Route rating?

[ThunderGuts]

Given the only element of going on a tour that can be done right now is thinking about it, in this world of ever more information, is there a "route rating" or "road rating" database anywhere that would give a suggestion of particularly good/interesting roads to ride (or those to avoid)?

I enjoy poring over maps planning a tour and often there are numerous options for getting to the next stop, but a map only gives a limited insight into the road, e.g. it might look good but is actually clogged with caravans, or it's less twisty than the map suggests etc., or roads where their classification is misleading (e.g. I've happened across some "yellow" roads (on OS Maps) which are more like B-roads and have been relatively wide, good surface, fun yet little traffic).

Does such a thing exist? I'm thinking for the UK.

Cheers.
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TG.

[droog]

Yeah - 'Ride Magazine' compiled a list with maps of their favourite routes in the UK and Europe:

https://www.ride.co.uk/routes

[Monkeypony]

https://www.bestbikingroads.com/
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[chickenstrip]

Might be worth investing in:

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780749581862?gC=5a105e8b&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvOQKzsgVtCSz4EW9VEIILr1KpDWJq2dMsysICTUCtPnAiSlio9MEDoaAkBhEALw_wcB

And of course, if you're thinking of heading somewhere in particular, you could always ask right here on BCF if anyone knows of any routes to be recommended
I learned about many of the best European routes on here, and wasn't disappointed when I went to see for myself.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[ThunderGuts]

Thanks for the replies folks. I don't have a specific destination/route in mind, but what I do want to do is string together some nice roads to make up a route (currently thinking initially of something workable at short notice, both from personal and work perspectives, for when lockdown eases, so a 2 day loop from Manchester down through Shropshire to mid-Wales, camp somewhere near Barmouth probably, then up the coast to Snowdonia before cutting back across Cheshire to Manchester again). In my minds eye, the ideal tool would almost be a heatmap of great biking roads which I can connect together to make a route - the bestbikingroads site almost does this.

That book looks interesting - is that one you have used?

Edit: ordered Bikers' Britain anyway - it's a tenner and looks good for a read anyway! Cheers chickenstrip.
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TG.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[chickenstrip]

I don't have the book myself, but I think I heard about the Charlbury TT route from that one...maybe? Think I saw a review of it when it first came out.

In Wales you're spoilt for choice. In mid Wales especially, there aren't many wrong choices you can make. The west coast I'm not so sure about. I visited Harlech Castle one time, but don't remember it being a particularly inspiring route I took, maybe others know better.

Look on a map, look especially for B roads among the hills between the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. The surfaces of these were often better than A roads in England, with some proper rollercoaster rides, good scenery too.

Favourite Welsh A roads include the A483 from the junction of the A44 at Crossgates (cafe there*) up to Newtown...then turn round and do it in the other direction! Most of the A44 itself is good, especially out to Aberystwyth.

A favourite B road of mine is the B4518 from Rhayader up to Llanidloes, then on past the Clywedog Reservoir, turning off for Dylife and Machynlleth.

Snowdonia is good for scenery, some good roads around Bala, Ffestiniogg, scenery of the Snowdon horseshoe from Capel Curig along to Pen-y-Pass etc, and I seem to remember liking the A5 heading north from Capel Curig for a fast stretch, but mid Wales is where it's at for sheer fun imo. Less police for one thing, especially on week days

*oh sod it, we don't do cafes anymore, do we?
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Arfa__]

Yep, that Bikers' Britain book is a good one. Used that for my tour of Wales last summer. Basically, I holed up in Welshpool and tried to do one of the loops from the book each day.

There's also this Snowdonia 360 route from Nick Sanders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyx70k3YwkU
Looks a decent route and a more accessible alternative to the NC500.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
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[Keithy]

Hope valley is, apparently, nice. Cup of tea available in Shrewsbury as you pass, if I’m about.

[jeffyjeff]

[ThunderGuts]

[ThatDippyTwat]