A drive through the NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, WARWICKSHIRE and LEICESTERSHIRE countryside.
Due to the success of last years run I have decided to do this run again!
Date has moved mainly due to commitments I have aswell as clashing with Cotswolds, MITP etc.
The route will also remain very similar to last years again for a few reasons. Last years seemed to work well and I don't see the point changing it for the sake of it if the road will be worse. Also I have a lot less time at my disposal this year so expect a major overhaul in 2007
About the run
The name is fairly logical really as the run will take us through the countryside of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire and maybe if some of us get lost Oxfordshire It will be approximately 110 miles but quite a few of the roads a fast sweeping B-roads so progress can still be swift I have chosen quite a long distance to make it worthwhile for people travelling from quite a way away.
I have planned the route and done various bit over the past few days and my car is filthy so many puddles!!! Below is a few highlights of the route for us more cultured MINI peeps
1. Passing near the grounds of Althorpe where Princess Diana is buried.
2. Going through Ashby St. Ledgers where the gunpowder plot was plotted.
3. Visit Stanford - apparantly England's nicest village (don't quote me!)
4. Pass Naseby where a famous battle was fought in 1645.
5. Have a whizz down the Fosse Way roman road
6. Explore the countryside around Silverstone.
7. See the famous Foxton Locks!
8. Pass the famous Sulgrave Manor
Due to this and stress levels on the day I will be doing full pace notes with comprehensive instruction so if people want to stop or go at a more leisurly pace they need not worry I will put these up nearer the time.
Start Point/End Point and Times etc
Start Point:
Meet time will be approximately 10am for a 10.30am latest depart but I will confirm nearer the time as it depends on timing but wont be much different
The start point will be at the Sixfields complex on the outskirts of Northampton (see autoroute file 2). This is by the football ground (Northampton Town) and lies just north of the city. We will be meeting in the big car park between UGC cinema and Frankie and Benny's as this should be quiet on a Sunday morning and is the same start point as the Ball run for those who attended. There is a McDondalds there for the peckish ones and you get to see in Northampton Town's stadium. How cool is that!
From the North : if you are travelling from North of Northampton then the best way is find you way to the M1 as the start point is literally 2 miles from there all dual carriageway. You want to exit at Junction 16 where you will take the first exit signposted Northampton. You carry along that dual carruageway for approximately 1 mile then go straight over at the roundabout and carry on. Before long you will reach a set of traffic lights when you go straight through again (only if green!) until you get to a huge roundabout. It should be signposted from there but you should go over that roundabout again and then take the third exit (to your right) and head into the complex. You will have bowling on your left, cinema on your left and stadium ahead. At the MINI roundabout take the second exit (right again) and then the second right again under a big yellow thing and the MINI's should be parked up on the left.
From the South : if you are heading up from London way you want to exit the M1 at Junction 15A. From here follow the signposts into Northampton (you will be on A43 but dont go towards Oxford). Keep going straight over at the roundabout and then in a couple of miles the complex will be on your right. It is signposted. You will have to turn in right to the complex then left at the first roundabout and up the hill to the cinema with the stadium on your right and food places on your left. Turn left under a big yellow entry thing and the MINI's should be parked up on the left.
From Southampton way follow up to the end of the A34 north on the M40 for 1 junction the go on the A43 past Silverstone. If you stay on this you will reach the roundabout where J15A of the M1 joins so just carry straight on into Northampton following the instructions above.
I The start point is very easy to find and the football stadium is on most sat nav systems. However if you get lost ring me, my number is on the pace notes, and ill find you
End Point:
The end point will be at The Green Man on the A43 at approx 4:30pm This is an ideal finish point as it is on the A43 so easy access to the M40 and M1 which are fairly close. The pub is also by a Premier Travel Inn for anyone wishing to stay. This finish point is different to the original but makes the route shorter and easier for everyone to get home. The pub will do food for anyone hungry and drink and there is sufficient parking. The address of this is below and autoroute file 4 shows this.
The Green Man
Brackley Hatch
Syresham
Nr Brackley
NN13 5TX
01280 850209
Lunch Stop and Schedule
I have decided that considering the votes on the poll and the fact that it has been running for a week that the best decision would be to have a picnic. sorry to everyone that voted for pub but i have found a nice location and all should be pretty good.
The plan is to break the run down into three stages. The first stop around midday would allow regrouping, toilet and snack stop and stretch of legs. We will then go to Coombe Abbey near Coventry for our lunch. This is a old mansion now converted to a luxury hotel but is also a country park so has masses of grounds to have a picnic. It really is big with lakes, forests and so on and a walk is lovely on a nice day but try not to get lost! I have spoke to the management there and they have guaranteed parking for us and maybe even a private enclosed area depending on how busy it is. However, we will still have to pay for parking and that is £2. Heres the website for the hotel as a brief point of interest although it doesnt really show country park.
www.coombeabbey.com Hopefully we will be here around 1:30pm for a late lunch and leave at 3pm latest. The are many facilities here including cafe, shop, toilet and pleanty of stuff for the kids!
Apart from location I have chosen to make it a late lunch so people can relax more and have a lesuirely finish if they wish. Hopefully the end we be about 4.30pm at 'The Green Man' on the A43 near Silverstone.
Heres a brief list of times:
10:30 Leave Northampton
11:45/12:00 Arrive Foxton Locks Leicestershire
12:15 Leave Foxton Locks
13:30/13:45 Arrive Coombe Abbey Warwickshire
15:00 Leave Coombe Abbey
16:30 Run finish The Green Man, A43
These are only estimates as it depends on traffic etc.
MINI2 Runs
If you are new to MINI2 run or haven't read this before please do so.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/uk-ireland-confirmed-events/37052-mini-runs-behaviour-etiquette-what-expect.html
Just a reminder that these runs aren't a race and we have to respect the other people even if they don't like MINI's Please drive within your capabilities and look out for one and other. Most of all have fun as thats what its all about!
I will post up AutoRoute files and pace notes in due course but for the time being they can be viewed here, on last years thread.
Please bring a copy of the pace notes with you on the run
Anyway hopefully lots of you will come and make it even better than last year
All the information needed for this run will be added to the first post so don't worry about searching through it!
Attendees
1. Matt18
2. Becca3003
3. miniminor
4. MINISHEL
5. Jonmorgan
6. BlackBini
7. GR33NIE
8. "Reedy"
9. PaulusMaximus
10. Steffers
11. Mooneymini
12. M.2 (lunch onwards)
12. 'THE MIGHTY IMP'
13. e180881
14. Spider-S
15. K1LY C
16. Bulldog1970
17. Mini_Anton
18. Stu2
19. Matts MINI Adventure
20. MINI_Moocher
