The best roads within a 30/40ish mile radius of Bournemouth

[Joe - Exige S]

Hi all,
This has probably been well discussed in the past but I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

A couple off the top of my head are:

I rather enjoy the Christchurch to Ringwood road for a handy blast.

Actually one of my favourite sections of road for "evaluating" a car is the short section of road between the Hurn roundabout and the Christchurch to Ringwood road - This sorts the wheat from the chaff!

Various New Forest roads

+ I encountered some fantastic roads (A356) on a visit to Ariel (Atom) factory/barn at the end of last year. - North Perrott - Somerset .


Cheers,
Joe

[jonbanff]

best road has to be the run from the chain ferry at sandbanks to corfe castle. twisty roads, great fun

[Joe - Exige S]

True - I forgot to mention that one - It's one of my favourites too

[gooby]

jonbanff said:

best road has to be the run from the chain ferry at sandbanks to corfe castle. twisty roads, great fun

This is the famous "Burger run" road and my favourite all time road. It is also the road where I found my deer so it has to be treated with a hell of a lot of respect. B3351 "new Road".
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=219739

The A350 is a hoot, there are a series of 90 degree bends interspersed with straights and the rest of the road is a real rollercoaster.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=205175

Dont forget Zig Zag hill.
www.pistonheads.tv/clip468

>> Edited by gooby on Friday 3rd March 15:11

[S Works]

I'm looking forward to trying these out with you this summer mate. Have been doing a similar exercise locally here in Kent. I am organising a superb little run (even if I do say so myself ) for our Easter Daytrip to the coast for fish n chips. All welcome if you've nothing better to do on the 15th of April and fancy a day out in Kent.

[Joe - Exige S]

S Works said:

I'm looking forward to trying these out with you this summer mate. Have been doing a similar exercise locally here in Kent. I am organising a superb little run (even if I do say so myself ) for our Easter Daytrip to the coast for fish n chips. All welcome if you've nothing better to do on the 15th of April and fancy a day out in Kent.

I can't wait for this summer it's going to be fantastic! - I had to carry a load of holiday over from last year so I'm off work from the 13th April to May 2nd - I really hope Lotus build my car in time for me to pick it up on the 13th, if so I'm up for a trip to Kent to pile on those frustrating running in miles.

[gooby]

Joe - Exige S said:

I can't wait for this summer it's going to be fantastic! - I had to carry a load of holiday over from last year so I'm off work from the 13th April to May 2nd - I really hope Lotus build my car in time for me to pick it up on the 13th, if so I'm up for a trip to Kent to pile on those frustrating running in miles.

The running in miles are a good thing. It makes you get used to the handling of the car at low speeds before you attempt high speeds. It is still frustrating!

[Joe - Exige S]

Very true - The sensible side of me has always thought of it as a blessing in disguise!

[gooby]

Joe - Exige S said:

Very true - The sensible side of me has always thought of it as a blessing in disguise!

It has taken months to realise this. You just dont buy a Lotus to be sensible! You will be a nervous wreck by the time your car is delivered. After seeing one last night, you have very good reason.

Tony Shute has developed and driven the best, with the best drivers in the world. He got out of that 220 with a huge smile and whenever he mentioned the car he would smile from ear to ear. For a car to affect him that much, it has got to be good. |Especially if you see some of his other toys. (Expose and Track car!)

[beachbum]

Arrowsmith Road, it runs from Merley Road, down to the bottom of Gravel hill, coming out just before the roundabout.

Its not very long, but very technical, narrow and down right scarey in the wet

[dgr]

B3081 Wimborne - Cranborne, left at the Horton Inn and across to the Salisbury - Blandford road.

[gooby]

dgr said:

B3081 Wimborne - Cranborne, left at the Horton Inn and across to the Salisbury - Blandford road.

I have never seen that road driven better than Philygumbo!

[simonk]

I used to take the wessex way out to ashley heath which got the car nicely warmed up then right at the roundabout but off immediately to verwood. Take the b3081 through verwood, sixpenny handley, almost to shaftesbury. Then back to blandford on the melbury abbas road, then the b3082 back to wimbourne.

Happy memories of that run, but not done it for 2 years as Ive moved away.

Simon

[Lotustuart]

simonk said:

Take the b3081 through verwood, sixpenny handley, almost to shaftesbury. Then back to blandford on the melbury abbas road, then the b3082 back to wimbourne. Simon

That is indeed a great road! Thats part of my "Dorset Dawdle"!

Must remember to organise another run soon!

[philygumbo]

gooby said:

dgr said: B3081 Wimborne - Cranborne, left at the Horton Inn and across to the Salisbury - Blandford road. I have never seen that road driven better than Philygumbo!

Oh Im blushing now. I take it you mean I always stay within the safe speed limit and give way to everyone. ( my wife might read this).

[gooby]

philygumbo said:

gooby said: dgr said: B3081 Wimborne - Cranborne, left at the Horton Inn and across to the Salisbury - Blandford road. I have never seen that road driven better than Philygumbo! Oh Im blushing now. I take it you mean I always stay within the safe speed limit and give way to everyone. ( my wife might read this).

I have no idea, I couldnt keep up or see what you were doing!
she will kill you now

[Joe - Exige S]

Hi all,
Thanks to everyone for their input - I devised a route and test drove it on Sat - Perfect driving day!

Down to Sandbanks - Across to Studland on the ferry
Through the backroads to Swanage and then back to Corfe Castle
Down to Lulworth Cove
Back up towards Blandford and then Shaftesbury (B3070, B3075, A350)
Down again via Zig Zag Hill (B3081)
Across to Alderholt - via Cranborne (B3078)
Down past Somerley House to Ringwood
Ringwood to Christchurch road (B3347)
Take a right through to Hurn and then back home.

Fantastic set of roads - I cannot wait until my Exige S arrives!