Midlanders Late Spring Blast

[raf dug]

EmmaP said:

Yesterday was the first day without pain or stiffness. I am seeing the osteopath again on Tuesday and she thinks that that will be the last session. It seems to be a joint problem. I have been carrying too much photography gear and my computer set up is all wrong. I have bought a trolley and changed my computer set up, so should be ok from now on, fingers crossed. Thanks for asking

Thats good to hear we will have to have a out soon

[EmmaP]

Yes! Definitely. I am starting an advanced driving course next week. I am really excited about doing it. I will, all going to plan, be taking the test after 31st May.

[Chassis 33]

Righto, I'll be up at the Boat again on Wednesday so will put a booking in then. Im sure any others can be added as and when.

As for b&b's theres a choice of 3 thats are "reccommended" by folks at the Boat, i think going from the cheapest to the most expensive...

Wynnstay Arms Hotel
High Street
Ruabon Clwyd LL14 6BL
Tel: [phone])

Cross Lanes Country House Hotel
Bangor Rd
Cross Lanes,
Wrexham
LL13 0TF
(01978) 780555

Lion Quays Hotel
Moreton
Nr Weston Rhyn
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 3EN
01691 684300

Incase you want to see the relative locations the Boat is Erbistock, Wrexham LL13 0DL. Taxis can be called!

Having said that if the numbers stay as they are, I could put minimax V15Ben and BG up at my house...

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Right, I've booked a table (initially) for 8 at The Boat for 7pm on the 28th. That number can grow or shrink as needs be. Currently the usual suspects are

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
Balmoral Green
EmmaP (but Saturday only)
V15ben
Minimax
Quinny

I've mentioned this on one of the North Wales threads so we may get a few extra PH'ers meeting us...inter-regional meets, whatever next!

One thing that has been mentioned is that apparently we need to book tickets for the Snowdon train in advance cos things get busy esp. during bank holidays. So do we want to walk it or be lazy and catch the train? I'm all up for walking so-long as it isnt 70mph winds!
Regards
Iain

[raf dug]

I will be doing a similar run to this 5 nights on the trot this week. Stafford-Bala-porthmadog-pwllheli-stafford, lots of twisty mountain roads sometimes I rather like my job

[stone]

Is there a route plan yet! I'm definately interested in joining up somewhere en route! By the way that link to the boat isn't working

Cheers

[Chassis 33]

stone said:

Is there a route plan yet! I'm definately interested in joining up somewhere en route! By the way that link to the boat isn't working Cheers

erm, no route as of yet...must speak to Balmoral about that. Where will you be coming from? Do you want to eat etc etc?

(It looks like the whole group's site is down atm)

Regards
Iain

[stone]

I'll be coming from Stafford! Any further details! Cheers

[M@H]

Just how big and where is the Midlands..? I keep seeing "Midlands" Meets like this popping up and thinking YAY chance for a ...but then finding out you're all over 100 miles north of me.

Clearly my fault for living in the arse end of nowhere on the edge of the "west midlands"..

[chassis 33]

M@H said:

Just how big and where is the Midlands..? I keep seeing "Midlands" Meets like this popping up and thinking YAY chance for a ...but then finding out you're all over 100 miles north of me. Clearly my fault for living in the arse end of nowhere on the edge of the "west midlands"..

Erm... Good question, personally i'm not "midlands" but the guys in the nottingham area (East Midlands)are a great crowd, plus i love the blast along the A50 so I head over there.

Theres a group sort of around Shrewsbury, regmole etc, who I think meet up or are planning to, Hereford - Shrewbury isnt that bad along the A49 is it?

Having said that I wouldnt mind a blast down to Hereford then maybe on to attack the Malverns some time.

But yes Midlands does cover a big place!

Regards
Iain

[M@H]

chassis 33 said:

Theres a group sort of around Shrewsbury, regmole etc, who I think meet up or are planning to, Hereford - Shrewbury isnt that bad along the A49 is it?

I've not driven all the way up there before so can't comment too much.. but its just over 60 miles to Shrew from my house

Now what would be really cool would be a UK map where we can all plot the co-ordinates of where we are.. or at least some lists by county..?

[Naughty Magpie]

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
Balmoral Green
EmmaP (but Saturday only)
V15ben
Minimax
Quinny
Naughty Magpie
Scott (Mr Magpie)

[stone]

Naughty Magpie said:

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad Balmoral Green EmmaP (but Saturday only) V15ben Minimax Quinny Naughty Magpie Scott (Mr Magpie)

Can I come Everyones ignoring me.....

[chassis 33]

stone said:

Can I come Everyones ignoring me.....

Well put your name down in the list then, sorry, its already been a long day thats gonna get very much longer...

What I think I'll end up doing is post the itinery hopefully this weekend so you can decide when and where to meet the convoy from Nott'num/Derby area. I'm going to suggest that we go via M6 Jct 16, to help if your coming up from Stone/Stafford area, theres a travel lodge, little chef etc etc there so we can stretch our legs. Are the Magpies coming up from South Shropshire A41/A49? Would meeting somewhere a little north of Whitchurch on the saturday afternoon be of use?

