MINI2

uncle albert · Aug 22nd, 2005, 05:02 PM

Hi all,

Collecting my new MCS a week Thursday - I can't believe it, the waits been so long it's hard to believe it's actually gonna happen!

Anyway, I'm off to Snowdonia the following weekend and am considering taking the S. 260 mile round trip for me, so thought it would take care of a small chunk of the run-in procedure.

However, if the roads are a bit narrow/tatty up there, not sure I'd want to take my new baby and wreck the Aero kit within days days of getting it!

If I don't take the S, my mate will probably drive is his Punto 1.2 - not exactly making for a thrilling journey, but at least I'd be safe in the knowledge that my little baby's tucked up at home.

Any input appreciated.

Cheers,

James

Baggers · Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:17 AM

Wales isn't exactly the Third World, you know!

Personaly, I'd be looking for any excuse to drive in North Wales. Some stunning scenery and exciting roads, some of it's just made for a MINI adventure.

uncle albert · Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Baggers

Wales isn't exactly the Third World, you know!

LOL, sorry, my post did have a bit of a condescending tone to it didn't it! My apologies to any residents of North Wales on here!

Perhaps I will take the Mini then - I'm just scared of marking my new car - stupid attitude to have I know, but that's the way I am!

Cheers,

James

Hat · Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:30 AM

snowdonia offers some of the best scenery & driving in the UK. i'm fully looking forward to taking my cooper over some of those passes next week when i'm over there for a week's holiday

oRb · Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:48 AM

Was there last week, have a look at lukeybabe's Bala run thread here.

You can see the roads in the photos towards the end of the thread - some were a bit awkward when cars were coming the other way - and the pace notes might give you some ideas.

Rob

uncle albert · Aug 23rd, 2005, 11:08 AM

Ok, very tempted to take the MINI now!

Tommy_Gun · Aug 23rd, 2005, 11:21 AM

oRb which beach is that in the pictures mate?!

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...chmentid=92344

Hat · Aug 23rd, 2005, 11:37 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by oRb

Was there last week, have a look at lukeybabe's Bala run thread here.

You can see the roads in the photos towards the end of the thread - some were a bit awkward when cars were coming the other way - and the pace notes might give you some ideas.

Rob

Thats just where i'm staying next week - Llanbedr

Richard Crofts · Aug 23rd, 2005, 12:59 PM

Went to Shell Island in Wales on Sunday (21st Aug). I travelled lots of roads in the Snowdonia national park area to get there. .....in fact I travelled all of the ones on that run above and some more. Roads are in excellent condition everywhere I went, lots of twisties and no problems with random road markings like you seem to get in England (eg. Doubles on straights and dashes on bends!) Good visability on some sections and lots of twisties to a go at.

I have 17" S spokes and Cooper S suspension and had no issues with weaving or tramlining into dips and ruts in road surfaces which is a problem on the roads in the Midlands.

Traffic is heavy due to summer (I would not advise an under powered car as you just get stuck as the straights are short for anormal car to overtake on, you need grunt) but I managed to make reasonable progress even with an NA 1.6 Cooper, you just have to be prepared to rev it and get a shift on to pass stuff. You have to be liberal with the right foot and ignore the speed limit while you are passing before settling back to legal speeds if you want to pass safely. The car was so good that I was tagging along behind some bikers and easily keeping pace except on the odd occasion when the bikes could hop a line of slow cars on very short straights and I couldn't. I arrived at a services a few minutes behind them and they all waved and commented on how good the car the car must be when I got out. Keep your eyes open for bikers as they will be everywhere and the last thing you want to do is hold them up or hurt them by accident, most say cheers or wave as they pass if you let them through by moving over and leaving a bit of extra space to the car in front. They are also an excellent indicator as to passing opportunities as they hit the straights in front of you!

I can't recomend strongly enough a PDA with Tom Tom Satnav as you can see the possible overtaking straights coming up on the 3d map as you are driving, this is such a good get down a gear and pic up the revs for overtaking indicator. It doesn't always work but it can make the difference between being able to overtake on a shortishb straight safely and not!

Good luck and gave a great time!

R

uncle albert · Aug 23rd, 2005, 02:40 PM

Wow Richard, nice lengthy reply there!

Ok, that seals it, the S goes! Despite the extra grunt, not sure I'll be able to do much overtaking, due to my limited rev range during run-in...sure the odd blip won't hurt though!

Will try and get hold of a vid cam and get my mate to record our little adventure!

