[Closed] Mid Wales = drivers paradise!

The locals seem to enjoy the roads a lot

Last time I drove to my dads place a guy undertook me using a gravel layby in a supercharged mx5

Saw him parked up in the next village chatting to a group of local kids

I think Gwyndaf Evans is a big influence around there 😉

wrightyson, it was you causing the 3 car traffic jams then was it 😉

More than 20 years ago a crowd of us in 2 or 3 cars were travelling from Aberystwyth to I can't remember where, which is somewhere in the valleys! The cars were loaded with CB radios, one car would overtake on a legal stretch of road and the radio back to say if the road was clear or not for the others to follow in the twisty sections. Illegal? probably. Dangerous? Maybe. Fun? Heck yes! 😈

See, those people who whinge about the UK being overcrowded and busy, they are really complaining about their crowded corner. Roads like you describe are what I grew up with, and I miss them greatly.

Welcome to Wales 🙂

PS Don, just hope nothing pulls out of a driveway or field entrance 🙂

PS Don, just hope nothing pulls out of a driveway or field entrance

On either side?

That's pretty irresponsible and childish don of the simons. Stop using other peoples' neighbourhood as your personal racetrack. 😐

😥

🙂

Selfish behaviour in the extreme. Cars come equipt with periscopes and radar do they?

Cars come equipt with periscopes and radar do they?

No, CB radios! 😕

Get back in your cave SBZ. I think The fact DS mentioned it was "20 years ago", "illegal" and "dangerous" would suggest he's not condoning it. There was a case a few years ago when two lorries were doing the same and someone pulled out and was killed - not good. [s]We all[/s] Some of us did daft/fun things in our youth, that we look back on and perhaps regret.

PS My car does have radar although I've not bothered with a periscope as I don't go under water much these days. 😀

I think donsimon was clearly condoning it. Over 3000 people die every year on our roads. Many of them die because of irresponsible behaviour by the likes of him. Just as well it's the Spanish that are in danger now. His style of road menace is not welcome here.

It's not really my fault, it can be difficult trying to remember which side of the road I'm supposed to drive on. Damn that Napoleon!!

I'm not getting in to yet another STW aggressive/passive driving debate, life's too short. I'm happy to admit in my teens in rural Scotland I drove inappropriately on roads like the ones in Mid Wales. It's wasnt right, but there you are. Are we really going to sit around moaning at DS for something he did 20 years ago?

there is nothing 'wrong' in doing what don simon suggests. it just becomes 'wrong' if/when it goes pear shaped.

how's molly deadly?

Are we really going to sit around moaning at DS for something he did 20 years ago?

I thought that was why we're all here. 😆

Are we really going to sit around moaning at DS

I'm a bit manflu-ish today so won't be going out. Just because he did it 20 years ago doesn't make it ok does it? It was irresponsible back then too you know. I'd suggest his lack of defence of his menacing behaviour gives lie to his acceptance of his irresponsibility. Like I said anyway, for now, it's the Spanish that need to worry. Given the standards of driving in Spain, I'd say don simon fits right in. 😐

how's molly deadly?

She's getting on really well iDave, thanks for asking. Had a good walk yesterday (she's still getting the hang of the lead) and had another "meet every big dog in Bristol" day. We stopped in a really lovely, very dog friendly pub by the river where she made two new friends...Oscar the black lab and CoCo the springer. Everyone was impressed with her chilled out nature in the pub. 😀 I'm loving how many people I get to chat to since Molly arrived. How's Spud coming along? Have you taken him out running on the trails?

To be fair the driving standards in spain and most other places in europe are a lot higher than they are here.

Drivers in Greece and Spain make your average Corsa driver look good!

OK,so it was illegal but not that dangerous as we had CB radios. I would assume, but it's not always the case, that any driver looks both left and right before pulling out into any road.
If the road had lots of driveways (built up area) we didn't overtake.
The leading driver would give details of any dangers and when it was safe(r). If you're driving without taking account of thing outside the tarmac zone, you need to rethink your driving! 😈
We were driveing slightly prepared cars (mine 1760cc Ford, Webbers goFaster stripes etc) and passing people who were going significantly slower.
It wasn't wild uncontrolled hooliganism, it was fast controlled driving with risk assessment and some interesting driving.
It is probably more likely that someone could drive significantly more dangerously while following the law, which would go some way to contributing to the tragic figures dd mentioned.

