Just moved - wish I hadn't
Discussion
I recently relocated from Aberdeen to Yeovil in Somerset, naively thinking this small town and rural area (with many country lanes) might be good for cycling. Been here two weeks now and am totally shocked by the amount of traffic down here. Every time I've dared to venture out on my bike there seems to be constant traffic on even the smallest and narrowest of country lanes, and people trying to squeeze past or overtaken in totally unsuitable places.
Aberdeen city traffic was appalling but the surrounding country roads were relatively quiet. Have also lived in Gloucester and the East Mids before so not like I'm used to living in the back of beyond.
Not enjoying it down here at all. For me this area really is ruined by heavy traffic and I'm faced with relocating again (at my own expense) when my 6-month contract is up, rather than seeking a renewal.
I'm starting to feel like a cycling refugee in the UK, trying to find somewhere to live that isn't totally overrun with traffic but at the same time isn't in the arse end of nowhere, with nothing else to do.
I can't help thinking the UK is just getting worse and worse with everywhere being totally overrun with cars and drivers becoming ever more aggressive and intolerant of cyclists. Will there ever be a cultural shift in this country or are people going to continue to lock themselves up in metal boxes and get angry for an increasing proportion of this lives I wonder?
P.S: Yes I do have a car, but only use it for longer trips outside the area. It makes no sense to me at all to drive around towns getting stuck in traffic jams and rip-off car parks....
Aberdeen city traffic was appalling but the surrounding country roads were relatively quiet. Have also lived in Gloucester and the East Mids before so not like I'm used to living in the back of beyond.
Not enjoying it down here at all. For me this area really is ruined by heavy traffic and I'm faced with relocating again (at my own expense) when my 6-month contract is up, rather than seeking a renewal.
I'm starting to feel like a cycling refugee in the UK, trying to find somewhere to live that isn't totally overrun with traffic but at the same time isn't in the arse end of nowhere, with nothing else to do.
I can't help thinking the UK is just getting worse and worse with everywhere being totally overrun with cars and drivers becoming ever more aggressive and intolerant of cyclists. Will there ever be a cultural shift in this country or are people going to continue to lock themselves up in metal boxes and get angry for an increasing proportion of this lives I wonder?
P.S: Yes I do have a car, but only use it for longer trips outside the area. It makes no sense to me at all to drive around towns getting stuck in traffic jams and rip-off car parks....
Although there are indeed loads of cars and poor drivers, a large part of the problem is down to car satnav.
Years ago many of these lanes would be nice quiet routes used by the people that lived there and some cyclists or people on horses.
Now, instead of sticking to the main roads, people are getting led down these lovely old lanes.
The country lanes and wildlife themselves are getting trashed by the increase in traffic on them.
Years ago many of these lanes would be nice quiet routes used by the people that lived there and some cyclists or people on horses.
Now, instead of sticking to the main roads, people are getting led down these lovely old lanes.
The country lanes and wildlife themselves are getting trashed by the increase in traffic on them.
Firstly- I can't defend Yeovil because I think its a bit of a hole, sorry.
But- I am surprised you haven't look around abit?
You're on the edge of the Somerset levels, wonderful cycling all the way to Bath, Bristol, Taunton, over towards Stonehenge, down south over the hills to Purbeck and Dorset (where I am) is stunning cycling.
I often go out early (6-7am) and even in the summer can ride for an hour or more without seeing a moving car, one day this summer I rode from Weymouth to Wareham and back and the first car I passed with someone in it was coming back into Dorchester after 50miles riding through deserted lanes!
Have a look on Strava and see where the locals go, I can understand how a small busy town might not be that impressive but in general the South West is great cycling country (having moved here from East London I find it a paradise :-)
We also have lots of good MTB friendly trails and paths, I can do 20-30mile loops from home with less than 5miles of tarmac necessary.
But- I am surprised you haven't look around abit?
You're on the edge of the Somerset levels, wonderful cycling all the way to Bath, Bristol, Taunton, over towards Stonehenge, down south over the hills to Purbeck and Dorset (where I am) is stunning cycling.
I often go out early (6-7am) and even in the summer can ride for an hour or more without seeing a moving car, one day this summer I rode from Weymouth to Wareham and back and the first car I passed with someone in it was coming back into Dorchester after 50miles riding through deserted lanes!
Have a look on Strava and see where the locals go, I can understand how a small busy town might not be that impressive but in general the South West is great cycling country (having moved here from East London I find it a paradise :-)
We also have lots of good MTB friendly trails and paths, I can do 20-30mile loops from home with less than 5miles of tarmac necessary.
Absolutely agreed. I live just north of Yeovil and ride traffic-free up into the Mendips, out on to the levels or around North Dorset.
Great coffee shop turnarounds in Glastonbury, Frome, Wells, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Tisbury, Stourhead, and umpteen nice village pubs in between.