Cheers for everyone's input,

James

Tommy_Gun · Aug 23rd, 2005, 02:45 PM

Oh and albert since your in the area and if its a nice day be sure to go up snowdon yourself and check out the amazing view!

Baggers · Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:00 PM

Trip to Portmerion maybe? That place is bonkers (some nice roads on the way up too).

Hat · Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:08 PM

any other must-sees in the area apart from port merrion & snowden?

dyfrigroberts · Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:25 PM

you could go to a load of places round there

Dinorwig Power Station http://www.fhc.co.uk/dinorwig/d1.htm
Blaenau Ffestiniog Slate Mines

or a little bit up the A55 on anglesey you could go to Ty Croes, Anglesey Circuit - its where 5th Gear go to perform with some nice cars http://www.angleseycircuit.com/

Tommy_Gun · Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:50 PM

Caernarfon castle is another one, amazing place!

uncle albert · Aug 23rd, 2005, 04:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tommy_Gun

Oh and albert since your in the area and if its a nice day be sure to go up snowdon yourself and check out the amazing view!

That's the whole reason we're going!

Castle visit might be nice too.

Oh, one other cheeky question - much in the way of speed camera presence in the area?

James

dyfrigroberts · Aug 23rd, 2005, 04:48 PM

speed camera heaven here in North Wales

uncle albert · Aug 23rd, 2005, 04:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dyfrigroberts

speed camera heaven here in North Wales

Heaven as in lack of, I'm hoping!

Tommy_Gun · Aug 23rd, 2005, 05:15 PM

take a look here (sorry if it puts u off coming lol)

http://www.abd.org.uk/local/north_wales.htm

in all honesty though ive found it to be pretty good, especially if your out in the countryside. Its the police themselves you need to look out for!

uncle albert · Aug 23rd, 2005, 05:29 PM

Yeah, I'm not that bothered to be honest, as I'll still be running in, so won't be the most enthusiastic drive ever. Thanks for the heads-up.

Aug 22nd, 2005, 05:02 PM	#1
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	What's the roads in North Wales like? Hi all, Collecting my new MCS a week Thursday - I can't believe it, the waits been so long it's hard to believe it's actually gonna happen! Anyway, I'm off to Snowdonia the following weekend and am considering taking the S. 260 mile round trip for me, so thought it would take care of a small chunk of the run-in procedure. However, if the roads are a bit narrow/tatty up there, not sure I'd want to take my new baby and wreck the Aero kit within days days of getting it! If I don't take the S, my mate will probably drive is his Punto 1.2 - not exactly making for a thrilling journey, but at least I'd be safe in the knowledge that my little baby's tucked up at home. Any input appreciated. Cheers, James

Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Baggers Is it just me, or...? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Graz, Austria! Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 549 Offline	Wales isn't exactly the Third World, you know! Personaly, I'd be looking for any excuse to drive in North Wales. Some stunning scenery and exciting roads, some of it's just made for a MINI adventure. No animals were harmed in the sending of this post However, a few million electrons were extremely inconvenienced

Aug 23rd, 2005, 11:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tommy_Gun MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hatfield Heath Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 242 Offline	oRb which beach is that in the pictures mate?! http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...chmentid=92344 http://www.myspace.com/scorpionking1982 People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people

Aug 23rd, 2005, 12:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 3,180 Offline	They are great, the car will come out fine! Went to Shell Island in Wales on Sunday (21st Aug). I travelled lots of roads in the Snowdonia national park area to get there. .....in fact I travelled all of the ones on that run above and some more. Roads are in excellent condition everywhere I went, lots of twisties and no problems with random road markings like you seem to get in England (eg. Doubles on straights and dashes on bends!) Good visability on some sections and lots of twisties to a go at. I have 17" S spokes and Cooper S suspension and had no issues with weaving or tramlining into dips and ruts in road surfaces which is a problem on the roads in the Midlands. Traffic is heavy due to summer (I would not advise an under powered car as you just get stuck as the straights are short for anormal car to overtake on, you need grunt) but I managed to make reasonable progress even with an NA 1.6 Cooper, you just have to be prepared to rev it and get a shift on to pass stuff. You have to be liberal with the right foot and ignore the speed limit while you are passing before settling back to legal speeds if you want to pass safely. The car was so good that I was tagging along behind some bikers and easily keeping pace except on the odd occasion when the bikes could hop a line of slow cars on very short straights and I couldn't. I arrived at a services a few minutes behind them and they all waved and commented on how good the car the car must be when I got out. Keep your eyes open for bikers as they will be everywhere and the last thing you want to do is hold them up or hurt them by accident, most say cheers or wave as they pass if you let them through by moving over and leaving a bit of extra space to the car in front. They are also an excellent indicator as to passing opportunities as they hit the straights in front of you! I can't recomend strongly enough a PDA with Tom Tom Satnav as you can see the possible overtaking straights coming up on the 3d map as you are driving, this is such a good get down a gear and pic up the revs for overtaking indicator. It doesn't always work but it can make the difference between being able to overtake on a shortishb straight safely and not! Good luck and gave a great time! R

