Route planning help

[Gary E]

I already know about bikeroutetoaster and other such sites which are great for planning routes around home.
My problem is I want to plan a route between where I live and Bingham in Nottingham (about 120 miles). The problem is, as I have no knowledge of the majority of the roads in-between, how can I ensure I stick to good cycling roads and don't find myself on lethal duel carriageways or dirt tracks? (I'm on a road bike and would prefer to do the ride on tarmac).
I've planned a route (provisionally) and I'm using that little man icon in google maps to look at photos of some of the roads but I was wondering if anyone knows of a good method?
Cheers in advance

 

[TheDoctor]

I use Viamichelin.co.uk myself.
Enter the start and end points, any midpoints, select the Bike tab and click Show Route.

 

[Peteaud]

Dont use the M1

 

[TheDoctor]

Well, that's a good one too!

 

[Gary E]

Dont use the M1

Really? thanks, I'll write that down

 

[dellzeqq]

if it's of any help, the roads up from Market Harborough to Bingham are sweet. There's a whiz down and haul up at Tilton, and there's a nice diversion off the B6047 just south of Dalby (but watch out for the cattle grids).

 

[Gary E]

Cattle grids?
You see, this is exactly the sort of local knowledge I need

 

[dellzeqq]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Market Harborough&daddr=52.719899,-0.8966657 to:52.7992879,-0.8643044 to:52.8451269,-0.8549449 to:52.8894691,-0.9094337 to:Bingham&hl=en&ll=52.833055,-0.941734&spn=0.105367,0.308647&sll=52.72257,-0.86792&sspn=0.052401,0.154324&geocode=FXm3IAMdU_Dx_ykLoWRC3G13SDHEp7imIhoqig;FRtxJAMdZ1Hy_ynvvMmoDNZ5SDHsj2FkQwWyfw;FTenJQMd0M_y_ymjwVN4ktN5SDH0yH0Ml5fIOw;FUZaJgMdYPTy_yk3dtP-RNJ5SDGOwTR7rd4K0g;FX0HJwMdhx_y_ymR9XRxEs55SDHa2WDU1SIb3Q;FTD4JwMdEGnx_ylFYK0ELM95SDFK8vgWBcjTSA&oq=bingham&dirflg=w&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=12

the cattle grids are on Twyford Road - but the diversion off the B road is really worth while.

You'll see that the route takes a bit of a wander northeast of Melton, but........trust me on this.......however tired you are it's worth the extra half mile or so. There's a descent that is big, big view, cultural and geographical big time and one heck of an adrenaline rush all in one.

 

[snorri]

Don't worry, just do it.
If you check the route out on Streetview it'll be like having been there before when you cycle the route. It could make an otherwise fun trip dull and boring as you will know what to expect around the next corner.
Keep off the green and blue roads and you'll be fine.

 

[Gary E]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Market Harborough&daddr=52.719899,-0.8966657 to:52.7992879,-0.8643044 to:52.8451269,-0.8549449 to:52.8894691,-0.9094337 to:Bingham&hl=en&ll=52.833055,-0.941734&spn=0.105367,0.308647&sll=52.72257,-0.86792&sspn=0.052401,0.154324&geocode=FXm3IAMdU_Dx_ykLoWRC3G13SDHEp7imIhoqig;FRtxJAMdZ1Hy_ynvvMmoDNZ5SDHsj2FkQwWyfw;FTenJQMd0M_y_ymjwVN4ktN5SDH0yH0Ml5fIOw;FUZaJgMdYPTy_yk3dtP-RNJ5SDGOwTR7rd4K0g;FX0HJwMdhx_y_ymR9XRxEs55SDHa2WDU1SIb3Q;FTD4JwMdEGnx_ylFYK0ELM95SDFK8vgWBcjTSA&oq=bingham&dirflg=w&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=13&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=12

the cattle grids are on Twyford Road - but the diversion off the B road is really worth while.

You'll see that the route takes a bit of a wander northeast of Melton, but........trust me on this.......however tired you are it's worth the extra half mile or so. There's a descent that is big, big view, cultural and geographical big time and one heck of an adrenaline rush all in one.

Is this the diversion you're talking about?.........

 

[dellzeqq]

no - sorry. It's a few miles south of there - you take a right just north of Tilton, where the 6047 turns sharp left, and then descend along one of those roads that says 'Leicestershire, next best thing to heaven' and go over the cattle grid. If memory serves there's another grid a little further along

 

[Gary E]

no - sorry. It's a few miles south of there - you take a right just north of Tilton, where the 6047 turns sharp left, and then descend along one of those roads that says 'Leicestershire, next best thing to heaven' and go over the cattle grid. If memory serves there's another grid a little further along

OK, what about now?.....

 

[ianrauk]

Check out Bike Hike.
It has an OSM Cycle map option.

 

[Manguish]

Ridewithgps is a great planning website with loads of map options

 

[dellzeqq]

OK, what about now?.....
View attachment 18980

that's the bunny.........