The world's greatest driving roads - what are they...?
20 July 2006, 09:41 AM
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The world's greatest driving roads - what are they...?
All
Am looking to get opinions regarding the world's greatest driving roads, that either you have been on or you know about. Primarily, it is to launch a new car so needs a selection of normal roads, motorways and some good winding ones. Looking for two locations - one in Europe and one in Rest of the World, but not the USA.
Needs to be friendly to the motorist, so places like Australia are probably out. Likewise, sun always makes cars look better and as this will be around Feb time, places with snow should also be discounted.
But needs to be great variety and perhaps one good road that sums it all up.
I seem to remember that some magazine recently (perhaps Autocar) did a feature on their ten best, so if anyone can send me a copy, that would be great.
The best ideas (and I will be honest) will win something - not sure what but something like a Renault Formula One goodie bag, or if you like an Alonso or Fisichella signed cap, or I could get a Schumacher signed cap, something like that.
Anyway, I'd love your suggestions, thoughts and anything else...
Thanks
Andy
Am looking to get opinions regarding the world's greatest driving roads, that either you have been on or you know about. Primarily, it is to launch a new car so needs a selection of normal roads, motorways and some good winding ones. Looking for two locations - one in Europe and one in Rest of the World, but not the USA.
Needs to be friendly to the motorist, so places like Australia are probably out. Likewise, sun always makes cars look better and as this will be around Feb time, places with snow should also be discounted.
But needs to be great variety and perhaps one good road that sums it all up.
I seem to remember that some magazine recently (perhaps Autocar) did a feature on their ten best, so if anyone can send me a copy, that would be great.
The best ideas (and I will be honest) will win something - not sure what but something like a Renault Formula One goodie bag, or if you like an Alonso or Fisichella signed cap, or I could get a Schumacher signed cap, something like that.
Anyway, I'd love your suggestions, thoughts and anything else...
Thanks
Andy
20 July 2006, 10:17 AM
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the lake district has some good fast and winding roads. Great back drops too!
Got some pics of the area if you want them.
Got some pics of the area if you want them.
Last edited by watto52; 20 July 2006 at 10:51 AM.
20 July 2006, 10:26 AM
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You can't beat the roads from San Sebastian to Burgos.
A mixture of very fast A roads and a motorway featuring hairpins and corkscrew bends. Not to mention mountain passes.
Plus the police don't seem to care too much what speeds you drive at and the roads are empty.
San Sebastian N1>Vittoria N1/E80>Altsatsua N1/E5>N1 E80>AP1 to Burgos
I don't see how any route can better this one it has it all. I think autocar even mentioned it in their article.
Should add you can get a ferry to Bilbao from Porstmouth that takes the strain out of driving across France with it's vile speed gun toting Gendarmes
A mixture of very fast A roads and a motorway featuring hairpins and corkscrew bends. Not to mention mountain passes.
Plus the police don't seem to care too much what speeds you drive at and the roads are empty.
San Sebastian N1>Vittoria N1/E80>Altsatsua N1/E5>N1 E80>AP1 to Burgos
I don't see how any route can better this one it has it all. I think autocar even mentioned it in their article.
Should add you can get a ferry to Bilbao from Porstmouth that takes the strain out of driving across France with it's vile speed gun toting Gendarmes
Last edited by Rabid; 20 July 2006 at 10:28 AM.
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20 July 2006, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by mightyyid
Loving all fellas (cept Alloy!)...
Keep them coming. Just the kind of thing I need...
A
Keep them coming. Just the kind of thing I need...
A
20 July 2006, 10:56 AM
#9
February - lots of europe will be pants, but Canaries / Madeira?
Southern hemisphere = summertime.
The coast road south from Capetown from Camps Bay to Hout Bay - loads of very fast smooth winding tarmac next to the Atlantic, plus the section from Nordhoek beach to Cape point via Scarborough, similar but narrower and wilder.
Table Mountain cable way road is pretty spectacular.
The road from Betty's bay to Gordons bay is also good.
While you are in the area - the franschoek pass towards Worcester is also good - wild scenery, hairpins,big drops, 10,000 foot mountains etc. Loads of beautiful old wine farms to take posey shots on too. Cheap as chips ( if you stay outside Capetown), fantastic food and wine.
February is the best month for SA weather - 30 -35C every day, great light, and the summer holidays have just finished so accomodation is cheap. Down side is a load of other car cos have discovered it too...
