Golden Hour Drives
Discussion
Is anyone else enjoying going for a drive at the end of the day? At this time of year, it stays light til 9-10pm or later, however most people tend not to be out on the roads after supper, so you have the combination of sunny weather and fairly empty roads at a civilised time of day.
Had a fun loop from Cambridge last week, and just got in from a run around the North York Moors, both with lots of free running on fairly decent roads that are normally busy.
The Monday of the Jubilee weeked I was coming home from Rhum. The ferry wasn't into Mallaig until 6:30pm.I walked round to my car, passed several sets of roadworks on the Mallaig - Glenfinnan section and had a bite in Fort William.
Ended ended up driving home along the A82 thorough Glen Coe etc after 9pm with very quiet roads. Quiet enough that I wasn't held up more than a minute or so behind anything before getting a clear road for the overtake.
But the weirest drive I've had in the last few years was driving to and from Wester Ross just at the start of the first lockdown. I went up on the Sunday before lockdown. Although no lockdown was in force the roads were already deserted. I never caught up with another car from the Loch Lochy to Glen Shiel. 40 odd miles.
I spent the next two nights in the hills with no phone signal to find we were locked down when I walked out. A similar quiet drive on the way down. Almost nothing bar the odd van or camper before the Great Glen and very little traffic thereafter.
Ended ended up driving home along the A82 thorough Glen Coe etc after 9pm with very quiet roads. Quiet enough that I wasn't held up more than a minute or so behind anything before getting a clear road for the overtake.
But the weirest drive I've had in the last few years was driving to and from Wester Ross just at the start of the first lockdown. I went up on the Sunday before lockdown. Although no lockdown was in force the roads were already deserted. I never caught up with another car from the Loch Lochy to Glen Shiel. 40 odd miles.
I spent the next two nights in the hills with no phone signal to find we were locked down when I walked out. A similar quiet drive on the way down. Almost nothing bar the odd van or camper before the Great Glen and very little traffic thereafter.
Last Summer, about 8pm, I left an Indian restaurant in Portree, Skye and drove back down to Tokavaig where we were staying.
Trip of about 40 miles. Didn't see another car in front of me or behind me, and only a few coming the other way.
The only thing that held us up was a cow standing in the road about 2 miles from home
I do remember a similar drive from Cardiff up to the north coast of Wales in the evening and seeing little traffic and having a blast in my old E36, when it was pretty new.
So a long time ago
Trip of about 40 miles. Didn't see another car in front of me or behind me, and only a few coming the other way.
The only thing that held us up was a cow standing in the road about 2 miles from home
I do remember a similar drive from Cardiff up to the north coast of Wales in the evening and seeing little traffic and having a blast in my old E36, when it was pretty new.
So a long time ago
COM31E said:
It's also similar early morning.
I drove to work this morning, 5am, blazing sunshine, top down, not much else on the road. I pretty much live and work in town, but it was a nice drive in this morning, even if it was only 8 miles.
Early morning drives are great and the best way of getting out of town swiftly. From May until September I usually get up around 5am for a blast in the countryside, roof down when possible. I love stopping for a coffee somewhere when the cafe has just opened before heading off again. One of life’s greatest pleasures. I drove to work this morning, 5am, blazing sunshine, top down, not much else on the road. I pretty much live and work in town, but it was a nice drive in this morning, even if it was only 8 miles.
GravelBen said:
That’s an amazing picture. 
Can anyone afford to drive just for the sake of it at the moment? On a more serious note, the roads around my village are particularly quiet after about 7 these days. I need to make the most of it.
At the moment, very much!
Last night, drove the Jaun pass to interlaken and back. Last weekend did the Simplon pass ending up at zermatt for sunset. Stunning views and weather just crappy hire car! Will be here again next month so deffo think I’ll be bringing my riding gear and renting a bike.
