My perfect Sunday
Discussion
started at 6.30 am at the Keswick Country House Hotel, with a getle bimble across to the A686 to Penrith, then a real good hoon up to Hartside Moor Cafe (not open) where the weather was cool and moist, perfect for the supercharger!
Had a group of 6 other roadsters with me, all topless to get the full effect and managed to stay clear of an S54 M Roadster. The tarmac going up the hill is superbly surfaced, with high grip stuff into the tight hairpins. Going down a little more work for the brakes, but no dramas other than a 'Park Ranger' in (of all things) a Suzuki Jimny, who hogged the 'line' for a while until he turned off. Perhaps it was an awesome drive - in a Jimny, but a little pedestrian for me. Still, everyone's playground and all that. Gentle tootle back across to the hotel for breakfast via the Reghed services (cheap super unleaded).
Packed up and checked out, back over to the A686 again, this time well prepared for the marked trafpol littered around (60 in the twisties is plenty) and they didn't hassle anyone on the hairpined incline to the cafe again, where we (larger group of roadsters) stopped for a coffee/sticky bun with the bikers etc. A couple of guys were so impressed, they did a quick re-run.
Then it was off across the 686 again, turning east to Hexham. Popped south for lunch at Slaley Hall, then the revelation of the day.
The B6278 from just south of Conssett down through Stanhope (should really have avoided the ford, but survived), then continue until a right for Middleton in Teesdale for a brief stint on the B6277 (East) turining South again on the B6276 all the way down to Brough. Absolutely awesome run.
I usually keep roads like this to myself, but my companions all said it was the best drive etc... and I just feel benevolent enough to let my PH buddies know about it.
I'd be interested who else has already done this route.
Will definitely be doing it again!
Had a group of 6 other roadsters with me, all topless to get the full effect and managed to stay clear of an S54 M Roadster. The tarmac going up the hill is superbly surfaced, with high grip stuff into the tight hairpins. Going down a little more work for the brakes, but no dramas other than a 'Park Ranger' in (of all things) a Suzuki Jimny, who hogged the 'line' for a while until he turned off. Perhaps it was an awesome drive - in a Jimny, but a little pedestrian for me. Still, everyone's playground and all that. Gentle tootle back across to the hotel for breakfast via the Reghed services (cheap super unleaded).
Packed up and checked out, back over to the A686 again, this time well prepared for the marked trafpol littered around (60 in the twisties is plenty) and they didn't hassle anyone on the hairpined incline to the cafe again, where we (larger group of roadsters) stopped for a coffee/sticky bun with the bikers etc. A couple of guys were so impressed, they did a quick re-run.
Then it was off across the 686 again, turning east to Hexham. Popped south for lunch at Slaley Hall, then the revelation of the day.
The B6278 from just south of Conssett down through Stanhope (should really have avoided the ford, but survived), then continue until a right for Middleton in Teesdale for a brief stint on the B6277 (East) turining South again on the B6276 all the way down to Brough. Absolutely awesome run.
I usually keep roads like this to myself, but my companions all said it was the best drive etc... and I just feel benevolent enough to let my PH buddies know about it.
I'd be interested who else has already done this route.
Will definitely be doing it again!
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