Aug 23rd, 2005, 02:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tommy_Gun MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hatfield Heath Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 242 Offline	Oh and albert since your in the area and if its a nice day be sure to go up snowdon yourself and check out the amazing view! http://www.myspace.com/scorpionking1982 People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people

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Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Baggers Wales isn't exactly the Third World, you know! LOL, sorry, my post did have a bit of a condescending tone to it didn't it! My apologies to any residents of North Wales on here! Perhaps I will take the Mini then - I'm just scared of marking my new car - stupid attitude to have I know, but that's the way I am! Cheers, James

Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hat Wolves Did It! My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 15,958 Offline	snowdonia offers some of the best scenery & driving in the UK. i'm fully looking forward to taking my cooper over some of those passes next week when i'm over there for a week's holiday

Aug 23rd, 2005, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
oRb All White Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mid Lancashire Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 494 Offline	Was there last week, have a look at lukeybabe's Bala run thread here. You can see the roads in the photos towards the end of the thread - some were a bit awkward when cars were coming the other way - and the pace notes might give you some ideas. Rob

Aug 23rd, 2005, 11:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	Ok, very tempted to take the MINI now!

Aug 23rd, 2005, 11:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
Hat Wolves Did It! My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 15,958 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by oRb Was there last week, have a look at lukeybabe's Bala run thread here. You can see the roads in the photos towards the end of the thread - some were a bit awkward when cars were coming the other way - and the pace notes might give you some ideas. Rob Thats just where i'm staying next week - Llanbedr

Aug 23rd, 2005, 02:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	Wow Richard, nice lengthy reply there! Ok, that seals it, the S goes! Despite the extra grunt, not sure I'll be able to do much overtaking, due to my limited rev range during run-in...sure the odd blip won't hurt though! Will try and get hold of a vid cam and get my mate to record our little adventure! Cheers for everyone's input, James

Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Baggers Is it just me, or...? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Graz, Austria! Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 549 Offline	Trip to Portmerion maybe? That place is bonkers (some nice roads on the way up too). No animals were harmed in the sending of this post However, a few million electrons were extremely inconvenienced

Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Hat Wolves Did It! My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 15,958 Offline	any other must-sees in the area apart from port merrion & snowden?

Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
dyfrigroberts OT&B Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North Wales Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 86 Offline	you could go to a load of places round there Dinorwig Power Station http://www.fhc.co.uk/dinorwig/d1.htm Blaenau Ffestiniog Slate Mines or a little bit up the A55 on anglesey you could go to Ty Croes, Anglesey Circuit - its where 5th Gear go to perform with some nice cars http://www.angleseycircuit.com/

Aug 23rd, 2005, 03:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tommy_Gun MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hatfield Heath Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 242 Offline	Caernarfon castle is another one, amazing place! http://www.myspace.com/scorpionking1982 People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people

Aug 23rd, 2005, 04:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Tommy_Gun Oh and albert since your in the area and if its a nice day be sure to go up snowdon yourself and check out the amazing view! That's the whole reason we're going! Castle visit might be nice too. Oh, one other cheeky question - much in the way of speed camera presence in the area? James

Aug 23rd, 2005, 04:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
dyfrigroberts OT&B Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North Wales Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 86 Offline	speed camera heaven here in North Wales

Aug 23rd, 2005, 04:50 PM	#18 (permalink)
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by dyfrigroberts speed camera heaven here in North Wales Heaven as in lack of, I'm hoping!

Aug 23rd, 2005, 05:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
Tommy_Gun MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hatfield Heath Local Time: 09:33 AM Posts: 242 Offline	take a look here (sorry if it puts u off coming lol) http://www.abd.org.uk/local/north_wales.htm in all honesty though ive found it to be pretty good, especially if your out in the countryside. Its the police themselves you need to look out for! http://www.myspace.com/scorpionking1982 People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people

Aug 23rd, 2005, 05:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
uncle albert MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hereford/Cwmbran Local Time: 10:33 AM Posts: 830 Offline	Yeah, I'm not that bothered to be honest, as I'll still be running in, so won't be the most enthusiastic drive ever. Thanks for the heads-up.

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