REGIONAL DRIVE WALES FRIDAY 5 SATURDAY 6 AUGUST 2016
REGIONAL DRIVE WALES FRIDAY 5 SATURDAY 6 AUGUST 2016 LLANGOLLEN REGIONAL SOCIAL FRIDAY 5 AUGUST WALES REGIONAL DRIVE SATURDAY 6 AUGUST ABERGAVENNY REGIONAL SOCIAL SATURDAY 6 AUGUST After a successful and memrable first Reginal Drive event t the Nrth f England, the GRRC is nw heading t Wales! Starting at Llangllen (10 miles frm Wrexham), this infrmal drive will take in sme f the main highlights f the heartland f Wales, with members being able t enjy the infamus EVO triangle, muntains f Snwdnia, dams f the Elan Valley, and the spectacular Abergwesyn and Gspel Passes. The drive will be bkended by scial evenings in Llangllen and Abergavenny. Our aim frm these events is t get like-minded members tgether t enjy their cars n sme f the best rads and mst beautiful areas f the UK. With this in mind, we have suggested a rute which we believe explres sme f the finest areas in Wales, but it is very much up t yu hw t make the mst f the day. In rder t help with this, we have suggested sme ptinal de-turs. There is far t much in Wales t see it all in ne day, but by using this guide belw, we hpe yu will be able t tailr the day, in the knwledge that there is a grup f like-minded GRRC members n the adventure with yu. The first Reginal Scial will be held at the White Waters Htel in Llangllen frm 1900 2100 hurs n Friday 5 August. The Reginal Drive itself kicks ff at 0900 hurs n Saturday 5 August at the White Waters Htel (meeting frm 0830 hurs). Frm here, the Club is heading t Ryhayader in the Elan Valley fr lunch. We have mapped ut a beautiful mrning rute which takes in the EVO Triangle and the heart f Snwdnia. This will take just under fur hurs, but if yu wuld like t d a little less driving then there are plenty f alternative rutes t make it t the lunchstp. During this mrning rute, we have suggested a cffee stp at Lake Vyrnwy Htel & Spa. Depending n yur rute this is abut half-way thrugh the mrning leg. Subject t the final rute that yu chse, we will begin t arrive at ur lunch stp (Triangle Inn, Rhayader) frm between 1230 hurs t 1330 hurs. After an infrmal lunch, we will aim t depart at arund 1400 hurs, heading twards Suth Wales and the Brecn Beacns. As with the mrning rute, there is a suggested 3 hur rute which takes in sme f the key highlights f the area (including the Black Muntain Pass), with ptinal de-turs t take in the picturesque Elan Valley, wild Abergwesyn Pass, and the highest pass in Wales, Gspel Pass. The final destinatin is the Kings Arms Htel in Abergavenny, where we expect members t arrive between 1700 hurs t 1830 hurs. The Kings Arms Htel will then be ur base fr the evening, and we wuld welcme bth thse wh have jined fr the days drive as well members wh wuld prefer just t jin us fr an evenings scial. Yu are mst welcme t cme alng and jin us at a Reginal Scial and participate in the full day f driving, r yu may prefer t meet us en-rute and drive part f the way either in the mrning r afternn. Whichever it is, we lk frward t seeing at sme pint.
THE ROUTE GRRC Reginal Drive Wales, Nrth t Suth Saturday 6 August 2016 Llangllen Ev Triangle Snwdnia Natinal Park Lake Vyrnwy Elan Valley Brecn Beacns Abergavenny MORNING DRIVE Start t lunch stp: 141 miles, 3hrs 50 mins (apprx.) AFTERNOON DRIVE Lunch stp t end: 102 miles, 2hrs 42 mins (apprx.) THE SOCIALS Llangllen Reginal Scial Friday 5 August 2016 Time: frm 1900 hrs in the Bar Lcatin: White Waters Htel Address: Berwyn Rad, Llangllen, Denbigshire, Nrth Wales, LL20 8AD Telephne: (01978) 861661 Website: http://www.whitewatershtel.c.uk/ Abergavenny Reginal Scial Saturday 6 August 2016 Time: frm 1700hrs Lcatin: Kings Arms Htel Address: 29 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, Mnmuthshire, NP7 5AA Telephne : 01873 855074 Website: kingsarmsabergavenny@gmail.cm ACCOMMODATION It is up t yu t make arrangements shuld yu wish t arrange accmmdatin at the beginning r end f the trip. Hwever, the Club have reserved 10 bedrms at the White Waters Htel, Llangllen at a preferential rate f 89.95 per rm based n tw peple sharing. This rate includes a full cked breakfast the next mrning. T bk a rm at the Htel please cntact them directly n: 01978 861 661. These rms will be held until the 8th July, and must be bked directly with the htel.
