Land's End to Ness Point, midsummers evening 2017
Discussion
I have taken the liberty of starting a new thread for discussion on this year's potential run.
I have considered it for a while but maybe this year is the year to give it a go. As the years go on, I expect this will become less possible legally, due to lower limits on roads, roadworks etc.
I am making the assumption that technically, the shortest night is on the evening of 21 June through the morning of 22 June. So the optimum night is the 21st/22nd. As far as I can tell, there isn't much in it in terms of time for a few days either side of that.
From other threads I pickup that some people want to do this on the 24th which I assume is just because it is a weekend. I think my preferred night is that 'proper' one.. hotels are cheaper mid week and traffic is probably lighter.
Again from other threads I see that a variety of routes have been tried, though I haven't drawn a conclusion as to the 'best'.
A303 will probably be full of Druids on the morning of the 21st, but should have dispersed well before the evening.
A30/M5/M4/M25 is a boring but safe route, but a little longer.
It also depends how many people are up for this - I don't think a large convoy/group would go down too well and would probably be attracting the attention of the authorities - though as I understand it, it can be completed fully legally.
Motorway route is around 450 miles, sunset 21:36, sunrise 4:30 giving a 6h 54m time window (6.9 hours) giving a required average of 65.2mph
I will need a fuel stop as I don't have a 450 mile range, so that eats in to the time.
Thoughts on dates, routes etc?
I have considered it for a while but maybe this year is the year to give it a go. As the years go on, I expect this will become less possible legally, due to lower limits on roads, roadworks etc.
I am making the assumption that technically, the shortest night is on the evening of 21 June through the morning of 22 June. So the optimum night is the 21st/22nd. As far as I can tell, there isn't much in it in terms of time for a few days either side of that.
From other threads I pickup that some people want to do this on the 24th which I assume is just because it is a weekend. I think my preferred night is that 'proper' one.. hotels are cheaper mid week and traffic is probably lighter.
Again from other threads I see that a variety of routes have been tried, though I haven't drawn a conclusion as to the 'best'.
A303 will probably be full of Druids on the morning of the 21st, but should have dispersed well before the evening.
A30/M5/M4/M25 is a boring but safe route, but a little longer.
It also depends how many people are up for this - I don't think a large convoy/group would go down too well and would probably be attracting the attention of the authorities - though as I understand it, it can be completed fully legally.
Motorway route is around 450 miles, sunset 21:36, sunrise 4:30 giving a 6h 54m time window (6.9 hours) giving a required average of 65.2mph
I will need a fuel stop as I don't have a 450 mile range, so that eats in to the time.
Thoughts on dates, routes etc?
A couple of points that I've probably already mentioned on the other thread.
I did it a few years ago on the 'proper' night which happened to be a saturday anyway, and I went the A303 route, not a single druid to be seen!
I too had to stop for fuel but it really only took a couple of minutes so wasn't a big deal.
I stopped for a pee on the A12 too, not that you really wanted to know that!
I'm not convinced it's quite possible to do sticking to every speed limit, but you don't have to go ballistic, as I learned by beating the sunrise by a considerable margin.
The main thing is, enjoy yourself, and be safe.
Good luck!
I did it a few years ago on the 'proper' night which happened to be a saturday anyway, and I went the A303 route, not a single druid to be seen!
I too had to stop for fuel but it really only took a couple of minutes so wasn't a big deal.
I stopped for a pee on the A12 too, not that you really wanted to know that!
I'm not convinced it's quite possible to do sticking to every speed limit, but you don't have to go ballistic, as I learned by beating the sunrise by a considerable margin.
The main thing is, enjoy yourself, and be safe.
Good luck!
I am still weighing up the options before I decide... but I think I am on for this.
I will be single crewed, but may have another friend along in another vehicle.
A303 sounds a 'better' route in terms of not being so boring as Motorway all the way... not a road I am familiar with but I guess I can't go far wrong.
I had factored in a Pee stop along with a fuel stop... it does all look do-able without going mental.
Limits on the A303 are all going to be less than or equal to 60, whereas obviously motorway is 70.
Clearly there will be areas where some time can be made up.
Looking at the logistics at the moment...I have a 6 hour drive to get to the start, so that would have to be done the day before. Get up late, then do something until start time at nominally 21:30. It is all awkward timing.
Looks like about £120 in fuel just to do the run. £100 to get there, £100 for hotel, £100 to get back. Ouch.
PS. I am not getting all anal about the speed limits... its just I am not going to be posting something that couldn't possibly be done without a little law breaking! In this case we are in the clear.
I will be single crewed, but may have another friend along in another vehicle.
A303 sounds a 'better' route in terms of not being so boring as Motorway all the way... not a road I am familiar with but I guess I can't go far wrong.
