Tuesday 19 February 2013

Cambridge Video Guide: Routes Index


Currently live and regularly updated. Check main page for progess

Here's an index page for the Cambridge Video Clip Cycling Guide. Here's a full map of the coverage including the KML for the whole picture. The KML data is best viewed using Google Earth, especially in conjunction with the Excel tool, but still can be accessed using Google Maps through any web browser.


View Cambridge Video Routes Guide in a larger map or Download KML directly

There are several index pages in two types for this group of pages and associated YouTube clips and KML files.

  • The Streets Index pages, listing in street order with route clips with start times and local area KML files for use and download
    A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z

  • The Routes Index pages, listing in route order showing streets used with detailed description and local area KML files for use and download
    A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z



There are some extra links provided where valid for taking a broader view. Both these indexes and the KML files will keep building as more clips get added on YouTube.



The Routes Index






Reasonable
Abbey Road, Newmarket Road Path, Abbey Street, New Street (YouTube)
A useful link getting from the river to the east-centre backstreets. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Abbey Road has lots of parked cars, so remember to ride out of the door zone. I wait for a van coming the other way as it made more sense than trying to push on through.

At the end there's an access to Newmarket Road along a shared-use path all the way to the crossing. As this is quite narrow, go slowly and remember to give people walking plenty of space and sound indicators if coming from behind.

The crossing space to Abbey Street is thankfully wide to allow for people walkign and cycling. Note that these lights are not cycl-only, so they are not mandatory and can be crossed on red. However, it's very busy here so is not recommended.

Abbey Street usually has too many parked vehicles in it. Sometimes the drivers even block the whole route. Almost as bad is the food van that encourages people to stand in the remaining part of the road causing an obstruction. So take care whe ncomign through here. Also look out for vehicles coming in from the left, as despite having to give way people driving can forget to look in your direction.

Turning right into New Street enables you to get to the more direct Sturton Road for ongoing routes.

Starts on Abbey Road;
Newmarket Road Path; at 00:25;
Abbey Street; at 00:37;
New Street; at 00:48;






Friendly
Across Coldham Common from Newmarket Road to Cromwell Road (YouTube)
Useful quiet link from Newmarket Road to Coldhams Lane. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Starts on Newmarket Road going eastwards. I show a slightly faster (and a bit more risky but legal) way of crossing the road. If this isn't for you, use the crossing ahead.

Onto the Common and skirting the football ground. A wide-ish path, although care should always be taken with other path users.

Special care should be taken when going under the railway. There's very little headroom and it's not very wide.

Finishing at the Coldhams Lane junction with Cromwell Road leaves lots of options further on.
Starts on Coldhams Common;

More links: Path, Main Post





Friendly
Across the Coe Fen and Along Barton Road (YouTube)
A quiet link through south Cambridge. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

A very useful link across the Coe Fen, knocking off a longer route by road. A wide path used by people cycling and walking. Take care of dogs particularly on this route, some owners don't quite understand the need to be in control at all times, on and off lead.

Do note that the "Cyclists Dismount" sign on the bridge is advisory only.

Lammas Land road is quiet but does have traffic along it. This can be a little awkward given the roadspace.

The crossing at the end of the road is a cycles-only crossing, so the signals MUST be obeyed. Also be aware that people driving can get confused with the nearby pedestrian lights and cross at red, take lots of care! I actually get off to cross to save a long unnecessary wait.

Barton Road cyclepath is very good for getting away from the busy road environment and littering of (legally and illegally) parked cars.

Sadly you have to take special care of each crossing side route. Although the principle of making road-markings signal no right of way for anyone, people driving sometimes use their bulk to ignore this. It's especially awkward when they can't get any further due to road congestion and then just sit there blocking the route to others.

I make use of a college exit to get onto the roadspace and cross to Grantchester Street.
Starts on Brooklands Avenue;
Coe Fen; at 00:06;
Coe Fen Bridge; at 00:27;
Lammas Land Road; at 00:33;
Barton Road; at 00:48;






Friendly
Across the Coe Fen and Along Brooklands Avenue (YouTube)
A quiet link through south Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

I start on Grantchester Street in Newnham. I was lucky at the lights, although you could cross to the right side pavement and push the bike road the corner to avoid a long wait.

Lammas Land Road is usually quiet but again there are cars along here to the car park. Crossing the Coe Fen brings you back to shared paths, so be careful with pedestrians, especially with children. Note that the "Cyclists Dismount" sign over the bridge is advisory only, it is not an instruction (it's a blue sign). This is a strong indicator to slow down and take great care! And that's clearly needed with the amount of people cyclign and walking around today. It's not a good idea to pass another cyclist on the bridge ramps, there's not enough space and it doesn't take long.

The Coe Fen paths are pretty good and quiet popular with both people walking and riding. Most people are used to each other and give space appropriately. In Autumn, leaves can clog the route a bit, so mudguards are useful (or just get muddy!). This route is gritted.

The crossing at Trumpington Road can take a little while. These are not mandatory cycle-only lights, so can be crossed at red. But with great care as motor vehicles come from all angles at speed. Note that the last car before I cross did go through a red light.

Brooklands Avenue is a real mixture of experience. I often ride at quieter times, especially not school travel times. The shared-use path gets very busy then as there are a lot of schools nearby. At other times it's a much more pleasant environment and people walking and cycling usually mix quite well. Remember always give lots of space and slow down.

Notice the buggy at the lights is a cycle carrier used as a child buggy. Also note that it can be a bit awkward at times when coming up behind people walking if they spread across the route. I still favour flicking brakes as it doesn't sound as demanding and shows you are slowing down.
Starts on Grantchester Street;
Lammas Land Road; at 00:04;
Coe Fen Bridge; at 00:19;
Coe Fen; at 00:30;
Brooklands Avenue; at 00:58;






Reasonable
Adams Road, Sylvester Road, Herschel Road, Grange Road (YouTube)
A good quiet link avoiding the lights on Grange Road. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. A reasonable route through the west of town. It's let down by the poor facilities on Grange Road, ignore the useless cyclelanes.Starts on Adams Road;
Sylvester Road; at 00:09;
Herschel Road; at 00:17;
Grange Road; at 00:30;






Reasonable
Addenbrookes A+E Road, Adrian Way (YouTube)
This shows the access within the main part of the hospital complex. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This shows the access within the main part of the hospital complex. When riding through here remember that people driving are much more focussed on other things, including parking, that others around them and take care. Also, there are a lot of accesses from the side and although many don't have priority be prepared to stop.

Wiggling around the complex to Adrian Way after turning left is just following the road. Adrian Way does have limited access onto the Long Road roadspace, although there are markings for shared-use path along here.
Starts on Addenbrookes A+E Road;
Adrian Way; at 00:20;






Friendly
Addenbrookes Cyclepath (YouTube)
A great link coming into south Cambridge. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, cyclepath. The famous genome cyclepath into Addenbrookes. Towards the end, the design of the bridge at the left turn seems to be unnecessarily sharp. The end has been redeveloped since this clip.Starts on Addenbrookes Cycle Path;






Friendly
Addenbrookes Cyclepath (West) (YouTube)
A good off-road route connecting to Addenbrookes Road. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. The entrance to the route is a bit awkward as unsighted, has a lot of people milling around (smokers from teh hospital), and at a difficult angle. The path is a great way of getting onto Addenbrookes Road although you do a complete loop around over yourself.Starts on Addenbrookes Cycle Path;






Friendly
Addenbrookes Cyclepath Access from Hills Road (YouTube)
This shows a quick link to the main part of the hospital complex. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Accessed by either crossing Long Road from Hills Road cyclepath (on west side of road) or by using the right turn (with ASL) from Hills Road.

This path makes for an easier entrance to Addenbrookes than going round the main Addenbrookes roundabout. Watch for other path users, especially at the turns, then use the route into the smaller roundabout to give advantage over motorised transport hospital entry. Take care when pulling back out onto the road. It's why there are some (really quite unnecessary) offset barriers on the route.
Starts on Addenbrookes Cyclepath Access;

More links: Cyclepath, Path, Main Post





Friendly
Addenbrookes Cyclepath Access to Hills Road (North) (YouTube)
This shows a quick link from the main part of the hospital complex. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Enter from Puddicombe Way using the old carpark lane as a safe refuge in the middle of the road. Negotiate slightly irritating offset barriers and the path is then easy. Watch for other path users, especially at the turns. Cross Long Road to get to the Hills Road cyclepath into town.

This path makes for an easier exit to Addenbrookes than going round the main Addenbrookes roundabout.
Starts on Addenbrookes Cyclepath Access;

More links: Cyclepath, Path, Main Post





Friendly
Addenbrookes Cyclepath, Robinson Way (YouTube)
A great link coming into south Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, cyclepath. The famous genome cyclepath into Addenbrookes. The design of the bridge at the left turn seems to be unnecessarily sharp. The end of the path has been redeveloped since this clip. Take care joining Robinson Way as drivers do often exceed the 20mph limit.Starts on Addenbrookes Cycle Path;
Robinson Way; at 00:56;






Friendly
Addenbrookes Guided Busway to Paget Road and Anstey Way (YouTube)
A quiet useful link through south Cambridge from Addenbrookes hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, secondary, shared-use path, cyclepath. A good route from Addenbrookes to Trumpington. Look out for guided buses as they can throw up some wind. The residential roads at the end can have cars littered around the cycle infrastructure. Use primary to ignore this.Starts on South Cambridge Guided Busway, Addenbrookes;
Guided Busway Pagets Road Path; at 00:26;
Pagets Road; at 00:53;
Anstey Way; at 01:20;






Reasonable
Addenbrookes Road (North) (YouTube)
A reasonable off-road route although not entirely helped by some developers. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, cyclelane. If the cyclepath is blocked by works, coming out onto the road is an alternative. There are a few places to do it safely, always look. After the lights, staying on the road through the roundabout will avoid the lack of priority on the cyclepath. After the roundabout, the priority is restored. Always look out for people driving missing this.Starts on Addenbrookes Road;






Reasonable
Addenbrookes Road (South) (YouTube)
A reasonable off-road route although not entirely helped by some developers. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, cyclepath. This is now much more developed. The staggered junctions are a classic failure of cycling infrastructure in this country, they do this in countries with poor safety records. The No Entry on the cyclepath at the end is a historical thing from when it was just a short sliplane off the main road. Now it goes 400 yards down to the next junction it doesn't apply. As far as I find out, there's no such thing as a one-way cyclepath in law.Starts on Addenbrookes Road;






Friendly
Addenbrookes Road and Cyclepath (East) (YouTube)
A reasonable off-road route although not entirely helped by some road design. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, cyclelane. After the lights, staying on the road through the roundabout will avoid the lack of priority on the cyclepath. After the roundabout, the priority is restored. Always look out for people driving missing this. Coming round back underneath yourself means avoiding the Francis Crick Avenue onroad cyclelane and gets you further into the hospital on more favourable no-traffic routes.Starts on Addenbrookes Road;
Addenbrookes Cycle Path; at 00:29;






Mixed
Addenbrookes Road and Francis Crick Avenue (YouTube)
A cyclepath link through Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Addenbrookes Road is a new road designed to be an access road for the hospital. Currently there are cameras set up to spot people driving trying to use it to get into the city. I'm not sure how long that will stay, as it's quite an odd arrangement. It was set as part of the conditions of buiding the road.

