Route Advice

There are quite a few good rds through the chilterns,you could always trundle to Aston Clinton and drive Aston hill,where a certain Mr Martin drove a sports car ........ Ok nowadays its not a challenge ... But its quite scenic.

I was bought up in the Chilterns,there are some nice rds up through the Asheridge Estate between Berkhampstead and Dunstable.then either drop n the A5 to Milton Keynes,or better drop down past Ivinghoe Beacon,and go the country route to Leighton Buzzard then round to milton keynes.

Here's my take on the Buxton - Stockport section. The A6 is a pain in the proverbial bottom, so try this



My old stomping ground around there!

Cheers chaps for these responses. I somehow managed to miss these before I headed off this morning. I could of sworn I'd checked... anyway I'm such an idiot for not seeing them.

So as I hadn't seen any of these I duly ignored them and set off at 6.10am this morning. I love it whens its like this...



I ended up adjusting my route as I thought the one I selected through the chilterns wasn't the greatest so took the following route. It was nice going up out of London towards Windsor.

I then cut through the chilterns on this route, the roads were nice and quiet so was able to make good progress and there was a mix of twistier bits with straights so was able to overtake any slower drivers



They were resurfacing the road between Hughenen Valley and Bryants bottom which was like a gravel stage but good fun. Best bit of the chilterns was the lack of traffic due to the time of morning 7/8.

After stopping at a Mcdonalds on the A5 for a coffee I took the M1 and A50 to get to the Mcdonalds at Uttoxeter where I had a double egg mcmuffin meal which had been on my minds since I left the first one.

From the 2nd Mcdonalds I took the following route and sort of skirted the peak district.



The first bit up to A53 was great really open and super views


The roads where clear apart from the odd cyclist so I had some fun. I hit the A53 and got stuck behind a van who was on his Sunday drive but it was a pleasant change of pace and gave me the opportunity to admire the view and a procession of MGs, Triumphs and old BL stuff driving in the opposite direction. I assume must of been a club drive or something Unfortunately no pics as was drivign at the time. I got to Buxton and re-evaluated my route as like you said georgeb the A6 was a nightmare and red with traffic so ended up going back on myself and out towards macclesfied. On that route though I got stuck behind some traffic, and it was also covered by average speed cameras. By this time it was 11/12 so think that had killed any opportunities for more spirited driving.

I then headed up to Preston via the motorways to pick up the item that was the main reason for my trip. What greeted me in Preston was this



and this getting a clutch change



And thanks to Nick and Tom I was able to get the rear quarter on the roof in the rain



Drive back was all motorways and ended up taking about 5 hours at 55/60mph with stops every hour to check the straps. I got back this eve at 8. So around 500miles and 14hours in total at approx 40mpg which I don't think is that bad for an old escort.

I really enjoyed the variation of travelling on A and B roads rather than the monotomy of mortorways though. Was definitely a better way to travel and a lot more interesting. Ignoring the cruise back with the rear quarter I reckon the variation and all my stops added about 50miles and 2-3 hours onto my journey but was worth it for the fun.

Thanks again for the suggestion guys, sorry I ignored them... next time!

Cheers

Josh