What sort of experiences have NG readers had of the National Cycle Network? I've attempted two sections of Route 63 between March and Peterborough.
One of them consisted mainly of narrow fenland roads - OK if there isn't much traffic, but not obviously safe or enjoyable otherwise. But then it suddenly took off on something that was signposted as a bridle path, but in reality was a rutted mud track across the fields. I should have said it was barely ridable on a mountain bike.
The next section I tried was a rough track pitted with potholes. I was commuting on a mountain bike, but I arrived at work spattered with mud from head to foot and with mild paralysis of the hands. If I'd tried it on my normal bike I'd have arrived with a heap of scrap iron, too.
I've emailed Sustrans and received charming replies. I feel mean complaining about it. But if this is really meant to be a National Cycle Network then it's reasonable to expect it to be possible to complete any of the routes on any bike.
There seems to be a regrettable consequence of the popularity of mountain bikes that public authorities (and, presumably, Sustrans) think that a surface that's passable on a mountain bike is good enough.
Chris Walker
One of them consisted mainly of narrow fenland roads - OK if there isn't much traffic, but not obviously safe or enjoyable otherwise. But then it suddenly took off on something that was signposted as a bridle path, but in reality was a rutted mud track across the fields. I should have said it was barely ridable on a mountain bike.
The next section I tried was a rough track pitted with potholes. I was commuting on a mountain bike, but I arrived at work spattered with mud from head to foot and with mild paralysis of the hands. If I'd tried it on my normal bike I'd have arrived with a heap of scrap iron, too.
I've emailed Sustrans and received charming replies. I feel mean complaining about it. But if this is really meant to be a National Cycle Network then it's reasonable to expect it to be possible to complete any of the routes on any bike.
There seems to be a regrettable consequence of the popularity of mountain bikes that public authorities (and, presumably, Sustrans) think that a surface that's passable on a mountain bike is good enough.
Chris Walker