The list for the meal is now

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
Balmoral Green*
EmmaP (but Saturday only)
V15ben*
Minimax*
Quinny
Naughty Magpie
Scott (Mr Magpie)
Stone

*I've said i can put folks up at my house to save on a B&B on the Saturday night, we have one more spare bed before we have to resort to sleeping bags on the floor, or tents in the garden, so contact me if you want to stay, there will be pleanty of bacon butties early Sunday morning to make sure we get to Snowdon before the crowds.

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

I've done a quick preliminary route for the western half of Saturday and the Sunday, timings will follow.

Saturday
M6 Jct 16 > A500 > Nantwich > A534 > Burland > Lanes (via Chorley, Cholmondeley, Hampton Heath, Malpas, Bangor On Dee) > A483 @ Johnstown > A539 > Llangollen, via Trevor & Aquaduct > over Worlds End > Coedpoeth > A525 > Llandegla > A542 > Llangollen (via horseshoe Pass) > overnight stop > The Boat for 7pm

Sunday
Overnight stop > Early rise > A483 > A5 @ Chirk > Betws-y-Coed > Capel Curig > A4086 > Pen-y-Pass or Llanberis > walk up Snowdon > home (A5, A495, A525, A50 for the eastern folks)

Anyone got any comments?

Regards
Iain

[v15ben]

chassis 33 said:

I've done a quick preliminary route for the western half of Saturday and the Sunday, timings will follow. Saturday M6 Jct 16 > A500 > Nantwich > A534 > Burland > Lanes (via Chorley, Cholmondeley, Hampton Heath, Malpas, Bangor On Dee) > A483 @ Johnstown > A539 > Llangollen, via Trevor & Aquaduct > over Worlds End > Coedpoeth > A525 > Llandegla > A542 > Llangollen (via horseshoe Pass) > overnight stop > The Boat for 7pm Sunday Overnight stop > Early rise > A483 > A5 @ Chirk > Betws-y-Coed > Capel Curig > A4086 > Pen-y-Pass or Llanberis > walk up Snowdon > home (A5, A495, A525, A50 for the eastern folks) Anyone got any comments? Regards Iain

Bravo! on that route! I will be there provided I can get a lift lol

[Balmoral Green]

The route from Nottingham to junction 16 of the M6 doesnt leave any great scope for good driving roads. If folks want a direct route leaving the serious driving for Wales, then basically it looks like the A50 straight into Stoke on Trent and the A500 through Stoke to junction 16, this will be boring but leave us plenty of time for a nice trundle around Chassis neck of the woods.

The other option is to take a more circuitous route from Nottingham to junction 16, no point going South, so suggest a Northern diversion.

Nottingham, A610 to Ripley and onto the A6, back track slightly to Belper, A517 to Ashbourne, A515 to Buxton, A54 to Congleton (or the A537 Cat & Fiddle to Macclesfield, then the A536 to Congleton), A534 to junction 17 of the M6 then down to junction 16.

If anyone knows of any great routes from the vicinity of Nottingham to junction 16'ish, please post. I cant think of anything really good.

[chassis 33]

Balmoral Green said:

The route from Nottingham to junction 16 of the M6 doesnt leave any great scope for good driving roads. If folks want a direct route leaving the serious driving for Wales, then basically it looks like the A50 straight into Stoke on Trent and the A500 through Stoke to junction 16, this will be boring but leave us plenty of time for a nice trundle around Chassis neck of the woods. The other option is to take a more circuitous route from Nottingham to junction 16, no point going South, so suggest a Northern diversion. Nottingham, A610 to Ripley and onto the A6, back track slightly to Belper, A517 to Ashbourne, A515 to Buxton, A54 to Congleton (or the A537 Cat & Fiddle to Macclesfield, then the A536 to Congleton), A534 to junction 17 of the M6 then down to junction 16. If anyone knows of any great routes from the vicinity of Nottingham to junction 16'ish, please post. I cant think of anything really good.

Pooh. erm, i suggested Jct16 as it would be usful for anyone like Stone coming up from Stafford area. Dont they close the Cat and Fiddle route over bank holidays to try and stop bikers killing themselves?

Warren, i realise i jumped the gun slightly, sorry, should of held back. What would be your prefered route from Nott'num/Belper? Is one junction of the M6 any great hassle? How long will it take from Nottingham to somewhere i east cheshire?

Emma, Warren, Tom, Ben, what would you prefer? Morning tank along the A50 or a "proper drive" thru the Peak district? I dont mind, i just want everyone to have fun and feel theyve spent a good couple of days behind the wheel.

Regards
Iain

[Balmoral Green]

Personally, I reckon a straightforward cruise along the A50 to junction 16 late of the morning will be fine. We will be doing plenty of Welsh motoring in the afternoon anyway without flogging it in the morning too. Then we are overnighting and driving to Snowdon on the Sunday, so no shortage of hooning opportunity.

Any plans for the Friday night in Nottingham?

[EmmaP]

Hiya Chaps!

I think a cruise along the A50 will be fine. I do want to make it to Chesire in one piece

Latish start is always good on a Saturday, ie after 10.30/11.00am. Friday night I could be tempted I train on a Friday night, but would be up for most things after 9pm. Food will be a priority, though I can always grab a bag of chips.

You are still very welcome to passenger with me Ben, if you want to. Maybe you could slag your way between me, Warren and Tom (that is if Tom has a car that works by then )