Rich's Amazing Wales Road Trip 2013
Discussion
hoyin said:
Just a quick note - personally I prefer nice twisty roads and lovely scenery rather than going fast speeds.
you'll be getting plenty of scenery and on a couple of roads driving in that scenery and speed is a matter of perception - and the law!a Noble might be a bit too low and wide for the twisty roads that I like to on go on but if not see my previous posts let me know and I'll list some roads to do on another visit
on the mountain roads you want the widest (and lowest) cars at the back otherwise they hold up the narrower cars no matter what engines and brakes are in each and the bigger car can catch up (might mean stopping to wait)
really sorry Rich I've confused you by saying about Pandy - you've put it a diversion off the A470 at Llanbrynmair on the road passed another village called Pandy on to join the A458 to rejoin the A470
I don't know if I've ever been on that (other village of Pandy) road so can't say if it's any good
sorry about confusing you
the Pandy I meant is next to Llanuwchllyn, near Llyn Tegrid
that Pandy isn't shown by Google but is on my road atlas (perhaps it's in the wrong place om my map?)
I don't know if I've ever been on that (other village of Pandy) road so can't say if it's any good
sorry about confusing you
the Pandy I meant is next to Llanuwchllyn, near Llyn Tegrid
that Pandy isn't shown by Google but is on my road atlas (perhaps it's in the wrong place om my map?)
nta16 said:
really sorry Rich I've confused you by saying about Pandy - you've put it a diversion off the A470 at Llanbrynmair on the road passed another village called Pandy on to join the A458 to rejoin the A470
I don't know if I've ever been on that (other village of Pandy) road so can't say if it's any good
sorry about confusing you
the Pandy I meant is next to Llanuwchllyn, near Llyn Tegrid
that Pandy isn't shown by Google but is on my road atlas (perhaps it's in the wrong place om my map?)
Ah - no worries. I've updated day 2 route again to remove the diversion to the "wrong pandy" and for us to look Lake Bala after all. As we'e going up passed Llanuwchllyn and Llyn Tegrid I will keep an eye out and if we see the "Real Pandy" we can take a detour!I don't know if I've ever been on that (other village of Pandy) road so can't say if it's any good
sorry about confusing you
the Pandy I meant is next to Llanuwchllyn, near Llyn Tegrid
that Pandy isn't shown by Google but is on my road atlas (perhaps it's in the wrong place om my map?)
(I couldn't find the Real Pandy on google maps, could be inaccurate maps of the area..)
In fairness the routes are a guideline and on the day if/when we spot some nice diversions it will be nice to do a bit of exploring anyway rather than sticking to a strict itinerary
Cheers
hoyin said:
Rich
Well done with getting all this setup.
Everyone who is contributing thank you for your valuable input.
I am getting very excited about this road trip! I cannot wait.
Just a quick note - personally I prefer nice twisty roads and lovely scenery rather than going fast speeds.
No problem! I'm the same, I'm not setting this trip up to lose my license by doing silly speeds but will enjoy the twisty bits and the awesome views most Well done with getting all this setup.
Everyone who is contributing thank you for your valuable input.
I am getting very excited about this road trip! I cannot wait.
Just a quick note - personally I prefer nice twisty roads and lovely scenery rather than going fast speeds.
As well as the video/photography parts.
What I'll do is print out itinerary for each day and hand them out, with co-ordinates for peoples sat navs, and basic directions. That way if anyone wants to speed off and do their own thing we can easily all catch up with each other at one of the points.
As mentioned before I may well do a few sections of the best roads a couple of times in order to get some nice video clips! Totally understand if people aren't interested in being part of that and want to carry on although it's a nice time to let the cars cool down, have a chat, see how everyone's doing and generally break the days up a bit as well as getting some nice clips for a movie
nta16 said:
perhaps if topalwaysdown could confirm if it's the B4391 in the photo below as I got that road confused before, cheers
in my mind we'd barely got into Wales when this photo was taken
I don't think it is, or certainly not the stretch I was thinking of anyway. The Penybontfawr to Bala stretch is here , in particular, this climb up the side of the valley. The eastern end of the route isn't far off the border, that's how I came across the road heading to Bala from Oswestry.in my mind we'd barely got into Wales when this photo was taken
I can understand the slow car / fast car thing, the S2000 is like a rocket compared to my previous car, a 106 Rallye with a little over 100bhp. It was at it's most fun being chucked around corners at modest speeds. I'd always judge a good road by being one that can put a smile on your face without exceeding the speed limit. It looks quite straight on the map but there's plenty of flowing corners, it reminded me in some parts of the Llyn Brenig side of the triangle. It was also recently resurfaced when I was up there last summer and was beautifully smooth. It's one I could take a slower car like the 106 up and still enjoy
possibly I was right first time as I've just looked at that bit of the B4391 using streetview (when it didn't freeze up entirely) but it's better road that I'd remembered a little wider than the ones I like as it could fit a centre white line 
and a bit busy I had to overtake about 6 cars on streetview
a Rallye would suit the roads I like because it's about get round the twisties quick but still having room to pull over or get by the sheep or cars coming the other way if anyone is cheeky enough to use your road whilst you're enjoying it
on one road, I can't remember which, a single track going into and coming out of the bend but the bend itself is very wide but very tight and first time I went round it I couldn't turn my 15 and 1/2" steering wheel at my chest quick enough, as it was a great run I went back the other way and still forgot how tight the bend was - great fun but I must admit first time I did have a moment's thought to how close to the edge we might go, sometimes it pays to have a slower car
and a bit busy I had to overtake about 6 cars on streetviewa Rallye would suit the roads I like because it's about get round the twisties quick but still having room to pull over or get by the sheep or cars coming the other way if anyone is cheeky enough to use your road whilst you're enjoying it
on one road, I can't remember which, a single track going into and coming out of the bend but the bend itself is very wide but very tight and first time I went round it I couldn't turn my 15 and 1/2" steering wheel at my chest quick enough, as it was a great run I went back the other way and still forgot how tight the bend was - great fun but I must admit first time I did have a moment's thought to how close to the edge we might go, sometimes it pays to have a slower car
RichwiththeS2000 said:
Ah - no worries. I've updated day 2 route again to remove the diversion to the "wrong pandy" and for us to look Lake Bala after all. As we'e going up passed Llanuwchllyn and Llyn Tegrid I will keep an eye out and if we see the "Real Pandy" we can take a detour!