Anyway, it's really not on the way from anywhere to anywhere for people cycling as the roads out of the city this was are very hostile. And that's fairly obvious as there are very few people along it. However, the road has got a rather good cyclepath along it. Well, in some respects.

Starting out at Shelford Road, the offroad path goes round the roundabout and cedes priority at the exit. This is quite irritating, especially as the path is a really awkward series of turns. Rather than following my path, I'd join the main road at the drop kerb just before the roundabout and follow the roadspace round and come off at the end. Obviously all moves onto the roadspace must be done carefully given that people driving often veer from side to side of the roadspace at roundabout entrances. But once on the roundabout you'll retain priority.

After this, all the side accesses cede priority to the cyclepath. This is excellent, or more precisely, exactly as it should be. Be aware that a few people driving may not see it that way and judge their behaviour carefully. Again, this may need more careful behaviour at the side access at the bridge that seems to lose all lines for no obvious reason.

After the bridge, and again for no obvious reason, the cyclepath disappears. There's plenty of space here to continue the cyclepath. Coming in this direction is okay-ish, but travelling in the opposite direction requires multiple road crossing for a few hundred yards distance.

The drop into the roadspace is probably the only good bit. It's protected so there's little chance of people driving coming into the onroad cyclelane as you enter it. After that, the cyclelane suffers from the same, age-old issues. Road debris, litter, drains, puddles (hiding the eventual potholes).
Starts on Addenbrookes Road;
Francis Crick Avenue; at 00:59;






Reasonable
Addenbrookes to the Guided Busway (YouTube)
A useful link through Addenbrookes hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, cyclepath. Getting through Addenbrookes and across towards Trumpington. The hospital roads should be reasonably safe, but look out for walkers especially when dirvers are outside you. The guided busway spur is very useful for getting over the railway, although it's a bit of a sharp incline.Starts on Puddicombe Way;
Robinson Way; at 00:30;
Francis Crick Avenue; at 00:37;
South Cambridge Guided Busway, Addenbrookes; at 00:46;






Reasonable
Adrian Way, Puddicombe Way, Robinson Way (YouTube)
Getting around the hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Adrian Way does have limited access from the Long Road roadspace, although there are markings for shared-use path along here.

Puddicombe Way has lots of side accesses so be alert for turning traffic.

Robinson Way is usually not too busy, but has limited space so use the primary position to discourage poor passing.
Starts on Adrian Way;
Puddicombe Way; at 00:08;
Robinson Way; at 00:24;






Friendly
Airport Way (North) (YouTube)
A good offroad link north from Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, cyclepath. A useful shared-use route, although take care of people walking and the odd parked car.Starts on Airport Way;






Reasonable
Alms Hill into Bourn (YouTube)
A reasonable road route although needs care with more traffic. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary. A fast section into the village. Look out for parked cars and people driving not seeing you despite looking.Starts on Alms Hill, Bourn;
High Street, Bourn; at 00:34;






Reasonable
Anstley Way, Paget Road, South Cambridge Guided Busway (YouTube)
A useful quiet link from the centre of Trumpington onto the Guided Busway towards the station. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

I enter Anstey Way by sitting in the middle of Trumpington High Street. If this is a bit scary, use the pedestrian crossing (at the point where the clip starts), there's a cyclepath in from there.

Paget Way is wide and quiet which makes up for the inconsiderate parking (blocking cycle access points). The turn off the ringroad is at the second corner and fairly obvious.

The path down to the guided busway is usually a little less wet than this example, but it does makea point for tarmac here. Bikes aren't going to get through it at any speed compared to motorised transport! The new development may bring this, especially with the new roads going in.
Starts on Trumpington High Street;
Anstley Way; at 00:09;
Paget Road; at 00:16;
Paget Road Path; at 00:39;
South Cambridge Guided Busway; at 01:01;

More links: Cyclepath, Path, Main Post





Hostile
Arbury Road (YouTube)
This shows the hostile roadspace here. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Arbury Road is not a pleasant road environment. I chose a particularly quiet time just to get the clip made. Turning in from Campkin Road is a main route for people coming in from north of the city.

The road surface is pretty awful, which can damage the bike and passenger (a lot more than a car will allow, and with less responsibility to its original creation).

There is a short section of cyclepath through a traffic restriction. Sometimes these are useful, but in this case. Especially with the amount of road debris that gets thrown in here. I use the secondary position mostly but would suggest using the primary certainly where it narrows and with parked cars opposite.
Starts on Arbury Road;






Mixed
Arbury Road, Mere Way, Carlton Way, Stretten Avenue, St Lukes Street, Hertford Street (YouTube)
A reasonable link through north Cambridge. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a reasonable route towards the town centre, although there can be people speeding despite (or more probably because of) the traffic calming measures.

This starts from the other side of Arbury Road to take you through the junction. There is a route across and along the pavement to then drop back into the road after the junction, but I prefer to stick to the roadspace here and not lose priority. It's not for very long, so it's hardly a very helpful measure.

Once in Mere Way, I ride mostly in the secondary position but occasionally move to the primary position past junctions.

In Carlton Way several parked cars appear, so remember to ride well outside the door zone when passing them.

Note that at the lights across Gilbert Way, the person learning to drive is indicating left. I pull to the right of the ASL as I'm going straight ahead.

In Stretten Avenue a lot more parked cars appear. Again remember to ride well outside the door zone when passing them and also maintain a straight line rather than dipping in and out of them. With the narrow width between parked cars you may want to pull over if you get someone driving behind you. If there's plenty of road ahead, I'll often find a spot that doesn't slow me too much to let cars past. One in front is less of a worry than one behind!

Crossing Victoria Road into St Lukes Street and Hertford Street and the road narrows more. At the end of Hertford Street it's a short distance along the unpleasant Chesterton Road to the Magdalene Street turn into town. There are some better routes into town turning quickly from St Lukes Street down Searle Street towards Jesus Lock bridge. A bit wiggly but better in many respects.
Starts on Arbury Road;
Mere Way; at 00:06;
Carlton Way; at 00:22;
Stretten Avenue; at 00:43;
St Lukes Street; at 01:10;
Hertford Street; at 01:17;






Friendly
Babraham Road, Fulbourn (YouTube)
A quiet link south from Fulbourn onto Worsted Street. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, secondary. This is a quiet route south from Fulbourn. At the beginning there is businesses which might have some traffic, but there's very little after that. With the potholes it's best to stick out in the road. This also helps to slow people driving as they get near you and then you can dip out to the side to give them space.It's very rare not to find friendly people here.Starts on Babraham Road, Fulbourn;






Reasonable
Babraham to Sawston (YouTube)
Mostly very quiet useful link spoiled by failing to go the distance. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, secondary, cyclepath. A great route between these two villages developed, probably, to support children going to school by bike. Sadly, the segregation is stopped on entering the village, despite the amount of space available for it.Starts on High Street, Babraham;
Sawston Road, Babraham; at 00:15;
Babraham Road, Sawston; at 00:34;






Friendly
Barhill to Dry Drayton (YouTube)
A useful link for some (but not all) bike types. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path, cyclepath. A link between two villages. Sadly, the restriction points, possibly aimed at stopping moped use, stops a number of bike types using it. This would be a great place to be able to get a cargo or trailer bike. On the road, look out for parked cars. Just at the end, there's a cyclepath helping people cycling to avoid the main road.Starts on Saxon Way, Bar Hill;
Bar Hill Dry Drayton Cyclepath; at 00:01;
High Street, Dry Drayton; at 00:37;
Park Street, Dry Drayton; at 00:57;






Reasonable
Barton Cyclepath and Towards Coton over Firing Range (YouTube)
A pretty link from near Barton to near Coton. Summer only. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

This starts at the centre of Barton. After a short while, the right hand pavement becomes a cyclepath which is worth getting to. There are a number of driveways allowing access points, although I tend to wait for the roadway off, so I don't get stuck waiting to cross with cars in the way.

Just after leaving the village, there is a turning on the right. This track takes you up and onto the bridleway. The first section is hardcore under wheel (rough but solid). Once onto the bridleway proper this disappears and it becomes awkward and muddy if not attempted in the warmer half of the year.

Crossing the Firing Range is a little concerning. There's lots of sounds from neighbouring bird scarers that don't give confidence that there isn't shooting going on. I'm always a little bit careful when sticking my head out. It'll be pretty obvious if there is things going on!

I'm not sure how useful this route is, especially with all the gates, maybe for more long distance routing?
Starts on Comberton Road, Barton;
Barton Road Cyclepath; at 00:05;
Barton Firing Range Bridleway; at 00:16;

More links: Cyclepath, Path, Main Post





Reasonable
Barton Firing Range Bridleway (YouTube)
A pretty link from near Coton to near Barton. Summer only. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a different route to Barton from Granchester Road near Coton. Probably only for the summer.

The track is dry to begin with but grassy so hard work. You pass a shed which should be manned if the range is in use.

Crossing the Firing Range is a little concerning. There's lots of sounds from neighbouring bird scarers that don't give confidence that there isn't shooting going on. I'm always a little bit careful when sticking my head out. It'll be pretty obvious if there is things going on!

After the firing range, the bridleway becomes awkward and muddy if not attempted in the warmer half of the year. This leads up to the final section which is hardcore under wheel (rough but solid).

I'm not sure how useful this route is, especially with all the gates, maybe for more long distance routing?
Starts on Barton Firing Range Bridleway;

More links: Main Post





Friendly
Barton Road Cyclepath (YouTube)
This is a handy feature getting people cycling away from the unpleasant street environment. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Starting on the section of the A603 just before the M11 junction 12, this is a good route into town.

First, do pay special attention whilst crossing the sliproad of the M11. Although people driving legally should always indicate that they are turning into this road, they often don't. It's worth catching their eyes to see whether they actually intend to go straight on (as should be the case with no indicating) or whether they are coming down the road where they have right of way.

Crossing the motorway is easy from this direction as there is little height gain required for the bridge, and a nice drop after. This can mean you have plenty of speed going into the roundabout. The first corner (outwards) on the path should be handled with care as there's reduced visibility and the chance of other path users.

Into the roundabout and I prefer using the road. Of course much care should be taken and not pull out in front of cars, but the farm access does allow for movement onto the roundabout in a timely manner. I often look up over the bridge before the turn off the straight so knowing what's in store. And cars do have to slow quite considerably to negotiate this roundabout so speeds get much closer to comparable.

Once reason to prefer the road is that you have priority over the side road. I find this lack of priority on cyclepaths very frustrating and tend to choose otherwise when given the choice. If you'd rather not, then by all means take the cyclepath here. Another reason I tend to use the road here, is that I'm often going 3/4 of the way round the roundabout. As there's no cyclepath for that I'm well used to using the road.

The cyclepath into town is easy to get onto, although there's the possibility of (illegally) parked cars around the path entrance. Quite why is beyond me when there's so much space for parking along the side road.

