Britain's best road

Broonster

unixnerd wrote:

Dalwhinnie - Laggan - Newtonmore.

First rode it ten years ago and do it at least once a year. Wonderful scenery, no traffic, superb long sweeping downhills.

Slightly off topic, but I did Boat of Garten to Newtonmore earlier this week, using the back roads past Ruthven Barracks etc, and had a fantastic lunch/cafe stop in Kingussie. Glorious sunshine too!

craker

The road my house backs on to - B4235 Chepstow to Usk - was voted the best road in the country by some motorcycling rag. Sweeping curves, giant views etc etc. Problem is that it's full of tits on motorbikes most weekends.

MattC59

geebee2 wrote:

My nomination : take the Struggle out of Ambleside in the lake district up to the Kirkstone pass (highest road pass in the Lake district), stop at the top to admire the view, then descend back on the main road through Triutbeck to Windermere.

Or Gospel pass in the Black mountains.

+1 for 'The Struggle'

I was planning to ride this lase week, but the 60mph winds were a little off putting !!! Having driven it, I definitely intend to go back next spring and ride it (read 'break myself' on it). It's a fantastic road !!

For a particularly nasty 25% climb the road from the head of Great Langdale over into Little Langdale, in the Lake District is hard to beat !!!

craker

MattC59 wrote:

In answer to the question, it's the 300m of brand new, pristine, fine grade black top outside my door in Thatcham

Matt, as a Thatcham lad do you ever get down Ecchinswell way? The road through Ecchinswell climbs over Watership Down and goes to Whitchurch by way of a gradient thats with you for 10 miles or so on little used roads. Awesome.

MattC59

mr_si wrote:

MattC59 wrote:

In answer to the question, it's the 300m of brand new, pristine, fine grade black top outside my door in Thatcham

Matt, as a Thatcham lad do you ever get down Ecchinswell way? The road through Ecchinswell climbs over Watership Down and goes to Whitchurch by way of a gradient thats with you for 10 miles or so on little used roads. Awesome.

Done it a couple of times, great road ! There's a nice route of about 35miles which heads out to whitchurch, then back via Kingsclere and Brimpton Common. It's all back roads, with hardly any traffic

garrynolan

ooermissus wrote:

Stanley222 wrote:

garrynolan wrote:

Why just Britain? What's wrong with Northern Ireland? Or the Republic of Ireland, as the mag is popular here...

Isn't NI part of Great Britain then?!!

The United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (So it's part of the UK, but not GB.)

My point exactly. Still haven't got an answer to my original question...

Pross

jim453 wrote:

Road from Porlock to Lynmouth. Starts with a fairly testing climb, then along the top with coast and views to Wales on the left, finish with a beautiful descent into Lynmouth.

Infact, road from Simonsbath to Lynmouth might be equally as breathtaking over Exmoor then down through an Alpine esque forested descent.

Good shout. Could also go on around Valley of the Rocks and down the toll road.

Pross

dmclite wrote:

The road from Monmouth to Abergavanney, did it the day before the Forest of Dean Classic a few years ago, lovely surface, undulating and fast.

Or the road from Langley village, down through Sutton Valance to headcorn, long hill and straight fast road.

Which road from Monmouth to Aber? There are several options, all very nice. My favourite of them is to take the A466 from Monmouth towards Hereford and then through Skenfrith. Might do it later actually and see if I can avoid a double puncture and shredded tyre from the hedge cutting this time!

daviesee

Start at any point on this circular route but for me it is......

Amulree - Glen Quiach - Aberfeldy - Loch Tay south road - Killin - Ben Lawers - Glen Lyon - Aberfedy - A826 back to Amulree.

72.20 miles, 4969 feet climbed, quiet roads. Bliss.

MaxwellBygraves

Pross wrote:

jim453 wrote:

Road from Porlock to Lynmouth. Starts with a fairly testing climb, then along the top with coast and views to Wales on the left, finish with a beautiful descent into Lynmouth.

Infact, road from Simonsbath to Lynmouth might be equally as breathtaking over Exmoor then down through an Alpine esque forested descent.

Good shout. Could also go on around Valley of the Rocks and down the toll road.

