New off road commute route

[skudupnorth]

As it says on the tin,I have a new route from my house in Astley to the outskirts of Bolton with very little on road riding.
I have had enough of arrogant drivers and rubbish roads which prompted me to look into routes that will get me to and from work without mixing with increasingly bad road users and surfaces.
With a new guided busway a mile from my door now linking other old rail routes, this off road option is now possible and it has made cycle commuting a pleasure again.The surface is perfect and surprisingly glass and litter free. It ends about a mile and a half from work and even that bit of road use is pleasant so all is good. I am ordering some ice tyres for the bike because I would like to use this route through winter and we all know these routes do not get cleared. Enjoy the photos of my “ Horrible “ commute

 

[mustang1]

The problem is our roads are so rubbish that you actually need a full suspension mtb with 2.5" tyres to ride on them. I wouldn't mind if we just had dirt tracks: there wouldn't be much difference compared to the current quality of our roads but it'd be far cheaper.

 

[skudupnorth]

I have had enough of bad drivers and now the roads are looking worse for wear it was great to find the local council’s had finally linked old rail routes with the busway near my house to work.

 

[ColinJ]

Very nice!

I would definitely be looking out for that kind of thing if I had to commute in busy areas.

 

[fossyant]

You'll love ice tyres - I have two sets.

I was using the Floop to cut out the nasty bits of my commute, and got splatted 300 yards short of it on a residential street.

 

[skudupnorth]

You'll love ice tyres - I have two sets.

I was using the Floop to cut out the nasty bits of my commute, and got splatted 300 yards short of it on a residential street.

Just typical you getting hit just after the trail. The Bolton end is not too bad, but I will still keep my Spidy senses on alert

 

[fossyant]

Just typical you getting hit just after the trail. The Bolton end is not too bad, but I will still keep my Spidy senses on alert

Mine was the Reddish end - it was also about the only road bit I had to do on my Winter commute on the MTB - typical hey !

 

[skudupnorth]

Very nice!

I would definitely be looking out for that kind of thing if I had to commute in busy areas.

I have been looking at it for a while but never had time to explore it properly. It was only when I took my daughter to the swimming baths that I noticed where the route popped up and this got me thinking about the off road option. I should have used it a long time ago but some links were not in place. The council have done an amazing job using the old rail routes which is a nice change from some of the rubbish cycle lanes they give us

 

[Threevok]

Very nice

Looks exactly like 5 miles of my commute

 

[Brandane]

Looks good; my kind of cycling! Does it add much (distance wise) to your old road route?

 

[skudupnorth]

Looks good; my kind of cycling! Does it add much (distance wise) to your old road route?

Adds two miles each way but takes no longer time wise due to the lovely smooth run and hardly any stops other than crossing a couple of minor roads. It really makes cycle commuting a pleasure again

 

[Rob Walker]

What’s the busway surface like? Is it gravel or tarmac? Wondering if it might be a better option than the A580’s cycle path into Manchester

 

[skudupnorth]

What’s the busway surface like? Is it gravel or tarmac? Wondering if it might be a better option than the A580’s cycle path into Manchester

It’s compacted gravel over a tarmac type surface. It can be a bit bouncy in places but I can still ride it on my fixie or Heinz 57 commuter without issues. I absolutely love it and when you chat to other users they also think it is a massive asset to the area. I must admit, the A580 path is also one of the best

 

[skudupnorth]

The smell of damp woods this morning was brilliant,none of that car fume stuff !

 

[Rob Walker]

It’s compacted gravel over a tarmac type surface. It can be a bit bouncy in places but I can still ride it on my fixie or Heinz 57 commuter without issues. I absolutely love it and when you chat to other users they also think it is a massive asset to the area. I must admit, the A580 path is also one of the best

So it's a bit like the path on the Roe Green / Tyldsley looplines? That should be OK for me - I'm currently on a road bike with 25c tyres, but will switch to a gravel/CX bike soon. The A580's OK, but having to stop for junctions is a pain (and risky) and there's some sections that are a bit narrow and rough - e.g. from Ellenbrook road to A575.