The path isn't too bad, although full of poorly mended cracks which can turn a front wheel. Holding the bars is always a good idea.

Into town and it's nice to have some separation from the road. Bear in mind anyone exiting from the well-hedged driveways to the left might not be able to see you (and your right of way) or indeed think that you might be there. Side streets are especially worrying, although a couple of the private businesses/academies there have installed speed bumps to slow drivers significantly.

The crossing at the end of Barton Road can be frustratingly slow at times. It's perfectly possible to ignore it and continue round onto Newnham Road, and cross later (using the clip "Newnham Road, Coe Fen, Mill Lane").

Crossing into the Coe Fen means a nice route away from traffic, although pedestrians do wander (as is their right) into the cycle section and you do have to wait again at the Fen Causeway crossing. If being away from traffic makes you happier, stick to this, if you want speed head for the "Newnham Road, Coe Fen, Mill Lane" route.
Starts on New Road, Barton;

More links: Cyclepath, Path, Main Post





Friendly
Barton Road, Lammas Land Road, Coe Fen (YouTube)
A good offroad link using a quiet road for a short section. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath, dismount. A great green route across the south west side of town from Newnham to Newtown. Look out for people driving through red lights at the first junction (they mix it up with earlier pedestrian lights). Note that Cyclists Dismount sign is advisory only, but always take care of people walking.Starts on Barton Road;
Lammas Land Road; at 00:08;
Coe Fen; at 00:31;
Coe Fen Bridge; at 00:37;






Friendly
Barton Road, Lammas Land Road, Coe Fen Bridge (YouTube)
This is a useful quiet link across south central Cambridge. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Barton Road Cyclepath is a handy feature getting people cycling away from the unpleasant street environment, with too many parked cars and effectively narrow roadspace. Care should be taken with the side entrances as some drivers forget that there is no defined right of way for either route and come across it at speed, despite the need to stop soon.

The junction with Newnham Road gives a traffic light crossing, although it can take time. If travelling into town it's worth considering continuing along Newnham Road instead (using clip "Newnham Road, Coe Fen, Mill Lane"). Also be aware that drivers can miss the red light as it can be confused with the pedestrian light a few yards beforehand (see ).

Lammas Land Road is usually quiet but again there are cars along here to the car park. Crossing the Coe Fen brings you back to shared paths, so be careful with pedestrians, especially with children. Note that the "Cyclists Dismount" sign over the bridge is advisory only, it is not an instruction (it's a blue sign). This is a strong indicator to slow down and take great care!

The Coe Fen paths are pretty good and quiet popular with both people walking and riding. Most people are used to each other and give space appropriately. In Autumn, leaves can clog the route a bit, so mudguards are useful (or just get muddy!). This route is gritted.
Starts on Coe Fen;
Lammas Land Road; at 00:17;
Coe Fen Bridge; at 00:30;
Barton Road; at 00:35;






Friendly
Barton to Comberton (YouTube)
This is a useful shared-use path, although has some irritations to it. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a useful shared-use path, although has some irritations to it.

It's good to get out of traffic along this section as people can drive along here at 60mph. The first bit is without note, just pleasant riding.

At the first section of housing with industrial units on the other side, you can find cars parked up on the pavement. No obvious reason why as road parking is permitted, more to do with the cultural issues of 'blocking traffic flow' (or other rubbish).

After this, I pull out into the road. There are several reasons for this. First, there can be a lot of people walking along this section. Second it's quite badly maintained with large lumps of tarmac forced up by plant growth. Finally, the exit at the roundabout is up the wrong road, so there's no easy way to get out of it and keep going into Comberton.

Do take the primary position through the pinch points. I once had someone driving try to overtake between them whilst going the other direction. They ended up passing by going the other side of the pinch point, but at least I was safe.
Starts on Comberton Road, Barton;
Barton Road, Comberton; at 00:14;






Reasonable
Bateman Street, Station Road (YouTube)
Using the contraflow cycleroute and on to the less pleasant Station Road. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary, cyclelane, contraflow. The recently resurfaced contraflow cyclelane on Bateman Street is a welcome relief. However, take care with people that illegally stop/park in it. You should dismount and walk on the pavement around the obstacle, not ride in the one-way street against traffic. Station Road can be busy and the parked cars make for a dangerous environment.Starts on Brooklands Avenue;
Hills Road; at 00:27;
Station Road; at 00:38;






Friendly
Battle Gate Road, Boxworth (YouTube)
A rough route south from Boxworth. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, primary. A useful connecting route some of the way between villages.Starts on Battle Gate Road, Boxworth;






Reasonable
Beaumont Road, Netherhall Way, Kinnaird Way, Nightingale Avenue (YouTube)
A quiet but windy route through south east Cambridge, avoiding unpleasant main roads. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary. Trying to avoid the unpleasant Queen Ediths Way is difficult and goes around the houses. And at the end, there's still the unpleasant Nightingale Avenue, desperate for a 20mph limit.Starts on Beaumont Road;
Netherhall Way; at 00:18;
Almoners Avenue; at 00:36;
Kinnaird Way; at 00:42;
Nightingale Avenue; at 00:58;






Reasonable
Benet Street, Wheeler Street, Corn Exchange Street, Downing Street (YouTube)
A useful contraflow link through central Cambridge. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. The first bit shows that it's one-way for cars but two-way for bikes. Still some people driving don't realise this, so take care and prepare to be (incorrectly) shouted at. Then, the contraflow cyclelane is more of an indication, often abused by people in cars, take care to avoid.Starts on Benet Street;
Wheeler Street; at 00:15;
Corn Exchange Street; at 00:22;
Downing Street; at 00:41;






Friendly
Birds Pastures Bridleway and Byway (YouTube)
A rough route south of Boxworth towards Bourn. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A useful connecting route some of the way between villages. Look out for horses at the beginning. I'm not sure the last bit will work throughout the year.Starts on Birds Pastures Bridleway;
Birds Pastures Byway; at 00:59;






Friendly
Birdwood Road, Daws Lane (YouTube)
This is the continued route to Cherry Hinton from other routes from the centre of town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is the continued route to Cherry Hinton from other routes from the centre of town.

Birdwood Road is a quiet residential road, although there are parked cars both on and near the road. Remember to ride outside of the door zone. At the end of the road, a quick left then right gets you onto the shared-use path Daws Lane.

The first section is past gardens, take care of people walking from these locations and indeed the whole path.

At the first tight left turn, there's also a right exit into and across Cherry Hinton Hall. Following the path around the lane wiggles around until it gets into Cherry Hinton residential roads where the route goes onwards.
Starts on Birdwood Road;
Daws Lane; at 00:22;






Reasonable
Bishops Road and Hauxton Road (YouTube)
A reasonable off-road route in the south of town. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. The No Entry sign at the end is a historical hangover from when this was just a slip lane from the main road. Now the route goes a lot further it no longer applies (and there's no such thing as a one-way cyclepath in law, as far as I can find). This route is for the new developments as well as older residential roads. Sadly, they've stuck with 1980s style restrictions (which actually completely block the cyclelane) rather than working out something more appropriate to the current day. On Bishops Road look out for parked cars.Starts on Bishops Road;
Bishops Road Path; at 00:18;
Hauxton Road; at 00:26;






Friendly
Blinco Grove (YouTube)
A useful quiet link through the south of town. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

A useful quite link through the south of town.

Blinco Grove can be a bit busy, although has traffic calming due to the schools. This is a place to be especially aware of the door zone and be aware of oncoming traffic.

A little way along the road cedes priority to traffic from the left. Again, take care here. With the narrow width between parked cars you may want to pull over if you get someone driving behind you. If there's plenty of road ahead, I'll often find a spot that doesn't slow me too much to let cars past. One in front is less of a worry than one behind!
Starts on Blinco Grove;

More links: Door Zone, Main Post





Friendly
Botolph Lane, Free School Lane (YouTube)
A quiet link through central Cambridge. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Botolph Lane can be a useful quiet link to get you from Silver Street onto Pembroke and Downing Street cutting the corner off and avoiding the pedestrian lights on Trumpington Street. It's very quiet but be aware of people walking into the road without looking, give them plenty of space.

Free School Lane is slightly less useful but equally quiet. It unfortunately turns into a path right at the end. The prevailing evidence is that this is not a shared-use path, although it's difficult to tell and there aren't any "No Cycling" signs. I'd be in favour of a conversion and "Cycle Dead Slow" sign. It's plenty wide enough despite being narrower than the previous street.
Starts on Botolph Lane;
Free School Lane; at 00:11;






Friendly
Bottisham Cyclepath along A1303 (East) (YouTube)
A good off-road route where it is desperately needed. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, cyclepath. Look out at the side road and businesses and parked cars on the right side.Starts on A1303;






Friendly
Bottisham Cyclepath along A1303 (West) (YouTube)
A good off-road route where it is desperately needed. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, cyclepath. Look out at the side road and businesses and parked cars on the right side.Starts on A1303;






Friendly
Bottisham Cyclepath at Quy Mill (East) (YouTube)
A good off-road and side road route. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML); EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, primary, cyclepath. Look out at the side road and businesses. After the tunnel, look out for people driving.Starts on Newmarket Road;
Quy Mill Cycle Tunnel; at 00:37;
Quy Mill Access; at 00:55;






Friendly
Bottisham Cyclepath at Quy Mill (West) (YouTube)
A good off-road and side road route. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML); East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, primary, cyclepath. On the first section, look out for people driving. After that look out at the side road and businesses. Starts on Quy Mill Access;
Quy Mill Cycle Tunnel; at 00:25;
Newmarket Road; at 00:42;






Friendly
Bottisham Cyclepath on Bell Road (East) (YouTube)
A good off-road route, almost all the way. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, secondary, shared-use path. The maps say that the shared-use path goes almost all the way along Bell Road. This helps less confident people riding.Starts on Bell Road, Bottisham;






Friendly
Bottisham Cyclepath on Bell Road (West) (YouTube)
A good off-road route, almost all the way. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, secondary, shared-use path. The maps say that the shared-use path goes almost all the way along Bell Road. This helps less confident people riding. I decide to pass the people walking before turning onto it.Starts on Bell Road, Bottisham;






Friendly
Bourn Caldecote Bridleway (YouTube)
A rough route between two villages. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A useful connecting route some of the way between villages. Look out for horses. The route is crossed by gravel drainage ditches which need great care crossing. I think they've been put in with no idea that bikes may use this route.Starts on The Drift, Bourn;
Bourn Caldecote Bridleway; at 00:35;






Reasonable
Bourn Centre (YouTube)
A reasonable road route although needs care with more traffic. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. Going a good way up Alms Hill. Look out for people driving too close, especially up the hill.Starts on High Street, Bourn;
Alms Hill, Bourn; at 00:19;






Reasonable
Boxworth (YouTube)
A reasonable road route although needs care with traffic. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. A reasonably good road through the village. Look out for drivers passing too close and use the primary position at places to discourage this.Starts on High Street, Boxworth;






Friendly
Brampton Road, Thoday Street, St Phillips Road, Hemingford Road (YouTube)
A useful quiet cut through Romsey Town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

A useful quiet cut through Romsey Town. As it's restricted access and one way, there's little traffic, but always be on a the lookout, especially drivers pulling out without checking properly.

