Would you ride this road?

[Baneli]

I have ridden along that road on a charity ride and a weekend evening. Don't know what it's like during commuter hours on a bike, in a car you must have noticed the speeds...I have! I think some cars have gone in the ditch from what I remember.

I cycle one the other side of Earith and avoid those 60mph roads during commuter times if possible. People seem in a real hurry to shave 10 seconds off their journey at my expense. Not nice roads in the wind either as they are sooo open.
Only one way to find out!

There is the guided bus route(there is a little country track to Rampton off the GB route....then off to Cottenham?) if you want to take a bigger detour! (but mostly traffic free) Never tried it but looks like you might be able to get to Over via some of Long Homle drove near the Earith/ Shelford Rd junction.

Where does this country track start? I have done the road from willingham to rampton and is alright I think during commute hours and then on to cottenham has the bike path. I actually think the ride in the morning will be better being ealier then rushhour but the return will be smack in the middle and I know a pain in the ass

 

[benb]

OpenStreetMap shows a path following the river, so could be worth investigating.

 

[Baneli]

It's the otherside of the river and is a farmers field sod it I think I will give it a shot maybe in a couple of weeks to see how it goes. Or I will be driving it and parking up to ride the rest for the next 4 months lol

 

[benb]

It's the otherside of the river and is a farmers field sod it I think I will give it a shot maybe in a couple of weeks to see how it goes. Or I will be driving it and parking up to ride the rest for the next 4 months lol

Ah yes, hadn't spotted that it was the wrong side of the river.

What about the route leading to the end of West Fen Road?

 

[Baneli]

Ah yes, hadn't spotted that it was the wrong side of the river.

What about the route leading to the end of West Fen Road?

Just checking out the route, The road west fen road being a single track farming lane by the looks of it, some houses as well so I guess I would be allowed to bike down it no problem. TBH not to sure where that road continues on to, I know its all fields that way. Must go through all the fields you can see from the road by the river. It's just finding it as the river turns to go passed earith meaning I must go along that river road a little to one of the turns... not sure where though but will check it out on the way home tonight... you might be on to something there

 

[Baneli]

I think I know that area. At the end of West Fen Road that goes on past the gate if you look straight ahead it takes you to the B1050 right were the river starts. But if I have just turned onto the road coming away from earith a short distance down there is right turn (not the first on the bridge where there is a house) but the second that leads into all the fields. It goes to a barn that I used to play in when I was a kid and if I can remember there is a lane that goes round a couple of fields that comes to west fen road that you can see on google maps birds eye view. It's worth a shot at least! Alot safer then riding the same distance (Maybe shorter) on a road that is leathal even to cars.

 

[Cardiac]

It's not too far from me - my only thought this weather is to be careful with the cross-winds from across the fields. It's been pretty gusty around here lately.

 

[Gog]

I cycle both roads most sundays, they are ok then.
The first is probally better as it is flatter.
Why dont you try both roads at a weekend and see what you think of each route and then build up confidence to ride at rush hour

 

[Glow worm]

Are those pictures from Google Earith?

(IGMC.....)

 

[Baneli]

Yeah its the street view of google maps that you can do on the website.

I am going to have a try riding the routes when I get a bit fitter as the 5 miles I do already is pushing it abit so once I build up a little more I will give it a shot and see how it goes I can see those roads being alright during the day and weekends but it's just the rush hour that scares me tbh. Shame as it would be so handy. I had a look at the lane which might lead to the fields near the end of West Fen Road and I can't see any gates or anything so might be able to cut that road out all together and make the trip maybe half a mile longer which is always a good thing

 

[pshore]

Okay well as the title is really.

http://maps.google.c...,123.19,,0,5.93

Well this is the road I drive along to work and have now decided I can't afford petrol and want to get fit so biking seams to be the best option. Thing is I'm a little worried riding along this road. I would be next to the river and is a busy 60mph road. Do you lot think it's alright of stupid? The road also turns from there and goes to a long 2 mile straight afterwards a little up the road.

Hi Baneli,

I live fairly locally (Cottenham) so I know those roads as a weekend cyclist.