MORNING DRIVE Start t lunch stp: 141 miles, 3hrs 50 mins (apprx.) OVERVIEW MAP Whitewaters t Lake Vyrnwy Htel and Spa: 81 miles, 2hrs 10 mins (apprx.) Lake Vyrnwy Htel and Spa t lunch stp: 60 miles, 1hrs 42 mins (apprx.)
DIRECTIONS MORNING DRIVE Frm Whitewaters Cuntry Htel turn right, heading nrth-west n Berwyn Rd/A5 twards B5103 Fllw the A5 fr apprximately 11.5 miles befre the rad frks Cntinue straight twards Betws-y-Ced/ A5 fr apprximately 7 miles Turn right nt B4501, signpsted Cerrigydrudin In apprximately 0.3 miles turn right nt B4501/B5105 After 144ft keep left nt B450, signpsted Llyn Brenig Head nrth-east n B4501 fr apprximately 7 miles Turn left nt A543, signed psted Pentre-felas Cntinue suth n A543 fr apprximately 7.7 miles When yu cme t a T-Junctin turn right nt A5, signpsted twards Betws-y-Ced After apprximately 1.4 miles turn left nt B4407, signpsted Ysbyty Ifan & Ffestinig Head suth n B4407 fr 9.9 miles (nte that this rad is very narrw in places, but the views really pen up fr the secnd part) Turn left nt B4391, signpsted twards Bala Head east n B4391 twards A4212 fr apprximately 5 miles Cme t a T-Junctin and turn left nt A4212, signpsted Bala When entering Bala turn right nt A494 and then immediately left nt the B4391, signpsted twards Llangyng Head nrth-east n B4391 fr apprximately 15 miles On entering Penybntfawr yu will pass a church n yur left hand side, shrtly after turn right nt B4396 tward Llanwdyn and Lake Vyrnwy When yu arrive in Abertridwr, turn left n B4393 t cntinue nt the afternn rute, r fllw signs t Lake Vrywny fr a cffee stp If travelling t the Htel, yu will stay Nrth f Lake Vyrnwy, and the entrance is after abut 1.5 miles n the right SUGGESTED COFFEE STOP - Lake Vyrnwy Htel and Spa, SY10 0LY
DIRECTIONS MORNING DRIVE CONTINUED If stpped at the Htel, retrace yur rute back t the junctin between the B4396 and the B4393 Head n B4393, signpsted twards Llanfyllin At the end f the rad, turn right n the B4395, heading suth twards the A458 Keep right twards Llanfyllin Cntinue n B4395 fr aprximately 3 miles Turn right nt B4395, signpsted Llangadfan Head suth-west n B4395 fr apprximately 6.6 miles Cntinue straight thrugh Llwydiarth crssing a small river Cme t a T-Junctin and turn right nt A458 twards Dlgellau Cntinue n A458 fr apprximately 10 miles At the rundabut, take the 1st exit nt A470 twards Llangurig Fllw the A470 fr apprximately 6 miles At the rundabut, take the 1st exit and stay n A470 twards Llangurig Remaining n the A470 fr a further 5.5 miles When entering Llanbryn-mair turn right nt B4518 twards Lian Fllw the B4518 fr apprximately 15 miles When entering Llanidles at the rundabut, take the 3rd exit nt Lng Bridge St/B4518 After half a mile turn left nt Bryn-Du Rd/B4518 twards Tylwch After apprximately 11.7 miles when entering Rhayader turn left nt Nrth St/A470, signpsted Llanfair-ym-Muallt Builth Wells After 485ft turn right nt West St/B4518 West street shrtly becmes Bridge Street Then after apprximatley 0.4 miles take the secnd left where parking will be available n yur left hand side. LUNCH STOP The Triangle Inn, LD6 5AR
AFTERNOON DRIVE Lunch stp t end: 102 miles, 2hrs 42 mins (apprx.) OVERVIEW MAP
DIRECTIONS AFTERNOON DRIVE After lunch there is a suggested rute which is detailed belw, but als three ptinal rutes The Elan Valley, Abergwesyn Pass and Gspel Pass. The Elan Valley rute will add aprxminately 40 minutes nt yur jurney, with the Abergwesyn Pass rute adding arund 1 hur 20 minutes. The Gspel Pass departs the rute shrtly after Brecn and will add an additinal 1 hur. Further details f these rutes are fund belw. When leaving the Triangle Inn turn right Head nrth twards B4518 After apprximately 0.2 miles turn right nt Suth St/A470 Cntinue t fllw the A470 fr apprximately 7.8 miles Turn right nt B4358 signpsted twards Beulah Cntinue t fllw the B4358 fr