Ideas for a roadtrip?
Discussion
Hi
A few mates and I want to do a road trip this summer in our classic cars. Both are relatively reliable save for the usual but we need ideas on where to go. Be nice to drive to somewhere nice with some great roads.
Needs to be in the UK really to keep the cost down. We are located in Bedfordshire so...
Ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Daz
A few mates and I want to do a road trip this summer in our classic cars. Both are relatively reliable save for the usual but we need ideas on where to go. Be nice to drive to somewhere nice with some great roads.
Needs to be in the UK really to keep the cost down. We are located in Bedfordshire so...
Ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Daz
Darren you're too late for our club tour as it's full, all arranged for free with donations to children's caharities in the UK (you pay for hotel/B&B, bar bill/beer, food of course)
http://www.sportingbears.org.uk/
Harsh's PhN tours http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/ offer a friendly bunch of fellow travellers and various cars and are a great idea if you need back up but you do pay for it as it's a commercial concern
If your mates have classic like your Triumph then they are many great parts of England, Wales and Scotland for you, you don't need the wide, long roads the more modern faster cars need
You can avoid the tourist places and if you pick the right time of year see next to no traffic in some places, deserted compared to Beds
I would think every county in England has some fantastic classic car roads including the one you live in and its surrounding counties
Scotland is fantastic but is a long way and some of the roads suit bigger faster cars plus you have to allow for tourist areas
Wales is just fantastic for classics, we're going there for the 3rd year running - let me know if you want to know some good roads there, some of which Harsh's PhN tour cars would probably not go on
Our personal tours are based on the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, fantatic pubs are often found on fantastic classic car roads in bueatiful areas
Personally the Peak District and Lake District are normally too busy for me, we often to go to Cumbria/N.Yorks (out of season mainly) - Northumbria is fantastic too and nearer than Scotland
If you've followed my advice on full and proper servicing and maitainence then distance shouldn't worry you as regards reliabilty of car
France is fantastic, same population but X4 land area of Britain - I've done cheaper tours with http://www.continentalcartours.co.uk/ there and Belguim in my present Midget (and other ccars) plus you can be with similar cars if you want
Get your car in an order where you don't need worry about it but pay for cover just in case if it settles you
http://www.sportingbears.org.uk/
Harsh's PhN tours http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/ offer a friendly bunch of fellow travellers and various cars and are a great idea if you need back up but you do pay for it as it's a commercial concern
If your mates have classic like your Triumph then they are many great parts of England, Wales and Scotland for you, you don't need the wide, long roads the more modern faster cars need
You can avoid the tourist places and if you pick the right time of year see next to no traffic in some places, deserted compared to Beds
I would think every county in England has some fantastic classic car roads including the one you live in and its surrounding counties
Scotland is fantastic but is a long way and some of the roads suit bigger faster cars plus you have to allow for tourist areas
Wales is just fantastic for classics, we're going there for the 3rd year running - let me know if you want to know some good roads there, some of which Harsh's PhN tour cars would probably not go on
Our personal tours are based on the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, fantatic pubs are often found on fantastic classic car roads in bueatiful areas
Personally the Peak District and Lake District are normally too busy for me, we often to go to Cumbria/N.Yorks (out of season mainly) - Northumbria is fantastic too and nearer than Scotland
If you've followed my advice on full and proper servicing and maitainence then distance shouldn't worry you as regards reliabilty of car
France is fantastic, same population but X4 land area of Britain - I've done cheaper tours with http://www.continentalcartours.co.uk/ there and Belguim in my present Midget (and other ccars) plus you can be with similar cars if you want
Get your car in an order where you don't need worry about it but pay for cover just in case if it settles you
I think Wales is a nice idea actually. Bedfordshire to the Beacon Beacons according to google is about 150 miles so that isn't too hard at all.
The cars are all over 25 years old but are well looked after and subject to regular maintainance. Both sporting bears and your trips Harsh sound great fun, sounds like we need to get our act together a bit earlier next year though!
Think I will have a chat with the others and see who is definately up for it and then it would be great to have some help with hotels and routes!
And your right Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire have some great roads, we just feel like a bit of a challenge!
The cars are all over 25 years old but are well looked after and subject to regular maintainance. Both sporting bears and your trips Harsh sound great fun, sounds like we need to get our act together a bit earlier next year though!
Think I will have a chat with the others and see who is definately up for it and then it would be great to have some help with hotels and routes!
And your right Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire have some great roads, we just feel like a bit of a challenge!
