Lake District Drive out..

[JoePeps]

Was up north this weekend for a family thing, and decided to take the V6 since I've now sold the M3.
Total of 596 miles averaging 25.1mpg overall which wasn't too bad.

Route was:

Derby to Carlisle.
Carlisle to Ambleside via a 160 mile detour finding some awesome roads
Ambleside to Carlisle.
Carlisle to Derby.

Clio was nice and comfy once on the motorway, but rides really badly over rough roads which is a bit of a ball ache. It's also noisy, lots of wind noise and the exhaust. I expected this but it was worse than I imagined, didn't detract from anything but could do with being soundproofed a little better!

Managed to get some decent pictures. At one point I never saw another person for over 2 hours as I found what's got to be some of the best roads in the country, Top Gear style epicness.

(pic order isn't great as some are phone and some camera)










Epic road





This was the abandoned road, although as I took the pic there's a car following me up in the distance!








Overall it was epic, got lots of good attention and really enjoyed putting some miles on it! Clicked over the 45k on the way home.

 

[Kett]

Great write up and some stunning photography.
: )
I echo your sentiments that the Vee is more at home on camber-free smooth dry surface roads. I think that the Goodwood meet was a great opportunity to enjoy the Vee in it's element.
On the other hand, the torquey engine is quite happy bumbling around - I know exactly why the lakes meeting is popular too.
Are you running a standard exhaust and air box? The cabin noise is fairly sedate - anything else if going to be fruitier.
Wind noise and rattles are par for the course though. (I've pretty much eliminated the latter).
It certainly has been unseasonably good weather of late. It's great to see that you've taken full advantage.
: )

 

[Ali]

Great shots!

 

[Lankan]

Seems like you had whole a load of fun......

The Vee is quite okay on country roads - one could motor along at a reasonable pace, enough to enjoy the drive (in the dry), but tyres, tyre pressures and geometry need to be spot on. If the tyres aren't Michelin Pilot Super Sports I would get them as a matter of priority (OEM size and profile).

Excellent photos - Illiad Blue does photograph well......

 

[MarkK]

You made the decision then, Joe. The same journey in the M3 would have given you a bad back for sure!

Great photos and location....really shows the car off well. I'm starting to really like the blue now.

Mark

 

[phillv6]

Nice write up and great photo's Joe :salut: good to see you enjoying the Vee in the stunning scenery

 

[GTTurbo]

Great photos Joe, the Lake District is lovely but not overly vee friendly.

 

[scudRS]

Great photo's Joe. Looks like a fun road trip. :race:

 

[JoePeps]

Thanks for the kind comments.

May possibly have to let it go though

 

[RUSSO]

Sad times Joe, but at the end of the day it's a car NOT a home :approve:

Could scratch the itch later

Great photos and the Lakes only an hour away from me :race: