Future Dream Drives in Your Miglia (or Ribble or Sammio)

[mas123mas]

When you finish (or if you have finished), where do you plan to drive or where would your dream drive be.

I have two routes that I want to do, when my Miglia is completed:-

1. Drive from my home to Lands End, then to John 'O'Groats and back home (hopefully with out using the AA, over two or three days)
This is something I would like to do for charity, it is about 1700 miles in total.

2. Drive over the Millau Viaduct (this is a route of about 2,000 miles, about a four - five road trip)
http://www.millau-viaduc-tourisme.co.uk/balance-audacity

Well you can dream!!!!!

[Mister Towed]

I spent a few months working out of an air base in the Arctic Circle, called Evenes (near Harstad) in Norwary, back in the nineties. It was so beautiful that I'd love to take my Spyder over on the Harwich - Esbjerg (Denmark) ferry, then drive up through Norway, taking in the fjords, to spend a few days in Harstad, then drive back down through Sweden. Not exactly a weekend's driving though...

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=harstad+norway&ie=UTF-8&ei=K0n_UvvhFKWu7Aa76oCIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ

[mas123mas]

Not exactly a weekend's driving though...

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=harstad+norway&ie=UTF-8&ei=K0n_UvvhFKWu7Aa76oCIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ

Now that is adventurous!!!! I like it

[rattler]

Monaco sea front for rattler

[BazMason]

Would love to take a Ribble/Tribute/Miglia over The Duke's Pass in the Trossachs area of Scotland. Something like 92 bends over the 7 miles of the pass and some truly stunning scenery. Many of the roads in this area are good but the Duke's is something special.

I have driven it many time in my old Midget and more recently in a Lotus Elise - The fact that it is only half an hour away for me is an added bonus!

[scimjim]

I spent a few months working out of an air base in the Arctic Circle, called Evenes (near Harstad) in Norwary, back in the nineties. It was so beautiful that I'd love to take my Spyder over on the Harwich - Esbjerg (Denmark) ferry, then drive up through Norway, taking in the fjords, to spend a few days in Harstad, then drive back down through Sweden. Not exactly a weekend's driving though...

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=harstad+norway&ie=UTF-8&ei=K0n_UvvhFKWu7Aa76oCIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ
I spent a few months there with two Gazelles in the late 80s (we may or may not have flown under the Harstad bridge :icon_mrgreen: ) - we drove series 3 land rovers with trailers all the way from Oslo :tape2:

[Mister Towed]

we drove series 3 land rovers with trailers all the way from Oslo :tape2:

Gosh, I traveled there by fat albert. We'd been issued with all the arctic and mountain warfare kit as it was February - thermal underwear, ankle to neck zip up onesie, arctic parker, goggles, mittens, mukluk boots etc, which we all dutifully put on before we landed. We then traipsed down the ramp looking like 'skimos, into blazing sunshine to find the locals in shorts and tee shirts. We all felt really silly until a blizzard hit about half an hour later.

Stunning place though, like the surface of another planet. Oh and the locals were friendly. Very friendly. Especially the girls...

Oh, and don't eat the yellow snow.

[micky1mo]

I spent a few months working out of an air base in the Arctic Circle, called Evenes (near Harstad) in Norwary, back in the nineties. It was so beautiful that I'd love to take my Spyder over on the Harwich - Esbjerg (Denmark) ferry, then drive up through Norway, taking in the fjords, to spend a few days in Harstad, then drive back down through Sweden. Not exactly a weekend's driving though...

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=harstad+norway&ie=UTF-8&ei=K0n_UvvhFKWu7Aa76oCIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ

So thats why you fitted a heater :heh: :heh:

[Mister Towed]

So thats why you fitted a heater :heh: :heh:

Yep, that's why I fitted a heater and built in some luggage space.

I really will take my Spyder for an extended drive round Viking country when I hang up my handcuffs. I loved Scandinavia so much when I worked there that it'd be my dream drive and it's only a short hop across from Harwich to Esbjerg.

Looking back now I can't believe I got paid (extra) to go to such fabulous places on behalf of Her Majesty, it really was a 'boys own' job.

[scimjim]

I did one summer ex in Bardufoss and it's just as impressive when it's not -30 deg and 6ft of snow :)

[Mister Towed]

I did one summer ex in Bardufoss and it's just as impressive when it's not -30 deg and 6ft of snow :)

Never made Bardufoss, but as well as Evenes I did get to go to: Kastrup (Copenhagen); Aalborg; Skrydstrup; and Sola, many times and all at her majesty's expense. :)

Funnily enough, when I was younger most of my girlfriends were blonde and had viking accents. :rockon:

[davecymru]

One really nice drive that doesn't need us to go thousands of miles that i'd hearty recommend to anyone with an open top car is across the Mendip hills from Bristol, down Cheddar Gorge and end up in Weston Super Mare or Burnham on Sea, on the sea fron with a bag of chips!

Or an alternate ending if you fancy starting a bit earlier and doing a longer drive is down the Gorge, down through somerset and end up at the Haynes motor museum!


The other i've always wanted to do in an open top car is A5 from Shrewsbury up into N.Wales and then onto the A4086 and over Pen-Y-Pass down into Caernarfon. A real good one to test your brakes!

