EVO triangle

[mikey k]

That's been on the cards for a while
Something will be done at some point
It's got too popular and too many consider it a race track
It happened on the infamous A4069 in the Black Mountains recently

Due to muppetry like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPBCRvMMf8Q

[MrBarry123]

I'm off on a little jaunt in early August. Is it going to be rammed at that time of year?

[Dblue]

MrBarry123 said:

I'm off on a little jaunt in early August. Is it going to be rammed at that time of year?

It's never rammed, they aren't roads that go anywhere as such (Well the A5 is but thats not really what we're talking about here)

[MonsterST]

I had such an amazing time on the EVO Triangle. I cannot wait to go back, then back again, then back again. I did a little write up if anyone is interested as I love reading such things.

IMG_3377IMG_ by Adam Powell, on Flickr

[MrBarry123]

Dblue said:

MrBarry123 said:

I'm off on a little jaunt in early August. Is it going to be rammed at that time of year?

It's never rammed, they aren't roads that go anywhere as such (Well the A5 is but thats not really what we're talking about here)

Excellent, thanks.

[Zed 44]

If you are still set on going to Wales for a blast, check out "Speeding Wars", first episode two days ago (now available on ITV Iplayer).

http://www.itv.com/hub/speeding-wars/2a4188a0001

From coppers declaring war on speeding motorists in Wales to the profusion of speed cameras and a group of doddering old do-gooders in Ticknall Derbyshire, the enjoyment of the thrill of driving is being exterminated on the congested roads of modern Britain.

So, what's left? Track days. That's about it. Or for me, going abroad.

There are thousands of good roads on the Continent where it is possible to enjoy driving on relatively uninhabited and un policed roads. Many would challenge you even staying within the statutory speed limits.

Many of these roads are closer than you would think. Of course you have the cross channel expense but when you weigh it up against the possibility of a heavy fine, points, loss of license or even worse a serious accident....

What amazes me is how the Evo triangle and now the North Coast 500 have ever achieved the iconic status they have. Most are narrow, bumpy roads occupied by sheep all year and caravans in the summer. I have yet to see a consistently challenging stretch of road inWales or Scotland unless of course you were driving over 100mph as was the guy who got pulled in the Evo in the opening sequence above.

Meanwhile, I look forward to wonderful Continental roads this summer.

Edited by Zed 44 on Thursday 17th March 17:02

[Slippydiff]

Carry on

[Red Devil]

Zed 44 said:

If you are still set on going to Wales for a blast, check out "Speeding Wars", first episode two days ago (now available on ITV Iplayer).
?
http://www.itv.com/hub/speeding-wars/2a4188a0001

The observation skills of Sgt Shane Davies/(Davis?) are a bit worrying if he can't even correctly identify the make/model of a car which overtakes him. That's no Subaru boyo: it's got the triple lozenge badge plus EVOLUTION and MR in big silver and red letters respectively on the boot. That should be quite sufficient to know what it actually is for someone whose job involves policing traffic on the roads of Wales.

Zed 44 said:

What amazes me is how the Evo triangle and now the North Coast 500 have ever achieved the iconic status they have. Most are narrow, bumpy roads occupied by sheep all year and caravans in the summer. I have yet to see a consistently challenging stretch of road inWales or Scotland unless of course you were driving over 100mph as was the guy who got pulled in the Evo in the opening sequence above.

I've been doing the North Coast 500 roads from way before the North Highland Initiative came up with the brand name as a marketing tool. You seem to be equating challenging with very high speed. That's not primarily what the NC500 is about (although it is quite possible to travel at a speed which attracts points on ~40% of it: as someone I know found out at one point last year).

Your comment about most of it being narrow bumpy roads occupied by sheep all year is a massive generalisation. It certainly doesn't apply to the A9/A99 from Inverness to JoG. The A832/A835 from Gorstan to Achnasheen and Kinlochewe to Ullapool (it omits the Achnasheen to Kinlochewe section) is neither narrow nor bumpy (although you may encounter some sheep). Nor is the A890 from Achnasheen to Strathcarron, or the A835/A837 from Ullapool to Lochinver.

There is a simple way to avoid encountering a caravan in the Highlands (I have yet to do so): don't go there in the summer! I'll be up there in just over 3 weeks time. The only part of the NC500 I won't be traversing at any time during the trip is the section of the A9 from the Tore roundabout to The Mound.

Give me the Highlands every time. I'll be doing ~1000 miles up there: there is no way to achieve that total in Wales on equivalent roads without driving some of them more than once. The only slight downside is the distance required to reach them from where I live. The consolation is there are some excellent roads to be enjoyed on the way by being prepared to take an extra day and detour away from motorways and/or other major routes.

[Zed 44]

I'm glad you like these roads but I still maintain that they would not be challenging at <60mph.







You seem to imply that the N.C.500 is not about about speed which sort of begs the question of why it has such iconic status on this and other forums. But you even posted 2 youtube videos in that shouted Scottish roads = speed:

Red Devil


Tuesday 23rd February quote quote all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYTWt9C77WE (air at 0:54 & 1.00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwJ_zJguZf0 (from 3:50)

Interestingly the editor of Evo, Nick Trott, takes to task anyone who speeds on a public road in this month's issue, May, 2016,, saying "we'll never condone speeding on the road". This following tail out, on the limit driving on public roads throughout Britain and abroad in most of the issues they produce.