SA is pretty car friendly and pretty empty too when not..
One I haven't seen used is the airport road into Windhoek in Namibia - about 45km of sinous smooth spectacular roads with long vistas - hotter and drier than SA - plus watch out for the animals the whole country is a game park. Finally, also in Namibia the coast road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay next to the sea.
There you go - a few ideas
FB
Southern hemisphere = summertime.
The coast road south from Capetown from Camps Bay to Hout Bay - loads of very fast smooth winding tarmac next to the Atlantic, plus the section from Nordhoek beach to Cape point via Scarborough, similar but narrower and wilder.
Table Mountain cable way road is pretty spectacular.
The road from Betty's bay to Gordons bay is also good.
While you are in the area - the franschoek pass towards Worcester is also good - wild scenery, hairpins,big drops, 10,000 foot mountains etc. Loads of beautiful old wine farms to take posey shots on too. Cheap as chips ( if you stay outside Capetown), fantastic food and wine.
February is the best month for SA weather - 30 -35C every day, great light, and the summer holidays have just finished so accomodation is cheap. Down side is a load of other car cos have discovered it too...
SA is pretty car friendly and pretty empty too when not..
One I haven't seen used is the airport road into Windhoek in Namibia - about 45km of sinous smooth spectacular roads with long vistas - hotter and drier than SA - plus watch out for the animals the whole country is a game park. Finally, also in Namibia the coast road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay next to the sea.
There you go - a few ideas
FB
20 July 2006, 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Fat Boy
February - lots of europe will be pants, but Canaries / Madeira?
FB
FB
20 July 2006, 12:01 PM
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Route Napolean N85 from Grenoble to Grasse in south of france....the best roads and petrol head culture in the world IMHO..
Been up there before and seen cars and bikes driving/riding it running slicks so that gives you some idea of what its like and the french attitude in the part of france to speeding...no traps and very little traffic .
If you do a google search you'll find articles from Evo magazine as well as loads of other motoring publications and articles about the road from net forums.
Been up there before and seen cars and bikes driving/riding it running slicks so that gives you some idea of what its like and the french attitude in the part of france to speeding...no traps and very little traffic .
If you do a google search you'll find articles from Evo magazine as well as loads of other motoring publications and articles about the road from net forums.
20 July 2006, 01:53 PM
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Hafeet Mountain Road is extraordinary. It stretches for 7.3 miles with about 60 turns.
Hafeet at night looks even more impressive than it does during the day.
Located in UAE.
I win
astraboy.
Hafeet at night looks even more impressive than it does during the day.
Located in UAE.
I win
astraboy.
20 July 2006, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by brybusa
Route Napolean N85 from Grenoble to Grasse in south of france....the best roads and petrol head culture in the world IMHO..
Been up there before and seen cars and bikes driving/riding it running slicks so that gives you some idea of what its like and the french attitude in the part of france to speeding...no traps and very little traffic .
If you do a google search you'll find articles from Evo magazine as well as loads of other motoring publications and articles about the road from net forums.
Been up there before and seen cars and bikes driving/riding it running slicks so that gives you some idea of what its like and the french attitude in the part of france to speeding...no traps and very little traffic .
If you do a google search you'll find articles from Evo magazine as well as loads of other motoring publications and articles about the road from net forums.
Enforcement is so harsh you need to have a minumum of 2 insured drivers for every car in case they take your licence off you. Drive too fast and they'll even impound the car. Not worth the risk IMO.
20 July 2006, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by astraboy
Hafeet Mountain Road is extraordinary. It stretches for 7.3 miles with about 60 turns.
Hafeet at night looks even more impressive than it does during the day.
Located in UAE.
I win
astraboy.
Hafeet at night looks even more impressive than it does during the day.
Located in UAE.
I win
astraboy.
20 July 2006, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by astraboy
Hafeet Mountain Road is extraordinary. It stretches for 7.3 miles with about 60 turns.
Hafeet at night looks even more impressive than it does during the day.
Located in UAE.
I win
astraboy.
Hafeet at night looks even more impressive than it does during the day.
Located in UAE.
I win
astraboy.
20 July 2006, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by watto52
the lake district has some good fast and winding roads. Great back drops too!
Got some pics of the area if you want them.
Got some pics of the area if you want them.
