I recently found out this cycle route passes through/under Gatwick airport. Has anyone on here cycled this route? Is the path also suitable for runners? If so, would you advise running north and back to Gatwick or south and back?
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[Other Sport] National Cycle Route 21 - Gatwick Airport
- Thread starter Herr Tubthumper
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #2
Anyone?
The only time I've run at Gatwick was when I got delayed checking in and still wanted a pre-flight pint in Spoons 
Might also be worth posting this on the running thread and seeing if there are strava routes or segments set up?
Might also be worth posting this on the running thread and seeing if there are strava routes or segments set up?
Ninja Elephant
Doctor Elephant
- Feb 16, 2009
- 18,855
I've never used it, but looks like a nice route;
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-21/
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-21/
Looks to me like it just goes along the perimeter on the East side.
You can see a small footpath or trail between the road and the railway line that is on Route 21 - https://www.google.com/maps/@51.151148,-0.1618695,566m/data=!3m1!1e3
You can see a small footpath or trail between the road and the railway line that is on Route 21 - https://www.google.com/maps/@51.151148,-0.1618695,566m/data=!3m1!1e3
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks everyone. I’ll give it a go and report back.
lost in london
Well-known member
I've ridden the road, it's a grim dual carriageway, think I've seen the footpath running along side it. Where are you trying to get to and from?
- Thread starter
- #9
I’m not using it to get anywhere specifically, I just want to go for a jog when I’m staying at Gatwick airport and am looking at options. Last time I tried it was a nightmare of grass verges, restricted areas and dead ends. I thought I’d do some research....and found this cycle path which seems suitable.
lost in london
Well-known member
It won't be pretty, but in the circumstances it's probably your best bet.
- Thread starter
- #12
Neither will I when I come lumbering past, red faced and blowing like a horse.
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 70,184
Pogue Mahone
Well-known member
- Apr 30, 2011
- 10,743
I have cycled to London from Brighton on that route. Head north rather than south - if you go south it’s basically industrial buildings and Crawley.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Ease up on the currywurst.
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks everyone. I managed to get 10 miles in, 2.5 south and back and then 2-ish north and back and a few bits at the North Terminal to get up to 10.
It’s more a route than a path and is very disjointed and stop-start as it plots its way through industrial estates to the south and through a housing estate, town centre and suburbia in the north. The southern route also weirdly deposits you in a industrial estate carpark with all the barriers down once you clear Gatwick...a couple of cyclists guided me out and helped me rejoin the route The north terminal pond and wooded area is nice but brief.
All good though, and thanks for the help.
It’s more a route than a path and is very disjointed and stop-start as it plots its way through industrial estates to the south and through a housing estate, town centre and suburbia in the north. The southern route also weirdly deposits you in a industrial estate carpark with all the barriers down once you clear Gatwick...a couple of cyclists guided me out and helped me rejoin the route The north terminal pond and wooded area is nice but brief.
All good though, and thanks for the help.
What did you expect from a cycle route in the UK?