Darren if there's only two or three cars then some pubs and B&B could be consider too especially if out of season
When it's just the wife and me we never book anywhere just stop and look where we want, usually just ask at a pub or call in and ask as we pass some that look like we'd not be able to afford but those ways we've stopped in some lovely B&B places that would match 4* hotels or better for prices sometimes less than 2* hotels
Forget Google, Google maps, SatNav and stuff like that, buy a good big scale road atlas, CAMRA Good beer Guide and explore - someplaces might not be quite as good as you expected but many more will be better and you'd not normally have thought of them or found them
Blimey you're the young one here be sensible yes but take a few chances don't plan to the nth degree go with the weather or how you feel at the time - sometimes if I like a road I turn round and go and back again so I've cover both ways twice just for the ride
When it's just the wife and me we never book anywhere just stop and look where we want, usually just ask at a pub or call in and ask as we pass some that look like we'd not be able to afford but those ways we've stopped in some lovely B&B places that would match 4* hotels or better for prices sometimes less than 2* hotels
Forget Google, Google maps, SatNav and stuff like that, buy a good big scale road atlas, CAMRA Good beer Guide and explore - someplaces might not be quite as good as you expected but many more will be better and you'd not normally have thought of them or found them
Blimey you're the young one here be sensible yes but take a few chances don't plan to the nth degree go with the weather or how you feel at the time - sometimes if I like a road I turn round and go and back again so I've cover both ways twice just for the ride
Just to add - the Bears tour isn't on the site as it was filled so quick
We were very lucky in the club the tours were organisered by some members who lived in or knew areas very well, which roads and when best to ride them, where to visit to give the navigators a rest and for variation
thinking of which for a few years we stopped at the Fat Lamb, Ravenstonedale a fabulous area, for a charitable donation I'm sure the tour organisers would give you some routes starting from there
The owner liked the tours so much he joined the club, he's a couple of classics and even bought his manager a better Midget than mine
The place is known as a base for car clubs too - http://www.fatlamb.co.uk/
ETA: I see Paul offers tours but I'n sure he'd tell you how good Bob & Mary's tours are
We were very lucky in the club the tours were organisered by some members who lived in or knew areas very well, which roads and when best to ride them, where to visit to give the navigators a rest and for variation
thinking of which for a few years we stopped at the Fat Lamb, Ravenstonedale a fabulous area, for a charitable donation I'm sure the tour organisers would give you some routes starting from there
The owner liked the tours so much he joined the club, he's a couple of classics and even bought his manager a better Midget than mine
The place is known as a base for car clubs too - http://www.fatlamb.co.uk/
ETA: I see Paul offers tours but I'n sure he'd tell you how good Bob & Mary's tours are
Edited by na on Monday 11th April 17:23
I would love to just jump in the cars and go as would some of the others however a couple of the lads like to have things planned a bit more throughly I am afraid. I want them all to come so I want to be sure I have enough of a plan to make sure they will.
Main thing for me is to find good roads to drive, somewhere friendly that serves good food and have a laugh with my mates, that's all I really care about!
Thanks for the advice tho I'll get thinking!
Main thing for me is to find good roads to drive, somewhere friendly that serves good food and have a laugh with my mates, that's all I really care about!
Thanks for the advice tho I'll get thinking!
Edited by DazBock on Wednesday 13th April 10:41
D18OCK said:
I would love to just jump in the cars and go as would some of the others however a couple of the lads like to have things planned a bit more throughly I am afraid.
yeap the couple that we've been to Wales with for the last two and again we're going with this year are like that but as I proved at the very first lunch pub stop in a very small village with only one pub on the outskirts, within 30 seconds of entering the pub, before even considering what beer to buy, asking one of the only two locals in there we had beds for the night and the property was lovely, boasted of the biggest (and very nice breakfast), we saw squirrels in the garden trying to climb a greasy baby tree trunk and threatening the house cat, saw the model car collection, and heard stories of the excentric manor house hosts at £115/p/p/n - all that for 30 seconds conversation before even looking at the beer available, the place was so good we returned there two nights later D18OCK said:
Main thing for me is to find good roads to drive, somewhere friendly that serves good food and have a laugh with my mates, that's all I really care about!
excellent plan, good (and I mean really good food that would cost a "very" lot in that there London) is available in surprising places at very reasonable pricesThink about it - earn loads off of wealth types in cities but have to pay millions for a terrace property, then when you've had enough of that where would you go for a beeter quality of life not needing to make a lot of money - forget your Google and national newspaper guides - eat local - even if you're not local to where you're visiting, live like a king but don't pay like a king
Morning Guys
Firstly apologies for changing my username part way through a thread, seeing as I have more than one car now I thought a name that simply described one was a little silly. So I am still me in case you were wondering.
So we are on for the Road trip, we have three cars - 1967 MKI Triumph GT6, my 1975 Spitfire 1500 and a Merc SL V8 from the 80s. We want to go to Wales in August for a couple of nights and as stated want to drive some good roads, find good pubs and somewhere cheap to stay. Needs to be planned to some exent to avoid any concerns with uncertainty for a few of the guys.
