G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
My commuting research has shown a few off-road possibilities for my impending journey - very possible with a hybrid. Does anyone else to a "cross-country" commute? Any tips?
Off-road commuting
- Thread starter G3CWI
- Start date
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potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
I do a semi offroad route sometimes, mainly as a nice alternative to the traffic when I'm on day shift.
Takes longer, the bike can end up filthy after just one day, but it makes a nice change
How far is your journey?
Takes longer, the bike can end up filthy after just one day, but it makes a nice change
How far is your journey?
OP
OP
G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
My journey is about 9 miles each way. Completely rural. Hope to start this week.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Similar distance to me then, good luck with it.
Macc to ???
Macc to ???
OP
OP
G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
Congleton CW12 4NS. Cracking route actually.
Hacienda71
Mancunian in self imposed exile in leafy Cheshire
- Location
- Wilmslow, Cheshire
Have you looked at Macc to Congleton alongside the canal? Never tried it myself but there should be a tow path the full length.
OP
OP
G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
Not a great option for me. Home and work are not that close to the canal and at the Congleton end I would have to ride through the town. Cross country is quiet all the way apart from crossing the A34.
I'm looking to start this week. I've done it on the road before, about 15 miles each way. I've now sussed a route from Rotherham to Meadowhall along towpaths and upto Ecclesfield on the Trans Pennine Trail. I've got a few miles to get to Rotherham that'll be on road and I've not 100% sussed the last mile or 2. But I reckon I'll give it a 'suck it and see' approach. Head off early, with a few extra minutes in resreve.
OP
OP
G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
Good luck with it. I am looking forward to starting on Wednesday (but only if it's not raining).
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I do the same route as Potsy but travelling in the opposite direction, hence we bump into each other occasionally. Makes a nice change, and I tend to use the route in icy weather.
Done it.
Steady, near enough 16miles, one way. It’s virtually all joined up, towpath and trail, apart from one bit near work that entailed climbing a 4 foot barrier and down a vertical 5-6 foot drop on the other side (a bit of the path that’s not open, yet)
Slower than the roady, but peaceful,WAY less stressful, with no cars.
Quality
LINK
Steady, near enough 16miles, one way. It’s virtually all joined up, towpath and trail, apart from one bit near work that entailed climbing a 4 foot barrier and down a vertical 5-6 foot drop on the other side (a bit of the path that’s not open, yet)
Slower than the roady, but peaceful,WAY less stressful, with no cars.
Quality
LINK
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
I used to have an off-road commute. There were downsides to it, but I loved the solitude, the wildlife I got to see and learnt to accept the mud with grace and dignity. 
I was doing 8 miles each way and would often turn up at work that dirty & muddy that my bosses wife who was the librarian (I worked in a school) would have a large watering can waiting on the doorstep to the library each morning. My bike & I would need cleaning each way. I found it wore out bike parts very much more quickly due to the muck/mud & sand that was thrown at it, but I much prefered the off-road commute to the on-road option which was only 4.5 miles of something that stood a very good chance of killing me.
Dirt, tyre choice, low branches & fallen trees, gates to be opened & startling wildlife were usually my only hazzards.
I was doing 8 miles each way and would often turn up at work that dirty & muddy that my bosses wife who was the librarian (I worked in a school) would have a large watering can waiting on the doorstep to the library each morning. My bike & I would need cleaning each way. I found it wore out bike parts very much more quickly due to the muck/mud & sand that was thrown at it, but I much prefered the off-road commute to the on-road option which was only 4.5 miles of something that stood a very good chance of killing me.
Dirt, tyre choice, low branches & fallen trees, gates to be opened & startling wildlife were usually my only hazzards.
Hicky
Guru
Castleton to Manchester on the canal, I've started using the route a little now it is drying out.
There is only a couple of sections that are hard packed mud the rest is good quality towpath.
A couple of miles further and occasionally in some parts there is glass but much better than dodging potholes and cars/buses.
There is only a couple of sections that are hard packed mud the rest is good quality towpath.
A couple of miles further and occasionally in some parts there is glass but much better than dodging potholes and cars/buses.
I used to take a small off-road detour on my way home in the summer on an old muddy path next to the river. It's lovely and quiet around there, and there's a spooky old disused graveyard. The way was very rutted with dried mud and full or rubble, so I'm not sure if I would attempt it without the full suspension. It was great fun when it was wet, I quite like getting splattered in mud 
