who comes up with the national cycle routes?

[stephen.rooke]

i was riding on route 5 from northwales to northwich today, for some reason it goes through a farm down dirt tracks that are completley unsuitable for roadbikes and i ended up with a puncture, there were 3/4 inch grooves where the tractors had been, rocks etc all over the place, i would have thought they would have chosen a better route

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Sustrans ( i think)

 

[coffeejo]

How do you develop the National Cycle Network?

The National Cycle Network currently runs within 2 miles of 75% of the UK population. Sustrans would ultimately like the Network to be accessible to as many people as possible and to run through every city, bringing communities together and providing links to shops, schools, and, farther afield to other towns and cities.

To do this we work with local people, local authorities, partners and other landowners to identify potential new cycling and walking routes. Once a proposed route is identified we follow a consultation process that involves all interested parties. New National Cycle Network routes can follow existing roads, or cycle paths. As part of the process surveys are carried out which assess the impact the path would have on, for example, the local environment. Anyone can make a suggestion for a cycle route they'd like to see in their area, our aim is to develop popular routes that are useful to local people and visitors alike.

Linky

 

[Peteaud]

i was riding on route 5 from northwales to northwich today, for some reason it goes through a farm down dirt tracks that are completley unsuitable for roadbikes and i ended up with a puncture, there were 3/4 inch grooves where the tractors had been, rocks etc all over the place, i would have thought they would have chosen a better route

Most (not all) are imho a waste of time.

God knows who planned some of them.

 

[stephen.rooke]

Most (not all) are imho a waste of time.

God knows who planned some of them.

agreed went the other way on route 5 towards telacre the other day and there was a cat 3 climb, how do they expect most people to manage that as they aim for the routes to be accesable for everyone. think in the future ill use my own routes lol

 

[Peteaud]

agreed went the other way on route 5 towards telacre the other day and there was a cat 3 climb, how do they expect most people to manage that as they aim for the routes to be accesable for everyone. think in the future ill use my own routes lol

I plan my own routes and know most of the local roads, so i try to use the best route possible, not always the shortest.

 

[ColinJ]

agreed went the other way on route 5 towards telacre the other day and there was a cat 3 climb, how do they expect most people to manage that as they aim for the routes to be accesable for everyone. think in the future ill use my own routes lol

Ha - a local part of NCN 68!

 

[subaqua]

Ha - a local part of NCN 68!

bet thats fun in the damp/wet.

 

[Garz]

Ha - a local part of NCN 68!

Isn't this the next CC hill climbing championship your holding Colin?

 

[MontyVeda]

I think they just assume we all love hills... the bigger/steeper the better.

 

[stephen.rooke]

I think they just assume we all love hills... the bigger/steeper the better.

but what if it was someone taking there kid out for a ride etc. youd have to turn around and go back the way u came..

 

[growingvegetables]

I know nothing about how Sustran works - but my impression is they're a bit hamstrung by local authorities? It SEEMS to be pretty much within the authority's "gift"

- where the route will go
- IF it will ever get built
- and when it's built, whether silly stupid A-frames are installed at every available entrance.

I wouldn't dream of suggesting Leeds as an excellent example of hamstringing Sustrans! It is a matter of simple coincidence that ALL national routes stop at the Leeds council border, except for ONE (that actually lies on British Waterways land). Their budget for damned A-frames is obviously limited.

Ignore my cynical wittering. There's not a shred of truth in it. (Unless you happen to look at a map )

 

[Dewi]

Who ever these muppets are that design the routes I bet they aren't cyclists - routes seem to be chosen by what roads they think has less traffic hence some of the very ramdom routes of little use to anyone on a bike.

 

[stephen.rooke]

sticking to the national cycle route is gonna cost me now for new tire and tube, frustrating, ruined an otherwise enjoyable ride, gonna make sure my next tyres are puncture resistent

 

[marshmella]

i was riding on route 5 from northwales to northwich today, for some reason it goes through a farm down dirt tracks that are completley unsuitable for roadbikes and i ended up with a puncture, there were 3/4 inch grooves where the tractors had been, rocks etc all over the place, i would have thought they would have chosen a better route

Me and my son were riding along route 5 on Friday, its along the main line canal into Birmingham, we were on MTB' s, i aint too sure what it'd be like on other bikes as its a bit rough in places.My lad picked up a nail in the back tyre on the way back