Route Advice: Easington - Team Valley

Initialised
Initialised Posts: 3,047
edited May 2012 in Commuting general
A colleague is 'considering' doing what looks like a 16-20mile each way. I reckon allowing 2 hours to start and getting down to 1.5hrs is reasonable but not sure on the route.

I'm thinking:

A182-A1284-A1052-A183-A693-A167-Left at the top of Birtley to Team Valley Roundabout

Which is exactly what http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/2159148/ throws up

Are there decent alternatives or short-cuts that don't show up?
I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.