I had factored in a Pee stop along with a fuel stop... it does all look do-able without going mental.
Limits on the A303 are all going to be less than or equal to 60, whereas obviously motorway is 70.
Clearly there will be areas where some time can be made up.
Looking at the logistics at the moment...I have a 6 hour drive to get to the start, so that would have to be done the day before. Get up late, then do something until start time at nominally 21:30. It is all awkward timing.
Looks like about £120 in fuel just to do the run. £100 to get there, £100 for hotel, £100 to get back. Ouch.
PS. I am not getting all anal about the speed limits... its just I am not going to be posting something that couldn't possibly be done without a little law breaking! In this case we are in the clear.
Edited by No ideas for a name on Thursday 27th April 17:49
No ideas for a name said:
I
Limits on the A303 are all going to be less than or equal to 60, whereas obviously motorway is 70.
Clearly there will be areas where some time can be made up.
There's a fair chunk of A303 that is 70 limit.Limits on the A303 are all going to be less than or equal to 60, whereas obviously motorway is 70.
Clearly there will be areas where some time can be made up.
There are a lot of roundabouts and stuff, but for me that made it less boring than the motorway.
Thanks for the insight.
A303 is becoming my route of choice... I hadn't realised it was a decent dual carriageway in places.
I fear the M3 still has the 50 on it though.
Islands are good - keeps you going with something to think about rather than boring Motorway.
Since you have done this yourself... one question - Is this a daft idea? It is just on my list of things to do - not really sure why.
A303 is becoming my route of choice... I hadn't realised it was a decent dual carriageway in places.
I fear the M3 still has the 50 on it though.
Islands are good - keeps you going with something to think about rather than boring Motorway.
Since you have done this yourself... one question - Is this a daft idea? It is just on my list of things to do - not really sure why.
No ideas for a name said:
Is this a daft idea? It is just on my list of things to do - not really sure why.
A mate (my passenger) and I talked about it in the pub one night a few months before hand, and we did it.For me it was a truly memorable night and weekend, exhausting, but terrific fun!
We had more problems getting INTO Cornwall than getting OUT of it. Solid traffic westbound on the A303 during the day. We only arrived at Land's End six minutes before the sun went down. Otherweise, huge fun. The "classic" route is A303, then M25 south, then A12.
The crowd at Lowestoft impressed us, there were many out in the very early morning to watch the sunrise.
The crowd at Lowestoft impressed us, there were many out in the very early morning to watch the sunrise.
I am now mostly convinced I should be doing this. Only issues now are things like if I choose the evening of the 21st, will I be Billy No Mates. I understand why the 24th is good for some, but it just seems to be the 'wrong' day.
Is everyone interested just in the Saturday run? Any one up for the Wednesday?
Plan would be to get down to around the Newquay or Padstow level the day before, stay over, then it is only an hour or so to run down to the start. I would have a day to 'waste' but at least I know I will be there in time to leave at the sunset. 300 miles for me before the start - Google estimates 5-6 hours.
Got to go and get some uSD cards for the GoPro... Going to need some decent size cards I think.
Is everyone interested just in the Saturday run? Any one up for the Wednesday?
Plan would be to get down to around the Newquay or Padstow level the day before, stay over, then it is only an hour or so to run down to the start. I would have a day to 'waste' but at least I know I will be there in time to leave at the sunset. 300 miles for me before the start - Google estimates 5-6 hours.
Got to go and get some uSD cards for the GoPro... Going to need some decent size cards I think.
Oh, come on. The idea is to enjoy the open road, not to sleep. We did it in 36 hours, from the continent - ferry to Dover - drive to Land's End - run to Lowestoft - drive down to Dover (breakfast at Canterbury) - ferry to Dunkirk - home. You want to feel that you ACHIEVED something. Push your limits!
No ideas for a name said:
I have taken the liberty of starting a new thread for discussion on this year's potential run.
I have considered it for a while but maybe this year is the year to give it a go. As the years go on, I expect this will become less possible legally, due to lower limits on roads, roadworks etc.
I am making the assumption that technically, the shortest night is on the evening of 21 June through the morning of 22 June. So the optimum night is the 21st/22nd. As far as I can tell, there isn't much in it in terms of time for a few days either side of that.
From other threads I pickup that some people want to do this on the 24th which I assume is just because it is a weekend. I think my preferred night is that 'proper' one.. hotels are cheaper mid week and traffic is probably lighter.
Again from other threads I see that a variety of routes have been tried, though I haven't drawn a conclusion as to the 'best'.
A303 will probably be full of Druids on the morning of the 21st, but should have dispersed well before the evening.
A30/M5/M4/M25 is a boring but safe route, but a little longer.
