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Anyone know how busy this road is on the weekends? I'm planning a ride round the island in a couple of weeks but have noticed the Sustrans route and a couple on Komoot seem to avoid most of it and stay a bit further inland. Makes me wonder if that's because of 'spirited driving', as I believe it's known.
Standard IoW lap/Randonee route goes slightly inland from Chale to Brook (if going clockwise).
This takes quieter lanes, and is quite pleasant.
The stretch of Military road you have to do over the lumpy bit is normally quite busy, with the odd vehicle making progress but it's never been too bad.
Note that the Randonee route ( https://www.cycleisland.co.uk/randonnee/route-overview) does include some back roads that can be a little rough/gravelly at times, and a gravel track from Freshwater to Yarmouth, so depending on your tyre choice, beware... It's pretty well signed too, but you cant get lost if you keep the sea on your left.
Other than that, it's a good day out!
We did a tour round the IoW including Freshwater Bay and on round via the Military Road in June. The plan was to stop at the Sun Inn at Hulverstone (which did a very good lunch and seemed to be very popular with other cyclists), then rejoin the Military Road and carry on southbound. In the end we carried on using the lanes slightly inland as they were much nicer to ride on.
In terms of busy-ness - it wasn't massively busy - it's just pretty hilly and there's a big speed differential as cars come past not leaving a lot of space just like any other hilly A road. The lanes inland were much more pleasant, even without the sea views.
Not a roadie or a local (but a frequent visitor). I imagine it is fairly exposed and not very exciting compared to the quieter inland roads and green lanes?
Speed differential can be high but it's not too busy at this time of year. It's generally fine though.
Sports bikes love it.
You can cut in land in a few places.
If it's windy it can be a drag.
Source - I live here đŸ˜‰
It is just a bit bleak if the weather is miserable and if riding clockwise, generally a bit of a headwind. The signed route takes you inland for a bit on quieter roads, but the Military Road does not have an issue with traffic (or fast cars) in my opinion. Only over the summer with the massive increase of staycationers did it get 'a bit' busy.
Thanks all. Will probably stick inland a bit then
This is all wrong. The military road with a tailwind is an amazing experience. Pick your direction of travel depending on wind direction and smash it. Outside of summer holidays it’s generally fine.