London - Yorkshire

Ben6899

I'm planning a route to ride from London to Pontefract. I have used Komoot, let it do its thing and then gone along that route to take out roads that I don't like the look of.

I'm now looking for local knowledge for the roads between St Albans (I rarely ride in that direction beyond that town at weekends) and Rotherham (particularly where I hit the cities and towns such as Leicester, Sheffield).

https://www.komoot.com/tour/303481038?share_token=afYMlU5eeidmCsYemHi0iVMlHbgvbLChtJypX8Jx2gWKET7lvO&ref=

As much as I appreciate tips for swapping B roads etc for country lanes, I want to keep the distance to ~300km so I can do it in one day without being head down all the way. At the same time, I'll really appreciate input such as "Noooo, don't ride along that road, whatever you do!"

Cheers!
Ben

pollys_bott

SWMBO is Carleton born and bred and I’ve biked up there a few times from near Loughborough - I went through Nottm to Southwell then Clumber Park-Worksop-Blyth-eastern edge of Donny then across to Askern / Campsall / Carleton. Will have a look at your route later on and see if I can help on the bit through Leics /Rutland...

brundonbianchi

I led a charidee ride from Huddersfield to Southampton a couple of years ago, for British Cycling with a local charity. The first 2 days ( Huddersfield to Leicester, and Leicester to Reading ) used some epic roads that would be useful to you ( but in reverse ). It took in some of the Cotswolds, and then the Peak District ( including the Derwent Valley). It took in the LadyBower reservoir (which is famous for the it’s role in training the Dambusters flight crews in World War 2). There are some very nice roads on the route. You’d have to ride out towards Reading at the start, and then go about 40 miles East at the end, but the scenery you’ll get is well worth it. We pretty much didn’t use any main roads for the entire ride.

webboo

brundonbianchi said:

I led a charidee ride from Huddersfield to Southampton a couple of years ago, for British Cycling with a local charity. The first 2 days ( Huddersfield to Leicester, and Leicester to Reading ) used some epic roads that would be useful to you ( but in reverse ). It took in some of the Cotswolds, and then the Peak District ( including the Derwent Valley). It took in the LadyBower reservoir (which is famous for the it’s role in training the Dambusters flight crews in World War 2). There are some very nice roads on the route. You’d have to ride out towards Reading at the start, and then go about 40 miles East at the end, but the scenery you’ll get is well worth it. We pretty much didn’t use any main roads for the entire ride.

More Cr@p you are on two A roads if you are going past Ladybower reservoir which are a couple of the busiest roads in the Peak.

pollys_bott

OK - don't know the Corby area I'm afraid but from Uppingham up through Oakham and to Wymondham all good, nice quiet roads; quite lumpy. Wymondham Windmill tea rooms for a coffee etc. From there I would go to Garthorpe-Waltham-Harby-Langar-Bingham-Gunthorpe-Lowdham then right for Southwell. (It is an A road to get you over the Trent at Gunthorpe but you either cross there, back in Nottingham or further up at Newarke). From Southwell it's Kirklington-Eakring-Ollerton then along the A616 for a couple of miles then right up to Worksop. Through to Blyth and then your current route comes across just north of there and intersects the way I'd go up through Rossington to Barnby Dun etc. Hope that helps.

webboo

I’ve ridden from Oakham near Rutland to the Humber up through Lincolnshire going round Lincoln. Which was a really nice traffic free ride of about 100 miles but it’s probably abit too far East for you.

Ben6899

Some great tips, gents. I need to see if I can incorporate them.

Trying to avoid A roads, but not possible in all cases of trying to minimise distance.

Charlie_Croker

@Ben6899 does the route linked to above automatically update when you make changes to the route?

Ben6899

Hi @Charlie_Croker , it does yes.

Charlie_Croker

Cool

Charlie_Croker

@Ben6899 I've had a look at your route.
Two things jump out at me, first is the distance, an awful lot to do in a day I think. Secondly, perhaps because of the distance, the amount of climbing and descending. After a long day in the saddle the last thing I want is any up hill bits...

I’m afraid I don’t know the roads down south as far as cycling is concerned but north of Nottm I’m pretty au fait with, so I’ve had a go at your route maker for the first time and come up with a plan/route.
This route from Newark northwards reduces the climbing by about half. Unfortunately it adds about 4 miles. Anyway its there, have a look, take it or leave it.

If you do take it, just one note. There’s a short gravel section included near Askern, this can be avoided if wet by simply going through Askern itself.
https://www.komoot.com/tour/307477413

Ben6899

@Charlie_Croker this is massively appreciated - I'll take a look tomorrow!

Quite happy to add 4miles to halve the climbing, it will end up much quicker.

Charlie_Croker

I was confused for a little while this morning, re-reading this thread. Perhaps too early for my brain to be engaged, but then the penny dropped. There are two threads “London – Yorkshire/Pontefract” one in here and the other in the Cake Shop. I must stop scaring myself

Ben6899

Yeh I put one in Cake Stop for more traffic! Had a look at your route from Newark and incorporated it. Gone through Askern and then by the cemetery and water tower towards Campsall, rather than along the gravel and through Norton.