Peterborough commute advice

[tincaman]

I am on a course in Peterborough in a couple of weeks, 2 week course in total. I would like to take my bike and commute in each day, but am worried about the exact route to avoid the busy A roads.
I will be going from the Marriot in Lynch Wood and will need to get to the Peterborough Mail Centre at Papyrus road.
Can anyone either suggest a route or just tell me which roads to avoid?
Having a quick look at the map, could I go along the Oundle road(A605) and then take the Bourges Blvs(A15) or are those roads too mental?
Cheers.

 

[roubaix murry]

Ay up tincaman
From lynchwood to papyrus road can be done on cycleways all the way. In fact most of it would be a pleasant ride. The best way would be to get a peterborough green wheel map ( couple of quid ) and the cycle ways will be on there .

 

[Glow worm]

You could either take cross country Sustrans Route 21 which goes through Marholm, to the Northern tip of the City and then head south back to the Mail Centre, or alternatively join route 63 along the river (and over the Nene Valley railway line) into the City Centre and then head up Route 12 with the railway on your left, past the station up to the Mail place. I've done the route along the river (63) many times (I haven't done the other route though) and it's a really pleasant ride. See the Sustrans map for route details- it'll show you exactly how to get to the routes from your hotel too. Sustrans Map

Edit: Just seen exactly where the Mail place is and looks like the Marholm route may be best.

 

[tincaman]

Cheers, just ordered the "green wheel map"

 

[gbb]

I am on a course in Peterborough in a couple of weeks, 2 week course in total. I would like to take my bike and commute in each day, but am worried about the exact route to avoid the busy A roads.
I will be going from the Marriot in Lynch Wood and will need to get to the Peterborough Mail Centre at Papyrus road.
Can anyone either suggest a route or just tell me which roads to avoid?
Having a quick look at the map, could I go along the Oundle road(A605) and then take the Bourges Blvs(A15) or are those roads too mental?
Cheers.

Hi Tincaman.
Bourges boulevard is out of the question really. Its dual carriageway, quite a few big roundabouts and you never see cyclists on it, although i have once or twice, but its just too busy.
Are you on a roadbike or hybrid / MTB...i'll plot out a route. Much of it will be rides through country parks...its a bit convoluted my way. I'll see if there's a way thats easy.

 

[gbb]

As Gloworm says, the marholm road is most direct (and is a nice B road) BUT...Papyrus Road is hemmed in by the main East Coast Railway line and crossings are far and few between. But other routes are even more complicated. There's loads of other cycleways, but many go through estates where its easy to get lost.

Lynch Wood isnt far from me, i know the roads out to Marholm, just trying to see a route over the railway that'll work for you.
I will be back...maybe not today, but i'll be back

 

[Murf]

As has already been said...Bourges Boulevard is best avoided. I've cycled it a few times but only very early in the morning or late at night when there is little traffic about and still encountered some scaryness!!

I would cut through Ferry Meadows country park, round the lakes to Ferry hill which joins Love's hill then go up the Marholm road which turns into Castor Road, Woodcroft road then Hurn road which has a bridge over the railway. This then takes you through an underpass to lincoln road which will take you onto the RAB to Papyrus road. This is a really nice route.

 

[tincaman]

Thanks for the replies, I have a road bike with 700x23 tyres, will they cope?

 

[roubaix murry]

Yeh no problems with them. Usual few potholes in places and possibility of glass when nearer city centre but generally pretty good.

 

[gbb]

As has already been said...Bourges Boulevard is best avoided. I've cycled it a few times but only very early in the morning or late at night when there is little traffic about and still encountered some scaryness!!

I would cut through Ferry Meadows country park, round the lakes to Ferry hill which joins Love's hill then go up the Marholm road which turns into Castor Road, Woodcroft road then Hurn road which has a bridge over the railway. This then takes you through an underpass to lincoln road which will take you onto the RAB to Papyrus road. This is a really nice route.

Hello Murf...Spot on...ive been doing a route on Bikely today...its exactly as you describe, and it is a nice quiet road that skirts Peterborough. I didnt know about the underpasses as you get near Papyrus Road. Spent ages on Google maps scanning, looking for what looked like cyclepaths.
All i have to do is figure out how to display that Bikely route for Tincaman.
700x23s..no problem at all. Theres only a slightly gravelly section (1/2 miles maybe) in Ferry Meadows, but a roadbike'll cope well.

 

[gbb]

Just a thought Murf, if you know that side of town (i dont get over that way)
I notice Hurn Road, just before you get to the railway line is showing a 'gap' on google maps. Why is that ? just closed to motor traffic ?
Also, i assume there's a crossing over the railway...is it manned ? Further along on the same line, there's manned crossings, you can get stuck for 5 minutes. Its a busy, big line IIRC

just re-read your post...bridge over the railway.

 

[Vikeonabike]

tincaman: I would agree, by far the best and most traffic free route is that described above. However don't concern yourself with Oundle Road and Bourges Blvd. They are perfectly safe. I have commuted the length of Bourges Blvd from Bridge Street on several occaisons at all times of the day. And if you do have any trouble with our motorists in Potty borough, pm me theier index plate, with an explanation of what happened and I'll sort it out!

 

[Murf]

Hello Murf...Spot on...ive been doing a route on Bikely today...its exactly as you describe, and it is a nice quiet road that skirts Peterborough. I didnt know about the underpasses as you get near Papyrus Road. Spent ages on Google maps scanning, looking for what looked like cyclepaths.
All i have to do is figure out how to display that Bikely route for Tincaman.
700x23s..no problem at all. Theres only a slightly gravelly section (1/2 miles maybe) in Ferry Meadows, but a roadbike'll cope well.

I saw the gaps on google maps too but it is a complete road! Double checked with google street view in case it's fallen into the abyss!

 

[Vikeonabike]

Tincamans route...

 

[tincaman]

Brilliant, now have the Green map, with Vikes route marked on it, thankyou very much for all your help.