 Hi guys Does anyone know if there is an overlay of the national cycle network available to google earth. I live at the heart of route 6 near sherwood forest, and there are some great routes around here. I bet someone as plotted route 6??
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Nice one Gav  thanks
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I don't really 'get' what the national cycle network is for. Round my way (other than the promenade where you're not allowed to cycle in summer daytime) most of the route is just fairly normal road. What's the point of that? Cyclists can go on which ever road they choose other than motorways.
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 The NCN,is a series of routes,all designed to link in together,and allow us cyclists,to use quieter roads and off road routes,all coordinated by Sustrans.org.uk, all routes are numbered and all one has to do is folow the blue signs and arrows,exploreing the countryside around you.
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 A group I'm part of in Ireland is working on putting similar routes together in Ireland. Not really for people who are already cycling though, more for people it hasn't occurred to yet who assume being buzzed by cars is a necessity rather something avoidable through clever route choice. We're trying to point out some of the gaps in existing routes to the local council as a means of giving them something to direct their cycling infrastructure development money towards rather than lethal cycle paths that don't go anywhere. The only problem is that for the last few years they've mostly been turning 2 lane roads into 3 and 4 lane roads without widening them, leaving bikes squeezed out of 3m wide lanes in a number of places where there was plenty of room when there was a lane less and 4.5m of width  ...
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 Plus the cars have been getting wider too. Good luck!
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 Depends where you live I suppose. The routes near me have got more and more traffic free over the years, but with the purchase of land and creation of tracks it's always going to be a slow process.
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As in OP, I live next to route 6. It is a fantastic route, northbound. From my house, I am on the route within 2 miles and it takes you via many local attractions such as sherwood pines, newstead abby, Sherwood forest, clumber park; never been futher than that However, it is odd in places, the route will fork off in 2 directions in places??? and looking at that map, it dissapears for miles and is then back again???
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 I quite like it. It's an easy way to navigate long distances too without having to know the roads.
I followed #4 from Swansea to Devizes, then got the #45 to Wilton, then the #24 to Romsey
I knew a quicker route home from there, But it beat having to google a route, having shed loads of notes and road names/numbers.
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 The National Cycle Network does unfortunately have gaps in some routes - this is I believe mainly due to land ownership issues and, of course, funding. Sustrans (the creators of the NCN) is a charity, and not funded by the government. Maybe if you enjoy using their rooutes, you might consider becoming a supporter and giving a donation to them? I have helped build some sections of routes (as a volunteer), and most of the routes have volunteer Rangers checking them for signing and other problems. What a shame the government don't put any money into it! They seem to be able to subsidise/fund all other forms of transport. Sustrans also have mapping on their website - www.sustrans.org.uk
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| Edited: 02/11/09 20:39 |
And a very good job you do as well Jen,and all for a cup of tea if youre lucky On our local route the local council and the government dept for roads, are spending 75 million strenghtening a bridge,but at least they have a man in a green coat stoopping the vehicles going across the cycle route when cyclists are riding along it,and a very good job he does as well.
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Nice one Jen. I thought it was a government venture, never realised it was charity run
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 The original mapping was done by volunteers and their favorite routes (and pubs) got put on. For a novice cyclist I think they are fine. With the advent of Garmin gps mapping and downloads, they are becoming redundant for the keener cyclist (although they offer a clue to the quieter ares if you are planning a ride in a strange neighbourhood) who probably would invest in an ordnance survey map anyway
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I posted earlier saying that I didn't 'get' what the national cycle network is for. Thanks for those who have filled me in. It is a shame the network isn't better developed. It is a pain to have to do the legwork of finding good routes yourself. I find that finding interesting and varied routes is the hardest (and least documented) aspect of cycling. It would be good if there was a central database with a website showing good XC routes, good road routes etc. It is all far too sporadic with some magazines publishing some, some council sites showing some, some independant cycling sites showing some.
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Sustrans.org.uk, has interactive mapping use a pstcode to find a route, Theres also a new government rout finder site for certain cities in the uk, http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/JourneyPlanning/FindCycleInput.aspx Bikey has lots of routes, burt has been bopught out by another cycling magazine site,so cant mention it on here. Or just buy an ordance survey map.
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| Edited: 04/11/09 17:48 |
try garmin connect or mapmyride, they have searcheable maps. i upload most of my rides
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