Roads, when & where do you like to ride them?

[rictus01]

Now I'm sure we all like the hairpin mountain roads of the bike trips we've done and so forth, but barring those, for normal use on lets say a afternoons ride what gives you the "buzz"?

Myself I've no real preference as such, the sweeping A roads have a limited appeal as do sunny days, but B and below are more of a challenge and often I'll try to get from one place to another without using any A roads at all.

I have a liking for the unlit country roads at night (3-4 in the morning) as they are almost totally deserted, but also love the city streets at rush hour as it's just awesome utilizing the ebb and flow of the traffic, likewise the modification in riding style you use in the rain/snow & ice, is another I enjoy greatly as in the case of the trip I done at the begining of March.

So I guess I'd have to say the variation is my choice, but if pushed 3am midweek unlit country road, better dry than wet, but it wouldn't stop me.

So go on, what sort of thing do you like road/weather & time wise ?

Cheers Mark

[ophic]

Anything that isn't a traffic clogged motorway in the pouring rain!

What with all the motorway miles I do, and borrowing Miss Ophic's cruiser a lot, I really think I've forgotten how to go round corners

[rictus01]

See I would have expected the Dales, perhaps the dent road or something, given your location

Cheers Mark

[G]

I'll ride anywhere at anytime in any weather.

Obviously, empty smooth B roads are where I get my most enjoyment, preferably on a warm sunny day. I have a route in leicestershire/lincolnshire that is just over 120 miles which is pretty much only B roads.

I also love completely random roads that you would be better off on an offroad bike on.

DMC took us down about 3 miles of mud/dirt/potholed tracks trying to find a bunkhouse once...the roads were not even on the map...not most peoples idea of fun but i loved it.

Also before a peaks ride once Binky, Davenumbers and I went down some really really random roads, in the ****ing rain, mud everywhere, steep gravely single track roads which we struggled to get above 10mph on... I love that sort of stuff.

I don't do roads in Holland as they are rubbish

So it's weekend trips to the 'Ring, trackdays and alpine tours only for me.

I miss heading out after work for a blast across the North York Moors/Dales like I did in the UK, and weekend trips up to the borders.

[ophic]

Families and precious little time to go out exploring. I do like the A640 though. Fantastic little detour off the motorway.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&so...,0.153294&z=13

ok the thing that gives me the buzz isnt speed, technique or tight, long roads. Its that time when your going along. Its a little cool but the suns just comming up/going down your comming over the top of a hill overlooking either a town of rolling countryside. Its just turning the air a golden yellow colour and your feeling good, that smile comes accross your face, you throttle on and everything just feels good...


bit of a softie arnt i?

[Mr Speirs]

Me I like most sorts of riding saving for Motorways. My bike however is a lot more picky than I and therefore there are some decent roads that I would enjoy on almost every other bike just not mine. Fast sweeping bends are its favourite but I can wrestle it round tight twistys reasonably well just takes a bit more effort...still enjoyable though. Town riding is paramount to torture as is anything below 50mph. As for conditions...any apart from snow and ice but obviously prefer a slightly cooler sunny day.

[timwilky]

Of course the roads up here are brilliant (well some of them), you just need to know which/where etc.

Why do you think we used to host the shandy drinkers visit.

Shap, kirkstone, Hartside etc all in my back yard. then venture across the border into north yorks

[STRAMASHER]

Depends what bike I am on.

The SV feels a bit "lost" to me on fast open A-roads. I must be getting mechanically sympathetic in my old age.

B roads are its forte. Great fun. Took the long way home from work last night, on my favourite back road and got the back wheel way up in the air at 80mph, all nice and smooth and controlled, when some cyclists decided to pull across the road up ahead.
The wee terrier is still surprising me with its ability after 5years. Nice.

I tend to avoid the popular routes at certain times at the weekend up here. Too many cars etc , cops and bikes.

If out just for fun i'll take the big retro cos its entertaining everywhere and at any speed. Quite happy cruising over c and unclassified roads.

The SV riding position just encourages me to be in attack mode all the time, wheather thats just short shifting and smooth or getting all bouncy and raggady. Speed takes the weight of my wrists.

The only night riding I enjoy is empty m/way late,late at night or the wee small hours as you say. The Shap on the M6. Amazing.

Spoilt for choice where I am, 5-20mins any direction. Any type of road. Certainly rival anything I have rode in Europe, albet on a smaller scale.....and with more, em, water?!

Thats enuff ramblin the noo.