Route needed around/near Stroud

nonameuser
nonameuser Posts: 55
edited August 2010 in Road beginners
I am coming down to visit relatives this weekend and decided to take my road bike. Does any one have any good 30-40 mile routes on mapmyride or the such. Preferably passing through Longney.

Thanks

Comments

  • "The Longney Loop", which is 6.8 miles around, and possibly where you are staying, is used by huge numbers of local cyclists. I'm on it at least once a week, keeping up my speed. 20 mins around this loop is just a shade over 20mph, and I don't think it's easy - although I'm not the fastest guy on two wheels. Give it a try in both directions. You'll be surprised at your time if you've never done it before. :shock:

    If you want to have an easy ride, stay as close as you can to the River Severn. There's loads of nice quiet lanes to the south. Anything to the east will entail climbing the Cotswold escarpment, which is obviously more strenuous, but very rewarding. The best quiet lanes are on the top.
  • If you are after hills you have come to the right place. Most are only about 150m in height gained but are generally steep, typically 10%+ and there are lots to choose from. As legshaver says, its worth getting up onto the high ground to make the most of it. Here is one idea for a route.

    http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=163610 (summary tab shows profile)

    It has a nice fast descent into Dursely. The hill out of Wotton-under-edge is a bit of a workout, as is the climb out of Uley. The B4060 between Dursley and Wotton is right on the edge of the escarpment so has cracking views to one side.

    I don't the area east of west of the M5 at all so can't comment on the area around Longney.

    For a challenge there is birdlip hill (the unclassified road between Birdlip and Brockworth), a beast of a climb (~16%) or a cracking fast descent (50mph+). The A46 from Brockworth to Stroud climbs up onto the escarpment and then has a nice long gradual descent into Stroud. The B4070 from Birdlip to Stroud also includes a long descent, though cars on both roads go pretty fast.