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Sustrans 51 Query
Had a trundle along the Sandy - picked it up at Blunham / Tempsford
beside the A1 having dropped down the back roads from St Neots - to Bedford bit on Sunday. Pleasantly surprised, given the views I have read on here on Sustrans efforts. I suspect though, that this may be one of the better ones. Pluses : a) as it mainly follows the old Bedford - Sandy railway line and hence is rather level and direct. The smooth 700x38's found it eminently suitable. b) it has also been tarmac'd for a large percentage of the route, with the remainder in small, well compacted gravel. Made the run as far as Bedford rather pleasant. Minuses : a) wobbles a bit onto footpath round the back of Wilmington village. b) suffers from a large number of Amblers (Ramblers without the sense of direction or location - ie spread out across the whole path - I found the bell MOST useful for once). Alas it has probably been rendered semi-obsolete by the new Barford Bypass, which now leaves a big wide smooth empty road through the village from the Black Cat roundabout on the A1 to Bedford itself. The route through Bedford is a little less successful, though scenic - taking the paths along the Ouse Embankment. On Sunday this was chaotic, with pedestrians and cyclists going in all directions, a large bikers meet either side of the path at one of the pubs, and a major canoeing regatta taking place ... avoiding people with boats on their heads adds a new twist. Also a couple of low railway bridges to tackle, one 6'3" and one 4'7" (I kid you not !) The Kempston side is a mess, I defaulted to the road after losing it twice and picked it up on the other side. Onto the Query. What is this route like from Kempston to Milton Keynes? I would rather avoid the main road as it is not much fun in the car (non dualled in places, dodgy overtaking and the whiff of the landfill sites). The map suggests road based country wind and/or possibly Sustrans Track. Gradients wise how easy going is it for someone who is still finding his wheels and hence for whom a forty mile ride is regarded as a personal achievement ? Thanks MW |
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#2
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Sustrans 51 Query
Mark
I ride the 51 regularly. The section between Kempston and MK is a mixture of country roads, trail and cycle path, the latter being the MK end. It's not the most direct route to MK as it takes in Marston Vale country park. The section of trail between Cranfield and Hulcote is not very good for anything other than a mountain bike and can be a real slog at times particularly when it's been dry for a while. The reason for this is that the trail is made up of compacted sand but they overdid the sand and failed to compact it enough. There is also a lot of horse traffic on this section which cuts up the trail a lot. There is one fairly steep section alongside Hulcote wood, around the back of the landfill at Brogborough. There is also a re routed section along a bridleway at the moment because the main trail has been washed away, however I have been using that bridleway for some time as I prefer it to the trail, again I wouldn't do it on anything other than a mountain bike as there are a few roots to negotiate, also a lot of brambles to avoid. The rest of the route to MK is pretty easy although you have to keep an eye on the signs as it's a bit of maze in some sections! Good luck. Cheers, Dave "Mark W" wrote in message oups.com... Had a trundle along the Sandy - picked it up at Blunham / Tempsford beside the A1 having dropped down the back roads from St Neots - to Bedford bit on Sunday. Pleasantly surprised, given the views I have read on here on Sustrans efforts. I suspect though, that this may be one of the better ones. Pluses : a) as it mainly follows the old Bedford - Sandy railway line and hence is rather level and direct. The smooth 700x38's found it eminently suitable. b) it has also been tarmac'd for a large percentage of the route, with the remainder in small, well compacted gravel. Made the run as far as Bedford rather pleasant. Minuses : a) wobbles a bit onto footpath round the back of Wilmington village. b) suffers from a large number of Amblers (Ramblers without the sense of direction or location - ie spread out across the whole path - I found the bell MOST useful for once). Alas it has probably been rendered semi-obsolete by the new Barford Bypass, which now leaves a big wide smooth empty road through the village from the Black Cat roundabout on the A1 to Bedford itself. The route through Bedford is a little less successful, though scenic - taking the paths along the Ouse Embankment. On Sunday this was chaotic, with pedestrians and cyclists going in all directions, a large bikers meet either side of the path at one of the pubs, and a major canoeing regatta taking place ... avoiding people with boats on their heads adds a new twist. Also a couple of low railway bridges to tackle, one 6'3" and one 4'7" (I kid you not !) The Kempston side is a mess, I defaulted to the road after losing it twice and picked it up on the other side. Onto the Query. What is this route like from Kempston to Milton Keynes? I would rather avoid the main road as it is not much fun in the car (non dualled in places, dodgy overtaking and the whiff of the landfill sites). The map suggests road based country wind and/or possibly Sustrans Track. Gradients wise how easy going is it for someone who is still finding his wheels and hence for whom a forty mile ride is regarded as a personal achievement ? Thanks MW |
#3
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Sustrans 51 Query
Thanks.