[BazMason]

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/allan-brown-the-long-and-winding-road-to-applecross-1-2412586

Another one for those who may fancy a Scottish trip is the Belach na Ba, the road to Applecross in the west highlands. It made it into the National Geographic best driving roads list. Although it is effectively a dead end as it is only the village at the end of the pass - there is a nice hotel with great food to reward you for your efforts! http://www.applecross.uk.com/inn/

[scimjim]

Following the Wye on the A40 from Ross to Monmouth, then picking up the A466 down to Chepstow is a great run in a ragtop on a sunny day :)

[Nike55]

When you finish... where would your dream drive be.

Italy, specifically: Brescia to Brescia

via:
Ravenna
Pescara
L'Aquila
Roma
Siena
Firenze
Bologna
Piacenza
Mantova

(as per the '57 Mille Miglia course)..

[mas123mas]

Italy, specifically: Brescia to Brescia
via:
Ravenna, Pescara, L'Aquila, Roma, Siena, Firenze, Bologna, Piacenza, Mantova
(as per the '57 Mille Miglia course)..

Very scenic as well as great roads.

[oxford1360]

At the moment, my dream drive is the Oxford A34 northbound Southern By-pass complete with monster lorries and narrow lane markings. This will signal that I am on the way to an MOT.

On a more imaginary and ambitious front, a trip to Circuit da la Sarthe with a small tent in the boot is what keeps me going. And, the thought of a blast up Gurston Down.

[scimjim]

On a more imaginary and ambitious front, a trip to Circuit da la Sarthe with a small tent in the boot is what keeps me going.
Ferry booked - are you going this year?

And, the thought of a blast up Gurston Down.
The only hillclimb I know that starts downhill - never have taken Hollow flat out :shocked:

[oxford1360]

No, no France this year, but 2015 is likely.

Yes, at GD they put the chock in front of the rear wheel. It's amazing how narrow the exit of Hollow seems when I try to be brave. A definite comfort lift needed. I'm interested to see how much slower I'll be compared to the 1978 FF1600 that I used to pedal, but I'm sure it will feel as quick.

[scimjim]

I only do the classic - not the diesel race (although I have a scimitar with a straight six diesel, perhaps I could take that?).

The single seaters were at 130+ in Hollow! I was lifting at 60!!! I have a video of someone leaving the track on wet grass and he almost made it to Salisbury!!!

[GazDavies]

Im with Towed on this one. The road down the Lofoten Islands is simply out of this world beautiful full of tiny colourful fishing villages, dramatic mountains and crystal clear sea. Its great all year round but I would recommend anybody planning to go there to see it in late March/early April, its very cold then with lots of snow around but it still has dark nights which is great for the Northern lights. An over night stay in Leknes is also a must.

[AndyP85]

Think my roads would have to be:- The Stelvio Pass in Italy, Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania, Monaco Grand Prix route, The Overseas Highway in Florida, The Iroha Zaka in Japan, The Lysebotn Road in Norway, The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in the United Arab Emirates.

One of the greatest roads I have been on was whilst on holiday in the French Alpes at Courchevel 1850. The roads were very bendy but the scenery was awesome! :biggrin:

[adventuresoftimtim]

Yeah the oversea highway is a great drive (shame i did it in a people carrier) the route 15 to Vegas is also a good'n

I found a great road going into Andorra in the pyrenees last year, I'd love to do that one again!

[mas123mas]

Has anyone watched this, the story of the Mille Miglia, very inspirational.

http://youtu.be/G0eIVfr5Dck

[swifty]

Yes its very inspirational i posted a link on my thread last week, it makes you want to badge the car and join the Millie Miglia race albeit as an imposter.

May be if a few of us fancied it we could get together and give it ago.

[mas123mas]

Yes its very inspirational i posted a link on my thread last week, it makes you want to badge the car and join the Millie Miglia race albeit as an imposter.

May be if a few of us fancied it we could get together and give it ago.

Well funny you should say that, I would like to do the following, when I finally get mine finished (I mean started).

He's my other dream drive (a pipe dream)

Tremila Miglia (3000 Miglia)


North East of England
Dover or Folkstone (Ferry or Eurostar)
France
Calais
Paris
Milau
Montellier
Provence Region/ Marseilles
Cannes
Nice
Italy
Genoa
Pisa
Florence
Rome
Assisi
Bolenge
Modena
Milan
Turin
Switzaland Boards (Poss Geneva)
France
Calais Via the Loire Valley
Then Back to the UK


Over seven days, about 8 hours driving a day, should be fun, with a little sight seeing thrown in too.

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/mas123mas/Miglia_zps36567865.jpg (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/mas123mas/media/Miglia_zps36567865.jpg.html)

Just now sure how reliable a 40+ year old car will be after I have rebuilt it.

[froggyman]

Haven't built the car yet, however just about to go into the 'Museo Nazionale Dell'Automobile' in Turin after a fantastic drive through the mountains yesterday. Went onto the roof of the old Fiat factory where they had the test track featured in the rooftop jump scene in 'The Italian Job' No publicity for the film there and not easy to find or gain access to the roof. The rest of the building is now transformed into shops, cinema etc. (I suppose it did take the pi** out of the Italians!)
Great drive down but it is a long way from Devon.
Used to live quite close to Viaduct de Millau and I agree that is quite something even though I am not keen on heights. If you drive down and over the bridge make sure you go down to the viewing areas which show how it was built, and when you look up to it you then realize what a feat of engineering it was in the short time it took to build.