RE: North Wales: My Dream Drive

RE: North Wales: My Dream Drive

Thursday 17th July 2014

North Wales: My Dream Drive

Another panegyric to Wales, this time featuring the roads around Denbigh, Bala and Ruthin



Name: Matt Bird
Where: St Asaph to Nesscliffe, North Wales
Car used:Caterham Seven

The rain held off. Just.
The rain held off. Just.
The route:
"Following a nightmare race at Oulton Park, a route home incorporating North Wales seemed a good way to brighten my mood. Was all the fawning over the roads true? Yes, in a word. So from Cheshire I used the A55 (or North Wales Expressway) to J27, the A525 down to Denbigh and the B4501 towards Bala. The route finishes on the B4391 and B4396, but not before enjoying the B5105. It's 100 miles in total, with quite a lot more either side travelling to and from but worth it. So worth it."

Why it's a dream drive:
"Because it reminds you why we all bother with driving in the first place. That perhaps seems a little hyperbolic but the combination of space, low traffic, breathtaking views and great roads make North Wales a really special place to drive. Doing it in a Caterham on a brisk morning with the roof down may have heightened the sense of excitement just a little.

And the roads are largely deserted too!
And the roads are largely deserted too!
"Of course there's a popular three-sided collection of roads well trodden around these parts but I erred away from those to avoid any repetition. But the same points that so many raise about North Wales proved true on this route. There's a real rhythm to the roads, flowing through valleys and across hills allowing you to maintain momentum and decent visibility most of the time to pick out a line. Having a small car really helped here.

"The best parts though are the roads that hug craggy rock faces, weaving and writhing with the surface and having an almost hillclimb feel to them. Running through third, maybe grabbing second for some of the tighter bits and with the exhaust blaring into the cool air, it was bloody brilliant. Some of the faster, more open section perhaps feel less suited to a lower powered Caterham but that just allows more time to absorb the spectacular views."

This is why people rave about Bala
This is why people rave about Bala
Highlights and lowlights
"Don't lose faith if the early stretch to Denbigh feels like Wales is all hype. Stick with it. The A543 past Denbigh is quite narrow and feels quite restrictive compared to what's coming but the B4501 past the Llyn Brenig reservoir is where the fun properly starts. It may as well have a start line on it, particularly as the horrible road chippings ended there.

"The best section is to follow however. Just before Cerrigydrudion and the A5, take a left for the B5105. The 16 miles to Ruthin are joyous, with a particularly enjoyable section of corners around the junction for Melin-y-Wig that present different challenges going both ways. Downhill affords great visibility to see through the left and right. I encountered one other car on the Sunday morning, then turned round at Ruthin and did it again. And then turned round at Cerrigydrudion...

"I have a photo of arriving at Llangynog also which would imply the B4391 leading to it was fairly special. Even the A5 is a decent dual carriageway if I remember correctly. Then you get to Shrewsbury and realise home is three hours away!"

A very convenient stop if you need one
A very convenient stop if you need one
Sights, stop-offs and diversions
"The Llyn Brenig reservoir is one of many breathtaking reservoirs in the area, likewise Llyn Tegid at Bala. Unsurprisingly th National White Water Centre isn't far away from the roads also if your prefer your adrenaline hit even more visceral.

"The B5105 goes through the Clocaenog Forest and of course you don't have to go far from Bala for the joys of the Snowdonia National Park.

"The Crown Inn is notable for literally being right on the road at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. It was too early to try anything from its Cask Marque accredited taps but would surely prove a great place to stop when driving at a more sociable hour."

Follow the route here.

 

 



   
   
Author
Discussion

rob.e

Original Poster:

2,861 posts

277 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Nice write up. There are some fantastic roads around that area - just have to pay attention to speed limits to avoid upsetting the local police.

sideways sid

1,368 posts

214 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Great article and some great roads.

I used to take a Raw Striker West from Welshpool and sometimes North to Snowdonia. With a 5-gallon tank and an enthusiastic right foot, after 40 miles, you have to consider finding an open petrol station as you may not make it back!

Basil Hume

1,257 posts

251 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Excellent timing!

I'm taking the stretch from Wrexham to St Asaph (with a quick pop into Llandegla mountain bike trails) tomorrow. smile

Dion20vt

252 posts

161 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
SSSSHHHHHHH......

