Hello everyone,
So I’ve just started a new job and I need to commute by bike. I’ll be getting off at Sunningdale station and then biking to my workplace (it’s a vet hospital), but it’s kind of in a wooded area and not really in town.
They sent me directions, but it’s clearly for cars and mentions going via the A30. It looks like a motorway / high speed road and I’m stressed.
So I wanted to ask;
- Is it generally okay/safe to cycle on roads like the A30, or should I be avoiding them completely?
- How do you usually find safer or more cycle-friendly routes in situations like this?
- Or if I do end up having to take a road like that, are there specific things I should be doing?
- Are there any apps, tips, or general “rules” I should follow when cycling on roads without dedicated bike lanes? Or do I just get off and walk the bike if I’m unsure?
I took my new bike for a spin the other day and I was so wary of possibly being on a non bike path that every single time someone passed me, I was almost convinced they were gonna tell me it’s unlawful and call the cops on me, or just tell me to get the fuck off the road. I know, it’s irrational and nobody gives a flying fuck, in fact I doubt anybody even noticed me. But yeah, I just get anxious and I just want to be prepared and ride my bike in peace in accordance with all the rules and just not be a nuisance. I apologise for my unnecessary ramble.
Anyway, any advice or tips would be very welcome. Thank you very much!
Edit: My final destination from Sunningdale Station is Pears Hill, Westwood Road, if that helps.
A30 London Road has these narrow sidewalks on either side of the road, can I ride on it? Or is that not allowed?
Second Edit; tried the A30 and tried the route through the golf course / Ridgemount rd, A30 is far better. At least I won’t have to walk my bike through the fucking thicket till the golf course, swatting off spiders. I ride on the pavement. I cannot in good conscience ride on the actual A30 road. Some lorries and trucks are playing mad max fury road out there, and I reckon a few cars were convinced it was a formula one race. Plus 40 km/ph speed limit so no way. I ride my bike nice and slow on the narrow pavement and then bike up the Westwood Road and pears hill. Very doable (apart from a few spots where it feels like the road is almost vertical steep. Anyway I managed. Thank you all. Always open for suggestions / tips tho.