Cycling Routes
Discussion
Hi All,
I am considering starting to cycle to work - I am not very comfortable travelling on the main roads so I wanted to map out a route on the backstreets.
I am having trouble finding a mapping system on the internet to plan out a good route from New Malden to Teddington (via Berrylands).
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks in advance
I am considering starting to cycle to work - I am not very comfortable travelling on the main roads so I wanted to map out a route on the backstreets.
I am having trouble finding a mapping system on the internet to plan out a good route from New Malden to Teddington (via Berrylands).
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thanks in advance
mk1fan said:
Wasn't having a go. I forgot that TFL launched a cycle route finder - although if it's anything like the cycle routes they've installed it'll be pony.
Oh dear - I might just have a ride around this bank holiday and see which way is best.Thank you for the advice (I know you werent having a go
) I found my best route by trial and error (still am finding the best route actually).
A few tips I found useful in determining a route:
- Try and find a route that avoids traffic lights and major junctions.
- Find a route where you are always turning left (so you aren't having to cross both lanes of traffic, and getting stranded in the middle of a crossroads).
Also bear in mind that traffic light roads aren't necessarily the safest. I'm much more happy cycling in traffic that is going around the same speed or slower, than on lesser roads where buses and lorries are flying past.
My favourite routes are roads with speed bumps as cars are reduced to your speed and you can usually avoid the humps without slowing down.
Cycle routes are really useful too, but I only use a small part of my journey to work. They seem to take you too far off the beaten track.
A few tips I found useful in determining a route:
- Try and find a route that avoids traffic lights and major junctions.
- Find a route where you are always turning left (so you aren't having to cross both lanes of traffic, and getting stranded in the middle of a crossroads).
Also bear in mind that traffic light roads aren't necessarily the safest. I'm much more happy cycling in traffic that is going around the same speed or slower, than on lesser roads where buses and lorries are flying past.
My favourite routes are roads with speed bumps as cars are reduced to your speed and you can usually avoid the humps without slowing down.
Cycle routes are really useful too, but I only use a small part of my journey to work. They seem to take you too far off the beaten track.
I cycle from Sutton to Kingston via Berrylands and when I first started out I tried the TFL cycle planner and it was useless. It avoids traffic at all costs and the route was about 70% longer than needed.
In the end I ignored it and cycled the way I would normally drive and then as I was getting more adventurous I tried taking a few shortcuts and following the cycle route signs, which is how I ended up travelling via Berrylands.
Anyway, what I'm saying is that after you've ridden the route a few times you'll soon find which way is best, but treat the TFL planned routes with caution!
In the end I ignored it and cycled the way I would normally drive and then as I was getting more adventurous I tried taking a few shortcuts and following the cycle route signs, which is how I ended up travelling via Berrylands.
Anyway, what I'm saying is that after you've ridden the route a few times you'll soon find which way is best, but treat the TFL planned routes with caution!
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