RE: West Berkshire loop: My Dream Drive
Discussion
Good to see others appreciating these great roads. Lived in Newbury for ages and was introduced to the B4494 run up to Wantage by a biker mate. It's great fun and had a few good blats along it over the years. Usual destination was 'The Hare' in East Hendred for a steak with friends. One summer evening we were honking towards Wantage in the TVR with the roof off when we were overtaken by a Merlin helicopter out of Benson on the deck over the fields next to us. Only gone out past Lambourne a few times out towards Shrivenham, and agree about having to be very careful with racehorses about.
Agree about the A343 as well. Live near Andover now and the run up through Hurstbourne Tarrant to Newbury is fun, although it's easy to be caught in a prole procession of Ford Fusions and Micras negotiating the off-camber drops at 31mph.
Agree about the A343 as well. Live near Andover now and the run up through Hurstbourne Tarrant to Newbury is fun, although it's easy to be caught in a prole procession of Ford Fusions and Micras negotiating the off-camber drops at 31mph.
skinny said:
i have another loop from wantage that i used to like to run (although haven't done much in the last few years).
The last bit, chain hill, as previous poster has said, is great - several miles long, well sighted downhill, with a few chicanes
I love the A34 to Goring then back through Compton - The last bit, chain hill, as previous poster has said, is great - several miles long, well sighted downhill, with a few chicanes
Best bit ringing the engine out up Streetly hill.
The Bell is one of my Locals, Old Tyler is actually Good Old Boy just renamed as the land lady got fed up of being asked for pints of Gob. It serves West Berkshire Brewery beers and Upton cider. Food is hot crusty rolls (spicy prawn or salt beef of old England are my favourites) with various fillings, don't bother with plough mans as it's just the roll plus a pile of lettuce for an extra £4, desserts are good. Last Saturday of the month has a classic car meet as well.
Roads in the area, although the A417 is a good road I've never been along it in a car at a pace I'd like to. Always too much slow traffic and all the dips and crests make overtaking lines of cars difficult. It's better on a motorbike. Also beware of lots of cyclists (most of these roads are suggested cycle routes) and the 5 point junction for Cholsey / Moulsford / Berkshire downs / A417 through the middle, completely unsighted on a crest so big danger of something pulling out on you.
Roads in the area, although the A417 is a good road I've never been along it in a car at a pace I'd like to. Always too much slow traffic and all the dips and crests make overtaking lines of cars difficult. It's better on a motorbike. Also beware of lots of cyclists (most of these roads are suggested cycle routes) and the 5 point junction for Cholsey / Moulsford / Berkshire downs / A417 through the middle, completely unsighted on a crest so big danger of something pulling out on you.
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Sunday 26th October 08:05
Was driving from Blenheim to Somerset last night and stopped at the Queens Arms, just off the route. As we drove down to the pub a sign for the Vale of the White Horse flashed up and it triggered a memory of this article.
My Exige had just finished its running in period after some engine work, the clocks gave us an extra hour and I had some new zzr's on so I was looking forward to an early start!
I crept out of bed, left the Mrs, jumped into the car, and picked up the route just as the magic engine temp number came up.
Frustratingly about 5 miles later another engine warning light (Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious - I know) popped up, and I had to limp 100 miles home...
I did see a few people cracking on though; notably a white f type, blue 3 series and a blue Renault megane diesel - so obviously a few other people had the same idea - fair play!
Let's hope it's fixed for Spa in a couple of weeks...
My Exige had just finished its running in period after some engine work, the clocks gave us an extra hour and I had some new zzr's on so I was looking forward to an early start!
I crept out of bed, left the Mrs, jumped into the car, and picked up the route just as the magic engine temp number came up.
Frustratingly about 5 miles later another engine warning light (Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious - I know) popped up, and I had to limp 100 miles home...
I did see a few people cracking on though; notably a white f type, blue 3 series and a blue Renault megane diesel - so obviously a few other people had the same idea - fair play!
Let's hope it's fixed for Spa in a couple of weeks...
speedtwelve said:
Not forgetting a stop at The Bell or Four Points as you come through Aldworth.
Did some of the roads recommended in this Dream Drive to help break-in the GT3.. and to have such great roads barely 1hr out of London is a blessing.. really happy I explored this area as had never taken the time to do it. Spleen said:
Holy Thread Resurrection etc but i've just driven this route today and had rather a spiffing time, even had a little tickle with a McLaren something or other. Anyway, just wondering if anyone knew of any other driving roads around the area?
Already mentioned on this thread I think, but the A338 from Wantage to Great Shefford has some lovely sweeping turns and great surface*- Unfortunately most of the best bit has just been covered in surface dressing as I found out on Saturday.
Zarco said:
Already mentioned on this thread I think, but the A338 from Wantage to Great Shefford has some lovely sweeping turns and great surface*
Likewise, I was following a van and about to overtake when I hit the chippings! Mucho braking and kept my distance. Pretty annoying though, a good road as you say. My usual run out is Newbury-Wantage-Hungerford and back to Newbury on the B4494, A338 and A4. Can be a good one if traffic is light.- Unfortunately most of the best bit has just been covered in surface dressing as I found out on Saturday.
Edited by Spleen on Monday 31st May 17:31
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