Yorks-Lincs-Notts loop: My Dream Drive
Just south of Doncaster lies an absorbing Dream Drive with some Cold War history too
Where: Tickhill (S. Yorks) to Gringley (Lincs.) and back
Car used:Porsche 911 Turbo S
Oh for a guarantee of no traffic...
"An undulating hour-long loop taking in the counties of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire.
"It starts and ends wherever you'd like, but typically I'd pick it up and leave it anywhere between Rossington and Robin Hood airport (ex RAF Finningley).
"Mostly it's technical roads interspersed by villages and junctions. Indicated by the often conservative speed limits, it's not the kind of road where you need three figures on the speedo to have fun. The twistiest parts are a nice reminder that fun in cars needn't be anti-social."
Why it's a dream drive:
"Most of it has been handed down to me from my parents, both of whom would enjoy 'scratching' from Sheffield to Cadwell Park every month in summer.
A twisty and entertaining route throughout
"And despite it nestling at the top of the Fens, it's surprisingly hilly and wonderfully picturesque. Caution is required until you really know the roads, as there are plenty of surprising twists and obstacles. But that just adds to the charm."
Highlights and lowlights:
"Nearly every road here has it's own trademark corner, but one of my favourites is the blind crest leaving Rossington towards Tickhill, that quickly turns into a an all-too-short rollercoaster of bends.
Sweet villages aplenty if you want to stop
"The narrow, walking-pace hump-back bridge at Clayworth evokes a sense of 1940s countryside motoring. Though I often imagine what it would be like to drive this in a WRC car with no oncoming traffic. There's also a fantastic view of North Lincolnshire after you leave Gringley On The Hill, shooting down into a quicker section of road with great visibility.
"Despite the changing pace of the route, with its many villages and junctions, my only lowlights would be the overly conservative 50mph on the very, very straight Bank End road, and the frequency with which the many rural level crossings can be shut without warning."
Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Most of this route is anchored around visits to the Mucky Duck, as my parents refer to the pub nearly Gringley (the real name is the White Swan). Not so long ago that car park would be full of fast cars and bikes every night of summer. Now it's abandoned, it feels kind of sad. But it's still part of my route, just for the history.
Well yes, it does look quite inviting
"The old rocket site at Misson is another Cold War throwback, and now houses a company specializing in flogging old military equipment and vehicles, aptly enough."
Follow the route here.
[Source: Wikipedia]
I can vouch for this route, absolutely brilliant, lots of technical bits, some real fast roads and some that will catch out the ill-prepared.
Well done, sir!
Ps I don't know what happened to my score, I chose 10/10 but it shows as 5; patently untrue!!!
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