So suggestions please on some twisties to drive and places to visit. Oh and by the way if anyone is out that way and fancies a blast through some country roads with us for a few hours come and join.
Cheers Daz
Firstly apologies for changing my username part way through a thread, seeing as I have more than one car now I thought a name that simply described one was a little silly. So I am still me in case you were wondering.
So we are on for the Road trip, we have three cars - 1967 MKI Triumph GT6, my 1975 Spitfire 1500 and a Merc SL V8 from the 80s. We want to go to Wales in August for a couple of nights and as stated want to drive some good roads, find good pubs and somewhere cheap to stay. Needs to be planned to some exent to avoid any concerns with uncertainty for a few of the guys.
So suggestions please on some twisties to drive and places to visit. Oh and by the way if anyone is out that way and fancies a blast through some country roads with us for a few hours come and join.
Cheers Daz
Daz the Merc is a wider car and has different gearing than the Triumphs so stick him at the back so he doesn't spoil the driving flow of the Triumphs (see later)
(NB Harsh and I know each other so we're not out to upset each other)
Harsh will have some excellent routes but dare I say some might usually be more suited to bigger, faster and more modern cars more than 60's narrow less powerful and lower speed cars
I've owned and driven modern high speed cars and small nimble classics and used both types on tours with a mix of both types of cars and found the more modern and wider cars holding me up a bit in my classics at times but I've never held them up as they could always get by me if they wanted to
See all the different cars on a Sporting Bears tours e.g. me in a 26 year old Capri my mate in a brand new XK 4.2 or me a new S2000 and another mate in a serious classic Mini, we meet at the stops more than on the road
In fact one tour we were in the Midget with our friends in their usual Supra and their friends in an '80s Merc SL, when the SL took a turn at leaving first for a leg I was behind it and my driving flow with the Midget was spoilt
August peak hoilday time - not the best
I can suggest some great roads suitable for your group just email me if you want
Have a few to visit as there can sometimes be showers in Wales
There's more to Wales than the Breacon Beacons
Edited: as I type above in a rush, I hope it reads a bit better now
(NB Harsh and I know each other so we're not out to upset each other)
Harsh will have some excellent routes but dare I say some might usually be more suited to bigger, faster and more modern cars more than 60's narrow less powerful and lower speed cars
I've owned and driven modern high speed cars and small nimble classics and used both types on tours with a mix of both types of cars and found the more modern and wider cars holding me up a bit in my classics at times but I've never held them up as they could always get by me if they wanted to
See all the different cars on a Sporting Bears tours e.g. me in a 26 year old Capri my mate in a brand new XK 4.2 or me a new S2000 and another mate in a serious classic Mini, we meet at the stops more than on the road
In fact one tour we were in the Midget with our friends in their usual Supra and their friends in an '80s Merc SL, when the SL took a turn at leaving first for a leg I was behind it and my driving flow with the Midget was spoilt
August peak hoilday time - not the best
I can suggest some great roads suitable for your group just email me if you want
Have a few to visit as there can sometimes be showers in Wales
There's more to Wales than the Breacon Beacons
Edited: as I type above in a rush, I hope it reads a bit better now
Edited by na on Wednesday 13th April 16:54
na said:
Daz the Merc is a wider car and has different gearing than the Triumphs so stick him at the back so he doesn't spoil the driving flow of the Triumphs (sse later)
(NB Harsh and I know each other so we're not out to upset each other) Harsh will have so excellent routes but dare I say some might usually be more suited to bigger faster and more modern cars more than 60's narrow less powerful and high speed cars
I've owned and driven modern, high speed cars and small nimble classics on used all on tours with a mix of both tours and found the more modern and wider cars holding me up a bit in my classics but I've never held them up as they could always they could get by me
See all the different cars on a Sporting Bears tour eg me in a 26 year old Capri my mate in a brand new XK 4.2 or me a new S2000 and my mate in a serious classic Mini, we meet at the stops more than on the road
In fact one tour we were in the Midget with our friends in their usual Supra and their friends in an '80s Merc SL, when the SL took a turn at being at the front for a leg I was behind it and my driving flow was totally spoilt
August peak hoilday time - not the best
I can't recommend any places to stay but email me and I'll suggest great roads and perhaps a few places to visit (there are sometimes showers in Wales)
just to agree with Nigel...(NB Harsh and I know each other so we're not out to upset each other) Harsh will have so excellent routes but dare I say some might usually be more suited to bigger faster and more modern cars more than 60's narrow less powerful and high speed cars
I've owned and driven modern, high speed cars and small nimble classics on used all on tours with a mix of both tours and found the more modern and wider cars holding me up a bit in my classics but I've never held them up as they could always they could get by me
See all the different cars on a Sporting Bears tour eg me in a 26 year old Capri my mate in a brand new XK 4.2 or me a new S2000 and my mate in a serious classic Mini, we meet at the stops more than on the road
In fact one tour we were in the Midget with our friends in their usual Supra and their friends in an '80s Merc SL, when the SL took a turn at being at the front for a leg I was behind it and my driving flow was totally spoilt
August peak hoilday time - not the best
I can't recommend any places to stay but email me and I'll suggest great roads and perhaps a few places to visit (there are sometimes showers in Wales)
we do indeed know each other well, so the offers you've got are by no means exclusive to each other...
