RE: Side To Side: The Sunset To Sunrise Challenge
Discussion
louiebaby said:
tight fart said:
Did something like this years ago for a bike mag (can't remember what one)
We went from Chingford to lands end and back in daylight, and that was before the M25 and M5
so it was north circular and a303. good fun though.
must have been around 1978.
11 Posts in 115 months.We went from Chingford to lands end and back in daylight, and that was before the M25 and M5
so it was north circular and a303. good fun though.
must have been around 1978.
EPIC lurking mate!
I had breakfast at the hotel that I WANTED to stay in which had no rooms and then spent the whole day snozing on and off by the pool of another hotel which I had to stay in!
The drive back was MUCH quicker, more like 7hrs from Nice to Calais, all that`s over with now because of the MAD amount of speed traps on the Autoroutes now!
I`ve done 4 drives to the Alps in the last 12 months, the best of which was last September in an R26R, London to Chamonix, Chamonix to Mont Dauphin via Val D`Isere, Mont Dauphin to Nice via the Col de Bonette, Nice to Como then Como back to Chamonix via the Col de Grande Bernard and Col de Forclaz, next day back to Calais!
I once did a ski trip to La Plagne after work through the night in an Integrale but for some reason I just didn`t enjoy it, and yes it`s super weird being in a ski resort for breakfast isn`t it
Anyway enough of my hijacking but you did ask!
On another note relating to the original story - TOP GEAR 27th of Feb?????????
The drive back was MUCH quicker, more like 7hrs from Nice to Calais, all that`s over with now because of the MAD amount of speed traps on the Autoroutes now!
I`ve done 4 drives to the Alps in the last 12 months, the best of which was last September in an R26R, London to Chamonix, Chamonix to Mont Dauphin via Val D`Isere, Mont Dauphin to Nice via the Col de Bonette, Nice to Como then Como back to Chamonix via the Col de Grande Bernard and Col de Forclaz, next day back to Calais!
I once did a ski trip to La Plagne after work through the night in an Integrale but for some reason I just didn`t enjoy it, and yes it`s super weird being in a ski resort for breakfast isn`t it
Anyway enough of my hijacking but you did ask!
On another note relating to the original story - TOP GEAR 27th of Feb?????????
zebedee said:
Bizarre! What did you do when you got there?! Did a road trip to the alps but was sharing driving with mates, really wanted to sleep as when we arrived it was time to hit the slopes (left after work and drove through night in shifts) but was too excited to sleep. So weird being on the first chair lift and thinking 'hang on, I haven't been on a plane as yet!'
blueroom said:
Hi,
It’s been really good to finally share this story with the PH population. And judging by the comments, I’m particularly pleased at how well it’s been received. I’m glad it’s got lots of people reminiscing about similar past experiences and also contemplating new ones.
There’s a very good chance we’ll do the run again this year, so I’ll probably start a thread in the ‘Events’ forum in a month or two to see who’s up for it. But either way, I think the Summer Solstice is a prime occasion to get out there and have some fun. The longest day (or shortest night) makes for a great opportunity to have a good race against the rotation of the earth, regardless of how and where you do it.
Perhaps if lots of small groups organise their own take on a “Solstice Run” we could spend much of the summer comparing notes, swapping ideas and marvelling at whoever managed to achieve the most remarkable average speeds or burn the most fuel! It’s all food for thought.
But for now, I think I’ll probably be sticking with the “Side to Side”. Until I think of something else that is……
All the best,
Chris
Would we be correct in thinking this was originally done in 2009, going by the sticker on your XJS?It’s been really good to finally share this story with the PH population. And judging by the comments, I’m particularly pleased at how well it’s been received. I’m glad it’s got lots of people reminiscing about similar past experiences and also contemplating new ones.
There’s a very good chance we’ll do the run again this year, so I’ll probably start a thread in the ‘Events’ forum in a month or two to see who’s up for it. But either way, I think the Summer Solstice is a prime occasion to get out there and have some fun. The longest day (or shortest night) makes for a great opportunity to have a good race against the rotation of the earth, regardless of how and where you do it.