It also depends how many people are up for this - I don't think a large convoy/group would go down too well and would probably be attracting the attention of the authorities - though as I understand it, it can be completed fully legally.
Motorway route is around 450 miles, sunset 21:36, sunrise 4:30 giving a 6h 54m time window (6.9 hours) giving a required average of 65.2mph
I will need a fuel stop as I don't have a 450 mile range, so that eats in to the time.
Thoughts on dates, routes etc?
Evenin' all,I have considered it for a while but maybe this year is the year to give it a go. As the years go on, I expect this will become less possible legally, due to lower limits on roads, roadworks etc.
I am making the assumption that technically, the shortest night is on the evening of 21 June through the morning of 22 June. So the optimum night is the 21st/22nd. As far as I can tell, there isn't much in it in terms of time for a few days either side of that.
From other threads I pickup that some people want to do this on the 24th which I assume is just because it is a weekend. I think my preferred night is that 'proper' one.. hotels are cheaper mid week and traffic is probably lighter.
Again from other threads I see that a variety of routes have been tried, though I haven't drawn a conclusion as to the 'best'.
A303 will probably be full of Druids on the morning of the 21st, but should have dispersed well before the evening.
A30/M5/M4/M25 is a boring but safe route, but a little longer.
It also depends how many people are up for this - I don't think a large convoy/group would go down too well and would probably be attracting the attention of the authorities - though as I understand it, it can be completed fully legally.
Motorway route is around 450 miles, sunset 21:36, sunrise 4:30 giving a 6h 54m time window (6.9 hours) giving a required average of 65.2mph
I will need a fuel stop as I don't have a 450 mile range, so that eats in to the time.
Thoughts on dates, routes etc?
I fancy this run so I've booked a travelodge at Wadebridge for the 24th June, have paid extra for early check in. (There are other travelodges nearer Lands End but they're much more expensive). Plan is to leave home (Sutton Coldfield) early enough to get to travelodge at 12 noon, check in and have a few hours sleep, then get to Lands End about 8.30 (need to factor food in somewhere though too) which should be in good time for the 9.36pm start.
I'll be in a blue '04 Mini Cooper S. I'll be the old bloke you might see hobbling about with walking stick 'cos I'm awaiting a left knee replacement.
The clutch in the Cooper S is light enough for my knee. If it gets too bad by that date I have a smart roadster I can use (not the best vehicle obviously, but it can maintain an indicated 90mph or so and will most probably have a longer range than the thirsty Mini).
Look forward to seeing anyone else there, doing this.
I do want to do the A303 route 'cos I just feel that't the proper way, don't want to do m'way all the way if I can help it.
Cheers.
I too really fancy doing this, and have looked at it a few times. The comments about future traffic restrictions make me wonder if this should be the year. It would have to be the "proper" night for me I think... I like the idea of the "early booking" hotel for an afternoon siesta. I live in the East Mids and it would (will?!?) be 17 hours of driving and 900+ miles for the complete round trip according to Google. Less than the NC500...
So, maybe I won't be Billy No Mates on the 21st...
I am still planning for the evening of the 21st. I have a provisional booking for a hotel around Newquay on the evening of the 20th so will down there the day before the run.
Also, looks like I am travelling from a similar area... Birmingham(ish).
Can't decide if I should go for the under 1 litre record, and bring the K11 Micra.
I am still planning for the evening of the 21st. I have a provisional booking for a hotel around Newquay on the evening of the 20th so will down there the day before the run.
Also, looks like I am travelling from a similar area... Birmingham(ish).
Can't decide if I should go for the under 1 litre record, and bring the K11 Micra.
SLKTRaction said:
A real reason for owning a car, so, another interested driver from the far East (Essex)
We have to rearrange a short break in Poole, but, at this stage, count my son and me in.
If the weather is good, we would like to do the trip 'top down' . . . . . . fingers crossed
John
Turns out we can't change the hotel booking . . . .Drat! We have to rearrange a short break in Poole, but, at this stage, count my son and me in.
If the weather is good, we would like to do the trip 'top down' . . . . . . fingers crossed
John
My son is now not talking to me
However . . . The 21st June 2018 is set aside
Good luck everyone, enjoy, I'm extremely envious
I've done this for the past two years in a Honda Accord . It has a 550 mile range so could manage a zero-stop strategy. However, being a diesel, I was last to leave and last to arrive at Lowestoft but still managed to get there about 10 mins before sunrise. I did M3, M25, A12 both times, without any problems.
This year, will be doing it on the 24th in a 300x twin turbo with another driver.
See you in Lands End.
This year, will be doing it on the 24th in a 300x twin turbo with another driver.
See you in Lands End.
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