Was talking with my dad over xmas and we realised that we never really did anything together these days, and we were trying to come up with something that combined both of our passions into something we can both enjoy, and we came up with the idea of a Welsh roadtrip! We can simultaneously combine my dads love of staying in youth hostels and seeing some countryside, with my love of driving, my car and 12th century medieval castles...

 

After scouring the welsh yha site, we discovered three hostels that my dad hadn't stayed in (to add to his 'collection'). We therefore have a place to stay each night, but question is, anyone have any recommendations for how to link the 3 together? Heres what we've got so far - hoping some of the welsh members on here can help me out with some crackers!

 

Day 1 - Ludlow to Pen-y-pass (closest yha to snowdon) - anyone driven the coastal road from Dolgellau to Bryn Glas?

 

 

Day 2 - Pen-y-pass to Borth, nr Aberystwyth - hoping to take in the evo triangle, explore the roads around Bala and snowdonia, and then the coastal road south from Dolgellau to Machynlleth?

 

 

Day 3 - Borth to Brecon - Via the A4069 across the brecons, and then back across on the A4067

 

 

Day 4 - Brecon to Ludlow - taking the B4520 to Llanfair-ym-Muallt, around the lakes of the Elan valley and then along the A488 and A4113 back to Ludlow

 

 

Basic plan is to do about 100 miles a day, stopping at castles, lakes, little towns, whatever! Im also going to be looking for photo stops - im thinking in the mountains around Bala, and then by the coast in Borth at sunset :D

 

And it all kicks off this thursday! I'm doing all the driving in the zed, but my dad is pitching in with petrol money.I'm hoping to do the whole 520 miles or so on two tanks, could be a push though! I'm having the zed chipped tomorrow at Zedworld for just the occasion :) The plan isnt to drive slowly either - both me and my dad are quite keen on the old overtake, infact I almost hope we do get held up by a few caravans!

 

Anyone have any advice about where to go, what to do, what to take, where to avoid, how to take a decent picture much appreciated!

 

I'll hopefully post a report with lots of pics when we get back, but for now these next 6 days can't pass quickly enough!

easy chap,

 

was working in the Brecon area recently, had to travel between south and north wales pretty frequently. From Brecon I took the A470 out towards Llandrindod Wells, which turns into the A483 heading to Newtown. The whole journey from Brecon to Newtown is epic - but due to the nature of the road (especially between Llandrindod and Newtown), timing on this route is crucial to avoid heavy traffic and particularly lorries!

 

I was commuting in my Astravan and despite the lack of grunt and underwhelming rubber adhesion, the road was simply spell binding. After Llandrindod the road turns and twists constantly - all the time I was craving the power of my Zed - so much so, that I too was planning a road trip in the summer once my engine is rebuilt.

 

Personally, my plan is to head to South Wales, work my way north, stopping off in the Manchester area before heading up to the Lakes and eventually Scotland. I had a drive up through Glen Shee wwhen I went Snowboarding at Xmas, this was another road i thought only the Zed could do real justice to.

 

Good luck with your trip, I'm sure where ever you head - it'll be good in the Zed!

give us a shout if you want a mini meet at bala lake :-)

Well, cars just got back from Zedworld with a new chip installed!

 

Turned out some genius had screwed into one of my intercoolers when they fitted the front bumper, which was causing a boost leak, rich running and less power, so got a stock one put on for now while my ARC one is being repaired.

 

Now shes running sweet! Instant response, rapid delivery! Did a little detour on the way back, had a chance to overtake two freelanders doing 50 up a hill... dropped it into 3rd, straight past no worries :D

 

Those caravans wont know what hit them!

the pen y pass over snowdon i drive over very frequently i only live 8 miles from there, the roads are fabulous you will really enjoy them :)

the plan is to stick to b roads, i hear there can be a lot of traffic on the A470.

 

I've been looking forward to this for months! really looking forward to driving the evo triangle, the mountain roads round snowdonia, and the A roads over the brecons.

when are you coming up could meet up for a quick drink somwhere if you like :)

Sounds good mate. Take loads of pics.

We'll be in Pen-y-pass YHA on the friday 8th, so could do a mini meet to drive the evo triangle the day after?

 

Could meet in betws-y-coed at 10 on the saturday morning, have a mini meet and then go drive the A543 and B4501 sides of the triangle? We'd have to leave miss the last bit along the A5 back to betws-y-coed as we're heading south to bala.

ill see if im working that weekend but yeah we could meet up or something what time will you be arriving at pen y pass?

probably getting to pen-y-pass about 7pm or so on the friday - welcome to pop up there for a drink and car chat as the sun sets!

 

I can't wait! 2 more days work to go!

 

All i hope now is that my strange idle fault is fixed, and my clutch is adjusted so it stops slipping! I really dont want to have to take my smaller, slower, less comfortable mx5 instead :(

good choice matey try devils bridge as well come out of aberystwyth heading toward cardigan take the left signposted devils bridge youll also come to llandewi brefi as on little britain it does exist!then head toward lampeter,llandovery then on to brecon i never get bored of them roads good luck fella you will enjoy

might have to give that a go as well! thanks for the advice!

My folks have got a caravan in Borth and there are some very nice roads around there. The devils bridge route is a good one, never seems to be too busy that way either. Just be careful coming into Borth as its one of the bumpiest roads I have been on and goes for a good mile or so.

 

Used to drive from Porthmadog down to Borth and that road was stunning. If you get lucky and miss the traffic then you will struggle to find better.