apprximately 7.9 miles Shrtly after crssing a river turn right nt A483 signpsted twards Llandvery and Llanymddyfri Cntinue n the A483 fr apprximately 15.4 miles twards Llandvery Shrtly after entering Llandvery cme t a crss rads with The Lrd Ryhs Chinese restaurant in frnt f yu. Turn left nt Queensway/A40 heading twards Brecn After apprximately 0.2 miles turn right nt Brad St/A4069, signpsted twards Llangadg After apprximately 5.6 miles turn left t stay n A4069, signpsted twards Brynanman. This takes yu nt the Black Muntain Pass After apprximately 12 miles enter the rundabut and take the 1st exit nt Cwmgarw Rd/A4068, signpsted twards Ystalyrera Cntinue n the A4068 fr 5.4 miles At the rundabut, take the 1st exit nt A4067 After apprximately 2.4 miles cme t anther rund abut. Take the 1st exit nt Brecn Rd/A4067 After apprximately 12 miles yu will reach the village f Defnynng. Lk ut fr the right hand turn n the A4215, signpsted Natinal Park Visitr Centre Cntinue n this rad fr apprximately 4.7 miles, then yu will merge with the A470, heading Nrth Fllw A470 fr apprximately 2.5 miles, befre yu reach a rundabut At the rundabut, take the 4th exit nt A40, signpsted twards Y Fenni Abergavenny Cntinue n the A40 fr apprximately 2.5 miles At the rundabut, take the 3rd exit and stay n A40, signpsted twards Y Fenni Abergavenny Head east n A40 fr apprximately 18 miles At the rundabut, take the 3rd exit nt A4143 After 0.4 miles enter anther rundable At the rundabut, take the 1st exit nt Merthyr Rd After 0.2 miles turn right nt Tudr St After 177 ft Turn left nt St Jhn's St, parking is lcated n yur right hand side
OPTIONAL ROUTE ONE EVO TRIANGLE The Ev triangle is made up f bits f rad frm the A5, A543 and B4501, each as individual as the last. The result is a 20 mile gemetric jaunt acrss the rlling mrland. The rute is included in the abve verview, but can be skipped by cntinuing n the A5 shuld yu wish t spend mre time n ther sectins f the day. Named after EVO Magazine wh cmmnly fllw this particular rute t test-drive new cars fr their magazine features, the rute is rapidly increasing in ppularity amng driving enthusiasts lking fr a challenge. This rad endures bth tight and sweeping bends with panramic views f Llyn Brenig Lake and the village f Cerrigydrudin. OVERVIEW
OPTIONAL ROUTE TWO ELAN VALLEY Additinal 17 miles, 40 minutes (aprx.) Nte: This will add apprximately 40 mins t the standard afternn rute There are many reasns t visit the Elan Valley and a large area f the Welsh Lake District can be seen frm the cmfrt f yur car. Being part f the Cambrian Muntains, Elan is a beautiful and unspilt area made even mre cmpelling by the dams and reservirs which tgether create a living landscape. Due t the idyllic scenery, the Tp Gear team films at this particular driving rute. By taking this circular rute arund the Elan Valley yu will enjy a rich and varied landscape, visiting the reservirs f Craig Gch and Penygarreg and the many streams and rivers which flw between them. OVERVIEW
DIRECTIONS Frm the Triangle Inn, turn nt the B4518 heading suthwest, away frm Rhayader Cntinue clckwise n the B4518 fr apprximately 6.2 miles The rad will frk, make sure t keep left with the reservir n yur left Crss ver the reservir In 0.3 miles fllw the rad arund t the right The reservir will nw be n yur right After aprximantely 4 miles turn right After a further 5 miles yu will nw be nrth f the valley, turn right signpsted twards Rhayader Cntinue fr aprximately 5 miles and yu will return t the Triangle Inn
OPTIONAL ROUTE THREE ABERGWESYN PASS Ttal 47 miles, 1 hur 45 minutes (aprx.) Nte: This will add apprximately 1hr 20 mins t the standard afternn rute Traversing the Cambrian Muntains frm Tregarn t Abergwesyn, this rad is an adrenalinepumping jurney n a narrw strip f wrn tarmac. With features including 1 in 4 gradients, hairpin bends, and wide pen sectins, this rad has plenty t keep yur interest and is billed by sme as the best driving rad in Wales. OVERVIEW
