mjr wrote:Zulu Eleven wrote:As a general rule there’s nothing on this route that would be be achievable on a gravel or cross bike, [...]
Given the latest update, should this have said "unachievable"? And never mind these modern gravel and cross things - are they rideable on touring bikes and roadsters?
I see the Icknield Way and Peddars Way are labelled as potential future routes but I think they both already have accompanying cycle trails, at least the bits in East Anglia.
I'm a bit worried that CUK resources are going on gravel routes which would be more beneficial completing tarmac cycle-touring routes.
Apologies, yes, that should read unachievable.
There’s no doubt that many will have completed the ridgeway & similar routes on a touring bike, buts its clearly in Rough-Stuff-Fellowship territory, so I think it would be improper to ‘promote’ the route for such. As for ‘roadster’ I suggest the clue is in the name (why would you want to ride a road bike on an off-road route?)
As for the comment on resources - all cycling is good, and everything that gets more people out cycling in the countryside is beneficial. The positive influence on health & wellbeing of off-road cycling and connecting people with nature have been clearly demonstrated, as has the potential for rural tourism & the wider rural economy. The CUK off-road survey of 2016 has demonstrated there is clear demand amongst wider cycling community for these type of routes that help tackle existing challenges of poor connectivity in the rights of way network (that all too often has bridleways ending on unsafe, busy roads), and finally, I’m absolutely confident (from inside knowledge) that the entire pool of money spent by everyone involved in these routes, from CUK developing & promoting them, through to the entire annual spend by local authorities on maintaining the rights of way, and throwing in Natural England’s annual budget promoting and enhancing the two National Trails that are currently open for cycling (just two out of our fifteen National Trails) - would barely pay for a couple of hundred yards of tarmac path creation.