Perhaps if lots of small groups organise their own take on a “Solstice Run” we could spend much of the summer comparing notes, swapping ideas and marvelling at whoever managed to achieve the most remarkable average speeds or burn the most fuel! It’s all food for thought.
But for now, I think I’ll probably be sticking with the “Side to Side”. Until I think of something else that is……
All the best,
Chris
Rollcage said:
blueroom said:
Hi,
It’s been really good to finally share this story with the PH population. And judging by the comments, I’m particularly pleased at how well it’s been received. I’m glad it’s got lots of people reminiscing about similar past experiences and also contemplating new ones.
There’s a very good chance we’ll do the run again this year, so I’ll probably start a thread in the ‘Events’ forum in a month or two to see who’s up for it. But either way, I think the Summer Solstice is a prime occasion to get out there and have some fun. The longest day (or shortest night) makes for a great opportunity to have a good race against the rotation of the earth, regardless of how and where you do it.
Perhaps if lots of small groups organise their own take on a “Solstice Run” we could spend much of the summer comparing notes, swapping ideas and marvelling at whoever managed to achieve the most remarkable average speeds or burn the most fuel! It’s all food for thought.
But for now, I think I’ll probably be sticking with the “Side to Side”. Until I think of something else that is……
All the best,
Chris
Would we be correct in thinking this was originally done in 2009, going by the sticker on your XJS?It’s been really good to finally share this story with the PH population. And judging by the comments, I’m particularly pleased at how well it’s been received. I’m glad it’s got lots of people reminiscing about similar past experiences and also contemplating new ones.
There’s a very good chance we’ll do the run again this year, so I’ll probably start a thread in the ‘Events’ forum in a month or two to see who’s up for it. But either way, I think the Summer Solstice is a prime occasion to get out there and have some fun. The longest day (or shortest night) makes for a great opportunity to have a good race against the rotation of the earth, regardless of how and where you do it.
Perhaps if lots of small groups organise their own take on a “Solstice Run” we could spend much of the summer comparing notes, swapping ideas and marvelling at whoever managed to achieve the most remarkable average speeds or burn the most fuel! It’s all food for thought.
But for now, I think I’ll probably be sticking with the “Side to Side”. Until I think of something else that is……
All the best,
Chris
I came up with the original idea late in 2008 and then carried it out in June 2009. Following the fun we had, I consulted with the TG team and they decided to have a stab at it last year.
Chris.
Morningside said:
I think the real dilemma is A12->M25 clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Get stuck at Dartford or M1 etc snarl up.
Surely that's just a matter of timing, ie do it in early hours and hope there are no major roadworks or numpties running into each other. Or is the M25 a 24 hour 7 days a week car park now?Get stuck at Dartford or M1 etc snarl up.
Morningside said:
I think the real dilemma is A12->M25 clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Get stuck at Dartford or M1 etc snarl up.
Should be OK by the time one reaches that stretch of M25. Looking at the sat-nav in Clarkson's Jag, it was showing counter-clockwise. Mind he was on the M3, if using the M4 then it might be best to go 'tother way around. Can't be much in it either way. Get stuck at Dartford or M1 etc snarl up.
blueroom said:
Hi,
It’s been really good to finally share this story with the PH population. And judging by the comments, I’m particularly pleased at how well it’s been received. I’m glad it’s got lots of people reminiscing about similar past experiences and also contemplating new ones.
There’s a very good chance we’ll do the run again this year, so I’ll probably start a thread in the ‘Events’ forum in a month or two to see who’s up for it. But either way, I think the Summer Solstice is a prime occasion to get out there and have some fun. The longest day (or shortest night) makes for a great opportunity to have a good race against the rotation of the earth, regardless of how and where you do it.
Perhaps if lots of small groups organise their own take on a “Solstice Run” we could spend much of the summer comparing notes, swapping ideas and marvelling at whoever managed to achieve the most remarkable average speeds or burn the most fuel! It’s all food for thought.
But for now, I think I’ll probably be sticking with the “Side to Side”. Until I think of something else that is……
All the best,
Chris
Cracking story....reminds me of my Lands End to John O'Groats trip back in 2004. Was supposed to be going to the pub on a Friday night after work, then everyone slowly cried off. So at about 8:30pm I set off....from Sheffield to Lands End with my credit card, pillow and sleeping bag. I got there around 2am, took a picture then set off to Scotland.It’s been really good to finally share this story with the PH population. And judging by the comments, I’m particularly pleased at how well it’s been received. I’m glad it’s got lots of people reminiscing about similar past experiences and also contemplating new ones.