DIRECTIONS Frm the Triangle Inn, turn right nt the B4518 Fllw the B4518 fr apprximately 14.4 miles Turn left nt B4574 ( Partial restricted-usage rad) After apprximately 2.3 miles keep left nt the B4343 Cntinue n the B4343 fr a further 5.3 miles Turn left nt Bridge St/B4343 Cntinue fr apprximately 6 miles t Tregarn When arriving int Tregarn head suth-west n B4343 twards Statin Rd/A485 After 190ft turn left t stay n B4343, signpsted twards Llanddewi Brefi Cntinue straight fr 0.6 miles, then keeping left After a further3.4 miles keep left In 1.8 miles turn left, signpsted twards Sar-y-mynydd Head east fr apprximately 8 miles When cming t a T-Junctin turn right signpsted twards Llanwrtyd Cntinue fr apprximately 4.7 miles t Dleced Rd Turn right nt Irfn Cres/A483, signpsted twards Llanfair-ym-Muallt Frm here cntinue n the A483 twards Llandvery t re-jin the rute
OPTIONAL ROUTE FOUR GOSPEL PASS 38 miles, 1hrs 25 mins (apprx.) Nte: This will add apprximately 1hr t the standard afternn rute The Gspel Pass is the highest rad pass in Wales. It is at the head f the Vale f Ewyas in the Black Muntains f sutheast Wales. Starting frm Hay-n-Wye the narrw muntain rad climbs steeply t a height f 549 metres abve sea level, squeezing between the muntains f Twmpa t the west and Hay Bluff t the east, befre drpping dwn int the valley t the suth n its way t Llanthny Priry, Llanfihangel Crucrney and Abergavenny. OVERVIEW
DIRECTIONS Shrtly after passing thrugh Brecn rather than taking the third exit twards Abergavenny take the 2nd exit nt A470, signpsted twards Llanfair-ym-Muallt Cntinue n the A470 fr apprximately 6 miles The A470 becmes the A438, cntinue straight fr anther 1 ½ miles At the rundabut, take the 3rd exit and stay n A438, signpsted Henffrdd / Herefrd In apprximately 0.5 miles cme t anther rundabut and take the 2nd exit nt A479, signpsted twards Llanfair-ym-Muallt / Builth Wells Cntinue nt A438 fr apprximately 3 miles The A438 then veers left, cntinue straight nt B4350 fr apprximately 3.5 miles Turn right nt Frest Rd, signpsted twards Capel-y-ffin Head suth n Frest Rd fr apprximately 2 miles The rad then frks, keep right Cntinue straight fr apprximately 15 miles (single lane rads) Cme t a T-Junctin, turn right heading suth-east twards Abergavenny In apprximately 0.4 miles Turn right nt A465, signpsted twards Abergavenny Head suth-west n A465 fr apprximately 3 miles Exit the A467 turning left nt B4521, signpsted twards Skenfrith After 0.2 miles turn right nt Rss Rd/B4521 In 0.6 miles there is a slight left t stay n Rss Rd In 0.5 miles turn right nt Stryd Y Mynach Isaf/B4233 In 217ft turn left nt Mnk St/A40 Take Castle St t Nevill St Cntinue straight nt Lwer Castle St Lwer Castle St turns right and becmes Castle St with parking n the left hand side
PLEASE NOTE: The abve rute is a guide f the rads we are likely t take, and althugh we have wrked hard t plan this drive aviding diversins/rad wrks the rute may have t be amended n the day depending n rad cnditins and lcal traffic. Members are respnsible fr arranging and cvering the csts f the fllwing elements assciated with the event - fuel, vehicle insurance, parts and labur (in the event yu need mechanical assistance with yur car) and all fd and beverages purchased. Members are welcmed t jin us at different pints n this event and shuld yu require an updated lcatin f the GRRC please call Chle Fernandez n 07970 765972. The Club have endeavured t find a rute f suitable scpe and length, but please d tailr the rute t suit yur wn criteria fr the day, and bring with yu suitable means fr navigatin. Shuld yu wish t jin ne f the scials r drives please cntact the ffice t register yur interest n tel: 01243 755057 r by email: grrc@gdwd.cm