Mud-club
Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: Bush Tucker Man on April 20, 2005, 21:44:01
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This topic has it's roots in a couple of postings between 'Range Rover Blues' & myself on the 'Truck Photo Required Please' (http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=4695&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45)
In one reply I suggested that a 'Favourite Roads' thread woud be a good idea.
Much like the 'Food Forum' (http://forums.mud-club.com/viewforum.php?f=37), we all like to drive (as well as eat), so perhaps the opportunity to seek out the best tarmac in other parts of the country might be a good idea?
I'm stating 'tarmac' as the 'Green-Laning' aspect already has its own forum (http://forums.mud-club.com/viewforum.php?f=14)
Contributions welcomed.
Similar stipulations as the 'Food Forum'?
Please name the road, the number, & map-refs (if known, or start/end locations.
I know some might cause problems, due to their length - ie; 'The Great North Road'
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The Road To Amarillo :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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The Road To Amarillo :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
How can you better that!! :lol:
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The Great North Road[/i]
Metaphorically speaking this must be the number 1 (quite literally it is :lol: )
Its origination (as a complete road) was as the route in between 'The General Post Offices' in London & (its counterpart) in Edinburgh.
It roughly covers 390miles, dependant on the actual route taken, allowing for whether the traveller sticks to the modern alignment, or traverses the old coaching/posting ways.
Out of the total distance, over a fifth of it is situated within the Yorkshire borders, a grand total of 80miles! (Bawtry to Cleasby)
There are numerous old stretches that still exist, complete with their clues to a grander past.
For example; this album (http://community.webshots.com/album/190502805ZJiTow/2) shows 'The Swan' at Aberford which is on the old alignment. As late as the mid 60's, the 'GNR' passed through the town.
'The Swan' also shows its coaching past as the 'Post Horses' sign shows.
Further south, in Bawtry, Scrooby Retford & Newark, the 'GNR' has numerous remainders on show.
If anyone is interested in this English equivilant of Route 66, can I recommend a book?
'The Great North Road. A Guide For The Curious Traveller'
Frank Goddard
Frances Lincoln Publishing
ISBN 0-112-2446-3
£14.99
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the road to hell :D or the M25 as its commonly known
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the road to hell :D or the M25 as its commonly known
Another song - Chris Rea :D
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The Road To Amarillo :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Or 'Road to no where' Talking Heads :D
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I get my kicks on Route 66 :wink:
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There's alway one (or more as the case may be) :roll: :roll:
If we're talking songs about roads, what about the best ever? (http://www.lyrics.net.ua/lyrics/bruce_springsteen/born_to_run/thunder_road.html)
This one (http://www.lyrics.net.ua/lyrics/steve_earle/exit_0/nowhere_road.htm) is pretty good as well, with lines like;
'Straighter Than A Preacher & Longer Than A Memory'
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A5 London to Ireland via Holyhead
http://www.ukroads.plus.com/f99/5.html
A magnificent construction by T. Telford.
http://www.britannia.com/bios/telford.html
A few steel bridges worth seeing.
Waterloo bridge Betws-y-coed
Menai Bridge Menai Straight
http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/bridges/
http://www.welshdragon.net/resources/places/menai.shtml
Other Bridges built by Telford include
Ironbridge
Pontcysyllte
More recent bridges include
Britania Menai Straight
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yes the A5 is a great road but when you have to go somewhere and the only way out means driving the A5 or A55 they can be a little dull the only other way is the coast road and thats not good either. :shock:
there are lots of nice roads in north wales one of my favs is from capel-cerig to beddgelert and another that goes from the ugly house in betws (A5) to Llanrwst (B5106)
Me and the kids have a os map of our area around Llanberis and we highlight ALL the roads we have driven in an attempt to drive them all (I know it would take forever but it gives us somthing to do together on a sunday when the weather is bad ) (All the time :wink: ) It gets us to places we wouldn't normally go and we have found some great places ie, waterfalls, parks, GOOD PUBS and views , and Ryan my Nine year old gets to navigate and can't get us lost because getting lost is the point :D
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North Yorkshire (but commences in West Yorkshire)
A65
Thisis essentially the major route from industrial West Yorkshire up to Cumbria (the Lake District)
Known to generations of travellers for its undulating features & epic scenery.