As you weren't there you can only speculate, so there's no real issue, is there? 😀

Yes there's some fun driving to be had, that's all I'm going to say on the matter

it was fast controlled driving with risk assessment and some interesting driving.

It was irresponsible and foolish. Bordering on hooliganism TBH. But you were young. Just be thankful you got away with it. But, don't go trying to justify it.

So you can drive fast with one hand on the wheel and still be under full control can you? Skilzzzzzz.

So you can drive fast with one hand on the wheel and still be under full control can you?

My mistake, you were there then, you just didn't see the passengers. 🙄

I can drive with my phone between my shoulder and ear and skin up at the same time. I'm AWESOME though

Molly sounds ace. Spud is grand, he likes the taste of single malt! He just struggles with the lead when there are other dogs to make friends with. Great doggy pub 2 mins from me, and he's been running and biking with no issues.

He's great driving too, drifts the Subaru really well on gravel, and is esp fast at night in built up areas.....

It was irresponsible and foolish. Bordering on hooliganism TBH. But you were young. Just be thankful you got away with it.

Were we lucky or had we assessed the risk correctly?

Get well soon.

Did you do a method statement?

You were lucky. Naive and lucky. Cant believe you found passengers foolish enough to join in with this nonsense.

My mistake, you were there then, you just didn't see the passengers

Love it.

Just wish I had a more powerful car everytime I drive to and from uni!!

Did you do a method statement?

Absolutely, in fact the driver would often consult it prior to overtaking.

You were lucky. Naive and lucky. Cant believe you found passengers foolish enough to join in with this nonsense.

😆

I think most people have done things when they were young that they wouldn't dream of doing now

It's called growing up

Surrounded By Zulus - Member

To be fair the driving standards in spain and most other places in europe are a lot higher than they are here.

Whilst many UK drivers can be a bit inconsiderate (lane discipline being poor) , generally the roads are a lot safer here as the levels of macho driving despite what many may think is way less.

You are not the only one in this discussion to have driven all over europe. Mine is a considered opinion. I think the french and italians in particular are great drivers.

And Spain?

Spain

Well suited to you.

😆

Spanish driving standards better than those in the UK. You can spot the expats a mile off though. It's a total lack of awareness that makes standards in the uk so low.

Spanish drivers are 'interesting'

But my mate in Madrid may not be the best benchmark given the pieces of scooter in-bedded in his saab

Nothing wrong with a bit of gung ho

Spanish driving standards better than those in the UK.

TROLL

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It's a little bit old, maybe it's all the expats in Spain bringing the numbers down??

😆 How can I take your opinion on driving seriously now? I was sat on the motorway at 120 yesterday and had two people pull out in front of me while they were going significantly slower 80-90, forcing me to brake.
People pull onto the motorways from the slip roads without looking!!! 😯
Indicators are 1005 optional. Manoeuvre. Signal (maybe). Mirror (pah!).
Park wherever you want.
Tailgate if you want to pass someone.
etc...

😆

Statistics are like miniskirts they show you a lot but hide the good bits.

But my mate in Madrid may not be the best benchmark given the pieces of scooter in-bedded in his saab

I used to describe the driving in Madrid as everyone driving fast, but no-one in a rush. Driving down the Castellana at peak time when 4 lanes disappear into 3 for no obvious reason is bally good fun, both in a car and on a motorbike...

Surrounded By Zulus - Member

You are not the only one in this discussion to have driven all over europe. Mine is a considered opinion. I think the french and italians in particular are great drivers.

djglover - Member

I can drive with my phone between my shoulder and ear and skin up at the same time.

That's easy with kingsize but a bit more difficult to build a five sheeter.

To be fair the driving standards in spain and most other places in europe are a lot higher than they are here.

You are joking, right? My enduring memory of french drivers every time I've visited is that they are great at lane discipline, but that's about it. I've been over and undertaken on country roads with oncoming traffic so many times it's scary (and apparently I drive like a twonk according to some on here due to my low tyre life). I remember peugeot 205 gti's overtaking lines of traffic several cars at a time, massively outside the limits, and forcing their way into spaces. I saw more accidents in France on my last drive through to the alps than I've seen all year in the UK.

Wales is fun, you just need to be aware of the dangers and not exceed your stopping ability. I did it once when 18 in mid wales, and found myself in a field 10ft below the road with a snapped back axle and totalled front suspension - I learned from that!

