Dawn dash to Cheddar Gorge

Dawn dash to Cheddar Gorge

Author
Discussion

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
Would anyone fancy a crack of dawn run to Cheddar Gorge come spring?


Image courtesy of @richpearcephotography on instagram

Berkshire bred

985 posts

74 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Possibly but it is quite a long way for me. Where would you be leaving from and when are you thinking? Also a group breakfast/lunch somewhere but be a nice touch.

BrotherMouzone

3,169 posts

173 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Have you driven up that way before Nic? Assuming you’re thinking about Salisbury, Warminster, Froome, Cheddar Gorge, it’s not a particularly inspiring route and not much NSL. (Unless it’s 5am start of course)

Having said that we don’t have much choice down south.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Fordingbridge, Cranborne, Shaftesbury, Bruton, Shepton Mallet would be the best vaguely direct way.


JRC1

464 posts

104 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Perhaps a route further north is better. I think we did the Devizes, Melksham, Box road on the way back from Wales which was good. Then you could dip down to Cheddar from Bath area rather than coming in from the East.

JRC1

464 posts

104 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
Fordingbridge, Cranborne, Shaftesbury, Bruton, Shepton Mallet would be the best vaguely direct way.
Thats a good shout actually, I was already in the message screen before you posted lol.
Shaftesbury is a nice place to stop off too

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
BrotherMouzone said:
Have you driven up that way before Nic? Assuming you’re thinking about Salisbury, Warminster, Froome, Cheddar Gorge, it’s not a particularly inspiring route and not much NSL. (Unless it’s 5am start of course)

Having said that we don’t have much choice down south.
I have been to Bath a few times and we did the A36 at crack of dawn to the PH SS at St Athan last year. It's not the route I had envisaged though, was more thinking Cranborne Chase way as mentioned above by Jonny.

Not looking for breakneck speed all the way, just some scenic roads, a go on Breeze (Zig Zag) Hill with a loop round Mendip AONB, stopping for breakfast/brunch on one of the lakes.

Was certainly thinking of an early start, like a 5am departure from an agreed meeting point.

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Berkshire bred said:
Possibly but it is quite a long way for me. Where would you be leaving from and when are you thinking? Also a group breakfast/lunch somewhere but be a nice touch.
Absolutely a stop for food, Adam!

Haven't set a date yet, just gauging interest at the moment. Meant to mention it to everyone yesterday at breakfast.

BrotherMouzone

3,169 posts

173 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
NicGTI said:
BrotherMouzone said:
Have you driven up that way before Nic? Assuming you’re thinking about Salisbury, Warminster, Froome, Cheddar Gorge, it’s not a particularly inspiring route and not much NSL. (Unless it’s 5am start of course)

Having said that we don’t have much choice down south.
I have been to Bath a few times and we did the A36 at crack of dawn to the PH SS at St Athan last year. It's not the route I had envisaged though, was more thinking Cranborne Chase way as mentioned above by Jonny.
Yeah done the route as mentioned by Johnny a few times going towards Weston Super Mare. It’s not bad at all but as you said, early start required. Cheers!

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Last August I did a morning dash to the Brecon Beacons and back. Left Ringwood at 5am and was home for 12 noon. Did the back roads to Bath and to the Severn Bridge, over to Brecon via Merthyr Tydfil. Ran a few laps of the roads around Brecon and then after a coffee hooned it back via Abergavenny, Newport and on to the road home through Bath etc.

Best hoon i've done..... ever I think,

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
ecain63 said:
Last August I did a morning dash to the Brecon Beacons and back. Left Ringwood at 5am and was home for 12 noon. Did the back roads to Bath and to the Severn Bridge, over to Brecon via Merthyr Tydfil. Ran a few laps of the roads around Brecon and then after a coffee hooned it back via Abergavenny, Newport and on to the road home through Bath etc.

Best hoon i've done..... ever I think,
That does sound epic, Eddie and quite good going for 7 hours.

Just had a look at the Beacons and in particular the road heading north from Upper Brynamman.

You may have thrown a spanner in the works here!

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
NicGTI said:
ecain63 said:
Last August I did a morning dash to the Brecon Beacons and back. Left Ringwood at 5am and was home for 12 noon. Did the back roads to Bath and to the Severn Bridge, over to Brecon via Merthyr Tydfil. Ran a few laps of the roads around Brecon and then after a coffee hooned it back via Abergavenny, Newport and on to the road home through Bath etc.

Best hoon i've done..... ever I think,
That does sound epic, Eddie and quite good going for 7 hours.

Just had a look at the Beacons and in particular the road heading north from Upper Brynamman.

You may have thrown a spanner in the works here!
I'm happy to lead a tour one morning when dry.

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
ecain63 said:
I'm happy to lead a tour one morning when dry.
That would be good. I'm sure the pics don't do it justice.

Was thinking early April time for those who may be interested.



Edited by NicGTI on Monday 19th February 22:25

Leggy

1,018 posts

221 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
NicGTI said:
I have been to Bath a few times and we did the A36 at crack of dawn to the PH SS at St Athan last year. It's not the route I had envisaged though, was more thinking Cranborne Chase way as mentioned above by Jonny.

Not looking for breakneck speed all the way, just some scenic roads, a go on Breeze (Zig Zag) Hill with a loop round Mendip AONB, stopping for breakfast/brunch on one of the lakes.

Was certainly thinking of an early start, like a 5am departure from an agreed meeting point.
I’m Ringwood way, so Cranborne Chase area always good for a blast. What are the lakes your refer to?

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Leggy said:
I’m Ringwood way, so Cranborne Chase area always good for a blast. What are the lakes your refer to?
Blagdon and Chew Valley Lake in Mendip AONB

Leggy

1,018 posts

221 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
NicGTI said:
Leggy said:
I’m Ringwood way, so Cranborne Chase area always good for a blast. What are the lakes your refer to?
Blagdon and Chew Valley Lake in Mendip AONB
Cheers, must look them up.

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
I must be missing something because I can never see the enjoyment in zigzag hill. The road surface is shocking and the hill itself is always busy with traffic.

Much prefer the Blandford route.

NicGTI

Original Poster:

509 posts

86 months

Tuesday 20th February 2018
quotequote all
ecain63 said:
I must be missing something because I can never see the enjoyment in zigzag hill. The road surface is shocking and the hill itself is always busy with traffic.

Much prefer the Blandford route.
The route is not set in stone, I'm open to hearing people's recommendations.

In the 11 years I've been driving, I haven't driven Zig Zag Hill myself, only as a passenger with my late father a handful of times when I did work experience with him (14 years ago).

I guess it was partly for sentimental reasons that I fancied it. If the surface is terrible now then I won't risk spoiling my fond memories.