence of paths on google maps I'm willing to off-road! but how do you know you can get through/up/over whatever lays ahead?

The "footpath" I followed had several contraptions designed to perturb riders, I feel.

How do you know if there are styles to climb, livestock to navigate (is that ok?) of if the route is not appropriate in some other way?

For example, I was going up the B2211 towards the bottom of Star Hill and saw a style and a mud track leading up the hill. Don't want to take a cx bike halfway up only to find I have to come back.

 

[simon.r]

Technically you’re not allowed on footpaths. Bridleways are OK and tend to be more bike (and horse) friendly.

 

[classic33]

In theory the land owner is supposed to keep such things to a minimum. Practice shows some go out of their way to block a PROW.

Answer is there's no real way of knowing, even if you've used it before.

 

[Tin Pot]

Technically you’re not allowed on footpaths. Bridleways are OK and tend to be more bike (and horse) friendly.

Are green lines footpaths then?

What colour are bridleways?

 

[Tangoup51]

Are green lines footpaths then?

View attachment 377239

What colour are bridleways?

Green - - - - are footpaths.
Green _ _ _ _ are bridleways.

 

[classic33]

Are green lines footpaths then?

View attachment 377239

What colour are bridleways?

Green Dashed Line, Footpaths Green Dotted Line.

However the indication of a footpath/road does not indicate a Right Of Way.

 

[psmiffy]

OS50 Legend

 

[pclay]

Just look for bridleways, which have the_ _ _ _ _ line.

That's what I do when i go out on my CX bike. I do look at street view (where applicable) and Google maps before hand though.

 

[Tangoup51]

Personally I do very little (to no) research other than what nearby signage indicates when going offroad. (though, sometimes google earth)

A big part of the fun is not knowing what's ahead and about 90% of the time no one really cares about you being there either.

 

[Tin Pot]

Understood - I'll be off-roading to and from work, as it's the only time I can ride, so I want to be confident of the route. I'm using a web app 'explore kent' to find bridleways.

There do seem to be a few I could use, sadly most are footpaths or bridleways to nowhere as they turn into footpaths.

 

[Randombiker9]

it's illegal to cycle on pavement in UK unless it's shared or cycle path. Google maps isn't always right. Like theres 2 parks near me which cyclists used to get to other roads instead of going up a very long hill. But annoyingly one of these shortcuts and I just realised this other day. You can't get through anymore (and google maps says you can). Whether or not this is due to the nearby road works (As I road is also closed). It might just be temporary but I dunno.

 

[Randombiker9]

[QUOTE 4986914, member: 43827"]Wouldn't it be much more civilised if they built cycle lanes alongside all footpaths and bridleways, with nice coffee shops every ten miles.[/QUOTE]
I hate coffee . Also I agree with cycle paths there's not enough here and some of them are just to short. But still since your allowed to cycle in bus lanes. (All bus lanes in my area I've always seen signs permitting cyclists and motorbikes as well. Never seen a bus lane that's only for buses). Also I've hardly seen any advanced stop lines near traffic lights for cyclists.)

 

[NorthernDave]

Don't rely on Google Maps - it lists "cycle" routes near me that are either nothing of the sort or simply don't exist and doesn't even show NCR66.

The only way to find out definitively about a route is to ride it.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I'm using a web app 'explore kent' to find bridleways.

I find Ride with GPS with the map set to OSM Cycle and optimised for @Cycling' does a reasonable job (ie doesn't route along footpaths but does use bridleways).
Speldhurst to Rusthall. Very few or no bridleways in the valleys NW or R Tunbridge Wells.
BikeHike is a useful resource - it allows you to look at the 1:50,000 OS coverage quickly.

 

[classic33]

http://www.bridlewaymap.com/