Best roads in Herts?

[Chris71]

Shamelessly inspired by the same thread in the Kent & Essex forum, any recommendations for driving roads in the area?

Got a couple in mind, but I'll start off with the B158 from Potters Bar to Hertford.

Possibly slightly overrated due to the weight of traffic and lack of overtaking opportunities, but top marks for being a proper country road 5 minutes from the M25.

[anonymous-user]

B1004 Bishops Stortford to Ware - slow down for Much hadham though!

There are many marvelous roads within the sparsely populated square contained to the South by A120, to the West by A10, to the East by M11 and to the North by A505.

[crossle]

I'm keeping quiet about my favourites - they're empty most Sundays, and I'm happy with that!

[Chris71]

crossle said:

I'm keeping quiet about my favourites - they're empty most Sundays, and I'm happy with that!

Well, you could always PM me to check but I suspect most of them will have been discused already. Know what you mean though. I pondered whether they'd suddenly be invaded by scamera vans and hordes of boy racers and then concluded the information is already out there.

had ham said:

There are many marvelous roads within the sparsely populated square contained to the South by A120, to the West by A10, to the East by M11 and to the North by A505.

Sounds very worth checking out and then back down the B1004 to get to the A10 and home. Superb!

PS Used to explore the eastern tip of that when I lived in Essex and that section is superb, around the Roding and Bardfields. You could extend your are above out to the A1017. If not the sea...

Edited by Chris71 on Friday 23 January 17:06

[jimbooo]

A507 baldock to buntingford. My daily drive to work. Awesome road.

[eastlmark]

jimbooo said:

A507 baldock to buntingford. My daily drive to work. Awesome road.

Long been my test route! Shame about all the Sainsbury's lorries though and that dreadfull 30mph limit that starts/ends way in the middle of nowhere before/after Baldock. as for the humback before Cottered..... lost the Spiders exhuast bracket there last year.

[jimbooo]

yep love the bridge. Took off on all 4 in my type r and planted the nose in the tarmac in the noble.

[dougc]

B656 Welwyn to Hitchin via Codicote followed by B655 to Barton in the Clay through Hexton.

[Chris71]

dougc said:

B656 Welwyn to Hitchin via Codicote followed by B655 to Barton in the Clay through Hexton.

Some of the turn offs along that road are even better. Try going right off the B655 up to Apsley End, turn left once you reach the village and follow the road out into the countryside, through Higham Gobian and on to Barton le Clay. Absolutely superb.

In fact, where are my keys.... It'll be the first time I've driven the car in dry(ish) weather and daylight since Christmas!


edit:
So that's exactly what I just did... Went round the route above and then onto the A507. Jesus - it's bloody fantastic! I've done odd bits of the A507 before and really couldn't see what all the fuss was about, but that one little bit is about the twistiest road I've ever been down. Didn't realise you got A-roads like that in the South East!

I don't think we're in any danger of discussing what 90% of Hertfordshire's petrolheads already know here though - I saw so many interesting, enthusiastically driven (in one instance very enthusiastically driven) cars out there - it's obviously far from being a secret.

Edited by Chris71 on Saturday 24th January 13:59

[Blib]

Chris mate, it seems to me you don't like staying in your new home in Enfield much. How's the missus?

[Chris71]

Blib said:

Chris mate, it seems to me you don't like staying in your new home in Enfield much. How's the missus?

She's away gigging today.

Much as I like Norf Landaan to live in, it's a bit short of roads. Come on, be honest, you must venture north of the border too when the strat's running?

Need to organise another meet at some point I reckon. Maybe give a month or two though...

[Blib]

Chris71 said:

Blib said:

Chris mate, it seems to me you don't like staying in your new home in Enfield much. How's the missus?

She's away gigging today.

Much as I like Norf Landaan to live in, it's a bit short of roads. Come on, be honest, you must venture north of the border too when the strat's running?

Need to organise another meet at some point I reckon. Maybe give a month or two though...

Strat's not been running since September.

Hopefully wil have ome good news by the end of Feb. New -quieter - exhaust will be fitted end of ths week. Next a full remap. Finally a couple of electrical glitches to be sorted and then she'll be ready.

How about a meet early March???

[tomtom]

jimbooo said:

A507 baldock to buntingford. My daily drive to work. Awesome road.

I also like the B656 (Codicote to Hitchin). I can't tell you which roads they are, or even where they go, but my usual route goes up there to Hitchin, across towards Meppershall, Stondon etc then back home via Lilley. Not much fun in anything bigger than an Elise though!

edit: Seems dougc is of a similar mindset.

Edited by tomtom on Saturday 24th January 18:25

[dougc]

Evening Herts hooners. Managed a little run this afternoon and remembered how good the Hemel - Leighto Buzzard road is if you manage to get a clear run. Give it a look, particularly for the curves about 2 miles North of Hemel. Just watch for bikers with their knees down coming the other way! Following the advanced driving line of keeping to the outside of the lane for a laeft hander might result in a head/bonnet interface!?!

The A507 is still king though. Just watch for that nasty little left about 3 miles out of Baldock at the end of a long straight - almost got me the first time I drove it.

[jimbooo]

yeah comes up fast doesn't it.

[Chris71]

dougc said:

Evening Herts hooners. Managed a little run this afternoon and remembered how good the Hemel - Leighto Buzzard road is if you manage to get a clear run. Give it a look, particularly for the curves about 2 miles North of Hemel. Just watch for bikers with their knees down coming the other way! Following the advanced driving line of keeping to the outside of the lane for a laeft hander might result in a head/bonnet interface!?!

Doug - Doh! Actually thought about dropping you a line earlier to see if you were up for a hoon. Wish I had now, we must have almost passed in the middle.

Definitely going to include the '507 in the new route. It takes litterally 5 minutes to get there from Barton le Clay (and only another 10 or so to the interesting bit). That road through Shillington and Higham Gobian is well worth a look too - short but sweet.

[belleair302]

Any of the roads off of the A1M past Stotfold north of the A505, through Ashwell and Orwell. Also the roads between Cuffley and Hertford off of the B158.

[Chris71]

belleair302 said:

Also the roads between Cuffley and Hertford off of the B158.

Through Bayford and such like?

White Stubbs lane - the one that runs through Broxbourne Woods is good if you can get a clear run at it (zero overtaking opportunities), but be careful in the middle bit as there's a wildlife park or something with the risk of kids running around.

[jon-]

tomtom said:

jimbooo said:

A507 baldock to buntingford. My daily drive to work. Awesome road.

I also like the B656 (Codicote to Hitchin). I can't tell you which roads they are, or even where they go, but my usual route goes up there to Hitchin, across towards Meppershall, Stondon etc then back home via Lilley. Not much fun in anything bigger than an Elise though!

edit: Seems dougc is of a similar mindset.

Edited by tomtom on Saturday 24th January 18:25

The A507 is my test route, best road in the county.

I drive the B656 daily - fantastic road.

[Chris71]

jon- said:

The A507 is my test route, best road in the county.

I drive the B656 daily - fantastic road.

Wondered what you meant by that for a second, then remembered the website! Do you use the 'zed for the tests?