Re: NCN Design Criteria

Graham Harrison <edward.obvious.harrison1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I've just ridden a very short section of NCN 50 from Cookham to Maidenhead
for the first time. In many ways, it's brilliant; totally off road, lovely
day etc.

However, the "road" surface leaves much to be desired (IMHO). It comes off
a metalled road through a metal stile with a shaped section to allow the
bike through onto a farm track. Grass up the middle; compacted earth where
the tractor wheels go, lots of stones. Then it takes a sharp left and the
surface is treacherous; stones, gravel, slippy to cross a stream. The
surface here is small concrete blocks with grass growing through a
(deliberate) hole in the middle of each block. The blocks are maybe 3
inches square. If you try to ride over the blocks the drop into each hole
is uncomfortable to say the least and the solid concrete at the joins is to
thin to ride along. There's another section of this a little further on
where the path turns south again. Then more slippy gravel.

Now, had I been riding a mountain bike, or even a hybrid it would probably
have been OK. However, I was on my Brompton.

My question is therefore what design criteria do Sustrans use when
designating an NCN. Do they make assumptions about the type of bike that
will be used? If so what are those assumptions?

I have to assume that they are designing for the "family leisure" market.
I say that because as well as the surface I'd say the route is useless for
year round commuting for most people. As you may have gathered from the
description this is not an urban route. It goes across fields. It is
unlit. It took me about 15 minutes (riding slowly) to get between the two
towns; a brilliant commute time. However, I would be reluctant to use it
other than in daylight, mainly because of (my perceived) inefficiency of
cycle lighting. But then I'm not sure I'd want the route lit because it
goes through fields so I'm arguing against myself!

family leisure would seem it's target. they do normally make a point of
claiming kids can go to school etc via them, but the routes at least
ones i've seen are family leisure targeted some is location.

also sustrans are very disorgnised. a few years back one of my mums
friends was on the phone to them and they where going on about it being
good thing kids could ride to school along it, which the friend was
pointing out this was very unlikely. even though as sustrans lady where
correct in that it's all quite close. she hadn't looked at a map with
contors.

but that is location to be fair, it was never going to be a commute etc
only leisure. i used it yesturday to get to my folks which is probably
the closest it's ever going to get!

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com
.

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