Shropshire, UK
@CaroleHeidi and I decided last night we'd get up super early and head across to North Wales as it's been a while since we've been out in the Zed on a decent run. (Somewhat inspired by @Argyll Andy and Kathleen's recent heading to Europe thread - just closer to home.)
Headed out of Shropshire and across to Llangollen, roads much emptier than I normally find in an afternoon. Swung north on the A542 over Horseshoe Pass, stopping to clean all the dead bugs off the windscreen in quite a scenic layby. Then discovered at the foot of the pass a bunch of cows on the road (with calves, just to make it extra spicy.)
Continued onto the A525 with a nice twisty bit through the trees before swinging a left at Ruthin to head down the B5105 to Cerrigydrudion to start two sides of the EVO triangle. Up the B4501, sticking within the 60mph average speed limit the whole way, and then turning left onto the A543, continuing to stick to the limit absolutely. I can see why the triangle has the reputation it does, and having to concentrate on the average speed does add some overhead but it was still enjoyable cruising round it in the early morning sunshine.
Rejoining the A5 we headed towards Betws-y-Coed, but swung left just before getting there onto the A470 heading towards Ffestiniog, passing through Blaenau Ffestiniog on the way.
Then it was time for my favourite road in North Wales, the B4391. Has a great mixture of corners, straights, undulations and whilst is a challenge to make progress on, isn't too challenging or scary along the way. Including this time a brief intermission for Carole to exit the vehicle hastily and admire the grass at close quarters.
Continuing on, swung a left at the end onto the A4212 and followed it round Llyn Celyn with a photo stop where I've previously photographed the Fiesta in front of Moel Llechwedd and (literally) hanging out near one of the laybys as we would've been very early into Bala for breakfast otherwise.
On to Bala for breakfast at Badell Aur, a fish n chips takeaway cafe that does very good sit-in breakfasts and seems well served by bikers. Then a slower cruise home now all the traffic showed up after 10am, getting back just after 11am. Not a bad way to spend 5 hours exploding some dinosaur juice. ~170 miles total.
Headed out of Shropshire and across to Llangollen, roads much emptier than I normally find in an afternoon. Swung north on the A542 over Horseshoe Pass, stopping to clean all the dead bugs off the windscreen in quite a scenic layby. Then discovered at the foot of the pass a bunch of cows on the road (with calves, just to make it extra spicy.)
Continued onto the A525 with a nice twisty bit through the trees before swinging a left at Ruthin to head down the B5105 to Cerrigydrudion to start two sides of the EVO triangle. Up the B4501, sticking within the 60mph average speed limit the whole way, and then turning left onto the A543, continuing to stick to the limit absolutely. I can see why the triangle has the reputation it does, and having to concentrate on the average speed does add some overhead but it was still enjoyable cruising round it in the early morning sunshine.
Rejoining the A5 we headed towards Betws-y-Coed, but swung left just before getting there onto the A470 heading towards Ffestiniog, passing through Blaenau Ffestiniog on the way.
Then it was time for my favourite road in North Wales, the B4391. Has a great mixture of corners, straights, undulations and whilst is a challenge to make progress on, isn't too challenging or scary along the way. Including this time a brief intermission for Carole to exit the vehicle hastily and admire the grass at close quarters.
Continuing on, swung a left at the end onto the A4212 and followed it round Llyn Celyn with a photo stop where I've previously photographed the Fiesta in front of Moel Llechwedd and (literally) hanging out near one of the laybys as we would've been very early into Bala for breakfast otherwise.
On to Bala for breakfast at Badell Aur, a fish n chips takeaway cafe that does very good sit-in breakfasts and seems well served by bikers. Then a slower cruise home now all the traffic showed up after 10am, getting back just after 11am. Not a bad way to spend 5 hours exploding some dinosaur juice. ~170 miles total.
