Where in Wales Can my Little Car Go?

[thirsty]

I just spend the weekend driving around Wales... in my Volvo !!!

I wanted to drive the Chim, but my wife convinced me that the weather was going to be crap all weekend. Well, the weather was cloudy, but not wet. I regretted not taking the car on every really cool road we were on.

I kept thinking that there has to be some really good TVR roads in Wales.

Any recommendations out there ?

[Nacnud]

Cue PH reders from South Wales, Noth Wales, Scotland, Devon, Cornwall, Pennines and just about anywhere not too close to the South East.

What sort of radius are you looking to find good roads; and where are you based ?

[jmorgan]

Some corkers here. Last weekend we went out for a run with the loacal club. Taking in the Elan Valley, Llyn Brianne lake and others. Epynt ranges are supposed to be good but last time we went there after another cracking run, I couldn't get over the foot and mouth troughs. Bit lower than a normal 400. A good road is the short cut to Machynlleth from Llanidloes. One point there is a parking area with 3 valleys converging. Good roads as well. Depends where you want to go.
PS
It doesn't always rain here.

>> Edited by jmorgan on Sunday 11th August 21:55

[david lloyd]

In the north there's the road from Bala to Trawsfynedd featuring some sweeping curves, fast straights and a 300 degree hairpin beloved by bikers. Best road for sheer fun I've found - plus it has a really good surface - no potholes or gravel sections.

The road from Welshpool to Dolgellau via Dinas Mawddy (sp?) is also excellent, but only recommended at off peak periods - it's terrible for caravans trundling along at 40mph and some sections have limited overtaking opportunities.

All IMHO.

David L.

[robkola]

My bro lives near Llanidloes, so it's an A44 trip and from Leiminster there are a few fine straights and some nice curves around Rhaydaer. If you can go further to the coast and up to Portmeirion and beyond there are some fine coastal roads and good tarmac around Snowdon . . .

>> Edited by robkola on Monday 12th August 09:04

[ro_butler]

In south Wales there are some good ones. The roads in the Brecon Beacons are good. There is a road leading out of a little place called Llangatock and this is where Tiff Needell did a top gear test of the Griffith.

[thirsty]

Thanks for all the good info. I'll print it out for our next trip. We like going on long (three day) weekend drives with no destination in mind, and only a map in our hands.

I live in the South East, but have been wanting to drive over to Wales since moving to the UK. My wife spent some time there in years past, and has been wanting to take me over there for a long weekend.

I really enjoyed some of the nice curvy roads... once all the F***ing caravans go home it should be better. .... and it can't rain any more than it does here!!!

Cheers
thirsty.

[jmorgan]

Know one or two good hotels if you are intersted, just a few mind.
South, mid amd north

>> Edited by jmorgan on Saturday 17th August 22:52

[david010167]

The A5 in the north is nice. All round Llangollan has some great roads and it is a nice place to go, have a bite and a drink, it is popluar with the bikers and has some great senry, good photo Oppertunities.

There are loads of great roads, Snowdonia is great, the only warning is some of the "mountain" roads have truly bad surfaces, but even then the drive along them (carfuly) can yeild some great views.

David

[Don]

quote:
The A5 in the north is nice.

I love the A5. Do it regularly as a route from the S.E. to the ancestral home on Anglesey. Lovely road. Nearly all has a good surface. Great views in the Snowdonia section...and some nice quick bits breaking up some highly enjoyable twisties.

Be warned there are sections where *only* a high performance car has any chance of making an overtake - this road is what convinced me I had to own a Porsche/TVR...and the Horse Boxes/ Caravans on the wrong day are a pain in the A***.

On the whole I'd heartily recommend it and Snowdonia for a long weekend.

Just watch out for the North Wales Police. I reckon I've collected a three pointer for 74 in a 60...all my own fault, of course.

[jmorgan]

Loverly Norf Wales Police, don't ya love em
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2203156.stm

[Don]

quote:
Loverly Norf Wales Police, don't ya love em
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2203156.stm

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

The bollocks that gets spouted just winds me up.

Why don't the North Wales Police have speed detection vans on the entry to villages where 30mph is actually too fast....

Instead I know the truth. The detection vans are NOT placed where they would save lives (built up areas, accident blackspots) but where a safe two-lane overtaking opportunity presents itself providing easy pickings for little, if any, increase in road safety.

Speeding detection definitely has a place in ensuring the safety of our roads. But its misuse really does cheese me off.

Of course that fact that I'm ranting could be to do with the fact that I got detected. I'll take that one on the chin - shouldn't have been doing it. But where it happened just couldn't have been an accident blackspot.

Unless someone from N.Wales knows different?

(A5 dual-lane one way single the other just after a long bridge heading up to a roundabout where a left turn heads down to the far side of Chirk)

[Superflid]

If speeding motorists are "real criminals", didn't Princess Ann already have a criminal record before her attempt at child-baiting.
Speeders - criminals or not?