Note that I'm riding in the primary position past the parked cars. Always be at least a metre away from parked cars just in case someone opens a door in front of you. Also it gives you more time to react to some pulling out, and makes you more visible. A car coming from behind will have plenty of time to slow down and you can make appropriate actions to deal with any desire to pass. If there's plenty of road ahead, I'll often find a spot that doesn't slow me too much to let cars past. One in front is less of a worry than one behind!

Turning down St Phillips Road and into Hemingford Road is a convenient way to avoid Mill Road if heading in that direction.
Starts on Brampton Road;
Thoday Street; at 00:21;
St Phillips Road; at 00:36;
Hemingford Road; at 00:46;






Reasonable
Bridewell Road, Fishers Lane, Chelwood Road, Mill End Road, Sidney Farm Road (YouTube)
A good quiet route through west Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. Look out for parked cars in the streets. On the short section of Cherry Hinton High Street, I take the primary as the cyclelane is woefully inadequate, and I'm turning right in a 100 yards. After that, it's back to parked cars.Starts on Bridewell Road;
Fishers Lane; at 00:09;
High Street, Cherry Hinton; at 00:25;
Chelwood Road; at 00:35;
Mill End Road; at 00:48;
Sidney Farm Road; at 00:54;






Hostile
Bridge Road, Histon Road (YouTube)
An unpleasant route with narrow useless cyclelanes, parked cars littered randomly, and people speeding in cars. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); North (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary, cyclelane. A fairly hostile route for cycling. At the beginning the cyclelane offers very little protection as has a lot of obstacles and debris. Further down, parked cars on either side force people driving towards the cyclespace.Starts on Bridge Road, Histon;
Histon Road; at 00:09;






Friendly
Bridge Street, Thompson Lane, Jesus Green (YouTube)
A quiet useful link through central Cambridge. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use pathStarts on Bridge Street;
Thompson Lane; at 00:14;
Jesus Green; at 00:39;






Reasonable
Broad Lane Through Haslingfield (YouTube)
A quiet link though the centre of the village. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. A good west-east route through the village to connecting off-road routes. There's a useful green, off-road section in the middle of the village avoiding any sign of Chapel Hill. Turning left onto Foutain Lane from the High Street will get you down to the next off-road routes to the north and east.Starts on Church Street, Haslingfield;
Broad Lane, Haslingfield; at 00:03;
High Street, Haslingfield; at 00:36;
Fountain Lane, Haslingfield; at 00:44;
New Road, Haslingfield; at 00:57;






Hostile
Broadway, Bourn (YouTube)
A hostile road environment north of Bourn. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See primary, secondary. Not a pleasant place for people cycling. Lost of people driving fast and too close. Looks like there's plenty of space for a segregated cyclepath on the left.Starts on Broadway, Bourn;






Friendly
Brookgate onto South Cambridge Guided Busway Cyclepath (YouTube)
This is the way to get from the Hills Road / Brooklands Avenue junction onto the guided busway cyclepath towards Addenbrookes and Trumpington. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is the way to get from the Hills Road / Brooklands Avenue junction onto the guided busway cyclepath towards Addenbrookes and Trumpington.

The short section from Hills Road has cyclelanes around the rising bollards to stop all but buses coming down here. Turning right at the end takes you onto the guided busway route, although still mingled with buses.

Just after going under Hills Road railway bridge, the cyclepath starts properly. Cross the road carefully, the guided buses are very quiet.

The cyclepath is wide with a good surface although can retain puddles after rain. You can find all sorts on the path from people on horses to skateboarders and people walking. So take care especially at night when there's limited vision with no 'streetlighting'. Even good bike lights won't show up people until you are on them.

Under Long Road the cyclepath turns under a side tunnel with very limited sightlines. Slow down and be prepared to stop. Note the connection path alongside Long Road.

At the end the link towards Addenbrookes is across the busway to the left, and it's straight on to Trumpington. This route is a little slower than the road routes, but it's much more pleasant.

Starts on Brookgate;
South Cambridge Guided Busway; at 00:05;






Reasonable
Brookgate, Station Place, Station Car Park, Devonshire Road (YouTube)
A reasonable link from Hills Road to Mill Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. This is a route parallel to the railway mostly away from traffic. The first bit is buses only, and there are some low speed limits here. Completely ignore the side paths around the bollard section near the station, there's hardly any delay. In the car park, be aware that people driving may not be focussing on other traffic and it does take a bit of time to get through. Devonshire Road is fine if there's no traffic. Take the primary as needed.Starts on Brookgate;
Station Place; at 00:07;
Station Car park; at 00:20;
Devonshire Road; at 00:45;






Hostile
Brooklands Avenue (YouTube)
This shows the roadspace on Brooklands Avenue. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This shows the roadspace on Brooklands Avenue. Both pavements are shared-use (apart from 50m on the south side, left here, at Hills Road) so provide for a less aggressive environment. However, they also require much greater care of other path uses so would suggest a safe speed limit of at maximum 15mph. If you travel faster than that, then you should use the road (I'm doing 18-20mph in this clip).

The roadspace is quite narrow and busy. It's worth taking the primary position if you feel like threatened by a close pass. Sadly this is all to frequent here (to the point that I hardly ever use the roadspace any longer).

Note that I'm really too close to the kerb in this clip, which doesn't help other people driving judge passing very well. And at the side roads can put me in more danger from people pulling out too much.
Starts on Brooklands Avenue;






Hostile
Brooks Road (YouTube)
This shows the roadspace on Brooks Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is not such a pleasant place to ride, if alternatives such as Vinery Road or using The Tins fits with your journey, I'd consider it.

Although there is a cyclelane, it's one where it causes more issues than it solves. It's got a lot of parked cars right next to it, so half of the lane is in the door zone and to be avoided. Luckily, recent times have seen fit to extend the size of the lane, as can be seen by the road markings. Then, as some drivers see the cyclelane as just like a separate lane, they pass too close and don't follow Highway Code rule 163.

Entrance onto Coldham's Common roudnabout should be done carefully, and there is a quick exit available to the Barnwell Road cyclepath.
Starts on Brooks Road;






Mixed
Brookside, Lensfield Road, Trumpington Street, Kings Parade (YouTube)
Starts as a useful quiet link into town then gets a little bit busier. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Starts as a useful quiet link into town then gets a little bit busier.

Brookside has a number of accesses and routes across the conduit gardens as well as a few schools on the right. So take great care of people walking and crossing the road without looking. It's also full of potholes! It's starts as one-way, but at the right entry of Pemberton Terrace it becomes two-way.

Getting onto Lensfield Road is a bit easier as people driving are slowing for the mini-roundabouts. Be aware that people driving do forget to signal so don't assume you know which way they are going.

Trumpington Street is not too pleasant either. The traditional gutters, if pretty, are a bit of a worry as there's no exit that way if bad driving. This is the main route into the central multi-storey carpark, so it can be a bit busy. Notice that all the cars that pass don't do so for very long.

At the end of Trumpington Street, be aware that cars may pull out from Mill Lane without being able to see well. And that there is likely to be an increase in the number of people cycling.

Kings Parade should be quiet compared to Trumpington Street, but can have a few cars sometimes. I do wiggle through traffic. This really isn't recommended it's better to wait. But it is slightly irritating that the car decided to pull a manoeuvre in the middle of the road whilst traffic is trying to pass.

This is a highly pedestrianised area, so take care of people walking.
Starts on Brookside;
Lensfield Road; at 00:14;
Trumpington Street; at 00:20;
Kings Parade; at 00:40;






Friendly
Burrells Walk, Garret Hostel Lane, Senate House Passage (YouTube)
This is a nice shared path although with limited space. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Burrells Walk is a nice shared path, although it's edges are "walled" not "kerbed" so there is much less space for manoeuvring. This means it's especially important to take care of others.

The lights give access across Queens Road to Garret Hostel Lane, which has likewise limited space. The bridge is a bit steep, so worth looking and planning a short acceleration beforehand (others willing!).

Again, with buildings so close, this continues to be a shared path that needs a good deal of careful attention, continuing into Senate House Passage.
Starts on Burrells Walk;
Garret Hostel Lane; at 00:18;
Senate House Passage; at 00:34;






Reasonable
Bury Road, Bar Lane, Gogs Magogs Way, Stapleford (YouTube)
A reasonable route around the village connecting Rowley Lane to the cycleroute to Cambridge. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary. Queit residential streets through Stapleford, although always be wary of people driving past.Starts on Bury Road, Stapleford;
Bar Lane, Stapleford; at 00:10;
Gogs Magogs Way, Stapleford; at 00:36;






Friendly
Caldecote Port Way (east) (YouTube)
A rough route between two villages. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A good green link between two villages. Caldecote looks to have the beginnings of a cycle-track structure, although it's in parts. This would be a great link to Hardwick, and onto Cambridge. It's currently quite rough but is passable most of the year.Starts on Port Way, Caldecote;






Reasonable
Caldecote to Kingston (YouTube)
A reasonable road route although needs care with more traffic. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See primary, secondary. The quick route between two villages on usually quiet roads. A small section of the B-road in the middle, but quickly off it.Starts on Main Street, Caldecote;
B1046, Kingston; at 00:33;
Church Lane, Kingston; at 00:45;
The Green, Kingston; at 01:19;






Reasonable
Cambridge Road, Coton (YouTube)
This shows the roadspace near Coton. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This road is just outside town and can have some traffic, but I wouldn't call it busy. Unfortunately, it does seem to have a high proportion of drivers not really paying attention to their actions (or just rushing too much).

Take care of this near the parked cars at the Coton end and near the Garden Centre. The latter does give the tendency for pullouts and left hooks, and the former close passes, as shown on this clip. It's better to cycle away from the door zone (when coming the other way), although be aware that even then a few drivers will just drive straight at you and expect you to get out of their way, despite you making a perfectly legal and safe manoeuvre (and if you were a car they'd never do).