Don't let the secret out! It jams the roads up for us locals then wink

I must agree (Not being biased at all with living in Bethesda!) that we have some fantastic roads up here! Taken for granted by most of us locals to be honest!

GarfyJ

3 posts

122 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Doing 350 miles up through Wales and finishing in this area in a few weeks time. The roads in the area are just superb, as long as you find quiet ones. Can't wait!

Dave G fsi

988 posts

129 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Done a lot of driving around there, stunning roads! Wish you hadn't told everyone though, used to be quiet.... tongue out

Cotic

469 posts

151 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
rob.e said:
Nice write up. There are some fantastic roads around that area - just have to pay attention to speed limits to avoid upsetting the local police.
Yeah, only place I have ever been charged with speeding is the road out of Bala... They hide 'em well that way.

LDM

372 posts

126 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Great post!

Really love driving some of the roads in North Wales.

My wife has family near Ruthin so we are up there quite a bit, great fun what ever the car. We were in the 3200 last weekend great conditions and quiet roads, there were a few comments about being able to hear the car in the distance as it opened - fantastic.

ManOpener

12,467 posts

168 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Did the stretch around Bala a few months back along with some of the more famous roads nearby and around Snowdonia national park.
Really enjoyable roads.

MoelyCrio

2,454 posts

181 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
This is my back yard!
Over the Denbigh Moors and then back via Llyn Brenig is the reason I got my bike licence. The cafe at Llyn Brenig visitor centre is good too.
Not many police in the northern areas, but plenty of the Bala/A494/A5 area - mainly aimed at bikers to be fair.

macajc88

112 posts

160 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Basil Hume said:
Excellent timing!

I'm taking the stretch from Wrexham to St Asaph (with a quick pop into Llandegla mountain bike trails) tomorrow. smile
I'm heading that way tomorrow too, taking in the road to Bala on a very scenic diversion from Manchester to Anglesey for the weekend!

Basil Hume

1,257 posts

251 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
macajc88 said:
Basil Hume said:
Excellent timing!

I'm taking the stretch from Wrexham to St Asaph (with a quick pop into Llandegla mountain bike trails) tomorrow. smile
I'm heading that way tomorrow too, taking in the road to Bala on a very scenic diversion from Manchester to Anglesey for the weekend!
If you spot a grey Golf R32 Mk5 with a Northern Ireland plate - that's me. wink

oldtimer2

728 posts

132 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
quotequote all
Added the B4501 to the roads to drive when next in N Wales.

Earlier this year found a spot on the B4396 to stay to explore the B4391 sourh of Bala - another cracking drive as well as the minor roads over the hills west of Lake Vyrnwy (definitely not designed for spirited driving).

nightflight

812 posts

216 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Did this on my bike a few weeks ago, having had two days around Snowdonia. Excellent.
PS. Not a pushbike!

RegMolehusband

3,953 posts

256 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Where does Nesscliffe come into the story? I'm interested because I live there. I spent many happy hours driving around Snowdonia when I had my Caterham.

s m

23,145 posts

202 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
RegMolehusband said:
Where does Nesscliffe come into the story? I'm interested because I live there. I spent many happy hours driving around Snowdonia when I had my Caterham.
Maybe he's thinking of the road from the Knockin shop that rejoins the A5 near there?

cianha

2,165 posts

196 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
We're taking the Trabant to Malvern in August, this just made the list of routes from Holyhead!

Mostro

727 posts

206 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
quotequote all
Pay no attention to the route on the map in the article - it bears no resemblance to the route taken! rolleyes

B4391 is one of my all time favourites, all the way from Ffestiniog to Llangynig thumbup

Horse Pop

685 posts

143 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
quotequote all
Would just echo what people are saying about keeping an eye out for the local police.

They do still love speeders.

The arrive alive van seems to move around quite a lot in the summer.

Mark Smith

164 posts

218 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
The old bill use unmarked cars and bikes around the popular roads in North Wales. I went on a run out from Llangollen across to Ruthin and then to Llyn Brenig with the idea of going further into Snowdonia with a group of Renaultsport owners a couple of years ago. It all went well as far as Llyn Brenig but then someone else took the lead and overtook a Blue Skoda VRS at a huge rate of knots closely followed by another couple of Clios just before the Sportsman arms junction. It was an unmarked Police car! Needless to say three cars got pulled for speeding and that ended our run into Snowdonia. So by all means enjoy the roads but do watch out for plod!