I spotted the detour on the trusty OS map, and was thinking of cutting from Wootton direct into Cranfield (the contour lines indicate a fairly steep looking hill here, alas), and picking up the "on road" alternative route round the landfill - which I want to keep my distance from, it niffs enuff in the car ! They appear to join up again at Salford. MW |
#4
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Sustrans 51 Query
Mark W wrote:
The route through Bedford is a little less successful, though scenic - taking the paths along the Ouse Embankment. On Sunday this was chaotic, with pedestrians and cyclists going in all directions, a large bikers meet either side of the path at one of the pubs, and a major canoeing regatta taking place ... avoiding people with boats on their heads adds a new twist. Also a couple of low railway bridges to tackle, one 6'3" and one 4'7" (I kid you not !) A classic. With practice you bend low over the bars and scoot along - you don't hit anything if you don't look up! The Kempston side is a mess, I defaulted to the road after losing it twice and picked it up on the other side. Ah yes, Kempston. Coincidentally I was there this weekend. Site of the off-road cyclepath adjacent to a 30mph road containing a bus lane which ONLY allows buses. Given the number of junctions, the path is far slower and less safe. I used to live there, at a time when I still thought cyclepaths were a good idea, so I share a little of the blame. As soon as there's a cyclepath, all non-cyclists expect cyclists to use them - and the engineers try to make them. There could be a Telford opportunity here - choose between slow and dangerous, illegal, and 'obstructive'. Colin McKenzie -- On average in Britain, you're more likely to get a head injury walking a mile than cycling it. So why aren't we all exhorted to wear walking helmets? |
#5
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Sustrans 51 Query
Yes you can take the road option from Wootton, via Cranfield, to Salford and
yes Cranfield hill is a fairly good test, for around here anyway! Unfortunately you will not find an alternate route without a hill. As I said there is the steep section on the off road route, Cranfield hill as you have seen and if you braved the A421 you have Brogborough hill to contend with! I've done them all and there not so bad, just quite steep for this area. By the way the landfill isn't too bad on the off road track, I think the wind must take the smell away from the trail and towards the road. Either that or my nose has become de-sensitised! Cheers, Dave "Mark W" wrote in message oups.com... Thanks. I spotted the detour on the trusty OS map, and was thinking of cutting from Wootton direct into Cranfield (the contour lines indicate a fairly steep looking hill here, alas), and picking up the "on road" alternative route round the landfill - which I want to keep my distance from, it niffs enuff in the car ! They appear to join up again at Salford. MW |
#6
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Sustrans 51 Query
"Colin McKenzie" wrote in message ... Mark W wrote: As soon as there's a cyclepath, all non-cyclists expect cyclists to use them Except pedestrians who seem strangely drawn to the painted (Cycling) side of the path and are then surprised when you zip past them, assuming it's not a crowd in which case the whole path and cycletrack is usually blocked and the use of the bell is a waste of time as they are so engrossed in conversation or have their iPods on full volume. Right, off my soapbox and back to work! Cheers, Dave |
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