So I have had this idea kicking around for a while, ideally over a week in June for my birthday. 

It would be a John O' Groats to Lands End road trip, but visiting the REOs and members along the way. Each section of the route would be planned by different people i.e a northern Scottish owner would know the local roads and plan A to B for us, then a southern Scottish owner would plan B to C and so on working our way down the country. The fun would be that some people would do the whole trip, while others that couldn't would join us for a day/morning/afternoon drive. We could have lunches along the route at places to have "mini meets". We would stay in hotels along the route. I had in mind:

John O'Groats to Oban = 220 miles

Oban to Keswick = 225 miles (Would like to detour via Stranraer to see if we can get some of the Northern Ireland and Ireland guys over to meet us)

Keswick to Snowdon = 200 miles

Snowdon to Bristol via Brecon Beacons = 200 miles (we could have a mini meet at Jimmers?)

Bristol to Lands End = 200 miles

All mileage would change depending on the routes planned, but I don't think we would be driving more than 4-5 hours each day with stop offs of course. It would be 4 nights plus the nights either side to get to the start point and home after the finish point. I think it would be great fun to meet all the members that struggle to get to meetings and they will have local knowledge of the areas we would drive through to make the route/roads more fun and of course we get to drive our zeds!

Let me know if you are interested in either taking part or planning part of the route!

I like the idea, seems not too many other comments though?

The route down would be difficult to include East and West, but through the middle should be fine. 

 

June this year might be a little ambitious though?

21 minutes ago, craig said:

I like the idea, seems not too many other comments though?

The route down would be difficult to include East and West, but through the middle should be fine. 

 

June this year might be a little ambitious though?

It's 2022 ?

It's a good concept. And seen it proposed on numerous clubs over the years. Unfortunately I've never seen it come to anything. Hopefully this time will be different. 

You'll need to promote it on the FB group to get interest going. 

Haha, oops. 
i read the “june and birthday” and forgot about the title. 
 

still like it though. Was proposed here a few years ago i recall

19 hours ago, Lexx said:

It's 2022 ?

It's a good concept. And seen it proposed on numerous clubs over the years. Unfortunately I've never seen it come to anything. Hopefully this time will be different. 

You'll need to promote it on the FB group to get interest going. 

I would, but I don't have any social media including Facebook, you are welcome to promote it for me though. I think it would be great fun to try!

I see a Grand Tour coming !

 

I'm so up for doing this and helping with the Scottish side of it.

 

Just need to find an engine for my zed ?

13 hours ago, JaiKai said:

I see a Grand Tour coming !

 

I'm so up for doing this and helping with the Scottish side of it.

 

Just need to find an engine for my zed ?

I though it had one... just not in the car? ? You got 15 months at the moment!

The rough route I planned doesn't take into account the east coast, but that's a good excuse to do another trip. 

Sorry I’ve not been on much recently - I remember you’ve mentioned this before haven’t you. I’d be up for this for sure, maybe not the whole stretch but definitely a good chunk of it. June also quiet at work so ideal. Maybe someone can advertise on the Facebook group and get the word out, as I’m not on Facebook either.


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I have booked off my holiday for next June. I am thinking of meeting at John O'Groats on the morning of Sunday 12th June. I'm going to be driving up the two days before and visiting some friends along the way to break up the journey (Eastbourne to John O'Groats is 755 miles and about 13 hours and although I could do that, I didn't fancy it!)

Day 1 - 12th June 2022

Meet at John O'Groats for photos and then get on the road. First day is using part of the Scottish 500 route, then dropping down to Loch Ness, running along its shoreline then continuing to Fort William for the over night stop. This day would be the longest as the mileage isn't a lot, but the roads have a slow average speed. The route is not set in stone and if any local members have any better ideas/routes, please let me know as I'm just using online research and street view to check the road condition and routes.

 

Day 2 - 13th June 2022

Day two would be leaving Fort William, cutting down the side of Loch Lomond, crossing Dumfries and Galloway and leaving Scotland in our mirrors. We would then cut down through a section of the Lake District and end up at The Fat Lamb (or somewhere near). Day two is the 2nd longest day and I have tried to avoid the motorways as much as possible to make it more interesting. Again route is not set in stone and suggestions are very welcome.

 

Day 3 - 14th June 2022

Day three is a little more sedate, I am hoping some local club members could meet us at The Fat Lamb for a meeting and spend the morning driving some local roads, possibly organising some photos. Then after lunch we would drive down the M6 and along the north coast of Wales, passing Snowdon and finishing at Aberystwyth for the night.  

 

Day 4 - 15th June 2022

Day Four again is more sedate, after leaving Aberystwyth and cutting south through Wales and the Brecon Beacons we would (hopefully) meet at PowerZed for a mini meeting, maybe a BBQ lunch and alcohol-free beer before heading off to the overnight stop in or around Cheddar Gorge. I have not spoken to Jim about this and as it would be a work day, he may be too busy, but it would be nice to plan some form of lunch stop and mini-meet at least.

 

Day 5 - 16th June 2022

Day Five would be a longer day than the previous two. Leaving Cheddar, we would drive along the North Devon and Cornish coast before heading to Lands End for a bottle of celebratory non-alcoholic prosecco or such like! I would probably then drive to Yeovil to visit my father before returning to Eastbourne. Although that is not set in stone.

