Late Summer Meet ?

[Suffolk944]

As far as the Peaks are concerned I certainly have various roads and part of a route in my head - would have to consult my road atlas to remind me of some bits to get a fuller set of ideas..

Guess would also depend if we are talking of a single day trek or two/several. Plus dont know what the preference of people would be loads of continuous driving or shorter stints with stop offs at various "points of interest" and indeed watering holes.

Dont know Wales or the Dales well enough to have any idea of suitable routes hopefully others will.

 

[John Sims]

I think much will depend on who is going. If it is just the drivers then a good number of miles with a few stop offs is fine. If it is significant other halfs, kids and dogs then we would need to spend more time taking in the sights.

A gathering will inevitably lead to the consumption of some alcohol while considering the oncomming of dawn so day two might not start early.

If I might be so bold I would look at an "interesting" route for Friday for those of us that can get a day off. A laid back day on Saturday with lots to see in a small distance with options for those that might want to go further afield. Sunday an "intersting" return route with plenty to see and a good number of stops down as far as Birmingham.

Conoys are virtually impossible to hold together with more than 4-6 cars and make those taking part too prominent to make discrete progres. Also, because of inevitable delays, the tail end of a convoy can end up driving at 10/10ths just to keep up while those at the front who are pooteling along. It ain't big and it ain't clever. Having been on a driving holiday when one car was written off I don't want to repeat the experience.

The relevance of this is, subject to numbers groups should be split down to say sub groups of 4-6. We can all go to the same places but it is better if we don't all try to do it at once.

Not that I've been on more than too many to remember of these events [8|]

 

[Suffolk944]

Yup that all makes sense. Perhaps the first step is to decide for certain location and proposed date so that an idea both of numbers and make up of interested parties can be ascertained before any details are investigated and decided upon.

Do these forums have the facility for posting Polls to vote on like others I have seen ? If so, might be a good way to establish whether there is a clear consensus on time and place as well as levels of interest rather than gleaning it from individual posts.

 

[appletonn]

What about a early (Sunday?) morning breakfast meet, with some nice driving roads and a bit of lunch to follow - that way it is just a day out of everyone's hectic social calendars?[] The Peak district is about 1.5hrs from me, so a 8am meet for breakfast at a suitably cholesterol filled location would be an opportunity for some early morning non-motorway driving whilst roads are still empty![]

 

[Suffolk944]

Guess we could have weekend event and have those who just want to come along for a day tojoin up as when they want to. Day trip for me and most of us Southerners might be a bit of a stretch.

 

[John Sims]

I agree. Driving 300 miles on boring roads to spend a couple of hours driving around some nice roads, have a pub lunch, and then spend another 4 or 5 hours on boring roads doesn't really cut it for me as a good day out.

 

[appletonn]

Fair comment[]

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Or just do it down South?

I'll shut up now.....[]

 

[Frenchy]

Northumberland,Peak District, would be good for me, I live in the lakes and would be willing to sort out a run if enough interest was shown .
My Turbo is sitting in the garage and needs to get out!

 

[Diver944]

Happy to go anywhere for a nice days driving on decent roads with good scenery but the Lakes, Peaks and N. Wales will all get pretty busy over summer so later on sounds perfect - late September into October maybe. I'd prefer to find a B&B or Travelodge nearby to stay over the night before and after, all we need to do is decide a rough location and work out a route.

We don't all have to drive in convoy and could almost treat it like one of Geoffs rallies and set off at 5 minute intervals if we had good directions.

 

[Peter Empson]

I'm definately up for this, the B&B idea suits me too. However we seem to have missed the most important condition, we need to find somewhere where the bar stays open till late []

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson

..... However we seem to have missed the most important condition, we need to find somewhere where the bar stays open till late []

If I may clarify:- We need somewhere where they bar stays open way beyond late. In fact, so far into late that late may well become early and even early might become late.

I do not want to spend another 944 event where we ponder the impending dawn laying at the bottom of the stairs.

 

[Peter Empson]

Lol, well I did consider suggesting we could settle for somewhere that had more comfortable stairs []

 

[Suffolk944]

Not sure we should look for a date for the event much beyond September as the risk of spending the entire weekend shrouded in low cloud/fog/rain will increase considerably which wont be a whole lot of fun.

Have gathered a few guidebooks and maps together and its confirmed my thought that we could have a good circular route round the Peaks and one that conforms with Johns suggestion of driving day Friday, a more relaxed Saturday and a driving day Sunday with stuff to see and stop at on each day. I have ideas for the route and itinery, places to stay etc but don't want to step on anyones toes as am just an 'umble "ordinary" member. If its of interest can expound further - could bring the maps to the next Essex meet John if thats of any use and discuss it there.

Of course thats if the Peaks is what we feel we want to do. []

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

.... could bring the maps to the next Essex meet John if thats of any use and discuss it there.

Of course thats if the Peaks is what we feel we want to do. []

That would be an excellent move as three of use who could well be going will be there. The Peaks in September seems to have general approval. I think we have a "go" Huston.

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

If its of interest can expound further - could bring the maps to the next Essex meet John if thats of any use and discuss it there.

Just don't go picking too many bumpy roads please![]

 

[Suffolk944]

Just don't go picking too many bumpy roads please![]

No worries with my lowered suspension want to avoid too much of that too. Bottomed out a few times on the Cotswold jaunt. [&:]

 

[John Sims]

Bumpy roads were meant to be part of a cunning plan. I had intended to follow you and pick up all of the good bits as they dropped off. Now you have seen through our ploy to improve our cars on the cheap we will have to think of something else.