Note that the van and trailer that nearly knocked me off trying to pass before the parked cars, stopped just round the corner, so quite why there was the rush to pass, I've no idea.
Starts on Cambridge Road, Coton;

More links: Door Zone, Main Post





Reasonable
Cambridge Road, Coton (north) (YouTube)
A reasonable road environment in Coton although needs care with traffic. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. This is not the best of routes. Look out for parked cars at the beginning and people driving poorly past you and them. Pull in if necessary, even if you have priority. People can drive fast here and some do pull out of the garden centre without properly looking.Starts on High Street, Coton;
Cambridge Road, Coton; at 00:21;






Hostile
Cambridge Road, Harston and Hauxton Road (YouTube)
This is a v poor unsafe cyclepath although safer than the roadspace. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. Although away fro the traffic, this is still awful. Regularly overgrown in summer, no dropped kerbs, side accesses lack of priority. Luckily there are plans to take this route a long way from here.Starts on Cambridge Road, Harston;
Hauxton Road; at 01:22;






Reasonable
Cambridge Road, Madingley (YouTube)
A reasonable road environment although needs care with rat running traffic. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. This is not the best of routes. Look out for parked cars in the village and people driving poorly past you and them. Pull in if necessary, even if you have priority. People can drive fast here and some do pull out of the American cemetery without properly looking.Starts on Cambridge Road, Madingley;






Mixed
Cambridge to Whittlesford (YouTube)
A largely quiet green route round the villages to the South of Cambridge. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Sunday ride to evening out. Pleasant light and warm breezes. See walkers, primary, secondary, shared-use path, cyclepath, dismount. Starts on Brookgate;
South Cambridge Guided Busway; at 00:11;
South Cambridge Guided Busway, Addenbrookes; at 00:55;
Francis Crick Avenue; at 01:08;
Addenbrookes Cycle Path; at 01:19;
Addenbrookes Path Extension, Shelford; at 02:00;
Chaston Road, Shelford; at 02:05;
Hinton Way, Shelford; at 02:13;
Mingle Lane, Stapleford; at 02:15;
Church Street, Stapleford; at 02:28;
Cambridge Road, Stapleford; at 02:39;
Cambridge Road, Sawston; at 03:03;
New Road, Sawston; at 03:41;
Mill Lane, Sawston; at 04:00;
Whittlesford-Sawston Cyclepath; at 04:06;
Whittlesford Churchyard; at 04:39;
Church Lane, Whittlesford; at 04:43;
High Street, Whittlesford; at 04:51;






Mixed
Cambridge West and South Environs (YouTube)
A short journey through the west and south of Cambridge. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML); West (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

First longish ride after coming back from cycle-camp. Done a lot faster than prior to camp and that was going easy to start with as I was worried about a thread stripping pedal.

Just a normal short ride round the local villages to the West and South of Cambridge. It's not too different from http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Cambridge-West-Villages-Shorter although with the new Guided Busway route at the end.

This clip was originally with a Daft Punk soundtrack (at http://youtu.be/WuPMgwhb0-w). Unlike most music, this is banned from use on YouTube in the UK. Hence me reloading using Underworld here.
Starts on Brooklands Avenue;
Coe Fen; at 00:12;
Fen Causeway; at 00:28;
Newnham Road; at 00:35;
Sidgwick Avenue; at 00:40;
Grange Road; at 00:49;
Adams Road; at 01:01;
West Cambridge Cycle Path; at 01:11;
The Footpath, Coton; at 01:54;
Brook Lane, Coton; at 02:02;
Grantchester Road, Coton; at 02:09;
Barton Road Roundabout; at 02:39;
Coton Road, Grantchester; at 02:42;
High Street, Granchester; at 03:06;
Mill Way, Granchester; at 03:11;
Grantchester Road, Trumpington; at 03:20;
Maris Lane; at 03:36;
High Street, Trumpington; at 03:41;
Shelford Road; at 03:47;
Cambridge Road, Shelford; at 04:03;
Granhams Road; at 04:29;
Addenbrookes Cycle Path; at 04:37;
Francis Crick Avenue; at 05:08;
South Cambridge Guided Busway, Addenbrookes; at 05:17;
South Cambridge Guided Busway; at 05:26;
Brookgate; at 06:00;

More links: Path, An Old Blog Post





Friendly
Cantelupe Path from Haslingfield (YouTube)
A rough route shared with horses north of Haslingfield towards Grantchester. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primaryshared-use path. Leaving the village, look out for parked cars.After that it's potholes and finally onto a quite rough track. In the woods look out for horse trappled mud that can require dismounting to avoid. After that it's quite rough but easily passable in summer.Starts on Cantelupe Road, Haslingfield;
Cantelupe Bridleway, Haslingfield; at 00:50;






Mixed
Cantelupe Road, Fountain Road, High Street, Broad Lane, Church Street, School Lane Haslingfield (YouTube)
This is a merry little loop around Haslingfield showing some of the conditions. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a merry little loop around Haslingfield showing some of the conditions. Entering from the Cambridge side on the route from Granchester, Cantelupe Road is a common entrance for me. A quick wiggle onto Fountain Road takes you into the middle of the village quite quickly. There's little traffic here and it's mostly slow.

Onto the village High Street towards the church is similarly quite although take care of parked cars and avoid the door zone. Just before the church, I take the Broad Lane through the village centre, making for a shorter route to the Harlton road. It's a bit wiggly and shared but pleasant as well. The High Street is an obvious and quick alternative as can be seen later.

Turning back up Church Street (back to the same church!) shows it is a slight hill. And with the church finally on the left had side, Chapel Hill exits to the right. Going straight on leads to School Lane. This is a footpath for some of its length (please note this does NOT make cycling along it illegal, that law is reserved for footways). I'm not sure I'd use it much, but it's quite wide and useful for access.
Starts on Cantelupe Road, Haslingfield;
Fountain Lane, Haslingfield; at 00:06;
High Street, Haslingfield; at 00:17;
Broad Lane, Haslingfield; at 00:28;
Church Street, Haslingfield; at 00:50;
School Lane, Haslingfield; at 01:08;
Back Lane, Haslingfield; at 01:27;

More links: Door Zone, Path, Main Post





Reasonable
Capital Park (YouTube)
A reasonable link between two routes east of Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See primary, secondary. A cut through between two parallel routes from Fulbourn.Quiet and low speed. Look out for people pulling out.Starts on Capital Park;






Hostile
Castle Hill (North) (YouTube)
Going up the short incline of Castle Hill. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Starting coming out of Magdalene Street, I'm not convinced that having an ASL here is that good an idea (for more see the 'Regent Street, Sidney Street, Bridge Street, Magdalene Street' clip). If both cycle and car traffic are going up Castle Hill, I'd certainly rather have the cars in front of me rather than overtake near the bottom of this hill.

It's doubly awkward as the speeds of people cycling up this hill will also vary a lot. I'm not the fastest rider by any stretch, but I'm going quite a bit faster than the slowest rider here. Again, I'd rather have cars out of the way. So, my take is to wait patiently behind any other person riding until all the cars have passed than assume a driver behind me will stick to the highway code and only pass when it's safe to do so.

This does have a sharp slope to it, although please also note this really isn't a "hill", more of a short incline. The double lights at the top are a place to recuperate although again it's a place to take of car of quickly passing cars.
Starts on Castle Hill;

More links: Asl, Main Post





Hostile
Castle Hill, Northampton Street (YouTube)
Coming down the short incline of Castle Hill and turning right. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Coming down Castle Hill can be a little awkward. Again people cycling can be going very different speeds. Also note the cyclelane firmly in the door zone, another one to be avoided.

The ASL at the bottom of the hill is probably a good place to have one. A lot of riders will be going straight on, whereas most drivers won't be. And it does make it a little safer to make a right turn here.

Northampton Street is a bit wiggly, has parked cars, and can have drivers rushing a bit too much. Again, cycle at least a metre away from parked cars just in case someone opens a door.

Starts on Castle Hill;
Northampton Street; at 00:26;






Friendly
Cavendish Road, St Phillips Road (YouTube)
This is a useful section allowing access to crossing routes and avoiding Mill Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a useful section allowing access to crossing routes and avoiding Mill Road.

The whole route is full of parked cars and is narrow. With the narrow width between parked cars you may want to pull over if you get someone driving behind you. If there's plenty of road ahead, I'll often find a spot that doesn't slow me too much to let cars past. One in front is less of a worry than one behind!

The crossing roads have poor sightlines, so take care. Also, use this route to avoid Mill Road and get to routes to the north from here.
Starts on Cavendish Road;
St Phillips Road; at 00:08;

More links: Main Post





Friendly
Chalkhill Road, Babraham (YouTube)
A very quiet link to villages south of Cambridge. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. A virtually unused road with good sight lines.Starts on Chalkhill Road, Babraham;

More links: Main Post





Reasonable
Charles Street, Argyle Street, Hope Street, Catharine Street, Cromwell Road (YouTube)
A quiet link through Cambridge. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Starting at the restriction from Rustat Road, this helpfully gets you through to Coldhams Common through quiet residential streets. There's lots of parked cars, so remember to ride out of the door zone.

From Charles Street turn right into Argyle Street and continue through "Cul de Sac" sign as there's a cycle route through. Turn down the next left into Hope Street which will allow a straight crossing of Mill Road into Catharine Street.

Catharine Street has large speed bumps that can eb a bit awkward. Also, look for crossing roads as people can drive and ride quickly across. Access Cromwell Road by turning right as the road comes round to the left and heads back towards Mill Road. You will need to lose speed to do this as it's quite rough and needs a stable bike.

Cromwell Road is also a bit awkward and can still be used as a rat run. Accessing Coldhams Common can be done through the crossing lights, which as it's not cycle-only, can be crossed on red.
Starts on Rustat Road;
Charles Street; at 00:03;
Argyle Street; at 00:08;
Hope Street; at 00:13;
Catharine Street; at 00:21;
Cromwell Road; at 00:45;

More links: Door Zone, Main Post





Reasonable
Chelwood Road, Mill End Road, Sidney Farm Road (YouTube)
Linking to the off-road route into town from Cherry Hinton centre. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary. A short link to off-road routes into town from Cherry Hinton High Street.Starts on Chelwood Road;
Mill End Road; at 00:14;
Sidney Farm Road; at 00:21;






Friendly
Cherry Hinton Hall, Daws Lane, Sidney Farm Road, Mill End Road, Love Lane (YouTube)
A good quiet route through west Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path. At the beginning and end this has a lot of unsighted turns, so always take care of people walking. In between, look out for parked cars.Starts on Cherry Hinton Hall Path;
Daws Lane; at 00:22;
Sidney Farm Road; at 00:38;
Mill End Road; at 00:43;
Love Lane; at 00:48;






Hostile
Cherry Hinton High Street (North) (YouTube)
This is one of those streets that was converted and completely failed to being "cycle-friendly". Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is one of those streets that was converted to being "cycle-friendly" before they knew what that meant. The result is a road that is quite unpleasant to ride down with constant dangers from both poor design and rushing drivers.

Regular road width restrictions are supposedly alleviated for bike riders by putting them out into narrow, twisting path alcoves, usually filled with debris. I avoid most, like the first one we see. It's not long before the driver behind me shows their impatience by overtaking where there isn't space either sideways (as I'm trying to avoid an illegally parked car) or forwards (as there's a roundabout almost immediately. And all this whilst I'm going at about the same speed as them. Notice the very narrow cyclelanes as well, completely in the door zone, yet more infrastructure to be avoided to remain safe.

The next alcove looks equally dangerous, so sticking to the better surface on the main carriageway. And the cyclelane still looks full of rubbish, so I stick to being a metre out as recommended by British Cycling training.

Again, another car just has to nip past me just as we reach the back of stopped traffic. I slow considerably as everyone else has. As we are all at slower speeds, and the cyclelane has widened, I make use of it, and quickly pass back the last car, despite some dodgy parking. Then traffic really slows and I find the slow speed allows me to use the alcoves more safely. I quickly make my way up beside almost stopped traffic, well beyond any of the cars that desperately wanted to pass me earlier (so why did they bother?).

