Peak District Tour

[Steve G B3S]

Hi, over a few pints last night it was decided our little drinking group, to cheer us up from lock down, should do a small tour and the Peak District was decided upon, probably in July. So questions are what roads are a must, what roads to miss, must see view points and where to stay (area not necessarily the hotel), etc etc. To give you a clue we are all retired and 2 have deicided to ride their motorbikes (fools ) I will end up being luggage carrier but thats Ok.
Any suggestions most welcome.
Thanks.

[Bob]

Wouldn’t bother with Snake Pass these days: 50mph limits, police everywhere and potholes/broken tarmac on the ‘funner’ corners.

Your biggest problem will be tourists staycationing though, especially if the weather is decent, you’ll be in one long procession most of the time. Not good for a satisfying driving trip.

I’m on the northern reaches of the Peak District and it’s a nightmare here at the weekends and we’re not even close to the classic/well known places.

[Steve G B3S]

Thanks CeasarBob will pass on your thoughts.
Its just that we wanted a 'localish' tour, in the past we have done, in no particular order, North Wales, Northumberland, France, Picos Mountains Spain, Isle of Man, Scotland several times, Yorkshire, and now between family breaks we wanted a shortish 'mans' break. We are based in Gloucestershire so any ideas?

[DogWagen]

Could do worse than the top end of the South Wales Valleys (appreciate that it's not that far from you so could be a Busman's holiday) and then head north and West - a pal of mine thrashes his 60's Alfa and 90s Ferrari out that way.

Any help?

[Steve G B3S]

Yes I agree there are some terrific roads in Wales and after what Bob said we may consider something else as an alternative so your suggestion may well provide some food for thought. One of my favorite roads in Wales is the B4574 from Rhayader to Devils Bridge Falls and onto A4120 to Aberystwyth. There are plenty of others and many I haven't tried so maybe a bit of research in that area may not be amiss. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Steve G B3S]

Well as suggested we revised our plans and 'toured' mid / north Wales and very good it was too. On one day we had some drizzle but mainly it stayed fine and dry with some wind and always at a very pleasant temperature. So for 2 days all in the car, otherwise a sort of convoy situation with arranged stop off points in case of separation.
We stayed in the The Lion at Berriew, just south of Welshpool, good beer (became quite partial to Montys) and the food was excellent.
Followed our planned routes to some extent and tried out some recommended by others, best of which was the B4391 to Bala then A4212 Trawsfynydd, A470 onto A458. Quite a mixture of different types of road, some quite narrow and others nice and flowing but lots of scenery.
Drove the mountain road from Rhayader to Cwmystwyth and onto Aberystwyth and it wasn't as good as I remembered it, there again it was probably 10 or so years ago in a Caterham 7, so a different scenario entirely.

Photo of car and the 2 bikers

20210707_135615.jpg (4.9 MiB) Viewed 842 times

[ScooBeeFive]

The B4391 is one of the absolute greats. Both into Bala, over the mountain from Llangynog, but also where it picks up again west of Bala, onto Ffestiniog.

[Frosty]

Love a Triumph, I had a T595 way back.

[Steve G B3S]

Yes, agree the B4391 is a good road, wide enough mostly with swoopy and tight bends and interesting views. We did this road as part of one of our loops.
The Triumph is a 2002/3 Daytona 955i which he's had from new, makes a distinctive sound being a triple, as you well know, with its Akrapovic exhaust and his car is a BMW135i, also not bad. The other bike, I'm pretty sure is a BMW1250 GS and his car is a BMW 5 series estate.