Sun Oct 13th North wales Run

[Andy665]

Seen a couple of posts from people attending the Auto de France event at Oulton Park on 12th Oct wondering if there was a run planned for the Sunday - there is now

Details:

Start point - Esso / McDonalds rest area on A49 Whitchurch (SY13 1JZ), a straight and fun 17 miles down the A49 from the circuit

Meet time - 9am for a 9.30am departure

Route - across to Ponderosa Cafe, then on to Bala and ending at the Mytton and Mermaid just outside Shrewsbury

Length - distance is 111 miles, time - it will take as long as it takes



Not necessarily using the shortest routes, more about identifying the best roads, all are known to me and have been enjoyed by myself and other A110 owners before

Great roads - yes
Good rest points with toilets / refreshments - yes
Wonderful scenery - yes
Great company - all drives so far has been a definite yes

As always, its about enjoying the drive so no pressure to drive quickly, we will not leave a rest point until all have gathered up again

Roadbooks, as always on the runs I arrange will be provided

Let me know if you are interested

[748rShed]

I'm up for a run out. I'm aware of most of the route from my Sunday morning bike runs over the last few decades. I'm chester based so an easy meet for me.

[Simon Owen]

Andy… I’m planning to lead a route from Sandiway, early Sunday am, I’ll post details soon and see how close we get to each other. Start is very close to Oulton for anyone staying nearby.

Not sure I’ll be quite as organised as you but the route is good

[Andy665]

Simon Owen said:

Andy… I’m planning to lead a route from Sandiway, early Sunday am, I’ll post details soon and see how close we get to each other. Start is very close to Oulton for anyone staying nearby.

Not sure I’ll be quite as organised as you but the route is good

No problem, good to give people a choice

Few more details on the run I have in place

Start point has an Esso fuel station with some of the cheapest fuel in the UK, McDonalds, Greggs and a Starbucks

Route from Whitchurch to Ponderosa is nice wide, flowing roads

First stop - Ponderosa Cafe, a mecca for cars / bikes at the weekend, great views (but always cold) and stonking good value food - breakfast highly recommended

Route from Ponderosa to Bala is fast, twisty and has a brilliant back road route to Bala that is pretty much undiscovered

Loch Cafe at Bala has good parking and more decent food options

Route from Bala to end point has stunning views and is probably my favourite road in the UK

Mytton and Mermaid as the end point gives direct access onto the A5 for easy onward travel and offers great food options

[Andy665]

Last call out to anyone wanting to join tomorrow - looks like being dry

[Soloman Dodd]

Have fun and take pics.

[Andy665]

What a great way to spend a dry but cold Sunday,12 A110s, 14 drivers / navigators and great roads

Leg 1 was busy with traffic and a bit sketchy road wise - cold, damp and a healthy dumping of mud on some roads made it interesting at times.

Usual awesome food at the Ponderosa and decent photo ops helped put a smile on everyones face.

Leg 2 to Bala was awesome, the roads avoiding the SPECS cameras and very light traffic, getting to the lake and discovering a whole section of empty car part tailor made for parking all 12 car was an added bonus

Leg 3 - the B4391 never disappoints a lack of traffic saw me down to 22mpg - much fun had 😃

Final stop at Mytton and Mermaid - good opportunity to natter over a drink and then allow everyone off home / next destination

2 more routes already in planning with maybe an overnighter next Summer

[Stablinski]

Very impressive! Sounds like a great day.

[Derek182]

Many thanks to Andy and Sarah for organising, I've done a lot of different car things and that was a great day.
Was at Oulton the day before so made an excellent weekend.
And what great cars the Alpines are, mines a standard (except for Life110 geo) 2024 GT, so much fun on the twisty Welsh roads and then perfectly comfortable for a 3 hour motorway drive home.

[Hoofty]

Stablinski said:

Very impressive! Sounds like a great day.

It really was - as ever!

I'm unfamiliar with the farming calendar but yeah, whatever is happening now makes for a lot of trailers clearing their sizeable tyres on the road...







Thanks to Andy and all the crew for another super drive out. The view from the back of the pack was fantastic

(The Sag wasn't part of the party but y'know, honourable mention etc)

Nick

[Tokenminds]

Gutted to miss this! Especially as I live in Oswestry. Was at Oulton Park though and that was a great day.

[Andy665]

Tokenminds said:

Gutted to miss this! Especially as I live in Oswestry. Was at Oulton Park though and that was a great day.

Don't worry, I organise these runs regularly and always around Shropshire / Wales.

We have our own little WhatsApp group, drop me a message if you want a link to join

[Tokenminds]

That's very kind, thank you.

[ptickner]

Andy665 said:

Don't worry, I organise these runs regularly and always around Shropshire / Wales.

We have our own little WhatsApp group, drop me a message if you want a link to join

Hi Andy, I'm new to the Alpine owners group and I tried to meet up at the Ponderosa cafe on the Sunday, but unfortunately couldn't make it that early. (Plus I didn't have my Pine at the time as i was on holiday with the familyin Oswestry).
Anyway, could I be added to your WhatsApp group. I live in Essex but I do plan the occasional blat around Wales with some like minded petrolheads.

I'm also in the Caterham owners group so it's a good format to see what's happening and if i can join i will.

It's a shame the Alpine Owners group doesn't do more i.e. regional monthly meets etc.

Thanks in advance and hopefully meet up some day.

Cheers
Paul

Edited by ptickner on Wednesday 23 October 20:28

[James Elmer]

Hi Paul. I’m in Essex, near Colchester. I sometimes go to the Takona Cars & Coffee meet in Sawbridgeworth on the second Sunday of the month; we park at Bell Street car park and grab great food and hot drinks from nearby Pizza Squisita. Derek (GT), John (R), and Graham (S) are in the area too. I look forward to meeting at some point.

[James Elmer]

And to add, Andy’s planning, routes and stops were all excellent! It was a great weekend!

[Andy665]

ptickner said:

Hi Andy, I'm new to the Alpine owners group and I tried to meet up at the Ponderosa cafe on the Sunday, but unfortunately couldn't make it that early. (Plus I didn't have my Pine at the time as i was on holiday with the familyin Oswestry).
Anyway, could I be added to your WhatsApp group. I live in Essex but I do plan the occasional blat around Wales with some like minded petrolheads.

I'm also in the Caterham owners group so it's a good format to see what's happening and if i can join i will.

It's a shame the Alpine Owners group doesn't do more i.e. regional monthly meets etc.

Thanks in advance and hopefully meet up some day.

Cheers
Paul

Edited by ptickner on Wednesday 23 October 20:28

Here you go, just click on the link and I will approve your request to join as soon as it comes through

https://chat.whatsapp.com/JQm6TM6R0G86FerdaiqgiJ

[ptickner]

James Elmer said:

Hi Paul. I’m in Essex, near Colchester. I sometimes go to the Takona Cars & Coffee meet in Sawbridgeworth on the second Sunday of the month; we park at Bell Street car park and grab great food and hot drinks from nearby Pizza Squisita. Derek (GT), John (R), and Graham (S) are in the area too. I look forward to meeting at some point.

Hi James, I took a look at the Takona site, interesting story on why they set up the car meets for mens mental health.
It's not too far so if i can make it I will hopefully see you there.
I did put another 6 months tax on the car with the theory that the weather is unpredictable and we must get some dry driving days over this winter. Maybe we could arrange a drive/meet to Abberton reservoir or breakfast at North Weald?

[James Elmer]

Hi Paul. Yes, I look forward to some bright, dry autumn and winter Sundays! Yes, I’m sure we can get several of us out for breakfast.