Stoke to Bangor - help me pick a route?

[parapaul]

Myself and 3 like-minded friends in my 330d next weekend, heading out for a stag do. We have the whole morning realistically, so I'm not necessarily looking for the most direct route.

Google maps is rubbish, and just suggests the A55, but looking at it, there's Bala, the whole of Snowdonia and probably even part of the Evo triangle.

Oh, and possibly a breakfast stop along the way if anyone knows anywhere?

Over to you, the wise ones of PH

[EvoBarry]

First glance, I would suggest, across the M6> A525 to Whitchurch, then A495 to A5 and then just pray for low traffic on the A5... once you get past Betws y coed its a great road on to Bangor. A525 has some great fresh tarmac sections, and sweeping bends, A495 has some nice sections in it too, I use both a lot on the bike..

If you fancy a decent detour, take A494 to Bala, A4212 at Bala and head across the top, then take the B4391 (superb piece of road imho) then pick up the A470 back to the A5...

[parapaul]

That's kind of what I was looking at - then possibly cut down to Bala, back up to take in the two sides of the EVO triangle, and relax back along the A5 to finish off?

I know there's a nice lake at Bala, I would guess it has eateries of some description?

[EvoBarry]

Bala has numerous eateries, it depends what you're after. There is a little cafe right on the lakeside/roadside, or the pubs on the right as you come into town always does good grub ime. Plas Yn Dre.

Evo triangle leaves me a little cold tbh, there are better roads in that area, its just that this one has a good combination of challenges for most cars, so it suits the testers needs. B4391 is more fun to my mind...and quieter too.

[BMWBen]

EvoBarry said:

First glance, I would suggest, across the M6> A525 to Whitchurch, then A495 to A5 and then just pray for low traffic on the A5... once you get past Betws y coed its a great road on to Bangor. A525 has some great fresh tarmac sections, and sweeping bends, A495 has some nice sections in it too, I use both a lot on the bike..

If you fancy a decent detour, take A494 to Bala, A4212 at Bala and head across the top, then take the B4391 (superb piece of road imho) then pick up the A470 back to the A5...

Funny coincidence - I discovered the B4391 this weekend on my way to North Wales from London! Spectacular bit of road. The surface is a bit ropey in places, but it truly is glorious. Quite like a mini version of the hardknock pass in cumbria but without the crazy switchbacks and gradient.

Really enjoyed it. GOing north to south was the best way, means you get the glorious valley opening up before you as you come over the top of the pass and start going down again. When you climb the other way it's not as noticable. Some crazy drops off the side of that bit


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=B4391,+LL23+7,+Uni...

[EDLT]

There is always at least one mobile speed trap on the 50mph sections of the A55 if you do go that way (or there has been every time I go along there).

[parapaul]

EDLT said:

There is always at least one mobile speed trap on the 50mph sections of the A55 if you do go that way (or there has been every time I go along there).

Thanks. I wouldn't push my luck on any speed limited road that I didn't know... B roads are where it's at