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

The sort of riding I enjoy has changed over the last few years. When I first started riding I would ride anywhere, anytime and enjoy it. I would get home from work and just take a 20 minute blast around the Birmingham ringroad just to be out on my bike. I was also commuting to Swindon quite a bit which I did cross-country so it was quite fun and interesting. I also used to go out on warm evenings down to Redditch (the clover leaf if anyone knows it) to practise getting the bike cranked over and trying to get my knee-down (which I eventually achieved).

These days I'm less interested in 'nipping out for a blast' though. I like the big rides, up to Peak District or over to Wales, etc. And I would ride everyday on the sort of roads encountered on our foreign trips to Germany and the South of France, but I'm more inclined to enjoy another hobby unless it's good weather and I know there's going to be great roads.

I've also been riding less since the price of fuel went stupid. Riding quickly now costs approximately £15-£20 per hour. That's a lot

Originally Posted by carty

Riding quickly now costs approximately £15-£20 per hour. That's a lot

That is also quite fast.

Assuming petrol is 1.2/l and your bike only does 30mpg that is an average in excess of 80mph.

Originally Posted by simesb

That is also quite fast.

Assuming petrol is 1.2/l and your bike only does 30mpg that is an average in excess of 80mph.

[yorkie_chris]

I hate ice. It seems so unfair when you bin it on ice, as there's no warning and you can be as careful as you want and still crash.
Don't mind rain at all.

I like the twisty little back roads, I'm not so keen on the sweeping racetrack like turns.

i liked my trip in the Dales last week very much. Even though it was a saturday, the roads I were on were really quiet, had them to myself practically all the way from Gargrave - Malham - Settle. This meant I could just take them how I wanted to, slow at the scenic bits, faster where I could see the road. Really loved it.

I think I' at that stage in my learning curve where I just enjoy being on the bike on my own, be it plodding at 30 through villages or 55 on big A roads. When the weather is beautiful it just doesn't matter! Saying that, I may have felt the same during rain...oddly

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

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

ya but plenty other fun stuff to do in Holland

There are some beautiful roads around Canterbury.

Originally Posted by 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"?

Pretty much the same as you, but I do prefer riding on the continent because other road users manners are far better

[dizzyblonde]

I love Scotland, perfect place for me
Although saying that France is too.
Hmmm actually my fave road is around Kettlewell. Used to be a right Pig for me, but I froth at the mouth these days at just the thought of riding it, loves it!

Not bothered if its rain or shine TBH, just as long as it ain't cold and frosty, far too many early mornings of that have turned that type of riding into a chore.

Hurry up and pop that sprog Lou, I fancy a ride to Kettlewell

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

Hurry up and pop that sprog Lou, I fancy a ride to Kettlewell

I'm blloddy trying lady, don't you think I am!! Thing is though by the time this has popped it'll be manky slippy wet roads up there, and it'll turn from thoroughly fun to thoroughly horrid, specially ont Raptor