Northampton , North to South route

[cycleman]

Has anyone got a good route through Northampton. The sustrans route takes you quite a way east before returning west into Northampton. I am aiming to ride past the railway station then onward to the railway cycleway to market Harborough 

[Polar Bear]

To be honest Northampton is awful on three sides with only the northerly route along the Brampton Valley Way (which you appear to be planning to hook up with) to Market Harborough being decent for cyclists.

What is your approach to Northampton?

[Canardly]

Take a decent torch for the old railway path to MH Chris. A couple of really dark tunnels along the way but a great ride. Northants publishes a cycling map for the town but is not that clear really, or that appealing come to that.

https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/northamptonshire-highways/cycle-northants/where-to-cycle/Documents/Northampton%20Cycle%20Map%202.pdf

[Pedal Castro]

If you're coming from the SW then there is a very good cycle path running by the canal taking you past the Carlsberg brewery which is pretty close to the station.

From the station to the Brampton Valley way is OK as long as it's not a busy time but getting onto the BVW is a pain as you have to negotiate quite a rough (but short) service road first.

The first half of BVW is nice so I'd recommend you come off before the tunnels near Maidwell.

[cycleman]

I'm approaching Northampton from Hartwell after avoiding Milton Keynes and heading north from Cosgrove 

[Canardly]

Try this Chris it comes up with a route from Hartwell to MH via the Brampton V Way.
https://cycle.travel/map
https://elevation-us.cycle.travel/pdf/journeys/320950_local.pdf

According to the app nearly 22m traffic free.

[cycleman]

Thanks canardly that's the ncn route that goes east then back west into Northampton. I am hoping to find a reasonable route north from quinton if possible. Of course the sustrans route may prove to be the only option 🙄 

[Lightning Phil]

Are you going North to South? All the above seems to point to a south to north direction.

[cycleman]

I've got a 1600 lumin front light, tunnels for the use of 

[cycleman]

South to North on the way to Rutland and reverse on the way back 

[cycleman]

I will be using the same route on the way to the York rally as well 

[Lightning Phil]

Had a play and this looks reasonable

https://cycle.travel/map/journey/320961

[cycleman]

That looks like a good route, I'll give it a go. Many thanks all for the help 

[MikeFromLFE]

I've ridden the Brampton Valley Way Market Harborough <> Northampton more times than I care to remember - it's a great ride (even when I got a p*ncture at 1am). I've never found lights of any help in the tunnels - just be aware of the dreadful surface, particularly under the vents (where you are likely to get wet!)

I firmly believe that there is a gap in the space-time continuum in Northampton, I've never successfully gone north to South without getting lost.
Thankfully, my trips were pretty much all to the northern edge of the place, with only odd forays on to Milton Keynes.

Enjoy your ride!

[Pedal Castro]

https://www.komoot.com/tour/786494517?ref=atd

[cycleman]

Many thanks pedal castro