Jim your second option gets my vote, stunning road!

thecm

A86 Roy Bridge to Laggan and over to Dalwhinnie then old A9 and cycle track to Ralia Lodge.

mouth

cycologist wrote:

So lets get this right. You have been commissioned to do an article for C+ and you want us to tell you what to write, or at least do the research for you.
Lazy journalism and taking the wee-wee at the same time.

Perhaps he's looking for a few suggestions to come and ride - maybe with you. I'm sure that everyone on here is guilty of reading an article in some magazine - not necessarily cycling, and saying "That's a pile of crap. I could have made a much better suggestion for the best road/kettle/car/office chair/liquorice scented armpit shaving cream in England". Well now's your chance.

After the article is written please don't come on here and say something like "This road the journalist rode on, it's crap. I could have made a much better suggestion"

rick_chasey

If it wasn't so arse-clenchingly busy, the Snakes Pass in the Peaks is beautiful.

I'm only familiar with the Sheffield side, but it's great - the feel and landscape of it seems to change so quickly.

robdaykin

Troutdale.

It's a singletrack road which runs along the valley beneath Wykeham forest. It can be ridden from the Broxa/Hackness end (which is part of Scarborough Paragon's mountain time trial route) or from the Snainton end. Personally I prefer riding from Snainton where a long spin up the ridge is rewarded by a breathtaking hurtle into the valley.

First rode it about 10 years ago. I ride it at least once a year in each direction, and would ride it more often, if I could.

As for what makes it special. It's quiet, rural, unspoilt. It passes through a couple of farms, and between fields. On a sunny evening, it's blissful, and idyllic. Then there's the riding, there isn't a flat inch on it anywhere, and only one straight of any length. It twists and turns and bucks up and down all over the place. The climbs vary between long grades and short grinds, the descents similarly, with a couple of fun technical bits.

It's only a few miles long, but it lacks for nothing.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Unk ... 3&t=h&z=13

Blacktemplar

The B8074 which runs from the A85 (about 10 miles past Tyndrum) along the banks of the River Orchy up to the A82 Fort William road. From there turn left across the vast wilderness of the Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe to Ballachulish, preferably by way of the Clachaig Inn. Some of the most dramatic scenery in the country IMHO.

cycologist

Mouth wrote:

cycologist wrote:

So lets get this right. You have been commissioned to do an article for C+ and you want us to tell you what to write, or at least do the research for you.
Lazy journalism and taking the wee-wee at the same time.

Perhaps he's looking for a few suggestions to come and ride - maybe with you. I'm sure that everyone on here is guilty of reading an article in some magazine - not necessarily cycling, and saying "That's a pile of crap. I could have made a much better suggestion for the best road/kettle/car/office chair/liquorice scented armpit shaving cream in England". Well now's your chance.

After the article is written please don't come on here and say something like "This road the journalist rode on, it's crap. I could have made a much better suggestion"

Given the collective experience and wisdom of Bike Radar Forummers I have no doubt that the Best Road In Britain Top 10 or whatever will feature some pretty decent routes, but will the article acknowledge this source of wisdom ? - I think not.
No , I will not complain or moan after the event nor will I be making a "contribution".
I still think it's a bit of a cheek but acknowledge the person being upfront about it rather than simply starting the thread and later harvesting the resultant suggestions.

dilemna

I have found the best road in the UK, but I'm not telling you lot or broadcasting it on t'internet as I want it to remain secret and not get spoiled or over run with numptees.

ugo.santalucia

Gospel pass either way, from Hey on wye or from Abergavenny...
Has it been mentioned already?

Elan valley ring, in Wales again... included in the Autumn Epic Sportive

sheffsimon

Rick Chasey wrote:

If it wasn't so ars*-clenchingly busy, the Snakes Pass in the Peaks is beautiful.

I'm only familiar with the Sheffield side, but it's great - the feel and landscape of it seems to change so quickly.

You think? Quite nice at the top end but getting to that point is dire, and as you say, the traffic is generally horrible.

Mam Nick out of Edale for me.

Or maybe up to Abney from Hathersage (thanks to La Squadra sportive organisers for spray painting/defacing the road for a fukkin sportive with your slogans and annoying me every time I ride up it - w@nkers).

