50 mile round trip, was going to take the bike though wanted to look presentable on arrival so reluctantly took the car, cross country, windy, undulating roads punctuated by a few short straights and right angle bends, pressed on a bit using the torque as opposed to the revs, 1800 to about 3200, hardly any higher, 30 to 50 in 3rd, 40 to 60 in 4th and 50 to 70 in 5th are all pretty quick doing this, also I like the way it immediately pulls as strongly in each consecutive gear as though the rate of acceleration does not slow as the speed rises, engine almost imperceptable above David Gray. Very crisp turn in (I can recomend the Falken FK452s) and responsive steering, really great fun! Not bad for a five year old car with nearly 120k on the clock, really drives as well as when new in these circumstances (I have had it since new), in fact perhaps better, it has become freer revving as the miles have accumulated.
So I didnt regret not taking the bike though off for a run on that this evening weather permitting!
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what kind of car is it that gives you all that power so low?
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on Monday I was returning from Bridport in Dorset to Weybridge(surrey) I logged in to TOMTOM,home and took the alternative route, after Dorchester the A354, just 1 mile longer but avoiding Bourenmouth and the congestion at Ringwood was well worth it
What a joy it was, little traffic, easy to overtake, fast flowing and a definately better route, ok it was a little slow around Salisbury but after that the A30 and up the M3 to home was a breeze.
What other routes around the country, used less than the norm could be recommended
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Ah, Cheedy, assuming you are referring to your daily driver:
">engine almost imperceptable above David Gray. <"
It must be awful. TDCi noises? Or David Gray whinging? A broken wrist or a broken ankle? David Gray :-(
">Very crisp turn in <" A Mundano with a crisp turn in? They turn in but it's certainly not crisp. Although better than many commuter-mobiles.
">rate of acceleration <" !!! Ched, you're a biker, I sentence you to ITV4 at 2100 hrs.
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What other routes around the country, used less than the norm could be recommended
Don't know if I should reveal it as it may get very busy!
OK then:
The Yorkshire Wolds and North Yorkshire Moors are some of the least visited areas of England. Most people are heading for the coastal resorts and want to get there asap so don't explore the back roads.
The route from York to Bridlington on the A166. After Fridaythorpe there is a left turn by the Seaway cafe on to the B1251 - it's signposted 'holiday route', which I think puts people off using the route. It's a great piece of road which crosses the Yorkshire Wolds - NSL for most of the way with a mixture of bends and some long clear straights for overtaking.
Another one is Pickering to Whitby via the moors. Instead of using the main route with all the coaches go past Pickering railway station and follow your nose to Whitby via Egton Bridge. Great scenery, numerous fords, 1 in 3 hills and very little traffic.
Both are routes I do when I want to go for an enjoyable drive.
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"What other routes around the country, used less than the norm could be recommended"
Didn't you mean "What other routes in a country, used less than the norm could be recommended ?"
To which the answer is -- most of France, lots of Germany, almost all of Austria (especially the deserted Waldviertel), much of Belgium (esp Ardennes) - it's worth £50 for a channel crossing to sample them (and if you can get to Austria and back on your £50 day trip crossing you WILL have enjoyed yourself!!)
--
Phil
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Ay-oop daveyjp lad,
Have you also tried the forestry roads in the area? Try Bickley, Silpho, etc and have a scorch round - old routes of forestry stages of the RAC rally circa 1966ish - tremendous fun (or it was in Dad's Riley 4/68 in 1967!!!).
As Davey says, some great, quiet roads in that neck of the woods - Hackness, Langdale End, Harwood Dale, Troutsdale etc - brother and I were up there last October and had a drive round some old haunts - no-one else on the road - had some good fun- driving as it used to be.
--
Phil
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I'll have a pint of what Micky's drinking!
: -)
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You can't, it's all gone!!
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Do try the A5 from N.Wales(Irish ferry etc.) if you're going anywhere near Birmingham or s/east from that. Many people trundle along the A55 to intercept the M6 - although this is quicker (if you can average 50+ mph to Wednesbury) the A5 route which divests just by the toll entry points, is both marvellous fun & a zillion times more scenic.
I've had a few memorable trips in the XJ6 I had in the 80's , and latterly the Merc. coupe - both fabulous, yet sporty cruisers on the long undulating A5 - the cafes are better too.
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A5 is a cracking biker's road as well - despite the heavy death toll, I know this road well. Once you get onto the Welsh section, Chirk to Llangollen is a delight (Scamera van very present in Llangollen) the road to Corwen is magical, especially in autumn. Corwen to Pentrevoelas, a cracking straight, Pentevoelas to Betws y Coed is iffy on a bike, loads of tree cover (causing damp or icy patches) and very tight bends, little bunches of flowers on the Armco reminds us of fatalities....Betws to Bethesda amongst the best motoring roads in the UK, superbly fast on a bike, Ogwen Valley down Telford's masterpiece no incline exceeds 1 in 22 ! Boring after Bethesda. Treat yourself.
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Did a 60 mile round trip this evening to the Hunters Lodge Inn on the A303 near Wincanton, must have been 400 bikes there, good fun, some good roads though I dont the bit south of Shepton Mallett that well, normally head to Frome, Warminster and get on the A303 at Stone Henge.
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Did a 60 mile round trip this evening >>
Sorry, I was on the bike this time!
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Never apologise for going on the bike. I was going to go to work on mine today but luckily I didn't as I ended up with a meeting 50 miles away and turning up on a bike for that would have been frowned on - clients !
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