(I couldn't find the Real Pandy on google maps, could be inaccurate maps of the area..)
In fairness the routes are a guideline and on the day if/when we spot some nice diversions it will be nice to do a bit of exploring anyway rather than sticking to a strict itinerary
Cheers
sorry but it's the Day 1 route that has the 'wrong Pandy diversion' - as originally, at Cemmaes Road (village) at the roundabout continue north on the A470 (not east) to get to Dinas Mawddyw(I couldn't find the Real Pandy on google maps, could be inaccurate maps of the area..)
In fairness the routes are a guideline and on the day if/when we spot some nice diversions it will be nice to do a bit of exploring anyway rather than sticking to a strict itinerary
Cheers
(after the Cemmaes Road roundabout look left for the Dove Valley Hotel as you pass)
Edited by nta16 on Thursday 11th July 01:47
both the roads between Llyn Tegrid and Lake Vyrnwy are good and you should get some photos and vids
you're already doing the best part of the one to the south of Llyn Tregrid (Dinas Mawddwy to Llanuwchllyn)
I keep forgetting to put those stopping at Y Giler Arms should take a bit of time to take a look around at the pub's grounds and lake, it doesn't take long and if it's the same couple running the place as two years ago then the landlady is quite proud of the grounds
I'll look for all your reports and photos when you get back, I hope the few roads I've suggested are suitable for the group and liked
have a great time, keep safe
you're already doing the best part of the one to the south of Llyn Tregrid (Dinas Mawddwy to Llanuwchllyn)
I keep forgetting to put those stopping at Y Giler Arms should take a bit of time to take a look around at the pub's grounds and lake, it doesn't take long and if it's the same couple running the place as two years ago then the landlady is quite proud of the grounds
I'll look for all your reports and photos when you get back, I hope the few roads I've suggested are suitable for the group and liked
have a great time, keep safe
mr_fibuli said:
Just a suggestion for one of my favourite roads that you are right by on Day 3. The A525 Nant-y-garth pass - its a tight, twisty, tree covered river gorge.
Then do a U-turn at the college junction at the other end of the pass, wait for a large gap in the traffic, and do it again in the other direction on your way back towards Horseshoe Pass
So glad I saw your post and added this to a little trip I did at the weekend, it was really good Then do a U-turn at the college junction at the other end of the pass, wait for a large gap in the traffic, and do it again in the other direction on your way back towards Horseshoe Pass
Thanks!
Glad you liked it It doesn't really look that great on Google, but those pics capture what it is like pretty well.
The key is getting a long clear stretch of road in front of you before you get to the pass, as most cars dawdle through it, and there are no overtaking spots, just lots of blind corners strung together.
It doesn't really look that great on Google, but those pics capture what it is like pretty well.The key is getting a long clear stretch of road in front of you before you get to the pass, as most cars dawdle through it, and there are no overtaking spots, just lots of blind corners strung together.
2 week countdown / bump!
Anyone wanting to attend who has not booked some accommodation yet I'd advise you do so now!
I'm pretty happy with the route now, after some valued input on here I think its a great tour that will take us down some awesome roads! Looking forward to meeting everyone too
Next week I will make some print outs available for download of each days route, with the key points and sat nav co ordinates. I'll try to keep them simple though and provide an outline as it's not fun to be worrying about a list of directions while trying to drive.
I'll also pick a meeting point at a services on the M4, and try to find a good point (probably a petrol station) near the start of the Brecon Beacons so we can fuel up and meet anyone else who didn't make the M4 stop.
Anyone wanting to attend who has not booked some accommodation yet I'd advise you do so now!
I'm pretty happy with the route now, after some valued input on here I think its a great tour that will take us down some awesome roads! Looking forward to meeting everyone too
Next week I will make some print outs available for download of each days route, with the key points and sat nav co ordinates. I'll try to keep them simple though and provide an outline as it's not fun to be worrying about a list of directions while trying to drive.
I'll also pick a meeting point at a services on the M4, and try to find a good point (probably a petrol station) near the start of the Brecon Beacons so we can fuel up and meet anyone else who didn't make the M4 stop.
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