Ns04
20 July 2006, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Rabid
La Route Napoleon is amazing but France is no-go zone for fast driving now.
Enforcement is so harsh you need to have a minumum of 2 insured drivers for every car in case they take your licence off you. Drive too fast and they'll even impound the car. Not worth the risk IMO.
Enforcement is so harsh you need to have a minumum of 2 insured drivers for every car in case they take your licence off you. Drive too fast and they'll even impound the car. Not worth the risk IMO.
Your right thou, France used to be much better for "getting away with it".
I hear there looking at making bans(but not points) valid in the UK as soon as possible, apparently its only the IT infastructure thats holding it back at the moment
20 July 2006, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by brybusa
Northern France and the autoroutes are risky no doubt but these more rural roads are left un touched - so far anyway
Your right thou, France used to be much better for "getting away with it".
I hear there looking at making bans(but not points) valid in the UK as soon as possible, apparently its only the IT infastructure thats holding it back at the moment
Your right thou, France used to be much better for "getting away with it".
I hear there looking at making bans(but not points) valid in the UK as soon as possible, apparently its only the IT infastructure thats holding it back at the moment
Take it from me gendarme and douane (customs ********) activity is at an all time high currently, throughout the country and they are targeting foreigners as a source of money.
20 July 2006, 03:34 PM
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Interesting that you said:
As I would have immediately based on experience said the Great Ocean Road in Oz, as mentioned by someone else above. Had a fantastic trip in hired sports cars with a group of friends, liked it so much I went back 2 years later and did it again. 
The police in Victoria are ***** in and around the cities
, so you must ensure you are within the limits until you are out of Melbourne and onto the GOR, but I've never seen anyone on the GOR itself (got booked on the motorway by Geelong last time, but they got my surname wrong, so I denied it and got off 
).
HTH
Alex
Originally Posted by mightyyid
All
Needs to be friendly to the motorist, so places like Australia are probably out.
Needs to be friendly to the motorist, so places like Australia are probably out.
The police in Victoria are ***** in and around the cities
, so you must ensure you are within the limits until you are out of Melbourne and onto the GOR, but I've never seen anyone on the GOR itself (got booked on the motorway by Geelong last time, but they got my surname wrong, so I denied it and got off ). HTH
Alex
20 July 2006, 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BigGT3Fan
Interesting that you said:
As I would have immediately based on experience said the Great Ocean Road in Oz, as mentioned by someone else above. Had a fantastic trip in hired sports cars with a group of friends, liked it so much I went back 2 years later and did it again.
The police in Victoria are ***** in and around the cities, so you must ensure you are within the limits until you are out of Melbourne and onto the GOR, but I've never seen anyone on the GOR itself (got booked on the motorway by Geelong last time, but they got my surname wrong, so I denied it and got off ).
HTH
Alex
As I would have immediately based on experience said the Great Ocean Road in Oz, as mentioned by someone else above. Had a fantastic trip in hired sports cars with a group of friends, liked it so much I went back 2 years later and did it again.
The police in Victoria are ***** in and around the cities
, so you must ensure you are within the limits until you are out of Melbourne and onto the GOR, but I've never seen anyone on the GOR itself (got booked on the motorway by Geelong last time, but they got my surname wrong, so I denied it and got off ). HTH
Alex
20 July 2006, 09:16 PM
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http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...valleys004.jpg
Gives you an idea of the scenery around here NS04
The roads are mostly national speed limit and are very close to the beaches but there not commercial type beeches. Nice and quiet.
Ill have to try another way, maybe by e-mail. my comp is messing me around. sorry chaps
Gives you an idea of the scenery around here NS04
The roads are mostly national speed limit and are very close to the beaches but there not commercial type beeches. Nice and quiet.
Ill have to try another way, maybe by e-mail. my comp is messing me around. sorry chaps
Last edited by watto52; 21 July 2006 at 12:24 AM.
21 July 2006, 12:01 PM
#28
Originally Posted by Rabid
The road I talked about will be awesome whatever the weather. I drove over it in January last time and found snow everywhere- except on the roads they keep them clear and don't seem to have any of the problems doing so unlike the UK. Also Spanish Sierra+snow=spectacular beauty.
Shame the original poster asked us to rule out anywhere with snow then wasn't it....
21 July 2006, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Fat Boy
Shame the original poster asked us to rule out anywhere with snow then wasn't it....