Last night, drove the Jaun pass to interlaken and back. Last weekend did the Simplon pass ending up at zermatt for sunset. Stunning views and weather just crappy hire car! Will be here again next month so deffo think I’ll be bringing my riding gear and renting a bike.
I really miss having the car to do it. GR86 on order so will be doing plenty of them once that turns up.
My last good one was when I did Welsh 3 Peaks last year and was the last fast run in my Skoda from Swansea to Snowdon. To start Snowdon early (1:30am) I left late evening with still a little light left. Apart from passing one car outside Llandeilo it was a completely clear run and the best the car has ever felt. Did Cader, saw family in Aber, then headed to Pen Y Fan to catch it at Sunset. When I finished it I had a Sunset drive all the way home on empty roads, over Penderyn and down the A465. Was a great day climbing mountains but I enjoyed the driving just as much.
After I finished Uni years ago I felt burned out from the process so to destress and unwind, I did a lot of these drive round Mid Wales. Probably for a bit longer than I should have but don't regret it.
My last good one was when I did Welsh 3 Peaks last year and was the last fast run in my Skoda from Swansea to Snowdon. To start Snowdon early (1:30am) I left late evening with still a little light left. Apart from passing one car outside Llandeilo it was a completely clear run and the best the car has ever felt. Did Cader, saw family in Aber, then headed to Pen Y Fan to catch it at Sunset. When I finished it I had a Sunset drive all the way home on empty roads, over Penderyn and down the A465. Was a great day climbing mountains but I enjoyed the driving just as much.
After I finished Uni years ago I felt burned out from the process so to destress and unwind, I did a lot of these drive round Mid Wales. Probably for a bit longer than I should have but don't regret it.
Chubbyross said:
COM31E said:
It's also similar early morning.
I drove to work this morning, 5am, blazing sunshine, top down, not much else on the road. I pretty much live and work in town, but it was a nice drive in this morning, even if it was only 8 miles.
Early morning drives are great and the best way of getting out of town swiftly. From May until September I usually get up around 5am for a blast in the countryside, roof down when possible. I love stopping for a coffee somewhere when the cafe has just opened before heading off again. One of life’s greatest pleasures. I drove to work this morning, 5am, blazing sunshine, top down, not much else on the road. I pretty much live and work in town, but it was a nice drive in this morning, even if it was only 8 miles.
You don't even need to drive fast to enjoy it, even just driving along Newcastle Quayside this morning was a delight.
Court_S said:
That’s an amazing picture.
Can anyone afford to drive just for the sake of it at the moment? On a more serious note, the roads around my village are particularly quiet after about 7 these days. I need to make the most of it.
20mpg at an average of 40mph is about £18/hour of petrol... You raise a good point! That's more expensive than going to the cinema (popcorn excluded before someone from London reminds me it's £50 a scoop in Leicester Square now Can anyone afford to drive just for the sake of it at the moment? On a more serious note, the roads around my village are particularly quiet after about 7 these days. I need to make the most of it.
)Absolutely, I also recommend using https://www.viamichelin.co.uk for planning a route using the 'Discovery' planning option (They also have a app)
I've found some cracking driving roads that I didn't know about, most of which are really quiet too.
I've found some cracking driving roads that I didn't know about, most of which are really quiet too.
COM31E said:
Chubbyross said:
COM31E said:
It's also similar early morning.
I drove to work this morning, 5am, blazing sunshine, top down, not much else on the road. I pretty much live and work in town, but it was a nice drive in this morning, even if it was only 8 miles.
Early morning drives are great and the best way of getting out of town swiftly. From May until September I usually get up around 5am for a blast in the countryside, roof down when possible. I love stopping for a coffee somewhere when the cafe has just opened before heading off again. One of life’s greatest pleasures. I drove to work this morning, 5am, blazing sunshine, top down, not much else on the road. I pretty much live and work in town, but it was a nice drive in this morning, even if it was only 8 miles.
You don't even need to drive fast to enjoy it, even just driving along Newcastle Quayside this morning was a delight.
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