Negotioting between parked cars and slow moving traffic (or filtering) has a level of danger associated with it. However, done sensibly and carefully it is a good way to avoid the blockages larger vehicles create for themselves. Always be aware that anythign could change rapidly and see ways out (like being able to stop dead or change direction instantly). Again, British Cycling training has good tips on this.
Starts on Cherry Hinton High Street;






Mixed
Cherry Hinton High Street (South), Love Lane, Cherry Hinton Brook Path, Burnside (YouTube)
This is one of those streets that was converted and completely failed to being "cycle-friendly" with a quiet route towards town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is one of those streets that was converted to being "cycle-friendly" before they knew what that meant. The result is a road that is quite unpleasant to ride down with constant dangers from both poor design and rushing drivers.

After the double mini-roundabout, there is a useful side route that allows riders to avoid stopping at the lights. It crosses a small side access road, so take care. Not only for traffic along it but that it's quite a rounded kerb drop on either side. Coming back out through a bus-stop seems a bit silly, but does establish you on the road again.

Regular road width restrictions are supposedly alleviated for bike riders by putting them out into narrow, twisting path alcoves, usually filled with debris. I avoid most, but not the ones over the level crossing here as I'm going straight on. Note that the lorry parking makes it necessary to take the primary position past it. After that I play in the alcoves. See how much slower it makes safe progress. Then I misjudge an alcove I don't want to be in. I should have come out of the cyclelane a lot earlier and end up staying in it and waiting for the driver to pass me to ensure my safety. It was better than using the alcove.

After the mini-roundabouts, I miss the blue arrow sign for the right turn, but double back on it whilst avoiding traffic. Love Lane is great after the trials of the High Street. It's quite narrow and shared, so again, take great care of others (and smile and thank others that do the same to you!).

The exit into Mill End Road is again a bit 1970s with it's offset fences, but reasonably easy to negotiate. It's then a question of following the blue signs round to Daws Lane and the Cherry Hinton Brook Path.

The remainder of the route is such a nice change from the High Street, along a pleasant brook with allotments to the sides. Quiet and reasonably quick, although as always, take care of others.

Finally on Burnside, there 's a useful little hook right at the end that lets you cross Perne Road at the pedestrian lights to access either Mill Road or the quiet route up the back streets.
Starts on Cherry Hinton High Street;
Love Lane; at 00:39;
Mill End Road; at 00:49;
Sidney Farm Road; at 00:55;
Daws Lane; at 00:59;
Cherry Hinton Brook Path; at 01:05;
Burnside; at 01:47;






Reasonable
Cherry Hinton Road, Rustat Road, Stockwell Street (YouTube)
A quiet route from the unpleasant Cherry Hinton Road towards Romsey Town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

A quiet route from the unpleasant Cherry Hinton Road towards Romsey Town.

Often Cherry Hinton Road is slow and congested here. It can be quite easy to get out into the road to make a right turn. Take care and don't rush to get across the road. Alternatively, there's a pedestrian crossing just a bit further back down the road.

In Rustat Road there are lots of parked cars, so ride out of the door zone. Towards the end there's a onroad cyclelane, which I can't see being any use whatsoever. People will drive into this without paying any attention to it, especially with oncoming traffic and the parked cars on the right. It may simply be a way of avoiding double yellow lines whilst conveying the same 'no parking' rule?

At the restricted access through to Charles Street, take care of other people walking and riding, and likewise at the cut through to Stockwell Street with its poor sightlines.

Quiet routes onwards can be accessed straight over Mill Road.
Starts on Cherry Hinton Road;
Rustat Road; at 00:01;
Charles Street; at 00:36;
Stockwell Street; at 00:44;






Hostile
Chesterton Road (YouTube)
This shows the roadspace on Chesterton Road. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

The cyclelane at the exit of the roundabout is another one of the "just too small" variety to be avoided. It maybe better to use the route just off to the left of the roundabout here, from the pedestrian lights on Elizabeth Way. Note that the pavement after the end of the small cyclelane is shared use until the next junction.

The cyclelane reappears, this time big enough, just before reaching Staples Corner, and good that it does! This is a nasty junction, although probably not too bad from this direction. I share 3 sets of lights with a biggish lorry. Neither of us rushing as the next set of lights is still red. On the last part of Staples Corner, the parking is set back from the road, so none of the cyclelane is in the door zone, excellent!

Shortly after this, the cyclelane disappears for parking spaces. And the danger returns. Again, pass a metre away from stopped cars. Luckily it's not so busy right now. But just at the corner, as the road narrows another driver shows impatience. Directly after the poor pass I pull out to the primary position ensuring no one else can pass that badly again. When the oncoming traffic stops, I pull back in and allow safe passage again. This is perfectly legal and considered safe practise. It's taught in British Cycling training. Only ever pull out when you know it is safe to do so though.
Starts on Chesterton Road;
Mitchams Corner; at 00:25;
Chesterton Road; at 00:37;






Hostile
Chesterton Road, Mitchams Corner, Milton Road (YouTube)
This shows the hostile roadspace here. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This end of Chesterton Road is not a nice place to ride, if you can find an alternative, it's worth avoiding.

The road is just the wrong width really. It encourages people driving to overtake with oncoming traffic but yet this is still not enough space as required in Highway Code rule 163. Unfortunately, even traking the primary position will get bad overtaking attempts in some parts. You really have to be on your toes swapping between primary and secondary depending on the exact conditions, remembering to have plenty of space before moving into the primary.

Then, on more open stretches there are parked cars. Remember to ride outside of the door zone.

The cyclelane that then appears looks to be more of a road sign for people driving just as a reminder that people may be cycling here. It's certainly not any real use for people cycling.

Mitchams Corner (sometimes call Staples Corner for obvious reasons) is a classic example of a gyratory, the most dangerous road infratructure for people cycling. In this first part always take the primary position. There are two lanes so there is more space for people driving. Pull out across the lanes when it's safe to do so, which should be reasonably okay as there's only one lane of traffic coming out of the lights with you.

At the top corner be aware of traffic coming in from the left, like this lorry, and be prepared to stop should they fail to do so. Retain the primary position all the way down and round the left turn. This will give you the full lane to be able to either go left up Milton Road (like in this clip) or straight on and round the rest of the gyratory.

Once onto Milton Road I pull into the (now wider) cyclelane. Although do notice the water bottle I slalom round. After the corner you should pull out to the edge of the cyclelane as the inside section is in the door zone. Obviously be aware of traffic trying to pass too close.
Starts on Chesterton Road;
Mitchams Corner; at 00:30;
Milton Road; at 00:49;






Friendly
Childerley Hall Bridleway (YouTube)
Incredibly rough route to Childerley needs re-routing away from field centre. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. Sadly, this starts really badly. The bridleway is clearly regularly ploughed which, whilst okay for horses, destroys it for bikes. I'd suggest this needs a farm visit just to see if some kind of compromise can be made beneficial to both farmer and people cycling. Converting a nearby footpath which can't be ploughed might be a good idea. After that the route isn't too bad.Starts on Childerley Hall Bridleway;






Reasonable
Christchurch Street, Auckland Road, Midsummer Common (YouTube)
A quiet useful link in central Cambridge away from the Grafton centre. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Starting on the north Grafton Centre access road, another useful cycle route, this turns into Christchurch Street. Take great care as this is a very limited space and has a house door right next to it. Along the street there are plenty of parked cars, so remember to ride well outside the door zone.

At the end of Christchurch Street, the main road is a 20 limit so should have reasonable traffic. Unfortunately, you do have to do around 50 yards along it before turning into the quiet of Auckland Road.

At the end of Auckland Road there's a grid access onto Midsummer Common which is well segregated from the walking access, this is to be much applauded as it effectively separates the two travel modes, good for both.

Midsummer Common will have people walking, so take great care and always give other people plenty of room.

At the end, there's a driver meandering without clear direction. I decide to overtake as I can accelerate quickly. Don't do this unless you are comfortable, it's better to be patient.
Starts on Christchurch Street;
Maids Causeway; at 00:15;
Auckland Road; at 00:19;
Midsummer Common; at 00:31;






Reasonable
Church End, Rosemary Lane, Cherry Hinton (YouTube)
A reasonable link through north Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. Take care around the parked cars and try to maintain a straight line rather than dipping in and out. Dip in if you can should you need to let people driving to pass more effectively.Starts on Church End, Cherry Hinton;
Rosemary Lane, Cherry Hinton; at 00:26;
Coldhams Lane; at 00:35;






Reasonable
Church Road, High Street Hauxton, Church Street, Bridge Lane in Shelford (YouTube)
This is a quiet-ish road, traffic is minimal but there is always the awkwardness of parked cars. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a quiet-ish road, traffic is minimal but there is always the awkwardness of parked cars. Just after the railway crossing the driver who passed me managed to irritate everyone, including the oncoming traffic.

After turning into Church Street, the roadspace gets traffic humps which do have refuges at the sides but can lead to some silly passes.

Then, Bridge Lane has some very tricky manoeuvres round parked cars, often made worse by cars trying to pass and then getting stuck where a bike has enough space. Again, treat these spaces carefully, especially around the door zone. Oncoming traffic needs space as well.
Starts on Church Road, Hauxton;
High Street, Hauxton; at 00:11;
Church Street, Shelford; at 00:45;
Bridge Lane, Shelford; at 00:53;

More links: Door Zone, Main Post





Reasonable
Church Street, Mingle Lane, Chaston Road, Addenbrookes Cyclepath (YouTube)
A reasonably quiet route through the villages. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, secondary, cyclepath. A quiet route through the village, although the odd poor pass. Then onto the beginning of the famous genome cyclepath.Starts on Church Street, Stapleford;
Mingle Lane, Stapleford; at 00:18;
Hinton Way, Shelford; at 00:44;
Chaston Road, Shelford; at 00:50;
Addenbrookes Path Extension, Shelford; at 01:05;






Friendly
Clarkson Path, Clarkson Road, Grange Road (YouTube)
A quiet link through west Cambridge. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is useful for people who work and live round here but not that much use for through traffic really. It's probably slightly quicker to use the offroad shared-use paths and Grange Road.

First to note is the crossing is not cycle-only lights, so is not mandatory and you can cross on red. (Also not the person cycling that crosses my path just before I pull out. Nothing wrong with it, just note!)

The railings are one of those safety measures for people driving, designed to stop their blushes rather than to help people cycling. The path is fairly potholed and has lots of side accesses for people riding and walking, so needs to be done slowly and carefully. Hence it's useful for locals but not so much as a through route.

The quiet road at the end has slightly limited sightlines, so take care when pulling out, especially if parked cars opposite. And remember to ride outside the door zone when passing parked cars.

At the end of this road there's a reminder that Grange Road is a 20mph limit. This to me is utterly balmy. The only way to get to this road is to come along Grange Road. Why isn't the whole area made a 20mph limit? It's all residential and why the additional expense of stopping and starting the limit inside that zone? The reason is probably buried in the troubled and awkward manner we manage our road system legislation.

I pull out just behind someone cycling. This is the person noted at the beginning of the clip, showing it took them the same time using Madingley and Grange Road.

Grange Road is a mixture of cycling facilities. Some of it is useful, although a lot is too small and has the usual gutter issues of road debris, litter, drains, and poor road surface.