It starts in Leeds as 'Kirkstall Road', passing through several outlying districts of Leeds, before gaining open countryside to the west of Otley.
Due to geographical (& enviromental) constraints the bottleneck at Ilkley is due to remain indefinately. On weekends & Bank Holidays this can add over an hour to journey times.
Major towns & villages on the route include;
Ilkley
Skipton (bypassed)
Gargrave
Long Preston
Settle (now bypassed)
Coniston Cold (home of 'LR Experience' Yorkshire)
Hellifield
Kirkby Lonsdale is a notable place on the route as the River Lune is crossed adjacent to a beautiful old bridge (http://community.webshots.com/photo/167613101/168492641jzbtjR)
Upon reaching the M6 a few miles to the north of Kirky Lonsdale, the A65 becomes the A591 (to Windermere, Bowness, etc......)
Overall, a great road journey, if you allow for the mixture of traffic, from; caravanners, HGV's, tractors to mad motorbikers.
Speed restrictions are enforced by unmarked cars & bikes, so please don't treat the open sections as racetracks
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The Road To Amarillo :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
How can you better that!! :lol:
Follow the yellow brick road :lol:
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B6318 from Thirlwall Castle (NY658653) to Heddon on the Wall (NZ136670) runs parallel to a69 and alongside Hadrians Wall. A Roller-Coaster of a road if ever there was one.
Not forgetting the Hardknot Pass in The Lakes
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West Yorkshire/Derbyshire
A6024
Holme-Moss
This is one of the (if not the) biggest steepest hills in West Yorkshire.
It runs from Holmfirth (south of Huddersfield) over to join the Woodhead Pass (A628)
It is reknown amongst Yorkshire cyclists as a tough challenge, be it from either side.
When the professional races like the 'Tour of Britain' (or the defunct 'Leeds Classic') come up into Yorkshire they always pass over it. A lot of Eurpoean riders are taken by surprise as they don't expect it, the hill usually instigates the winning 'breakaway'
Once Holmfirth is left behind the climbing begins, that's even with about 5miles to go before the 'Moss' itself is reached!
Once the small village of Holme is reached the climbing begins in earnest.
Some members on here may know the green-lanes around the base of the 'Moss' from trips with the 'DOC'.
Once the summit is attained (520metres) the views to the north are stunning (http://community.webshots.com/photo/79656053/285844316ryuycW) - in good visibility (Ice-cream van usually up there as well) However, in winter, it's usually one of the first roads to be closed over the Pennines.
Vehicles can get trapped up there for several days at a time (http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=6604)
It can be dangerous, as the southern side is unfenced & Sheep abound.
I know from personal experience what a Sheep hit at about 40mph can do & it's not nice :shock:
A friend once hit one on a ride out & coming off in Lycra at that speed hurts no matter what the surface. We never saw the Sheep again, but his bike was totalled & he had a few weeks in Hospital
Multi-Map (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=410000&Y=405000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=50000&multimap.x=368&multimap.y=173)
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Snake Pass
A57
Derbyshire
One of the wonders of the north, this old turnpike route passes between Manchester & Sheffield. However, the interesting section lays to the east of Glossop (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=405000.209068161&Y=395000.516910782&width=700&height=400&gride=403684.209068161&gridn=393980.516910782&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=1&scale=25000).
The Pass climps up quite severely away from Glossop gaining height rapidly.
Look out for the 12" poles on the roadside that tell snow-plough crews where the road surface lies!!!
It's sinuous turns seem to suggest that its name is eponymous with the reptile, but the name comes from a Snake appearing on the Coat Of Arms of the land owning family.
The Snake Inn is the only pub on this road until LadyBower reservoir, it's worth visiting if only for the pictures from previous harsh winters showing the depth of the snows.
