Adequate roads to test-drive a 111r - London Area

[DoArt]

Hi all,
i am coming to London (Chelsea area) this weekend to drive an Elise for the first time. i'll have 2 days to try it out and make a decision on buying one to own here in Portugal where i live.

Not knowing the area that much, i would appreciate a lot if you could suggest a couple of adequate roads/ directions where I can better experience the car.

thanx
- can't wait till Saturday :)

[Vipers]

Lucky you, get yourself onto the M40, drive north to the M6, then M6 toll road, go around Birmingham, continue up the M6 past Carlisle onto the M74.

Your now in Scotland, land of uncongested motorways, and have a ball.

But seriously I do hope you find somewhere down in the smoke to try it, probably best in the wee hours when roads should be clear.

[Kill_zippy]

Scotland, land of uncongested roads? God, i wished i lived in the same area as you, cause the roads are always hectic in edinburgh!

[bogie]

you'll be lucky to escape the London traffic in 2 days

Id follow signs for the M11 north and head up into Essex, get off at Stantsted, then go into Stansted, then places like Dunmow, Thaxsted, Finchingfield, Ongar, etc - basically any backroads east of the M11, south from Cambridge and north of Brentwood...that will keep you busy for a few hours.

If youve got portable sat nav then just head north for 3 hours, get off the motorway and program it to bring you back to London, but avoiding motorways !

[S Works]

Depends on where you're picking it up. If south of London, head down the A3 until you pick up the A272, probably the best driving road in the South East. Just keep going back and forth until you're bored. That should take up 2 days

[Davey S1]

Come to Wales, Only a few hours away and just as good roads as Scotland.

[umbongo]

I agree with the A272 suggestion - just head south, A3, A24, A23, A22 - any will do - hit the A272/A281 and have fun - watch out for blind/tightening bends and middle aged men on out of control superbikes tho'

Break up the day with a cruise into Brighton (chips, mushy peas, stick of rock) and then go back over Ditchling Beacon.

[Vipers]

Kill_zippy, I ken what you mean jimmy, live in Aberdeen, drove my daughter back to Edinburgh last sunday, from here to Edinburgh, just heaven, (Sunday mind you), but having been to Edinburgh during the week I ken what the roads are like. I just love hearing traffic Sally talking on radio 2 about the road problems south, 17 mile tail backs, M so and so blocked, but having said that, I am off for a trip to London to see the family soon, so hope to miss all that.

Interestingly enough I noticed as you exit the Forth Road Bridge and drive into Edinburgh, the road speed drops fron the National Speed Limit to 40 mphs, and you pass two speed cameras, both painted grey, not the stripy colour,

a) Is this delibrite by the plod to catch you?
b) Is it an oversight?
c) Are they redundant?

[Kill_zippy]

Sorry Viper, not a road i'm that famailiar with, but knowing the current state of society, it will likely be a deliberate attempt at making some money.

The new thing thats getting on my nerves, is all the new reductions in limit around here. What was and should be a 70 is now a 50.

[DoArt]

Thanks a lot for all your suggestions.

I guess i'll stick to the A272 plan, as i would prefer to stay close to LON rather than risking getting lost somewhere out there...but definitely, some other time, i'll keep Scotland and Wales and priority targets.

here's another question: would you guys know per chance if there is a sort of "open-to-public-circuit" (again close to LON area) where i could possibly try the car without worrying about speed limits? (or any other tarmac place like an old/abandonned airport, etc., etc.)


Did i mention this forum is awesome?!

- 3 days to go