one thing i will say nige...the routes we had in mind were tailored to the cars going on the trip not necessarily the same ones we used on the last tour
Harsh said:
just to agree with Nigel...
we do indeed know each other well, so the offers you've got are by no means exclusive to each other...
one thing i will say nige...the routes we had in mind were tailored to the cars going on the trip not necessarily the same ones we used on the last tour
Hi Harsh, I was just editing my last post as you postedwe do indeed know each other well, so the offers you've got are by no means exclusive to each other...
one thing i will say nige...the routes we had in mind were tailored to the cars going on the trip not necessarily the same ones we used on the last tour
Excellent to hear you tailor the tours, I'd expect no less from such a pro outfit as yours
I'll still say I've been held up by theses there supercars on Sporting Bears (one day) tours - Fezzas, more than once
and a large American car going through very narrow wood roads making us almost miss our Skye ferry when previously we had loads of time
But Daz we have to be tolarent and understanding not everyone has such lovely nimble cars as ours suited to lovely twisty roads
Edited by na on Wednesday 13th April 17:08
na said:
Harsh said:
just to agree with Nigel...
we do indeed know each other well, so the offers you've got are by no means exclusive to each other...
one thing i will say nige...the routes we had in mind were tailored to the cars going on the trip not necessarily the same ones we used on the last tour
Hi Harsh, I was just editing my last post as you postedwe do indeed know each other well, so the offers you've got are by no means exclusive to each other...
one thing i will say nige...the routes we had in mind were tailored to the cars going on the trip not necessarily the same ones we used on the last tour
Excellent to hear you tailor the tours, I'd expect no less from such a pro outfit as yours
I'll still say I've been held up by theses there supercars on Sporting Bears (one day) tours - Fezzas, more than once
and a large American car going through very narrow wood roads making us almost miss our Skye ferry when previously we had loads of time
But Daz we have to be tolarent and understanding not everyone has such lovely nimble cars as ours suited to lovely twisty roads
Edited by na on Wednesday 13th April 17:08
The Merc is a rather different car so I take the point about the roads we are driving, no-one wants to spoil the fun for anyone else. The GT6 and Spit are well matched as the Spit has the edge in the twisties whilst the GT6 hammers it away from me on the long uphill parts. I am sure we will find a flow that works for everyone so it should be good.
None the less I feel I must say that whilst I have a real passion for classic cars now I would likely swap it in a heartbeat for any of Harsh's cars! The Spit is really a way of me having some fun driving and working on mechanics whilst I am young and relatively skint (hopefully that'll change in time).
Rain is ok, I think mine will fair the worst in that but I have just acquired a free toneau cover which should be fun. Think it can be put on with the soft top too so should work well in the evenings! Definately want to leave the hardtop at home!
I'm sure between us all we can arrange something to suit, but if there are any roads that I should absolutely not miss then that is a starting point.
Daz of course you'll want to move on with your car ownership but in only about 10-15 years I bet you'll yearn for Spridget driving and don't forget it's the Fezza what'eld me up on the good roads
Evo triangle I don't know about as I didn't bother as the roads look too straight and I don't believe in heroworship (can you tell?) - but I've never been (that I can remember) so I could be wrong
Unclassified (white roads, you'll need a large scale road altlas to see a lot of them) roads around Bala, yes
Some Brecon and Black Mountain roads, yes but not much further south than that
Email me and I'll do a suggested road list and/or contact Harsh - Daz we're not your momma you have to do a little work towards it too
"relative skint" owning a sports cars - when I was your age . . .
Evo triangle I don't know about as I didn't bother as the roads look too straight and I don't believe in heroworship (can you tell?) - but I've never been (that I can remember) so I could be wrong
Unclassified (white roads, you'll need a large scale road altlas to see a lot of them) roads around Bala, yes
Some Brecon and Black Mountain roads, yes but not much further south than that
Email me and I'll do a suggested road list and/or contact Harsh - Daz we're not your momma you have to do a little work towards it too
"relative skint" owning a sports cars - when I was your age . . .
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