Gloucester, whats it like for cycling

biviodriver

Hello I am just new in to this forum although I have looked in for ages mostly at product reviews.

I will be in Gloucester for a few weeks as I have some work to do there.

Thinking of taking my bike if it is an ok place as regards cycle routes. Is Gloucester cycle friendly, is it hilly?

Regards

Dave

JamesinBristol

Hi,

You can get a good mix depending upon how far from Gloucester you wish to go. For the flats there's some lovely road if you hug the severn down towards slimbridge, bekerly castle and further down towards bristol. If its hills simple aim for the stroud area and the cotswolds.

biviodriver

Hi James Thanks for the reply.

That sounds very interesting there are one or two places there, I would like to visit i.e. Slimbridge and the Cotswolds.

My post is initially about riding in Gloucester because if I get some digs while I am working there I could ride to work and back for exercise and reduce car usage. As long as I get some accommodation with in 10 miles or so it is do-able each morning and evening.

I am usually commuting in north London and find it not to bad, routes go through parks and some bits are separate from motors or down quiet roads so I much prefer to use my bike to keep things under my own control plus it is usually quicker by bike up to 5 miles.

Regards

Dave

desweller

I live in south Gloucester (although I am in London on a work placement at the moment).

Riding within Gloucester itself is not too bad - there are plenty of places in the city centre to lock up your bike, but some of the roads are a bit tired. I have usually found it quite good from a bike theft point of view. Compared to London I would say that the traffic is a little more friendly as long as you don't ride like an ar5e.

As for leisure riding, don't forget the Forest of Dean - it's only 20 miles or so away, and there are plenty of off- and on-road options in there.

biviodriver

Hi DesWeller.

Thanks for the info on Gloucester. From what I can see on Google earth Gloucester does not look all that big. The place I will be working in is Brookworth, north east Gloucester I would guess. So once I have found a reasonable B and B I will be looking to suss out the route to work by bike. Is Gloucester hilly, I have a fixed gear bike which I like riding at the moment and I have my best bike which I would rather leave at home.

I am no street hero I always have lights on during the winter and I do'nt jump lights unless there are no cars around so it's only very early on a morning when you can hear what is coming down the road. Some of the riders I have seen in London on winter mornings seam to have a death wish.

Regards

Dave

desweller

Gloucester is pretty small. There's only about half a million people in the whole county, and Glozzer itself is about 100,000 strong.

You'll be ok with a SS in the city itself, but most routes south east to Stroud will involve ascending a hill. In Brockworth you are right next to Birdlip Hill, one of my favourite climbs; gradient is 25% at the top! I'd bring your best bike with you if I were you, there are some fantastic routes in that area that you won't be able to ride fixed. However it all depends on your definition of a good route I guess.

You could always look up the Gloucester City Cycling Club; I'm not a member (couldn't cope with the 9AM starts on Sunday morning!) but I have been out with them and they are a friendly bunch. They will take you on some really nice routes in the country. And they know some truly copasetic cake stops.

biviodriver

Hi

Thanks for the local knowledge on Glozzer will have a look around this week and take the bike with the gears down next week.

Cheers

vitesse169

Hi - I live south of Glos and do the commute 13 miles e/w about 3 times a week. There are loads of bike routes to ride around Glos/Chelt/Stroud. The roads are a little pot holey but I think thats the same most places. there are some hilly bits around Chelt/Cleeve and down my way there is Milbury Heath which is a long drag. Enjoy....

sandy hill

biviodriver wrote:

Hello I am just new in to this forum although I have looked in for ages mostly at product reviews.

I will be in Gloucester for a few weeks as I have some work to do there.

Thinking of taking my bike if it is an ok place as regards cycle routes. Is Gloucester cycle friendly, is it hilly?

Regards

Dave

Give Coopers Hill a go it's a really quick decent.

desweller

sandy hill wrote:

biviodriver wrote:

Hello I am just new in to this forum although I have looked in for ages mostly at product reviews.

I will be in Gloucester for a few weeks as I have some work to do there.

Thinking of taking my bike if it is an ok place as regards cycle routes. Is Gloucester cycle friendly, is it hilly?

Regards

Dave

Give Coopers Hill a go it's a really quick decent.

And if you like cheese you'll be sorted for a mid ride snack when you get to the bottom!