So, if challenging is not about speed and Nick Trott says we shouldn't, what is it about?

Edited by Zed 44 on Thursday 24th March 15:57

[theshrew]

It's not exactly hot off the press that the Welsh dibble have a clamp down. It's been like that for years and they are right jobsworth fkers.

Go and explore the area there are plenty of other better roads that are less frequently policed.

Or get up into the lakes, the roads and scenery are just as good with a bonus of sod all traffic if you know where to go.

[Slippydiff]

^ This.
Choose your time for a thrash around The Triangle and other roads in the area sensibly, ie preferably not weekends (and specifically this or any other BH weekend), and I'd suggest not between 9 am and 5pm if you must go on a weekend.
I don't want to tempt fate, but I've done hundreds of laps of The Triangle and the surrounding roads over the past 12-14 years without any issues whatsoever, but I choose my times carefully.

If however you decide to head up there for some fun this afternoon (Fri,) tomorrow or Sunday between 9am and 5pm I suspect there's every chance you'll get caught in the net ostensibly set up to catch the hoardes of motorcyclists who'll descend on the area if the weather is good.

Chief Constable Brunstrom retired 7 years ago, he clearly had "issues" with speeding and specifically motorcyclists speeding, I'm not suggesting any more leniency will be shown in the event you do get caught speeding up in N.Wales, but I don't think motorists are seen as quite the bete noire they once were in the area.

[Zed 44]

Ok, so not weekends , not Bank Holidays and not between 9am and 5pm . Enjoy.

[Tickle]

I went this morning, great empty roads apart from a Boxter. I only tend to go first thing, as early as the conditions allow (light, damp etc). I'm only 45 mins away so early morning runs out suit me plus as it's quiet and can be home for lunch time. I have been on an evening in the Summer but on a week night, again that was quiet.

As said above there are better roads in the area but the Triangle is convenient for me when pushed for time.

As long as you are sensible, use your eyes and brain you can make the most of these great roads. Sure there are better in Scotland or Europe but at least our cars are getting used as intended and in some of most scenic parts of the UK

[Slippydiff]

Zed 44 said:

Ok, so not weekends , not Bank Holidays and not between 9am and 5pm . Enjoy.

The clocks go forward in less than 36 hours, that'll leave evenings and early mornings over the next 6 months. A bit like Tickle I used to live within 35 minutes of The Triangle, I frequently went there midweek during the day or late evenings,or indeed weekends in the evening and it would frequently be abandoned.

You seem to have a real bee in your bonnet about the ANY UK roads, that's your prerogative, but trying to convince everyone else that they're not worthy isn't making you look like the smartest cookie.

[G J S]

I drove the EVO triangle at around 3 or 4pm on Thursday 17th March, the only cars I came across was the 5 minutes or so of traffic on the A5 due to road resurfacing. The B4501 and the A543 were dead, no police in sight either.

I drove a lot of roads that week in Wales from south to north and back again.
The EVO triangle didn't stand out as being particularly special but you can see the attraction and why it is liked. I guess it very much depends on what sort of road you want to drive though.

[Jamesf288]

EVO Magazine did not claim 'The Triangle' to be one of the best driving roads in Wales/Britain, rather, it provided a suitable blend of roads to test the abilities of a performance car. As a relative local (I grew up in north Wales) and as many on here have said, there are better, less populated, roads to enjoy in that part of the world.

[antiok]

Did both sides a few hours apart as part of a bigger run today. It's OK but I really don't get why anyone thinks it's that special. So bumpy and rutted!

[Dblue]

theshrew said:

It's not exactly hot off the press that the Welsh dibble have a clamp down. It's been like that for years and they are right jobsworth fkers.

Go and explore the area there are plenty of other better roads that are less frequently policed.

Or get up into the lakes, the roads and scenery are just as good with a bonus of sod all traffic if you know where to go.

Even if you think you know where to go the Lakes are massively busier at all times than Wales. There is hardly any traffic on the triangle at any time and only the A5 has lakeland levels of traffic. There's just much less tourist traffic and many more miles of moorland road
Scotland likewise is even emptier. The borders are actually a much better bet than the lakes

[mikey k]

Dblue said:

theshrew said:

It's not exactly hot off the press that the Welsh dibble have a clamp down. It's been like that for years and they are right jobsworth fkers.

Go and explore the area there are plenty of other better roads that are less frequently policed.

Or get up into the lakes, the roads and scenery are just as good with a bonus of sod all traffic if you know where to go.

Even if you think you know where to go the Lakes are massively busier at all times than Wales. There is hardly any traffic on the triangle at any time and only the A5 has lakeland levels of traffic. There's just much less tourist traffic and many more miles of moorland road
Scotland likewise is even emptier. The borders are actually a much better bet than the lakes

my annual visit last week

DSC01138 by Mikey K 650S, on Flickr

[craigbeal]

The triangle is about 20min drive from my house but had never been. Went down on a week day a couple of months ago and very little traffic to be fair

https://youtu.be/XzR3lrUAuv4