Or maybe across Bradwell Moor towards Burbage.

Or maybe Fiddlers Elbow up to Burbage.

Chip \'oyler

cycologist wrote:

So lets get this right. You have been commissioned to do an article for C+ and you want us to tell you what to write, or at least do the research for you.
Lazy journalism and taking the wee-wee at the same time.

+1

wiffachip

i would quite like to hear genuine answers to the op's question, not folks bleating on about his professional ethics

if you divent like it, give it a wide berth. Easy

rob_spedding

As the editor of said magazine I fancy that I should come on and defend Mr Bike Chimp...

We're looking to find some brilliant roads to ride in Britain...actually the UK so yes please let us know about roads in NI (and the RoI for that matter)... that you love riding on. As many have said on here it isn't going to be a definitive list and, hopefully, will be a starting point from some decent debate! As for lazy journalism...erm journalists research articles, this is just a form of research using one of the best cycling resources in the world. We haven't ridden on every road on the UK so we're simply asking for your help, so thanks to everyone who has suggested a lovely stretch of tarmac for us so far and keep them coming.

Rob

jc4lab

The Trough of Bowland..Start from Whalley,or Cliitheoe then head to Lancaster.Whalley to Stoneyhurst college at Hurst green near Whalley then from there head for Chipping then to Dunsop Bridge is another start.to the route.This one gives a panaromic view of the Trough from on high....has a very very steep downhill road from there though

ready2burn

Any road that leads in the opposite direction from Slough!

Wallace1492

Any section of Kyle of Lochalsh to Durness. Superb short sharp climbs, astonishingly majestic sea views, fantasticaly twisty descents, very friendly shops and coffee joints. Stay west all the way and throw in the Bealach Na Ba, as the highest road in Britain and the Lochinver to Clachtoll loop with 6 1 in 4 short climbs, and it just simply takes your breath away.

Torridon up past Loch Maree is awesome with the huge mountains just watching your every move, you feel so priviliged just be be able to cycle is such magical surroundings. The remnants of the old Caledonian Forest adorns the mystical island of Loch Maree, sending a shiver down your spine, it is so beautiful, you could get off your bike and weep. The next section brings you along the cost up to Gairloch, with the huge beaches and rolling waves catching your eye and and making it hard for you to look at the twisty road.
The last section up to Durness is pure remoteness, with open moorland dissappearing into the distance, a long slow climb, but well rewarded with 4 or 5 miles of glorious downhill towards the fantastic nort coast beach at Durness.

This, is without any shadow of doubt the best (long) road section in the British Isles. there are some gorgeous shorter sections, but for sheer awesomeness over 200 odd miles it cannot be beaten.

Bike Chimp

Many thanks for all the replies so far.

Any roads suggested by forum members will be acknowledged as such.

Regards

David

Bobbinogs

Pross wrote:

jim453 wrote:

Road from Porlock to Lynmouth. Starts with a fairly testing climb, then along the top with coast and views to Wales on the left, finish with a beautiful descent into Lynmouth.

Infact, road from Simonsbath to Lynmouth might be equally as breathtaking over Exmoor then down through an Alpine esque forested descent.

Good shout.

Yes, one of my fav routes although I would spin up the toll road as a start as it was resurfaced last year and gives a lovely range (nice woods, stunning cliff views and then opens up onto moorland, always climbing and at a steady 5%ish). I would also add that it helps to pick a day where the wind drops such that you don't have to stand on the pedals just to move when at the top of the hill. The climb up past Watersmeet (out of Lynmouth) is great too so my fav loop would be along the lines of Minehead-Porlock-Lynmouth-Simonsbath-Raleighs Cross-Washford-Minehead.

I had to go through Brendon the other week when the road to Lynmouth was closed, nice and tough climb getting out of there up to Simonsbath.

thegibdog

The road in the Goyt Valley between Errwood Reservoir and the Cat & Fiddle. A beautiful, secluded one way road and a nice climb up to the top where you can enjoy panoramic views followed by a nice descent.

See here:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/701703
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/701696
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/701660

dilemna

The best road is the one that goes down hill with a tail wind :roll: .

notlongnow

Im being biased and never ridden anywhere else but i love the lake district its local quiet and beautiful