Its is not a road to be taken lightly as an inspection of some of the slopes below the road may reveal vehicles that have missed a corner.
Once LadyBower reservoir is reached, the harder section is disposed off. If you turn off up the (yellow) side road to the left (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=418000.209068161&Y=387000.516910782&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=25000&right.x=5&right.y=146), you will come to the Derwent Dam. This is where 617 Squadron ('The Dambusters') practiced for their attacks.
If you are very lucky, or have pre-planned due to publicity, you may witness a Lancaster from the 'Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight' doing a fly-past for the anniversary.
I have been lucky enough to see this once & the echo around the valley is unforgettable.
617 Memorial (http://community.webshots.com/photo/134495436/152369802IdZkYj) on Derwent Dam
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'ButterTubs Pass'
Unclassified?
North Yorkshire
Another exquisite piece of the roadmakers art. It passes between Wensleydale, at Hardraw (famous for its Brass Band competitions) & Swaledale (at Thwaite)
It varies between blind crests to wide open sweeping corners that make you wish for another 40mph & 300bhp!
Multi-Map (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=387500&Y=497500&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=1&scale=100000)
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Ribblehead
B6255
North Yorkshire
A swooping roller-coaster of a road, that runs from Ingleton to Hawes (pronounced like 'the ladies of negotiable affections' :lol: )
It has sharp climbs, sweeping 5th gear corners, sump scraping dips :D
The surface is in a good state of repair for its isolated position.
There's not many other roads (that I know of) that make me wish for something like a WRX Impreza to tackle it in.
The last time I drove it 'enthusiastically' was in the wifes (pre- Fabia) Astra TD. Even that was a 'blast' over it :D
One other feature of note is the Ribblehead Viaduct (on the Settle- Carlise railway) you may strike lucky & see a 'steam special'
Multi-Map (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=375000&Y=480000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=1&scale=200000)
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Blimey BTM, do you realise you made more than one reference to 'non-yorkshire' in your posts :lol:
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A701 Moffat to Penicuik (just outside Edinburgh) approx 50 miles of very fast road with sweeping bends and plenty of opportunity to overtake :D and very few trucks as they use the A702.
Snake Pass is too busy to be interesting.
As for more local shorter fun stretches;
Blackburn to Haslingden Grane Road A6117 and the parallel
Blackburn to Haslingden B6236
Road from Bolton to M65 via Belmont and Abbey Village A675
Helmshore to Holcombe road B6214
Except the first three of these are now 50mph limit :evil: as muppets kept throwing themselves into ditches :evil: :evil:
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'Shibden Wall' (correctly named Lee Lane)
Unclassified
West Yorkshire
Not a long road by any means, but a short, nasty climb. It starts innocently enough by a 17th century mill that is now a pub & proceeds to corkscrew upwards, perhaps with a ruling gradient of 1-in-3 to 1-in-4.
Oh, did I mention that it's cobbled as well? (lots of wheelspin in the wet!
It arrives up on Swales Moor Road, by the dry-ski-slope. The views over halifax are quite good from up here.
To the north is a pub called 'The Starving Rascal'.
There used to be an off-road site there(in a quarry) as well, but now it's a land-fill
Multi-Map (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=410000.999999525&Y=427500.947172915&width=700&height=400&gride=409799.999999525&gridn=427399.947172915&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=grid&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=1&scale=25000)
It was used in the 'Kellogs Tour Of Britain' cycle race & some of the poor professionals has to resort to walking up it pushing their bikes (in the dry)
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B6318 from Thirlwall Castle (NY658653) to Heddon on the Wall (NZ136670) runs parallel to a69 and alongside Hadrians Wall. A Roller-Coaster of a road if ever there was one.
Not forgetting the Hardknot Pass in The Lakes
B6318 from Thirlwall Castle (NY658653) to Heddon on the Wall (NZ136670) runs parallel to a69 and alongside Hadrians Wall.
was going to mention that one
its a excelent drive out as only about 20 minutes from me
that and the milliary raod.
