cycling tour in U.K.

On Sun, 23 May 2004 11:43:29 GMT someone who may be onl5923
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

This is my question(s) to you all: is there a good route
(singposted) where I can cycle safely? Where can I find any
information on B&B, things to see.....

sustrans.org.uksustrans.org.ukOpen ↗ is a good place to start for long
distance leisure journeys in the UK.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK
government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

Quoted message said:

Hello everyone,

I recently joined this forum. My name is peter 45 and from
Belgium. I have plans to cylce in the U.K. somewhere in
2005 2006 depending on preparations.

My aim at first is to cycle from Dover to Cirencester or
Swindon, hopefully via scenic and cycle friendly routes.

This is my question(s) to you all: is there a good route
(singposted) where I can cycle safely? Where can I find any
information on B&B, things to see.....

And maybe most important: what can I expect from car
drivers while travelling with my bike.

Thank you very much !!

Peter

Hello Peter from Belgium :-)

You've already been told about Sustrans. You can buy maps
from them which show their cycle routes. Quality of Sustrans
routes is *variable* in terms of surface and also the routes
can be very ah, less than direct from A to B.

B&B etc - have a look at visitengland.comvisitengland.comOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

And maybe most important: what can I expect from car
drivers while travelling with my bike.

Most aren't out to get you ;-) Seriously - remember we drive
on the left-hand side of the road here, so we also cycle on
the left-hand side of the road.

Key to remember - you have a right to cycle on the road but
for a few exceptions.

You must not cycle on a motorway - a road identified by it's
"M" naming, e.g. M3, M25, M4

"A" roads can be difficult to identify as reasonable to
cycle on without local knowledge. Some can be motorways in
all but name, some can be filled with fast-moving traffic,
others can be perfectly fine to cycle on.

"B" roads are usually quieter but again, local
knowledge helps.

There's many a lovely quiet country lane too.

The main cyclists' organisation in the UK is the Cyclists'
Touring Club (CTC). It has a web site at www.ctc.org.uk It
may be worth contacting the CTC to see if they can offer any
help either directly, or by putting you in contact with
local CTC groups in your area of travel, who may be able to
offer good advice based on local experience.

I hope this helps and that you have an enjoyable trip
over here.

Cheers, helen s

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onl5923 said:

Hello everyone,

I recently joined this forum. My name is peter 45 and from
Belgium. I have plans to cylce in the U.K. somewhere in
2005 2006 depending on preparations.

My aim at first is to cycle from Dover to Cirencester or
Swindon, hopefully via scenic and cycle friendly routes.

This is my question(s) to you all: is there a good route
(singposted) where I can cycle safely? Where can I find
any information on B&B, things to see.....

And maybe most important: what can I expect from car
drivers while travelling with my bike.

I live just south east of Swindon and I can give you a
couple of routes from Swindon to Cirencester as I do it
regularly. The most obvious route - the A419 dual
carriageway - is not pleasant!

Sustrans paths are not always tarmac and most are only
suitable for mountain bikes. I would get a map and stick to
unclassified roads (those with no numbering). If you're in
the Swindon area you MUST visit Avebury, which is 8 miles to
the south. Do a Google search for it.

British drivers are not as tolerant of cyclists as French
drivers (for example), but few are really dangerous. Ride
about a metre out from the (left hand!) kerb, then if you
sense that a vehicle is passing too close you have room for
manoeuvre. But you probably know that already ;-)

Thanks for your comments everyone. We do love to spend our holidays in the U.K. but only done it by car sofar and it is time for a change.

Zog I've been to the Royal Air Tattoo every yearsince 1989. Being from Swindon you will no doubt know this is held at RAF Fairford.

Well my aim is to cycle from Dover to Fairford or any place in the area where I will be staying. I usually stay in Great Rissington, close to Burford but been to Swindon many times before. I'll keep the left hand drive comments in mind 🙂

Any other comments on cycling in the U.K. would also be welcome.

"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sun, 23 May 2004 11:43:29 GMT someone who may be
onl5923 <[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

This is my question(s) to you all: is there a good route
(singposted) where I can cycle safely? Where can I find
any information on B&B, things to see.....

sustrans.org.uksustrans.org.ukOpen ↗ is a good place to start for
long distance leisure journeys in the UK.

Sustrans routes can be good, but they also have drawbacks,
and many long distance tourists prefer the roads.

An even better place is the CTC (Cyclists' Touring Club)
www.ctc.org.uk which provides information, routes, lists of
places to stay, third party insurance and lots more, and a
warm welcome from local members who are usually only too
willing to pass on their knowledge of local roads.

--
cheers

Rich

Quoted message said:

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the
UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sun, 23 May 2004 11:43:29 GMT someone who may be
onl5923 <[email hidden]> wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

This is my question(s) to you all: is there a good route
(singposted) where I can cycle safely? Where can I find
any information on B&B, things to see.....

sustrans.org.uksustrans.org.ukOpen ↗ is a good place to start for
long distance leisure journeys in the UK.

Sustrans routes can be good, but they also have drawbacks,
and many long distance tourists prefer the roads.

An even better place is the CTC (Cyclists' Touring Club)
www.ctc.org.uk which provides information, routes, lists of
places to stay, third party insurance and lots more, and a
warm welcome from local members who are usually only too
willing to pass on their knowledge of local roads.

--
cheers

Rich

Quoted message said:

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the
UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.