Best driving road in the NW
Discussion
well... apart from the obvious choice of the cat&fiddle, i'd say the A6 up (oop?) north of lancaster is a contender, as is the M61 for the simple, pure, HOON value it has! back in't day I used to get from north side of preston to south end of stockport in 25 minutes..when the need arose. much, MUCH fun! (the driving, that is 
) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are! 
) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are! The A65 from Skipton to Kirby Lonsdale is great for sweeping A road driving and if you pull off around Ingleton you have one of the best drives up to Hawes (MAP)
You could also consider the same road from Ingleton as far as Ribblehead and then head over to Horton in Ribblesdale and back down towards Settle
(MAP)
All great roads around there
You could also consider the same road from Ingleton as far as Ribblehead and then head over to Horton in Ribblesdale and back down towards Settle
(MAP)
All great roads around there
Edited by riwiho on Thursday 17th April 21:16
minimax said:
well... apart from the obvious choice of the cat&fiddle, i'd say the A6 up (oop?) north of lancaster is a contender, as is the M61 for the simple, pure, HOON value it has! back in't day I used to get from north side of preston to south end of stockport in 25 minutes..when the need arose. much, MUCH fun! (the driving, that is ) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are!
I got pulled on the M61 and prosecuted for doing a little bit more than the legal limit ) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are! 
so be careful,there are quite a few unmarked vehicles around.Most recently Ive seen a grey Volvo estate operating on there.5 wh said:
minimax said:
well... apart from the obvious choice of the cat&fiddle, i'd say the A6 up (oop?) north of lancaster is a contender, as is the M61 for the simple, pure, HOON value it has! back in't day I used to get from north side of preston to south end of stockport in 25 minutes..when the need arose. much, MUCH fun! (the driving, that is ) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are!
I got pulled on the M61 and prosecuted for doing a little bit more than the legal limit ) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are! so be careful,there are quite a few unmarked vehicles around.Most recently Ive seen a grey Volvo estate operating on there.riwiho said:
The A65 from Skipton to Kirby Lonsdale is great for sweeping A road driving and if you pull off around Ingleton you have one of the best drives up to Hawes (MAP)
You could also consider the same road from Ingleton as far as Ribblehead and then head over to Horton in Ribblesdale and back down towards Settle
(MAP)
All great roads around there
Back in the last century I lived for 3 years in Long Preston near Settle. I used to read the Craven Herald, the local weekly obitury for bikers who'd taken leave of this world. You could also consider the same road from Ingleton as far as Ribblehead and then head over to Horton in Ribblesdale and back down towards Settle
(MAP)
All great roads around there
Edited by riwiho on Thursday 17th April 21:16
Nice roads but no run off areas.
Having said that I remember my comute to Burnley via Gisburn and Barrowford. On a sunny Friday afternoon I could get home from work in my mk2 cavalier faster than any production motorbike (Due to bravery, and practise - is that stupidity and overfamilarity ?)
riwiho said:
5 wh said:
minimax said:
well... apart from the obvious choice of the cat&fiddle, i'd say the A6 up (oop?) north of lancaster is a contender, as is the M61 for the simple, pure, HOON value it has! back in't day I used to get from north side of preston to south end of stockport in 25 minutes..when the need arose. much, MUCH fun! (the driving, that is ) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are!
I got pulled on the M61 and prosecuted for doing a little bit more than the legal limit ) cor, you northerners are spoilt for roads, you really are! so be careful,there are quite a few unmarked vehicles around.Most recently Ive seen a grey Volvo estate operating on there.Hello
Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
ATM said:
Hello
Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
A dangerous and busy road, lot of unmarked camera cars too. Try the road above it in yellow on the map, Haslingden Road. Far better but beware the bend marked with the number 3 on the map. Its an S bend which goes past a farm just before a pub, sometimes cattle on the road and the moron farmer does not give enough advance warning.Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
Best road(s) are from Whalley to the Trough of Bowland.
ATM said:
Hello
Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
The grane is a nightmare - far too many cameras and police. The bikes have stuffed this up for everyone - Just count the flower clusters on the walls.Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
Head towards Gisburn from Barrowford and then towards Settle. Great roads.
OK thanks guys will give some of these a try. I do have a 'hazardous road' warning device which can detect the devices police use to reduce accidents. So hopefully this will warn me of impending danger.
I had a quick blat yesterday and found some interesting roads. No idea where we were so just looking on Google again now...
Try this one from Bacup to Burnley - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
We also found a very good road which was a little tight in places and very bumpy too. It went over some big hills, through some tiny villages and past a large wind farm. Some of you may know it. We just ended up there by acccident. Hebdon Bridge rings a bell and also Todmorden but nothing for definite looking at Google. I will have to go again and figure out where we were. I did manage to get filled up with V-power too so will dig out the receipt.
I had a quick blat yesterday and found some interesting roads. No idea where we were so just looking on Google again now...
Try this one from Bacup to Burnley - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
We also found a very good road which was a little tight in places and very bumpy too. It went over some big hills, through some tiny villages and past a large wind farm. Some of you may know it. We just ended up there by acccident. Hebdon Bridge rings a bell and also Todmorden but nothing for definite looking at Google. I will have to go again and figure out where we were. I did manage to get filled up with V-power too so will dig out the receipt.
Paul--C said:
ATM said:
Hello
Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
A dangerous and busy road, lot of unmarked camera cars too. Try the road above it in yellow on the map, Haslingden Road. Far better but beware the bend marked with the number 3 on the map. Its an S bend which goes past a farm just before a pub, sometimes cattle on the road and the moron farmer does not give enough advance warning.Any suggestions a bit nearer to North Manchester - Bury, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall way?