Goes up to otterburn and take a lot millitary traffic to the ranges around that way but think was originaly built to get troops direct to scotland when there was still cross border fighting
useless fact of the day.
if you go on to hadrians wall at NY 756 676 GB(closest car park is at Steel Rigg NY 751 676 GB) theres a sickamore tree on the wall.
under this tree they filmed the part in Robin hood prince of theives where Robin has just returned from the crusades with his friend (Morgan freema's charector) and they stop when the little kid gets chased up the tree by the sherifs men for poaching
I was a youth leader a few years ago and the kids loved that bit of useless knowledge
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West Yorkshire/Derbyshire
A6024
Holme-Moss
It is reknown amongst Yorkshire cyclists as a tough challenge, be it from either side
You're not kidding, my Cavalier would only go up there in first and the Rangie seldom makes it out of second.
coming off in Lycra at that speed hurts no matter what the surface
If you ignore the opertunity to be rude at that one then I'd have to agree, which is why I normally break the fall with my head :?
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West Yorkshire/Derbyshire
A6024
Holme-Moss
It is reknown amongst Yorkshire cyclists as a tough challenge, be it from either side
You're not kidding, my Cavalier would only go up there in first and the Rangie seldom makes it out of second.
If you ignore the opportunity to be rude at that one then I'd have to agree, which is why I normally break the fall with my head :?
I used to be able to sprint most of the way up from the Holmbridge when I was riding my Dyna-Tech (titanium) road bike - then want to 'hurl chunks' at the top :lol:
Obviously the weather played a big part. Wearing just a 'Skin-Suit' in summer made it a pleasant affair.
In winter having thermal tights, 2 shirts, over-shoes, gloves & a thermal jacket made you feel like a 'Boil In The Bag Chicken' :roll:
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Snake Pass
A57
Derbyshire
Just to put you right it goes From Sheffield to Manchester :D
Great road, being on my doorstep almost I tend to forget what a great road, I sometimes take learners along it :shock:
I also like to drive out to glossop along the snake and head back along the Woodhead (A628?) or through Hathersage and past Fox House (burbage if you fancy a green lane).
Whilst you're there why not detour to take in Whinnets pass? another 1st gear climb, and have a laugh at the road up Mam Torr (shivering mountain), past the Blue John mine, that lasted about a fortnight before sliding down the hilside. I've done that on a mountain bike too!
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There is a "jeep track" through Canyonlands National Park, which is accessed through Moab, Utah. You disappear into the desert on a dust track and come out 80 miles later; you then get onto a deserted tarmac road and the whole route is about 120 miles. The scenery is stunning, and it's only accessible by 4x4, trail bike or if you are a seriously hairy-arsed cyclist.
You can see some pictures here:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/gallery/index.htm
"Bikers on the White Rim Road" gives you an idea of what it all looks like, as does this:
(http://www.us-national-parks.net/images/deadhor.gif)
No idea what the grid reference is, but if you go to the National Park office in Moab they can point you in the right direction.
Theoretically it's a couple of days' drive, but I can testify it's possible in 8 hours in a hired Jeep Cherokee :)
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b]Snake Pass[/b]
A57
Derbyshire
I also like to drive out to glossop along the snake and head back along the Woodhead (A628?) or through Hathersage and past Fox House (burbage if you fancy a green lane).
Whilst you're there why not detour to take in Whinnets pass? another 1st gear climb, and have a laugh at the road up Mam Torr (shivering mountain), past the Blue John mine, that lasted about a fortnight before sliding down the hilside. I've done that on a mountain bike too!
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Been up Winnats a few times on the bike as well, what a swine of a climb!!
Fox House. If you mean the actual pub, I haven't been in it, but been past on the way to Grindleford Cafe.