 

I am hoping to use AirBnB's for the accommodation, after having a quick look, places that sleep 4-8 people with parking are not too expensive and if no one comes I can still afford to do the trip myself (ill just be in a large AirBnB by myself!), but people can stay in the accommodation for some or all of the trip. Ideally I would love to have some cars do the whole trip together (I know that may not be practical for many), some cars join us for maybe a night or two, some cars join us for the day and some cars join maybe for a section of a day. If someone who didn't have a working Zed wanted to come on the trip, they are more than welcome as they could be a support vehicle if they wanted. We could also have anyone with photographic/drone/go pro skills document the trip for use on club stands, NEC, website, etc

I know this is a big trip and a big ask of time and money, but you have 6 months to save petrol money and book your days off work! ?? On a serious note though, it would be great to get the club together and do something national and get everyone involved!

 

 

So far we have 2 cars (4 people) confirmed for whole trip and 6 cars confirmed for the last day (overnight at Lands End)! I hope more of you can meet us en route for a morning/afternoon/day!

i am checking out the dates and definitely interested, although wont be in a zed, so will tag along in something else if thats ok

Of course! More than welcome, Im hoping to buy a few go pros to put on each car, so yours could be a camera car? ?

 

Or even this: 

 

Edited January 14, 20223 yr by TheRealNips

I'm still up for this too, depending on my engine being fitted and having a good run to make sure all's good.

If not i can meet up and provide refreshments in my area.

 

Loads of zeds hitting the Troon beach will sure to get noticed locally and end up being the talk of the town.

We are going close to Troon, the route is down the M77 from Glasgow, then the A76 to Dumfries, then into the Lake District 

I would say, the roads in the North Pennines AONB are far better to get from Penrith to Fat Lamb than the Lake District roads which are always far too congested.

 

But, also need to check if that is the Appleby Horse Fair week, as you will need to avoid that area in the cars if so as well.

 

I will have to google street view check some of the roads on the NW Scotland part... is it all tarmac and flat, or are there gravel and bumpy sections? 

And what is the longest section between fuel stations? ?

 

11 minutes ago, craig said:

And what is the longest section between fuel stations? ?

 

Just nominated yourself for the support vehicle, couple of fully filled jerry cans in the back to keep us all going.

1 hour ago, JaiKai said:

Just nominated yourself for the support vehicle, couple of fully filled jerry cans in the back to keep us all going.

haha, yes no problem if i had the Touareg, but daughter has that, and i am not sure what i will be in yet 

I should add that the fat lamb is now off the list. I couldn't make it work date-wise, distance-wise and financially. We are staying that night in Great Langdale so that we can do Wrynose and Hardknott pass the next day.

I've been through the route with google street view and its all tarmac (I made sure I planned it that way), The only bits that are slightly "dicey" are part of the Scottish 500 route where it is single track road with passing places. It's all tarmac though.

I've checked the petrol station situation (I made sure I planned it for this): The longest section without fuel is along the top of scotland on the first day: Thurso - Ullapool. 138 miles between petrol stations. I would worry if people can't manage that on a full tank....?

My wife is now going away in June, so i am waiting for dates to see if they clash, as i will need to be home at that time.

 

There will also be some "dicey" parts of the route on Hardknott or Wrynose, especially for anything low/limited ground clearance, with single track and tight hairpins as well.

I would have met up with you around Manchester/Cheshire but i go away on the 13th June for 11 days.

Thats a shame, its going to be a good trip

So Accommodation is booked and now full. More can be booked, if you are still interested, contact me. At the moment we have 2 cars and 1 bike confirmed with another possible car if its built in time for the whole trip. Heres a bit more information if you wish to join us for a day:

9th June - Eastbourne to Stoke (Motorway all the way).

10th June - Stoke to Stirling (Motorway all the way).

11th June - Stirling to Wick (Motorway all the way).

12th June - Wick to Fort William via John O'Groats, Thurso, Scourie, Ullapool and Loch Ness.

13th June - Fort William to Langdale via Glencoe, Loch Lomand, Troon, Dumfries and Keswick.

14th June - Langdale to Barmouth via Wrynose & Hardknott Passes, North Wales Road and Snowdon.

15th June - Barmouth to (near) Bath via Aberystwyth, Becon Beacons, M4 & PowerZed (Hopefully).

16th June - Bath to Lands End via Bridgewater, Minehead, Bideford, A39.

17th June - Everyone home.

 

If you wish to join us for a day, let me know which day and ill send you the maps, GPS file and the stopping points!

 

Do you have plans for lunch on 14th? 

What time will you be  passing Chester(ish) on the M56 

Beware that when you get into Wales there are average speed cameras and they are on one with mobile units in North Wales 

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/spots-north-wales-mobile-speed-23963020

 

Today is the big day. Ill shortly be leaving the south coast and venturing northwards! If you would like to join us for any of the sections of the trip for the 9 days, just message on here and we will give you rough times that we will be at places!

Such a shame I didn’t have my car ready. Hope you enjoy the trip and look forward to the updates [emoji3].


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We are in Scotland!