Modern Vespa

A couple of weeks on my first scooter and I'm wondering how to plan out safe, longer range trips beyond the parts of south east London I'm familiar with (I'm in Bromley). Goggle maps avoid motorways still seems to include a lot of big/fast roads. What are the best ways to find learner friendly recreational rides around here? My loftiest current ambition is trying to reach Brighton. Also trying to figure out a safe route to a friend in Arnos Grove in north London.

I don't suppose the Tom Tom Vio has any special features for learners?

Have you tried setting Google to search out bicycle routes? You have to ignore footpaths and similar but it gives you a good place to start planning.

Get an Ordinance Survey paper map, and plot a wiggly route on B roads. Plenty of them in Kent/Sussex/Surrey!

It's not easy to plot a ride using a computer or phone screen - you don't get 'the whole picture'. Once you've got a route planned, a GPS can then be very helpful while actually riding - but it's more fun relying on the paper map, and seeing if you can get to the end without stopping to refer to it.

Some good ideas there, thanks! I may try plotting a 'bicycle' route down on paper and seeing how far I can get through Kent on it. I do like being able to check street view to make sure I've not accidentally taken myself on to a risky looking road.

If you make it to Brighton there's a beer here waiting for you 👍

You don't have to go very far south of Bromley to find some nice countryside. Aim for the Ashdown Forest and trundle around the area (40 mph limits on the smaller roads). AA Milne (Winnie the Pooh) lived in Hartfield and 'Poohsticks Bridge' is a great target for a gentle ride out.

Second Sunday of every month see's a gathering of classic cars and motorcycles at the Riverside Café in Forest Row. Always worth a look round.

Have fun!

Going to Brighton via Ashdown Forest does look like a good way to avoid bigger roads! I think I'll give it a shot. I'd very much like to avoid any road with a higher speed limit than 40... that and roads with one lane for two directions. I've heard a lot of fairly small country roads have a 60mph speed limit? Any tips on avoiding those?

Thanks for the offer Bill! I might check whether that's redeemable for juice unless I make good time or end up staying overnight with a friend, I get a bit wobbly very quickly when I'm drinking ^.^

I think try and learn the route as much as possible. I like to look at Google street view for places I have not been. On those single lane roads you will always get a few idiots who ride up your arse and can't seem to overtake a bike. I try to ignore them without getting to angry.

problem with London people don't want a scooter or motorcycle as they get robbed without a doubt

worse thing is when you got l plate you got twats up your ass and when the road changes to 50 mph its funny because you get the car trying to overtake you until you show them up when you throttle it as ive had it done with me I got a 125 and im like yeaahhhh you fall back bitch

i still miss my cbr 125 that was well quick but i got a bad knee and caused my knee to weak everytime i changed gear to many times

It's a long way to follow on street view but it's definitely the best way to stay safe! I've already encountered a few people who follow too close and most of them back off when they see I'm keeping up with traffic but some just seem not to have heard of the two second rule... I get freaked out but not angry! Hopefully that freakout adrenaline is useful. On the single lane roads I'm more worried about people speeding around corners in the opposite direction!

I'm really hoping the reports of scooter crime in London make it seem more prevalent than it is. I've been riding an electric assist bicycle for at least 6 years and I've never seen dodgy scooter people on the roads like the ones in the videos although I wouldn't have been looking out for them specifically before now. Maybe it's just because I rarely end up on the roads right in the centre of the city. Luckily I have a garage for parking and I'm hoping they're less likely to go for a bright yellow vespa...

Angry,

To do what you want forget SatNav/Google. It's not designed for what you want. The only way to use SatNav will be to pick small towns on the route and use google to go between them by cycling.

Have a look at the Veteran London to Brighton rally route for say 2016 or 18.

Otherwise buy a proper paper map if they still exist and use small roads between Bromley-BigginHill-Oxted-East Grinstead-Haywards Heath-B2112 Brighton. Or do the route in segments reprogramming SatNav between points.

Or go to Tunbridge Wells or, or ,or.There are lots of small B road in the UK. But Google won't use them.



45 mins and it still can't tell me how to go Bromley - Brighton cycling.!!