Hathersage churchyard repputedly has the grave of Little John, Robin Hoods mate. You know that outlaw who really belongs to Yorkshire :lol: :o
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The route for grokels and emmets: M5 southbound :evil: Every Bank Holiday, kids holiday, sunny week end it starts. Accident south bound, accident north bound and to top it all some burk usually stuffs the A417 (Glos to Cirencester) up near the Air Balloon Pub or at Nettleton Bottom (where the road runs into a steep decline). Used as a sort of short cut from the M4 (Swindon) to the M5. Never mind, we've found a sneaky route under the dual carriage, down a few RUPPs and we're out to freedom :(biglaugh):
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The route for grokels and emmets: M5 southbound :evil: Every Bank Holiday, kids holiday, sunny week end it starts. Accident south bound, accident north bound and to top it all some burk usually stuffs the A417 (Glos to Cirencester) up near the Air Balloon Pub or at Nettleton Bottom (where the road runs into a steep decline). Used as a sort of short cut from the M4 (Swindon) to the M5. Never mind, we've found a sneaky route under the dual carriage, down a few RUPPs and we're out to freedom :(biglaugh):
was around Cirencester week last week as had been visiting family in devon and on the way home.
That bit of M5 is cursed for me. 1st time we drove it had a punture on the motorway and had to pay £150 to get towed and have it fixed (needless to say joined AA after that) and last time was on it there was a "tink" noise and we got a 2 foot crack in windscreen of our vectra. Fortunatly it didnt come through and was still able to get home to newcastle.
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A6
Cumbria
Essentially the section between Kendal & Penrith over Shap Fell.
Originally the only route between Scotland & England on the west coast.
A reknown danger road before the opening of the M6 & also a constant victim of the weather in winter
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http://multimap.co.uk/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=408000&Y=624000&width=500&height=310&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=25000&upright.x=62&upright.y=6
hepburn to north charlton(A1) rallied many years ago-v fast, v deceptive,v dangerous- local knowledge pays big time on this baby esp in the dark :wink:
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West Yorkshire/Derbyshire
A6024
Holme-Moss
This is one of the (if not the) biggest steepest hills in West Yorkshire.
It runs from Holmfirth (south of Huddersfield) over to join the Woodhead Pass (A628)
It
Multi-Map (http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=410000&Y=405000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=50000&multimap.x=368&multimap.y=173)
Dragging an old post back to the present, I found this link (http://www.rural-roads.co.uk/a6024/a60241.shtml)
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Could be of interest??
British Road Directory (http://www.cbrd.co.uk/)
Urban Country Lanes (http://www.truplex.com/urbancountrylanes/)
Rural Roads (http://www.rural-roads.co.uk/)
Great North Road (http://www.biffvernon.freeserve.co.uk/contents.htm)
Society for All British Roads Enthusiasts (http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/)
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If I'm in a fast car (not the LR!!) I like the A66 on a good day. The dual carriageway section can be *very* entertaining when the traffic is quiet and the local enforcement is absent 8-[
More local to be, the A1075 from Great Hockham to Watton. Nice and wide with sweeping curves and a few tighter ones thrown in for variety.
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If I'm in a fast car (not the LR!!) I like the A66 on a good day.
For me if I'm heading to the north-west (Cumbria) it's far easier to use the A65.
Once you get through Bradford & Shipley, it's a 'good run'
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Talking of roads I know which was the first motorway to be built in the UK anybody who knows be quiet but if you dont lets have a guess.
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Maybe I'll try that way when we go up to Glasgow for Christmas :D
Looks like going through Bradford might be a bit slow though?
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Talking of roads I know which was the first motorway to be built in the UK anybody who knows be quiet but if you dont lets have a guess.
I know it's not the obvious one, but I can't remember which it was..... maybe part of the M6?
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Hah! Just did a bit of Googling and....... :lol:
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Looks like going through Bradford might be a bit slow though?
No, it just gets in the way, as from leaving the M62 at either jct 27 (Gildersome), or 26 ('Chain-Bar'), it's practically all traffic-lights & queuing until the Bingley relief-road.
The A65 is nice though, but you're not actually on it until you've got to the north side of Skipton, as it's the road from Leeds city-centre.
Prior to that it's the A650.