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Bristol Boys Bala Blast
- Number5
- Lifer
- Posts: 6026
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:34 pm
- Location: Bristol M4/M5
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Six months a go we planned our annual trip to North Wales, to enjoy the roads around Snowdonia. Rather than book the usual Premier Inn rooms, we decided to book a large 6 bed cottage and as it happened, we booked it from the day that the sun came out (Weds), until the day it went away (today)
This turned out to be a great decision. Rather than sitting in the bar all evening we were able to just chill out chatting around the dinner table, and afterwards crash out in front of the log fire. - Thoroughly recommended
The cottage was a 10 minute stroll from the town of Bala, offered secure parking within the grounds and Bala is a good town offering several pubs, cafes and curry houses if required plus all of the necessary provisions.
Spikey, MikerW, GasheadIan, 2Dogs & myself set off from Bristol on Wednesday, via Usk, Abergavenny, Builth, Newtown, up to Welshpool and then across the B4391 mountain top road into Bala. - Now thats a road to enjoy!
Also on our doorstep was a continuation of the B4391, but the stretch from Bala into Festiniog. That is better than the Evo Triangle and a road that we must have driven half a dozen times, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Twisty, sweeping, scenic, spectacular, cliff edges, good tarmac and perfect for the nippy, balanced E85/E86 set ups, really putting the cars through their paces.
We tried the Evo triangle and the general opinion is that it was a disappointment. The tarmac seems to have deteriorated since our last visit and with the fear of speed traps it just wasnt enjoyable. However, the Lyn Brenig visitor centre on the East side of the triangle is well worth stopping at for great food and views of the lake.
The other 'worth doing' roads are the A4086 from Capel Curig to Llanberris, the A5 from Capel Curig to Bethesda and the B4407 at the Western end near Festiniog where it joins the B4391.
I hope the big forum meet up there this weekend goes as well as our trip did.. We'll certainly be back next year. Oh - and did I mention the weather !!
Spikey Number5 GasHeadIan 2Dogs MikerW The Cottage
This turned out to be a great decision. Rather than sitting in the bar all evening we were able to just chill out chatting around the dinner table, and afterwards crash out in front of the log fire. - Thoroughly recommended
The cottage was a 10 minute stroll from the town of Bala, offered secure parking within the grounds and Bala is a good town offering several pubs, cafes and curry houses if required plus all of the necessary provisions.
Spikey, MikerW, GasheadIan, 2Dogs & myself set off from Bristol on Wednesday, via Usk, Abergavenny, Builth, Newtown, up to Welshpool and then across the B4391 mountain top road into Bala. - Now thats a road to enjoy!
Also on our doorstep was a continuation of the B4391, but the stretch from Bala into Festiniog. That is better than the Evo Triangle and a road that we must have driven half a dozen times, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Twisty, sweeping, scenic, spectacular, cliff edges, good tarmac and perfect for the nippy, balanced E85/E86 set ups, really putting the cars through their paces.
We tried the Evo triangle and the general opinion is that it was a disappointment. The tarmac seems to have deteriorated since our last visit and with the fear of speed traps it just wasnt enjoyable. However, the Lyn Brenig visitor centre on the East side of the triangle is well worth stopping at for great food and views of the lake.
The other 'worth doing' roads are the A4086 from Capel Curig to Llanberris, the A5 from Capel Curig to Bethesda and the B4407 at the Western end near Festiniog where it joins the B4391.
I hope the big forum meet up there this weekend goes as well as our trip did.. We'll certainly be back next year. Oh - and did I mention the weather !!
Spikey Number5 GasHeadIan 2Dogs MikerW The Cottage
Last edited by Number5 on Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:17 pm, edited 10 times in total.
Alpina Roadster #307
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
- Number5
- Lifer
- Posts: 6026
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:34 pm
- Location: Bristol M4/M5
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Welshpool to Bala
Bala to Festiniog
A470 near Blaenau Festiniog to Betws-y-Coed
Capel Curig to Llanberis road
Breakfast at Llyn Brenig Vistor Centre, just off the Evo triangle
Last edited by Number5 on Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:12 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Alpina Roadster #307
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26546
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Good to see your car out on the road Alan. Makes a change from seeing it on the forum callender.
Perfect weather. Been off since We'd myself and have put some decent miles on the Zed. Great pics, hope you got some dark sky driving in.