The facilities at traffic calming are useful, although can have cars illegally parked. Note that it is worth being a bit further out in the road past side junctions.
Starts on Clarkson Path;
Clarkson Road; at 00:28;
Grange Road; at 00:38;






Friendly
Coe Fen, Lammas Lane Road, Barton Road Cyclepath, Kings Road, Selwyn Road (YouTube)
A very useful link across the Coe Fen, knocking off a longer route by road. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

A very useful link across the Coe Fen, knocking off a longer route by road. A wide path used by people cycling and walking. Take care of dogs particularly on this route, some owners don't quite understand the need to be in control at all times, on and off lead.

Do note that the "Cyclists Dismount" sign on the bridge is advisory only.

Lammas Land road is quiet but does have traffic along it. This can be a little awkward given the roadspace.

The crossing at the end of the road is a cycles-only crossing, so the signals MUST be obeyed. Also be aware that people driving can get confused with the nearby pedestrian lights and cross at red, take lots of care!

Barton Road cyclepath is very good for getting away from the busy road environment and littering of (legally and illegally) parked cars.

Sadly you have to take special care of each crossing side route. Although the principle of making road-markings signal no right of way for anyone, people driving sometimes use their bulk to ignore this. It's especially awkward when they can't get any further due to road congestion and then just sit there blocking the route to others.

The Grange Road crossing makes a good place to come out to get across Barton Road to the Newnham back roads which make a more pleasant link to Granchester Road.
Starts on Coe Fen;
Coe Fen Bridge; at 00:25;
Lammas Land Road; at 00:33;
Barton Road; at 00:47;
Kings Road; at 01:06;
Selwyn Road; at 01:12;






Friendly
Coe Fen, Mill Lane (YouTube)
This is the alternative to using Trumpington Road and Trumpington Street to get into town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is the alternative to using Trumpington Road and Trumpington Street to get into town. It takes around 20% longer but it's a short distance and is much more pleasant. It takes a slightly longer route than needed across the Coe Fen, to enjoy the place rather than just rush through it.

Turning across the Coe Fen from the bottom of the Brooklands Avenue and you immediately have a nice reduction in noise and air pollution. This is a lovely route in Summer but can get messy with leaves in late Autumn. However, they do clean this path every so often.

Note that this is a shared-use path so take care of other people walking and riding. This meadow can have cows on it as well. These are very docile and usually move very slowly around all people. They often sleep in the small amounts of shade afforded which can be next to the path.

At the cut through be aware that there's limited sightlines and adjust your speed appropriately. Also, there are two busy side entrances about half way along. People will come out of these without looking for you. At the end of the cut through, fork right to take a quicker route where I fork left.

At the bridge take great care of other people walking and riding (and jumping off the bridge in summer). Do note that the "Cyclists Dismount" sign is advisory only.

Turn right before crossing the second mill cut. There are a couple of awkward gates along this section, to help keep cattle in, and the path is narrow. So, again, take care of others walking and riding, as well as the wildlife here (ducks, moorhens, swans all possible).

The crossing is designed for the main route, so crossing can be a bit difficult. The pavement is shared-use so do look out for others riding as well as walking here.

Once across the road, the path widens again, although as you turn across the centre of the Coe Fen, there are a couple of narrow bridges and usually a lot of people, so be prepared to stop.

Exiting the Coe Fen is through another awkward gate. This corner is usually very busy, so be aware of people walking, riding, and driving. At the end of Mill Lane (not shown) take great care coming out back onto a busy-ish road.
Starts on Coe Fen;
Coe Fen Bridge; at 00:27;
Mill Lane; at 01:18;






Friendly
Coe Fen, Mill Lane (2) (YouTube)
A quiet link into central Cambridge. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is the second part of the alternate off-road route into town to Trumpington Road, starting at the lights that cross Fen Causeway. Note that these lights are not cycle-only lights so are not mandatory and you can cross them on red. Be very careful doing this though as traffic comes over the river bridge at speed from not very far away.

The route is much nicer than being on Trumpington Road and Street. Do take care of people walking giving them plenty of space and sound indicators if you are coming from behind them.

Coming into the hotel carpark access, take care as drivers may not be thinking about other traffic here. And on the lane from here, it's all pretty narrow so make sure you are going at the correct speed to stop quickly. Notice the lorry driver here is on the phone, but also just how little space is left and that there was someone driving close behind.

The corner has very poor sightlines so make sure you can stop quickly for people driving and walking. One or two stopped cars here can mean you will need to avoid riding in the door zone. Take great care pulling out into Trumpington Street as again it's very poor sightlines and there are usually a lot of people walking here.
Starts on Coe Fen;
Mill Lane; at 00:31;






Mixed
Coe Fen, Trumpington Road, Bateman Street (YouTube)
Coming from the Coe Fen towards Trumpington Road it's possible to use the north side path to get to Newtown easier. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Coming from the Coe Fen towards Trumpington Road it's possible to use the north side path to get to Newtown easier.

Access onto the Trumpington Road cyclelane is easy, but always check of other people cycling and people driving without looking towards the cyclelane. Especially look for buses at the bus-stop.

Crossing the road to turn right can be hard here, although it was easy this time. If it looks difficult, the pavement is shared-use all the way to the crossing just past the junction.

Bateman Street is an awkward space. Luckily it is a slow road, although that's made more awkward by how congested it can get. Always be aware that people walking can step off the pavement at any time, so keep the speed down. Also, people driving can manoeuvre into the cyclelane to avoid oncoming traffic. Not strictly speaking legal and should be better managed by those in cars, but don't get caught by a dodgy move.

The second part of Bateman Street is a contraflow cyclelane. If it is blocked, you shouldn't really cycle into the oncoming lane as that is an illegal manoeuvre. Really you should dismount and walk along the pavement past the obstruction. Obviously, this is highly irritating if the obstruction is a parked or stopped car.
Starts on Coe Fen;
Trumpington Road; at 00:15;
Bateman Street; at 00:29;






Friendly
Coldhams Common, Ditton Walk (YouTube)
A quiet link through east Cambridge. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Accessing Coldhams Common can be done through the crossing lights, which as it's not cycle-only, can be crossed on red.

Once on Coldhams Common, it's a wide-ish path, although care should always be taken with other path users. Special care should be taken when going under the railway. There's very little headroom and it's not very wide.

Crossing Newmarket Road towards can be done either using the roadspace or with the off road shared-use path opposite.

Once on Ditton Walk, there's lots of parked cars, so remember to ride out of the door zone. Also look out for people pulling out in front of you, as it's quite a busy road. Luckily it's blocked further up so there's no through traffic. At the top of the turn, there's shared-use paths to Ditton Meadows and Howards Road.
Starts on Coldhams Common;
Newmarket Road; at 00:38;
Ditton Walk; at 00:44;






Mixed
Coldhams Lane (into Retail Park) (YouTube)
Coldhams Lane is a fairly hostile place for cycling. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Coldhams Lane is a fairly hostile place for cycling. The cyclelane is full of puddles, litter, road debris and does have cars entering it regularly. Add on parked cars, so it's in the door zone, and the more dangerous cars coming over the side-road give-way lines and this isn't a place to ride safely at all.

Ironically, the lights towards the end mean that all people driving have the same average speed along this bit as anyone cycling. When filtering through stopped traffic like this be very aware that the cyclelane is in the door zone for parked cars. Slow down and be prepared to stop.

Getting onto the cycle-bridge is a little strange, there could be a better managed entrance. But it does get people cycling away from the unpleasant road space, especially going in this direction. Additionally, there's a protected entrance back onto the roadspace at the end of the bridge. Be aware of drivers not noticing this and turning left into the retail park.

Also be aware of people walking going to the crossing into the cyclepath section of the shared space. The crossing is a good way of getting to the Newmarket Road retail park, it avoids the nasty environment at the roundabout. There are good links into further routes from here.
Starts on Coldhams Lane;






Reasonable
Coldhams Lane Bridge, Cromwell Road, Sedgwick Street (YouTube)
The cycle bridge is very useful then a useful link into Romsey Town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

The cycle bridge is a very useful way to avoid the busy and narrow road environment on the main railway bridge. Again, this doesn't mean you must cycle over this side-bridge but, especially if coming from the retail park, it's good to get out of the unpleasant road-space.

Cromwell Road is a street with a few unobvious dangers. With the parked cars on this side, it's worth being a good distance out to avoid collisions with opening doors and to stop close passes with oncoming traffic. Do try to find places where people driving can pass. Remember an impatient person with a ton of metal is safer in front of you than behind. This needs to be tempered with the amount of time cars take to get through the pinch point at the end compared to bicycles.

Then Sedgwick Street is a much more narrow roadspace. Again, ensure distance from parked cars and try to let cars through in parked car gaps. By the end of the road this should be minimal as the street has levelled off in a 20mph limit.
Starts on Coldhams Lane;
Cromwell Road; at 00:16;
Sedgwick Street; at 00:39;

More links: Main Post





Reasonable
Coldhams Lane Railway Bridge, Beehive Centre Cut Through to York Street, Ainsworth Street, Sturton Street (YouTube)
The cycle bridge is very useful then a useful link into Petersfield. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Getting onto the cycle-bridge is a little strange, there could be a better managed entrance. But it does get people cycling away fom the unpleasant road space, especially going in this direction. Additionally, there's a protected entrance back onto the roadspace at the end of the bridge. Be aware of drivers not noticing this and turning left into the retail park. Also be aware of people walking going to the crossing into the cyclepath section of the shared space.

In the retail park be aware that people driving are looking for parking spaces and may signal late (or not at all) when going through here. Also, they are likely to be slow, so have some patience.

Although there is a cyclepath through the car park, it has a lower priority than the roadspace, and traffic is slow here. Sticking in it and turning off at the last turning is preferable. The shared user path has restricted sight-lines so going slow is advisable to avoid scaring people walking. Likewise the exit onto York Street is restricted sight-lines so a careful turn is advisable.

These streets are quiet and reasonably car free. It's nice to ride down these streets compared to many around town. The restricted access between streets helps this although be aware of people walking into what might be considered "cycle" space.

The link at the very end shows that although Kingston Street is exit-only for cars, you can ride a bike into it.
Starts on Ainsworth Street;
Coldhams Lane; at 00:00;
Beehive Centre; at 00:19;
York Street; at 00:36;
Hooper Street; at 00:57;
Kingston Street; at 01:03;






Friendly
Coldhams Lane, Barnwell Road, Wadloes Road, and cut through to Howard Road (YouTube)
A very quiet cyclepath link towards Ditton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Exiting Coldhams Lane can be done along the side of the roundabout, much better than the roadspace. This continues up the Barnwell Road corridor, but a good distance from the road. This is an access road, although it should not be use in general. Sadly, priority is not afforded to the cyclepath but all cross routes. There's only one instance where this could possibly make sense.

Unfortunately, despite the room, the re-entry to the road environment is not protected at Newmarket Road. The roundabout is busy and can be a little scary. Once onto Wadloes Road, the traffic levels drop, and the road space widens. There are lots of parked cars so sticking out of the door zone is important.