Spanish driving standards better than those in the UK. You can spot the expats a mile off though. It's a total lack of awareness that makes standards in the uk so low.

I can put my hands up to driving like a t**t in my youth, everyone I knew who lived between Brecon Llangorse Talgarth Crickhowell all had massively modded minis escorts etc and wrung there necks all day long. My mates dad was a Welsh Tarmac champion and he would fly around in a Landrover. Was it stupid? Yes but no point in slagging someone now for what they did in their youth.

This may sound contencious but thrashing my 1340 Min at 2 in the morning across Llangynidr Moor is not the crime of the century.

Good to see the moral compass being well provided on here.

Well, arrived in Shrewsbury a coupla hrs ago, the roads were truly inspiring again especially the half hr section up through the hills after devils bridge. I could happily turn round and go back for another go. Sure it won't be this much fun when we return in the summer, when it's clogged with caravans and police camera vans, but we'll give it a go. Thankyou Wales!!

And the drive from Shrewsbury to Belper was truly boring!!

For the life of me I can't imagine how driving in Spain can be better than anywhere when the rules are so difficult to follow, this is a one way street! 😯 And yes I was driving and taking a picture. 🙄
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5320345791_af2c0e8b45.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5320345791_af2c0e8b45.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/think180/5320345791/ ]IMG00013-20110103-1723[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/think180/ ]simoncarter.es[/url], on Flickr

wrightyson, you need to try the road from Bala to Dolgellau via Traws, or for tight and twisty from Talsarnau to Harlech, but don't enjoy it too much, don't cross the white lines, don't speed. 😆

EDIT: I'm an attention whore so the tags just feed my ego, thanks. 😉

"between Brecon Llangorse Talgarth Crickhowell"

Last time I was there, I had to take a different route due to a car crash and fire near Bwlch - sad for those involved.

This may sound contencious but thrashing my 1340 Min at 2 in the morning across Llangynidr Moor is not the crime of the century.

😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯
I give you 3 minutes before you are shot down in flames by the self righteous amongst us.

I couldn't agree more, it's '[b][u]contentious[/u][/b]'. 🙄

Sure it won't be this much fun when we return in the summer, when it's clogged with caravans and police camera vans

It won't be clogged. It doesn't get busy in Mid Wales 🙂

With regards French drivers, seems to me that most folk are just fine, but there's a significant minority of raving suicidial nutters that cause the trouble. All the near death experiences I can remember were as a result of some lunatic driving like he's trying to evade the police, rather than just poor driving in general.

Is that genuine mgrips or a touch of the stw sarcasm, I never can tell on here?? I've never been over that way in summer and the thought of those roads combined with lines of traffic stuck behind caravans was genuinely putting me off!! Hence I'd never go to Bournemouth or places of similar popularity coz we love just going out and exploring quiet beaches etc, where you've not gotta have your eyes glued on the kids permanently!!

No, not sarcasm. Some places near the coast get busy like Barmouth and Dolgellau but in proper Mid Wales there's very few people around all year. A few more in the summer but really it's not bad. West Wales can also be a bit busy.

It's certainly nothing like Cornwall which is frigging insane. However, note that I've not been to these places in summer for a while 🙂

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That's just what we're after!! We stayed in a place called
Tregaron last week which is about 30 mins east of the north part of Cardigan bay, which I assume looking at it gets busy in the summer. Where abouts are those "cheeky beaches" on the pics, look perfect for setting up the grilletto and chilling out whilst the kids tire themselves out!!

First time driving for a while this weekend. Got in the groove tho and gave the aygo I had on hire a nice thrashing down some highland twisties. 🙂

Good car for a thrash I have to say willing little engine but I enjoyed thrashing it at realistic speeds. don't think I topped 85

And that ^ is why I'd never buy an ex hire or lease motor! Poor little aygo!! 😀

My father in law has a thing for small British cars, so when he came over he hired an Aygo (yes, I know). I did tell him he'd enjoy a Fiesta more, but he insisted. Some 400 miles later he came back saying it wasn't that great, complaining about the tyres skidding about a bit. I can't imagine how tf he was driving to be honest.

Wrighty, those are panaramio pics of the beach between Borth and Twyn. If you go on Google earth you can see many many miles of empty beaches with nothing but dunes and fields behind them. Loads of it in Mid and North Wales. Bournemouth it ain't.