How do you find routes in a new area?

whyamihere

I've recently moved 20 miles south, to the other side of Birmingham. This means that my old routes (of which there were many) are just slightly out of range, and require going through Birmingham city centre to get to them, which isn't pleasant, so I need some new ones, around this area.

2 problems:
1. I've never ridden around here, meaning that my internal GPS doesn't work yet. I can't, now, turn down a new road and already know roughly where I'm going.
2. It seems that every road I turn down wants to spit me out onto a dual carriageway which is a motorway in all but name. I can't seem to avoid them...

I am planning to head out with a club some time, but I haven't been able to up to this point. So, when you move to a new area, how do you go about finding new, safe, enjoyable routes to ride?

ConsciousPilot

Can't help with your area, but when I moved to east yorks, I found some routes posted on the local cycling club web sites and adapted them for my own purposes. Now if going on a new route I'll check it out on google earth before setting off.

DCowling

where in south B/ham are you

Keep heading south, there is some fantastic rides that way, if you are Solihull area, head toward Knowle or Henley , if Northfield way, go toward Alvechurch and Redditch
I am in Henley in Arden and have ample country lanes to ride

whyamihere

DCowling wrote:

where in south B/ham are you

Keep heading south, there is some fantastic rides that way, if you are Solihull area, head toward Knowle or Henley , if Northfield way, go toward Alvechurch and Redditch
I am in Henley in Arden and have ample country lanes to ride

Harborne, near the uni, so there are a lot of big, fast, scary roads to contend with which I want to avoid at all costs. Heading down towards Alvechurch/Redditch looks like it could work pretty well, I'll give it a go. Cheers.

Bobbinogs

This club is a helpful bunch and seem to be based in the area you are in:

http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/index.html

Might be worth pinging them a note.

softlad

whyamihere wrote:

So, when you move to a new area, how do you go about finding new, safe, enjoyable routes to ride?

have you looked at a map..??

DCowling

Could head out west toward Clent, not too far from you

holmeboy

try cycle-route.com

KINGGARY

I moved to redditch approx 2 years ago and then bought a road bike simply because of the access to great routes from here.
I can head down into the cotswolds any time i like on a 50/60/70 mile route.
From your neck of the woods i would however suggest maybe looking at clent/likeys/belbroughton and then through to barnt green and solihull , there are some nice roads round that area.
I use ridewithgps website to have a look at routes as i am still relatively new to the area.

grahamcp

try www.bikely.com

pb21

I get lost.

rajMAN

When I move upto Coventry area, i will do it the old way - head out and see where the roads go! if i get lost i'll ask a friendly local, though usually I pick the one thats just beamed down from space!! happens every time.

Elston

Hi, thought I'd chip in here with my first post. I live just down the road from you in Selly Oak, and there're loads of great lanes and routes a stone's throw from Harborne. I often head up to Clent for some hills, off out to Belboughton and Chaddesley Corbett. It's a nice ride past there to Stourport. and beyond. Head towards Droitwich, Himbleton, Crowle and beyond for some great lanes. Also you can head down through the Earlswood area very easily. I think this is great cycling territory.

Good advice to join the Beacon. I'm a member - great, welcoming bunch. Clubrun leaves the Black Horse in Northfield 9.15 sharp on Sunday mornings. We have some great destinations all 30-35 miles away.

If you'd like to join me for a spin round one of my regular loops let me know.

Cheers


Elston

Frank the tank

I just cut the appropriate bit out of a road atlas and head off, if I get lost it's no big deal especially if the weather is good.

stephenballantyne

I've got a Garmin, so I can concentrate on the view rather than the directions. I plot a route on Mapsource and then painstakingly check every road on Google Street View to make sure it's OK to ride on (e.g. not covered in gravel, not a dual carriageway that I've not noticed, not got speed bumps if possible).

But then I am extremely anal...

plowmar

What I've done is a combination of softlad and grahamcp by looking at a map working out a route from that then put it onto www.bikely.com so that I can print it out then use that to guide me.

It is easy then to extend that route using signposts etc. whilst knowing roughly where you are with an escape route if you need it.

whyamihere

Elston wrote:

Hi, thought I'd chip in here with my first post. I live just down the road from you in Selly Oak, and there're loads of great lanes and routes a stone's throw from Harborne. I often head up to Clent for some hills, off out to Belboughton and Chaddesley Corbett. It's a nice ride past there to Stourport. and beyond. Head towards Droitwich, Himbleton, Crowle and beyond for some great lanes. Also you can head down through the Earlswood area very easily. I think this is great cycling territory.

Good advice to join the Beacon. I'm a member - great, welcoming bunch. Clubrun leaves the Black Horse in Northfield 9.15 sharp on Sunday mornings. We have some great destinations all 30-35 miles away.

If you'd like to join me for a spin round one of my regular loops let me know.

Cheers


Elston

I may have to take you up on the offer of a ride...

Beacon is the club I'm intending to go out with, hopefully starting with a go at the B run on Sunday, so I may see you there.

Elston

I won't be out this Sunday, but it's an excellent ride to Bidford. I go out on my own a couple of evenings after work (head off around 5ish) for 20-25 miles in Clent, and usually get out for 45-60 miles on a Saturday morning. Let me know when you can hook up for a ride 8)

shouldbeinbed

a bit of a google for a rough idea then follow my nose. I figure if I get lost, I'll end up at a road sign with a place I recognise sooner or later.

rajMAN

Frank the tank wrote:

I just cut the appropriate bit out of a road atlas and head off, if I get lost it's no big deal especially if the weather is good.

from the library?

JamesB

Having ridden my first 10 years from my home near Hagley / Stourbridge area I can assure you there`s some really nice riidng out from SW B`hm area , eg Clent / Chaddesley Corbett/ across to Kinver / Bewdley / Stourport / Wyre Forest / Tenbury / Clee hills/ Worcester etc. Just go and browse on a Route Planner type map to see what`s available!!

If you can either work out a series of estate / quiet roads to get you out as far as Frankley / Romsley then you can access all of above on quieter lane from thereon. Very occasionally I cycled in to school (opp B`ham Univ) and did find some quieter roads in to Harborne area...buit these may now, 20+ years on be a lot busier.
OR alternatively for a longer ride think about putting bike in car for first 10 miles??? to get out of suburbs etc