We now have three routes from Weymouth to Dorchester, following the opening of the new A354 road.
This route we call "noise" is mainly on the traffic free cycle track near or beside the busy A354 road carrying in excess of 20,000 vehicles a day. The route is in blue, move it around, click on "View Larger Map" and print it:
This route is called "lanes". It is mainly on road and through the lovely but sometimes busy Coombe Valley. The route is in blue, move it around, click on "View Larger Map" and print it:
This route we call "direct". It uses the now bypassed Dorchester Road. It is our favourite route for commuting between Dorchester and Weymouth. The route is in blue, move it around, click on "View Larger Map" and print it:
Weymouth to Dorchester
We now have three routes from Weymouth to Dorchester, following the opening of the new A354 road. All these routes leave Weymouth on the Radipole Park Drive cycle path and enter Dorchester via Herringston on a country lane. This is preferable until Dorset County Council is able to complete the final section of the route into the town centre.
Each of the routes is suitable for all types of rider including confident child cyclists. They are also suitable for most types of bike. There are spectacular views on a good day to reward the climb up to the Ridgeway. Those riding "noise" or "direct" can enjoy these by riding east from the Ridgeway Bridge towards the telecommunications mast, and onwards if they have the time.
Roman town house Dorchester
Notes for each route are as follows:
Noise
The route called "noise" is mainly on the traffic free cycle track near or beside the A354 road carrying in excess of 20,000 vehicles a day. It is noisy and hilly and not what most people come to Dorset for. It forms part of SUSTRANS Route 26.
Lanes
The route called "lanes" is useful particularly for those starting from the Preston area. It is mainly on road and through the lovely but sometimes busy Coombe Valley. Near to Chalbury Corner there is a footpath about 150 yards long with barriers and you will need to walk here. If your bike will not fit continue on Wyke Oliver Road, turn left at the end onto the busy Preston Road and left at Chalbury Corner before rejoining the route at Coombe Valley Road. Those on lightweight road bikes may prefer to go direct to Chalbury Corner to avoid a short unmade section.
Direct
The route called "direct" uses the now bypassed Dorchester Road. It is our favourite route for commuting between Dorchester and Weymouth.
Downloads for "Noise"
The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.
This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
Downloads for "Lanes"
The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.
This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
Downloads for "Direct"
The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.
This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
Copyright © 2011 Ken Reed and Anne Neale
This is the the route in .kml format
This is the the route in .gdb format
This is the the route in .mmo format
This is the the route in .gpx format
This is the the route in .kml format
This is the the route in .gdb format
This is the the route in .mmo format
This is the the route in .gpx format
This is the the route in .kml format
This is the the route in .gdb format
This is the the route in .mmo format
This is the the route in .gpx format