My experience of the B1050 between Earith and Willingham at the weekend is that it is generally ok, but there will always be some idiot who is trying to push through before the oncoming car gets there and as a result does a close overtake. It is not pleasant cycling. During rush hour it it will be busier but this might actually help slow the traffic before it overtakes.

I am not sure where you are heading to but there is another possibility if you are not on a skinny tyred road bike. Check out this OpenStreetMap and you'll see a brown dashed line (track) from Earith, south to Over. I am not sure if it is a fast enough route or is ridable when wet but worth checking out. From Over, you then have options to go other places, like the guided bus track all the way to Cambridge.

 

[Baneli]

Hi Baneli,

I live fairly locally (Cottenham) so I know those roads as a weekend cyclist.

My experience of the B1050 between Earith and Willingham at the weekend is that it is generally ok, but there will always be some idiot who is trying to push through before the oncoming car gets there and as a result does a close overtake. It is not pleasant cycling. During rush hour it it will be busier but this might actually help slow the traffic before it overtakes.

I am not sure where you are heading to but there is another possibility if you are not on a skinny tyred road bike. Check out this OpenStreetMap and you'll see a brown dashed line (track) from Earith, south to Over. I am not sure if it is a fast enough route or is ridable when wet but worth checking out. From Over, you then have options to go other places, like the guided bus track all the way to Cambridge.

I will have a quick look at that now My route is actually Earith (Live there) to Cottenham (Work) The rest of the route I do is fine, Willingham to Rampton along the 60 feels alright, not sure why as its a bit of a windy road but feels better then I can imagine the B1050 being. I see the brown line and I think it’s the route I have been looking at which takes you through loads of the fields which are right of the B1050. The only way to get to them is as you turn right onto the B1050 to go along the river there is a river lock which lets the boats through. Just there you take an immediate right and it goes down a public footpath I think.. I have a mountain bike so these will be fine if they are possible. I think Over would be a later date route due to me not being that good yet but from Over I can get to Willingham and carry on like normal

Thanx so much everyone for the help, that road just seams to risky for me just yet. Maybe more of a weekend road

 

[Alien8]

I hate living in such a shitty area for bike routes, no paths or anything for us cyclist

You don't live in a shitty area for bike routes - paths are for pedestrians, bikes go on the road.

With respect to the route from Earith Bridge down to Willingham all you really need to be observant of is on the straight bit watching out for over-takers coming the other way. Apart from that it's a fine route.

Unfortuntuly that part is only a little layby to which lorrys park up to sleep over night and such and doesn't have a route off.

And it's also popular for dogging - so I've been told.

 

[pshore]

I will have a quick look at that now My route is actually Earith (Live there) to Cottenham (Work) The rest of the route I do is fine, Willingham to Rampton along the 60 feels alright, not sure why as its a bit of a windy road but feels better then I can imagine the B1050 being. I see the brown line and I think it’s the route I have been looking at which takes you through loads of the fields which are right of the B1050. The only way to get to them is as you turn right onto the B1050 to go along the river there is a river lock which lets the boats through. Just there you take an immediate right and it goes down a public footpath I think.. I have a mountain bike so these will be fine if they are possible. I think Over would be a later date route due to me not being that good yet but from Over I can get to Willingham and carry on like normal

Thanx so much everyone for the help, that road just seams to risky for me just yet. Maybe more of a weekend road

Given that you are riding the Willingham to Rampton section you are reasonably confident on the road. The Earith to Willingham section isn't a great leap, just longer straight sections which increase the speed of the traffic. You just have to try it out in rush hour and see if you feel safe enough.

Once you get bored of doing the road section or fitter, there are some interesting ways of joining Earith to Cottenham. Such as the track Long Holme Drove, plus the parallel road from Willingham to 1km north of Rampton, and then there is a short stretch of bridleway known as Archie's Way that takes you to Broad Lane in Cottenham.

For inspiration and pictures of the routes mentioned, see this blog I follow:
Keep Pushing Those Pedals: All in a good causeway

 

[Glow worm]

For inspiration and pictures of the routes mentioned, see this blog I follow:
Keep Pushing Those Pedals: All in a good causeway

That's a great site I hadn't seen before - thanks for the link. I must have cycled past this guy loads of times!