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A20 Strangford Lough, Co. Down to: Bishopscourt / Sunflower races ?
Ideal if you're going to the Bishopscourt races (and you should!) A20 Strangford Lough & Down Coast Circular, County Down Start this one anywhere, equal but different views if you reverse the route (almost prefer it.) Take the A20 south from Newtonards to Portaferry. Roads can be congested up to Greyabbey but open up along the Lough side (smell those sedentary depositis when the tide is out!). Some rolling hills towards Portaferry. Stop near the casellated ruin near Exploris which is up a slight hill from the (signposted) ferry if you like a visit the sealife museum there. Good caf1/ice cream dispensing. Take the ferry to Strangford (need some money but much cheaper for bikes). Even in the wet the open, chain-dragging ferry is reasonably safe with anti-slip paint. As the ferry jinks around you try and balance the ?bike. Bizzare or what ? Try this with some kind of overtall, top heavy trail bike with a full tank of fuel, but only if I1m watching please! Sorry. Get waived off the ferry, and take the first signposted turn left to Ardglass (A2), following the coastline South. As you emerge from Strangford you might see some seals basking in the shallows by a picnic / viewing spot. From here on the road is narrow and bendy but loadsafun. Pass via Ballyhornan to Ardglass. Great fish and chip shop (obvious). The B1 Downpatrick road on your right as you come in takes you to the Bishopscourt racetrack, home of the International Sunflower Trophy Races, close by. Excellent. This 3detour2 could be handy if the roads from Downpatrick are bunged. Through Ardglass keep going South to Killough, through Minerstown and past Tyrella Beach. There1s a pausing opportunity here too if you want axles buried in sand and to pay to park. Keep on the A2 and eventually over an old switchback railway bridge. Pass some weird winblasted stands of trees. Eventually you emerge on the main A24 Newcastle Belfast road. The possibilities are endless. North back to Belfast via Ballynahinch ? South to Newcastle and the Mournes ? The A25 to Downpatrick and the western shores of Strangford Lough through Killyleagh ? Or reverse the route ? Up to you but - enjoy.
Exeter to: Back to Exeter
Lovely road! 377 is 50-odd miles of twisty heaven, though surface is starting to go in places. Record is about 25 minutes !! However constant ton-plus easily poss. Narrow-ish road follows the river. Speed limits starting to pop up in stupid places, but few appearances from local Bill make these optional. Coming into Barnstaple take the (boring) A361 to Bideford - watch for Rozzers as they love this road - through the town, then join onto the A386 to Torrington (watch for some nastily sharp corners) - onto the B3220 through Beaford/Winkleigh - nice fast roads, and back onto the A377 about 15 miles before Exeter. Good route for a Sunday blast. Good weather normally brings a fair few bikers along the A377. note: Summer brings loads of tourists down here, mincing along at 20mph with their caravans. Hope you enjoy it. We have, for the last 6 years.
Banbury to: Stratford on Avon
This road has a good mix of long straights, twisty bits and several drops and climbs. Not a great surface but that just adds to the excitment - about 28 miles in all and passed through some nice villages with decent pubs. From Banbury follow the signs for Stratford and beware of a couple of Gatsos until u get out of the town. 3-4 miles out of Banbury is Wroxton - keep you speed down (30mph) and stop for a pint or grub (there's a couple of places on the main road and a nice traditional pub in the village centre).Heading towards Edge Hill the road is good for 100+ but as you approach EH itself there are a couple of sharp twisty bends that can catch you out. Watch out for Volvos and Sunday drivers especially in summer. Going down Edge Hill fast is a challenge (hairpin) and if u do wring it's neck watch out for cars crossing over as you come out of the dip at the bottom. Great view over the countryside as u descend by the way.
Futher on towards Pillerton Priors it's twisty and fast. Just before u get there u can do a left on to the Fosse Way and head for Cirencester but that's another story. Cross the A429 (roundabout) and blast through more twisties followed by some sweepers with good overtaking opportunities. As you come into Stratford beware of plod and tourists. Head for the river and on Sunday you'll find a shed load of other bikers have a fag and a choc-ice. Stratford itself is full of the usual tourist tat so it's good to make loads of noise and generally play. There are tons of other good routes around the area and if you want to meet loads of other bikers on a Wednesday night head for the Watermans Arms on the A4177 at Hatton near Warwick (about 10 miles). Enjoy...
Halton/Aylesbury to: M25 Junction (Near Hemel Hempstead)
For a fast blast down 11 miles of dual carrage way with some nice long sweepers this road is a hoot. There are only 3 or 4 juntions on the whole stretch, with a handy drive-in McDonalds placed on 2nd or 3rd one (coming from Aylesbury).
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