There’s a very good chance we’ll do the run again this year, so I’ll probably start a thread in the ‘Events’ forum in a month or two to see who’s up for it. But either way, I think the Summer Solstice is a prime occasion to get out there and have some fun. The longest day (or shortest night) makes for a great opportunity to have a good race against the rotation of the earth, regardless of how and where you do it.
Perhaps if lots of small groups organise their own take on a “Solstice Run” we could spend much of the summer comparing notes, swapping ideas and marvelling at whoever managed to achieve the most remarkable average speeds or burn the most fuel! It’s all food for thought.
But for now, I think I’ll probably be sticking with the “Side to Side”. Until I think of something else that is……
All the best,
Chris
Once I got into the highlands, the roads were superb and I got to John O'Groats just after 5pm. All done in a farly tired 1.8 automatic Mondeo....happy days
I must admit I'm intrigued by this idea, and like the sound of trying something similar this year.
Is it best to do it solo, with a co-driver or with other cars? A group might attract attention, but one other car would mean being able to take turns leading the way, giving you a chance to take a breather.
I've got a route in mind from a Westerly point to Lowestoft, avoiding Motorways and requiring an average of 57 after allowing for fuel stops. I'm thinking it's just about possible, but sufficiently difficult to make it a challenge.
So, will the Lowestoft Police be out in force in the early hours of June 22nd? How many PH stickers will be visible in Gas Works Road as the sun rises?
Is it best to do it solo, with a co-driver or with other cars? A group might attract attention, but one other car would mean being able to take turns leading the way, giving you a chance to take a breather.
I've got a route in mind from a Westerly point to Lowestoft, avoiding Motorways and requiring an average of 57 after allowing for fuel stops. I'm thinking it's just about possible, but sufficiently difficult to make it a challenge.
So, will the Lowestoft Police be out in force in the early hours of June 22nd? How many PH stickers will be visible in Gas Works Road as the sun rises?
Been reading this today at work, and I like the idea of a end to end challenge. There is something that worries me about doing it at night and making it feasable.
You'd need to start on the south point as the sun sets earlier than the north. This would give you the max time at night to get a head start on the distance. Also your racing the midnight sun if your doing this on the shortest day and subsiquent night. Don't forgetthe scandinavian countries dont see night at the height of summer, so the north will only see seriously reduced night time in Scotland to say a max of 5 hours.
You'd seriously have to get sunset and sunrise times to plan this, I dont think it would be possible sadly, but I'm in
You'd need to start on the south point as the sun sets earlier than the north. This would give you the max time at night to get a head start on the distance. Also your racing the midnight sun if your doing this on the shortest day and subsiquent night. Don't forgetthe scandinavian countries dont see night at the height of summer, so the north will only see seriously reduced night time in Scotland to say a max of 5 hours.
You'd seriously have to get sunset and sunrise times to plan this, I dont think it would be possible sadly, but I'm in
Thought about it- I live in Bristol so I could have made it to Lands End for Sunset, and I've even got tomorrow off- but sadly my evening at work went badly and I only left work at 10pm... 
Perhaps Autumn Equinox? (Sept 21st?) Less of a challenge, but still a fun drive and it's still before much cold weather will kick in.
Perhaps Autumn Equinox? (Sept 21st?) Less of a challenge, but still a fun drive and it's still before much cold weather will kick in.
Celtic Dragon said:
Mmm is this feasable?
Land End sun set: 21:34
John O'Groats sun rise: 04:02 (on 22nd)
So thats 6:28 to do 874 miles, so you'd have to avergae 135mph!
According to my calculations, your average speed during the longest day in December, would be around 72mph. I think.Land End sun set: 21:34
John O'Groats sun rise: 04:02 (on 22nd)
So thats 6:28 to do 874 miles, so you'd have to avergae 135mph!
Is that more reasonable or not challenging enough? Thinking of the A-roads up near Scotland and the fuel stops etc....
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