Perfect weather. Been off since We'd myself and have put some decent miles on the Zed. Great pics, hope you got some dark sky driving in.
- Number5
- Lifer
- Posts: 6026
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:34 pm
- Location: Bristol M4/M5
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
it was just an opportunity to take more photos for the next calendar really John
Alpina Roadster #307
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26546
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
- Number5
- Lifer
- Posts: 6026
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:34 pm
- Location: Bristol M4/M5
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Brace yourself !!!
Seriously, the roads up there are great and with the right numbers and the right mix of people, you'll never tire of driving these roads. Everytime we go, we discover another gem that looks nothing on the map but are just fantastic to experience in a Zed Therefore you've just got to take a gamble and explore.
Alpina Roadster #307
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26546
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Have done a good few north to south and back runs through Wales in the Zed. There are indeed some nice roads and always more to discover. Still not Scotland though. That's were the Zed is properly free.Number5 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:44 pmBrace yourself !!!
Seriously, the roads up there are great and with the right numbers and the right mix of people, you'll never tire of driving these roads. Everytime we go, we discover another gem that looks nothing on the map but are just fantastic to experience in a Zed Therefore you've just got to take a gamble and explore.
- Vornwend
- Member
- Posts: 449
- Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2014 12:42 pm
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Wow, what an amazing road trip. Have made a note of those roads
Now: 2004 Z4 3.0i - Merlot Red
Before: VW Corrado VR6 Storm - Classic Green
Before: VW Corrado VR6 Storm - Classic Green
- Beatman
- Member
- Posts: 637
- Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:00 pm
- Location: West Country
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Alan, looks great, and fun was had by all.
We visited Wales the other week, minus the Z. But as you say there are some great, and quiet roads..
We visited Wales the other week, minus the Z. But as you say there are some great, and quiet roads..
My Car- 2004 3.0se sterling grey, mv3s , satnav, heated seats, ZHP.
- 2dogs
- Lifer
- Posts: 5624
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:12 pm
- Location: Somerset
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
some more pictures from the Bala road trip
- Attachments
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- 2dogs
- IMG_0231.JPG (207.93 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
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- 2dogs
- IMG_0228.JPG (192 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
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- MikerW
- IMG_0220.JPG (211.12 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
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- Getting ready too set off
- IMG_0210.JPG (298.9 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
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- Number5
- IMG_0208.JPG (192.32 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
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- Check out the legs
- IMG_0207.JPG (240.17 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
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- GasHeadIan Spikey
- IMG_0206.JPG (270.12 KiB) Viewed 1155 times
Blue Z4MC - now gone
- Darren Slone
- Lifer
- Posts: 8105
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:27 pm
- Location: Nottinghamshire
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
That looks a great trip gents, top drawer
Current Porsche Cayman S 987.1
Now sold - Imola Z4MC
Now sold - Silver Grey Z4MC
OEM CSL’s, Supersprint, Gruppe M, Eibachs, Carbon Roof, carbon rear spoiler,,
Now sold - My other Z
‘71 Datsun 240Z imported from West Coast USA
- srhutch
- Moderator
- Posts: 26959
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:22 pm
- Location: East Sussex, UK
- Contact:
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Does indeed look like fun
- Marlon
- Lifer
- Posts: 10899
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:13 am
- Location: Lancs.
- Contact:
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Wonderful driving roads and great weather - sounds like a great road trip, thanks for sharing
Gone: 3.0si 2008 E85
911 997 Carrera S
- Number5
- Lifer
- Posts: 6026
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:34 pm
- Location: Bristol M4/M5
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
Nice Terry
A couple more taken on the Evo Triangle
A couple more taken on the Evo Triangle
- Attachments
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- IMG_1423.PNG (1.29 MiB) Viewed 1128 times
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- IMG_1422.PNG (1.14 MiB) Viewed 1128 times
Alpina Roadster #307
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
Porsche Boxster GTS
Previous Zs
Stratus E86
G29 30i
1x Imola Z4MR
Alpina #019
10x E85 Se/Si Roadsters
2x E89's
Roof Motor Relocations (Bristol)
- GasheadIan
- Member
- Posts: 168
- Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:20 pm
Bristol Boys Bala Blast
It was great trip, with such luck with weather
Few more photos
These coupe boys do not know what they miss when you get this of scenery
Few more photos
These coupe boys do not know what they miss when you get this of scenery
Bristol ,England - E85 3.0 SE stubby aerial