The guys in TriUK will have some routes, or you can go out with Yeovil Cycle Club, or pm me for some routes.
Yeovil itself is horrid, though.
Great coffee shop turnarounds in Glastonbury, Frome, Wells, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Tisbury, Stourhead, and umpteen nice village pubs in between.
The guys in TriUK will have some routes, or you can go out with Yeovil Cycle Club, or pm me for some routes.
Yeovil itself is horrid, though.
Another vote for Strava. Use the heatmap to see the most common roads and trails, a wonderful tool for finding out where the locals go.
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
loudlashadjuster said:
Another vote for Strava. Use the heatmap to see the most common roads and trails, a wonderful tool for finding out where the locals go.
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
Wow, never seen the global one of those. Shows how many people in the UK use Strava! And also shows how few Froggies use it compared to the Belgians and Dutch!http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
Check out Sustrans routes and the cycling icon on googlemaps too:
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map
I use my CX bike more than the roadbike now as it opens up so many nicer route options and it's barely slower either.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map
I use my CX bike more than the roadbike now as it opens up so many nicer route options and it's barely slower either.
Usget said:
loudlashadjuster said:
Another vote for Strava. Use the heatmap to see the most common roads and trails, a wonderful tool for finding out where the locals go.
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
Wow, never seen the global one of those. Shows how many people in the UK use Strava! And also shows how few Froggies use it compared to the Belgians and Dutch!http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
Hmmmm, I think it is a matter of perspective!
We had a weeks break in Somerton last year which is about 10 miles North of Yeovil, and then spent a week in Wookey this year which is about 20 miles North. Aside from the major roads like the A303, A39, A37 etc I thought that the roads were actually quite quiet, and drivers were reasonably well behaved.
But, I live in the Thames Valley where everyone is in a rush and the roads are overpopulated and under-maintained, like I say I guess it is a matter of perspective!
Don't give up on it down there, get out and explore - there really are some fantastic roads off the main drags with some challenging climbs and stunning scenery. Join a local club and get out on a few rides, generally speaking most clubs try to avoid main roads where they can, won't be long and you will discover a load of new routes your would probably never find on your own or looking at a map.
As has already been said, some of the roads North around the Mendips are great, but the minor roads South of the A30/A303 down to the coast are fantastic!
We had a weeks break in Somerton last year which is about 10 miles North of Yeovil, and then spent a week in Wookey this year which is about 20 miles North. Aside from the major roads like the A303, A39, A37 etc I thought that the roads were actually quite quiet, and drivers were reasonably well behaved.
But, I live in the Thames Valley where everyone is in a rush and the roads are overpopulated and under-maintained, like I say I guess it is a matter of perspective!
Don't give up on it down there, get out and explore - there really are some fantastic roads off the main drags with some challenging climbs and stunning scenery. Join a local club and get out on a few rides, generally speaking most clubs try to avoid main roads where they can, won't be long and you will discover a load of new routes your would probably never find on your own or looking at a map.
As has already been said, some of the roads North around the Mendips are great, but the minor roads South of the A30/A303 down to the coast are fantastic!
The "left-right" game is a fabulous way of finding your way around a new area.
Just ride out until you spot a turning, turn off onto the new road, and then at every subsequent junction, turn the opposite direction to the last turn. At worst, you end up running out of suitable road and have to turn around. At best, you find a cracking, little used gem of a road which links nicely with other good riding. Commit the good routes to memory, and then stitch some of them together into a tidy little route. Sorted
Just ride out until you spot a turning, turn off onto the new road, and then at every subsequent junction, turn the opposite direction to the last turn. At worst, you end up running out of suitable road and have to turn around. At best, you find a cracking, little used gem of a road which links nicely with other good riding. Commit the good routes to memory, and then stitch some of them together into a tidy little route. Sorted
loudlashadjuster said:
Another vote for Strava. Use the heatmap to see the most common roads and trails, a wonderful tool for finding out where the locals go.
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
Hmm, some folks tracking non-biking as biking on that!!http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/
Why anyone cycles on our roads for fun is beyond me, it's f
king boring.Thanks for the feedback. I guess Yeovil is a dump, certainly most of my colleagues live in the vilages and towns outside it. Im going to have to look around online for some better routes and try to find some cycling that will make life tolerable while I am down here, at least until I can escape back to the north somewhere.
I had no idea the traffic was so bad in the south west. Almost feels like I've ended up in the south east by mistake!
I can't believe how many people around here are apparently keen to drive down single-track lanes, the sort of roads I avoid like the plague when I'm in my car...
I had no idea the traffic was so bad in the south west. Almost feels like I've ended up in the south east by mistake!
I can't believe how many people around here are apparently keen to drive down single-track lanes, the sort of roads I avoid like the plague when I'm in my car...
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