The reason I ask is my friend lives up that way and has just bought a new Megane F1 230 thingy and it needs some 'proper' testing.
I've stumbled upon a good one but it always has a lot of traffic on it. Just looking at Google now to figure out what its called....
OK I think this link should do it - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geoc...
Dont tell anyone or it will get EVEN busier.
ATM
Best road(s) are from Whalley to the Trough of Bowland.
clarkmagpie said:
AJI said:
without a doubt it has to be the A686.
From Penrith to Hexham.
Its been voted best road for a few years now.
how do aron!From Penrith to Hexham.
Its been voted best road for a few years now.
gotta agree with you mate, fantstic road, only thing that spoils it is the suicidal bikers!
It's only just down the road from my gaff as well!! Spoilt for choice up North, lots of fantastic roads!!
the prescotts said:
The picasso driver that emergency braked and swerved to avoid a peasant as you overtook. Was the said "peasant" walking aimlessly down Victoria Road seeing if there were any scraps he could pick up from the bins of the more affluent folk of Formby village?
Well, a quick update on the death of Peasants. The Formby Bypass was the location of a pedestrian death at the crossing next to Tesco. Southbound carriage way, car hit pedestrian. Last Saturday. Roads closed, traffic mayhem, and a funeral to arrange for someone. 
Try the A640 from M62 J21 (watch out at this junction as it's in the middle of being redone so your satnav might get confused!) back to Huddersfield M62, J23, or if you're coming the other way it's worth a detour!
To be honest there are loads of roads worth exploring around this area, running into West Yorkshire. I cut my driving teeth in this area. Another favourite road is the Isle of Sky Road A635 from Greefield nr. Oldham running to Holmfirth (it can get foggy in the morning). As you are getting into Holmfirth you can turn off sharp right onto the A6024 that takes you past the Holme Moss transmitter to the Woodhead pass, which is a great road if you catch it when it's quiet! If you turn right from the end of the A6024, and then use the Woodhead A628 for a short distance towards Manchester, you can turn off left onto the B6105 which is great, but parts are narrow. This will bring you into Glossop near the bottom of the A57 Snake Pass, which everyone should know about, but has recently had the first half spoilt by a 50mph limit.
Just keep an eye out and avoid tourist times. The final half is still National Speed limit.
OK - So you're now well out of the North West and in South Yorkshire! Never mind eh?
Edited to correct A635 running to Holmfirth.
To be honest there are loads of roads worth exploring around this area, running into West Yorkshire. I cut my driving teeth in this area. Another favourite road is the Isle of Sky Road A635 from Greefield nr. Oldham running to Holmfirth (it can get foggy in the morning). As you are getting into Holmfirth you can turn off sharp right onto the A6024 that takes you past the Holme Moss transmitter to the Woodhead pass, which is a great road if you catch it when it's quiet! If you turn right from the end of the A6024, and then use the Woodhead A628 for a short distance towards Manchester, you can turn off left onto the B6105 which is great, but parts are narrow. This will bring you into Glossop near the bottom of the A57 Snake Pass, which everyone should know about, but has recently had the first half spoilt by a 50mph limit.
Just keep an eye out and avoid tourist times. The final half is still National Speed limit.OK - So you're now well out of the North West and in South Yorkshire! Never mind eh?
Edited to correct A635 running to Holmfirth.
Edited by Emeye on Sunday 11th May 11:46
Soooo from Glossop,
Head for Chapel en le Frith, turn left up the A6 towards Buxton, then either head towards Buxton ... Matlock ...
OR
... Do a left at Doveholes roundabout and follow Chesterfield, follow the road round, up down and turn a left a few miles down for Great Hucklow (Anchor Pub on left)
down there to the end, turn left, stop in Castleton for a brew or a beer, then either carry on through the cliff heading towards Chapel and/or Doveholes, or come back on yourself a few miles, past the junction you came out of and turn left at the petrol station and that road will bring you out at Ladybower.
Head for Chapel en le Frith, turn left up the A6 towards Buxton, then either head towards Buxton ... Matlock ...
OR
... Do a left at Doveholes roundabout and follow Chesterfield, follow the road round, up down and turn a left a few miles down for Great Hucklow (Anchor Pub on left)
down there to the end, turn left, stop in Castleton for a brew or a beer, then either carry on through the cliff heading towards Chapel and/or Doveholes, or come back on yourself a few miles, past the junction you came out of and turn left at the petrol station and that road will bring you out at Ladybower.
I forgot to mention the A49 as well, that's a great road going from Warrington to Whitchurch.
You can then take the A41 to Tern Hill as well, I go to a place called the Stormy Petrel for a bike meet every Thursday, don't go into the pub on a non bike day though, it's quite rough!
Hale Village near Speke airport is quite pleasant to ride/drive through as well, albeit a little short, and there's a nice pub there called the Childe of Hale that serves a basic, but tasty menu
You can then take the A41 to Tern Hill as well, I go to a place called the Stormy Petrel for a bike meet every Thursday, don't go into the pub on a non bike day though, it's quite rough!
Hale Village near Speke airport is quite pleasant to ride/drive through as well, albeit a little short, and there's a nice pub there called the Childe of Hale that serves a basic, but tasty menu
TL84 said:
Hale Village near Speke airport is quite pleasant to ride/drive through as well, albeit a little short, and there's a nice pub there called the Childe of Hale that serves a basic, but tasty menu
Phil Hindley from Tech9 Motorsport once subjected me to that road in a 993GT2. An experience from which I derived a 3 month sabbatical's interest in cacti rearing.
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