Cutting through to the paths behind the houses is easy thanks to a connecting path to Howard Street. One or two of the signs look vandalised so take care about which side of the shared-use path the ride down.
Starts on Coldhams Lane;
Barnwell Road; at 00:01;
Wadloes Road; at 01:01;
Howard Road Path; at 01:22;
Howard Road; at 01:28;






Reasonable
Coleridge Road, Hartington Grove (YouTube)
Coleridge Road is reasonably quiet link going south from Romsey Town. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Coleridge Road is reasonably quiet, although there are plenty of parked cars, so ride well away from them out of the door zone. This should also stop bad passes with oncoming traffic.

Hartingdon Grove is even quieter, but also a lot narrower. Again ride outside of the door zone, but try to pull over to let people driving pass. Again, remember an impatient person with a ton of metal is safer in front of you than behind.

The junction with Rock Road is a no priority junction. This seems to work with everyone stopping. This seems to work. Probably as it's all motorised traffic, where is doesn't work with a mix of motor and cycle traffic.
Starts on Coleridge Road;
Hartington Grove; at 00:41;

More links: Door Zone, Main Post





Friendly
Coleridge Road, Marmora Road, Perne Road (YouTube)
A quiet useful link from central Cambridge avoiding Mill Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, secondary, shared-use path, cyclepath. A quiet route parallel to Mill Road to Brookfields from near the Carter Railway Bridge. There are a lot of useful little links not for motor vehicles so this gets you away from them.Starts on Coleridge Road;
Marmora Road Path; at 00:03;
Marmora Road; at 00:15;
Montreal Road Path; at 00:24;
Montreal Road; at 00:35;
Natal Road; at 00:39;
Perne Road; at 00:48;
Brookfields; at 01:00;






Reasonable
Coleridge Road, Ross Street (YouTube)
Coleridge Road is reasonably quiet link going towards the Cater railway bridge. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Coleridge Road is reasonably quiet, although there are plenty of parked cars, so ride well away from them out of the door zone. This should also stop bad passes with oncoming traffic. At the Mill Road junction the lights let you catch up with all those people driving. It's then a short wiggle to get round to Ross Street. As it's so short it's worth coming straight out into the middle of the road after the lights to avoid passing cars. It's likely you'll be able to turn straight into Ross Street as oncoming traffic should be stopped at the lights.

Ross Street is even quieter, but also a lot narrower. Again ride outside of the door zone, but try to pull over to let people driving pass. Again, remember an impatient person with a ton of metal is safer in front of you than behind.
Starts on Ross Street;

More links: Door Zone, Main Post





Reasonable
Colville Road, Primrose Close, Lucerne Close, Teasel Way (YouTube)
A useful link through east Cherry Hinton towards Fulbourn. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, shared-use path. Take care near the school at the beginning. Look out whilst passing parked cars. Take care of people walking in the shared-use path link.Starts on Colville Road;
Bridewell Road; at 00:19;
Primrose Close; at 00:22;
Lucerne Close; at 00:32;
Teasel Way; at 00:40;






Friendly
Comberton to Coton Bridleway (YouTube)
A rough route towards Coton. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path. Coming down this path, the spires of Cambridge grow in the distance. Look out for people walking. This route is passable most of the year. Once in the village, look out for parked cars.Starts on Coton to Comberton Path;






Friendly
Coronation Street, Panton Street, Pemberton Terrace, St Eligius Passage (YouTube)
A short cut to further along Bateman Street. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

A short cut to further along Bateman Street.

Starting on Hills Road, Coronation Street is one-way with plenty of speed restrictions. There's plenty of schools and homes here, so be prepared to slow regularly.

Most of Panton Street is one-way, so you have to turn right at the end. Luckily Pemberton Terrace is two-wya and not far away. Go straight on and cross the conduit to go on westwards to Trumpington Road, or follow this clip back down St Eligius Passage to the south.

Again, there are plenty of parked cars, so ride out of the door zone and beware of incoming people driving not taking this into consideration.
Starts on Coronation Street;
Panton Street; at 00:24;
Pemberton Terrace; at 00:31;
St Eligius Passage; at 00:34;






Hostile
Coton Road, Grantchester (YouTube)
A narrow fast road west of Cambridge. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

This road is probably one of the really scary rural roads to the west of Cambridge. This clip is fortunate in showing very few people driving past. I can't cound the number of times I've been knocked sideways by someone driving well over 50mph within a foot or so of my right hand. I've never been injured here, but feel if I continue it's really just a matter of time. I very rarely come here now.

I often will take up the primary position from the very start of the road and constantly check for cars behind. If there's nothing oncoming, I'll pull in at the last moment. This is just trying to get the person driving to commit to a wider pass then give myself as much space as I can. It does stop overtakes with oncoming traffic as well, as there really is no space at all for this.

The village gives some relief as speeds come down, although I've often seen the speed check lit. Again, some poor passes can be possible as people pull back in early next to the parked cars opposite.

At the junction at the end, take great care turning right. Again, people can drive right round the corner then pull out across the road to avoid the nearby parked cars before they've looked to see if anyone's oncoming.
Starts on Coton Road, Grantchester;






Hostile
Coton Road, Grantchester (West) (YouTube)
A rat run for drivers, very hostile route to Grantchester. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. Sadly a rat run and people can drive at high speed along here sometimes leaving little space. The roundabout is a welcome relief.Starts on Coton Road, Grantchester;
Barton Road Roundabout; at 01:02;






Reasonable
Coton to Comberton Path (YouTube)
The road into the depths of the village of Coton is quiet although again with plenty of parked cars. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

The road into the depths of the village of Coton is quiet although again with plenty of parked cars. Ride far enough out to avoid the door zone.

At the end of it, the path to the right is the bridlepath onwards. The start can be a little overgrown in summer, but isn't too bad. This quickly connects to the farm track. This can be a little rough but has a good surface for riding with plenty of grip. Always look ahead to plan your route on through the odd puddle and poor surface. After a little up, there are some pretty views across the local landscape. When reaching the dividing trees, stick to the left (south) side.

On reaching Long Road, there's a useful permitted path link to continuing on the bridleway to Hardwick or turning either way onto the road. Take care, people can be driving at 60mph here.
Starts on Coton to Comberton Path;

More links: Door Zone, Path, Main Post





Friendly
Cramner Road, Bin Brook Path, Gough Way (YouTube)
This is a useful local shortcut. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a useful local shortcut. Cramner Road is very quiet, but has plenty of parked cars. Ride well outside the door zone. The path at the end is on the right as is very narrow for a shared path with at least one blind corner. So low speeds for everyone's safety.

The new bridge is strangely narrow with a corner given it's new. Then the path allows access to all the back end of the residential roads. The brook is meant to be high at this time, but it doesn't seem to be threatening the local area.

Coming out onto Gough Way is limited visibility, so it's worth doing slowly. Gough Way is a bit rambling and again has a littering of parked cars, so care over the door zone and cars in strange places on the road.
Starts on Cramner Road;
Bin Brook Path; at 00:18;
Gough Way; at 00:49;

More links: Door Zone, Path, Main Post





Friendly
Cranes Lane (YouTube)
A rough route up towards Wimpole Folly. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. A pretty rough route with good views. This gets you to the top of the hills here at a steady rate. Towards the end in the woods, the mud does get difficult although not impassable, but the rewards are great.Starts on Cranes Lane, Kingston;






Friendly
Cromwell Road, Sedgwick Street, Stockwell Street, Rustat Road (YouTube)
A quick quiet link through Romsey Town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

Cromwell Road is a street with a few unobvious dangers. With the parked cars on this side, it's worth being a good distance out to avoid collisions with opening doors and to stop close passes with oncoming traffic. Do try to find places where people driving can pass. Remember an impatient person with a ton of metal is safer in front of you than behind. This needs to be tempered with the amount of time cars take to get through the pinch point at the end compared to bicycles.

Then Sedgwick Street is a much more narrow roadspace. Again, ensure distance from parked cars and try to let cars through in parked car gaps. By the end of the road this should be minimal as the street has levelled off in a 20mph limit.

Mill Road is a road space of which to be very wary. This route has a short section with a sharp turn into Stockwell Street that needs you to be in the middle of the lane to enter. Stockwell Street is two way for people cycling but one-way for cars. This means it can be a bit awkward, especially with the high volume of parked cars.

At the end there's a useful link into Charles Street. Again, it's narrow and for people walking as well, so car is needed.

Charles Street is quiet and allows limited access into Rustat Road. Rustat Road is quiet but a little less than Charles Street. Again, plenty of parked cars. This clip goes all the way to the end but there are better ways of getting to Hills Road to go further south.

Starts on Cromwell Road;
Sedgwick Street; at 00:26;
Mill Road; at 00:50;
Stockwell Street; at 00:54;
Charles Street; at 01:01;
Rustat Road; at 01:10;






Friendly
Crow End, Bourn (YouTube)
A rough route away from a less friendly roadspace. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);

Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. This is a nice alternative to the road route to the main route towards Cambridge. Sadly, there are a lot of gravel drainage ditches across and along it which is very awkward for people cycling.Starts on Crow End, Bourn;






Friendly
Cyclepath from Fen Ditton, Ditton Walk (YouTube)
This is a useful local village link. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

This is a useful local village link. The path is wide and goes straight towards the nearby town estates. From here there are routes south through the east side of town, or back up to the river and into the city centre.

The path gets a bit narrow but mostly has good visibility. There is one corner about halfway that requires care. The end has several paths coming together, which also requires care.

Using Howard Road to cut through to Ditton Walk is quick and quiet. Then Ditton Walk is also quick and quiet. Unfortunately, towards the end it's narrow and has plenty of parked cars. Avoid riding in the door zone. Although doing this doesn't always prevent people driving badly, as witnessed here. It did them no good, I was past them again at the other end of Newmarket Road.

Using the off-road cyclepath to get onto Newmarket Road allows road-space management, that is finding a place to get in whilst continuing on. This must be done carefully.
Starts on Fen Ditton Cyclepath;
Howard Road; at 00:20;
Howard Road Path; at 00:27;
Ditton Walk; at 00:35;






Friendly
Cyclepath to Fen Ditton (YouTube)
The route up from Howard Road is a useful village link. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);

The route up from Howard Road is a useful village link. It's reasonably wide for most of the time, although does narrow in the middle and has one limited visibility corner.



Starts on Fen Ditton Cyclepath;

More links: Main Post






All Other Indexes

There are several index pages in two types for this group of pages and associated YouTube clips and KML files.

  • The Streets Index pages, listing in street order with route clips with start times and local area KML files for use and download
    A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z

  • The Routes Index pages, listing in route order showing streets used with detailed description and local area KML files for use and download
    A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z




2 comments:

  1. Hi,
    Is there a pedestrian path between Comberton and Coton? I can's seem to find it on any maps.

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  2. The bridge on the Gough Way footpath has been there since the path was created in 1978, though it has had to be fixed a couple of times. I believe it was made narrow to discourage use by motorcyclists, though it caused trouble with Stephen Hawking's wheelchair, and he tried to get it made wider.

    ReplyDelete