Britains twistiest roads - official!

[nwtony]

I thought you might want to look at this....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/4683276.st

[RobM77]

"At 30mph in an average family hatchback, some British roads are so bendy they exert the kind of forces you would expect on a racetrack."

What a strange comment! They seem to be assuming that cars have a limitless lateral g capability and therefore simply by driving at 30mph it will see you reach racetrack g forces in a Ford Focus!?!

Given that your average racetrack g force in saloon car racing probably about 1.2g, I wouldn't like to try and achieve that in your "average family hatchback"! I propose that the speed required for this (apparently 30mph) will see an average family hatchback fly into the ditch rather quickly!

[shangani]

Good point. Though it is easy to achieve 5g and more in a focus - trouble is its only for an instant as you hit something at the side of the road! Dorset roads rule though.

[DSS123]

"At 30mph in an average family hatchback, some British roads are so bendy they exert the kind of forces you would expect on a racetrack."

What a completely irrelevant coment!

Surely it, it doesnt matter what "type" of car you are driving or whether it's a race track, road or car park! All that matters is the weight of the car, the radius of the corner and the speed you are going?? (ok, maybe center of mass, camber and a few other bits and bobs as well?).

So what they are essentially saying is:

"Some of Britain's roads are as twisty as a race track."

Well done

I wonder how much Continental spent on uncovering this startling piece of information.


Classic bit of pointless psuedo science.


Dunc

[turnamere]

Someone was paid to research and write this .

Could be a useful tool for locating great drivers roads though; I used to drive the B3081 most weekends, thoroughly enjoyed zig zag hill when given a clear run but certainly never managed to "exert the kind of forces you would expect on a racetrack". The sight lines didn't support that kind of speed round the hairpins and I often met Mr Numpty coming the other way on the wrong side of the road. The blast between the bends was fun, must treat the Elise to this road some time soon.

A39 good out of season, but the Minehead to Barnstaple over Exemoor is much better. Minehead to Tiverton roady is very bendy but is just plain scary after dark.

[beachbum]

We really should start our own thread, on which roads we think are great and let others know where they are. Tried it once before, but was told that most of the work had already been done and was ongoing, on SELOC......Do not like the site and it was as usual full of, "Well you might think so, but I dont and my opinion is better than yours" comments.

All I was after was "Road X, between Y & Z", no comments from others, just a list of what people think are good roads.

[ChristianM]

Went and did zig zag hill yesterday and can confirm its very twisty - and damm slippery at the moment - but huge fun.
Im not surprised it was the twistiest section of road, its just a series of near 180 degree hairpins, any more twisty and you would be going back where you came from!

[turnamere]

Good idea Beachbum, as long as we don't inadvertantly provide a Scamere location planning service! Here's my input (see caveat at end).

When it's not completely chock full of Emmets the A39 is great from Porlock west bound. Drive through the small village of Porlock and then you hit Porlock hill, similar to zig zag hill only much steeper between the bends; performance through light weight was never better demonstrated. Once you get to the top, if you can resist the temptation to go back and do it all over again, there is a lovely run over Exemoor with sweeping views out to sea and rolling open bends. Great fun can be had at and below the national speed limit throughout.

[S Works]

FYI guys there's a "Roads" forum on here you know. Some good tips on there. You could always post here (or there) and link vice versa.

Don't be put off by SELOC - there are more good people on there than idiots. Just like real life.

[wowbagger t.i.p]

They obviously didn't get far out of England, the single track coast road that runs North and South through Lochinver in NW Scotland has to be driven to be believed. It is twisty and narrow and has loads of blind humps, you hardly get out of 2nd gear. Great fun though and with superb scenery, just don't go that way if you are in a hurry! (or in a wide vehicle)

[RobM77]

Sadly, normally when I leave the South of England and go to lovely places like these it is in the middle of the holiday season. The minute I start enjoying myself I get stuck behind a 30mph Ford Focus with Mum and Dad and two children looking at the sheep.

[wowbagger t.i.p]

The rule on single track roads is that if faster traffic catches up, you pull into a lay-by and let them past. In my experience most people do but some need a little encouragement, flashed headlights is usually enough.

[turnamere]

Certainly found most of the drivers very considerate on the single track roads in Northern Scotland the other year. Unfortunately, the moment we returned to normal roads we very soon found ourselves behind formation numpties all doing about 40mph, none with the nouse to either overtake or at least leave a decent gap so we could pick them off one at a time.

S Works, more than happy with the roads forum, in fact I used a lot of information from there to plan my Scotland holiday. However, some roads just suit some cars so perfectly and it would be nice to post some Elise friendly gems in this forum.