Please state your interest, potential starting point and vote on the date in the Poll!
It'll be very similar to last year and we've chosen Gilks Cafe again as the venue was superb, and feedback from all those that attended agree.
The route(s) will be varied and like last year - as I am some way away from Buckingham - will do it on two parts; "Amersham to Buckinghham" & "Buckingham to Gilks" (We'll try to avoid getting caught out by Special Branch at Chequers though!
). As last year - I will do some planning of the route(s) and ANYBODY is welcome to join us for this exciting & scenic run, and some yummy breakfast at the end of it!
PROVISIONAL Details
Date: Sunday 9th OR 23rd March, 2025 (please vote in the Poll).
Times: 0730 Start 1, meet Amersham, leaving 0745. 0845 Start 2, meet Buckingham, leaving 0900. 1015 Arrive Gilks Cafe, Breakfast 1030.
Start 1 0730: Amersham Tesco Superstore, 19 London Road West, Amersham, HP7 0HA.
Start 2 0845: Buckingham Starbucks*, MK18 1SH (*Beware Entry to Starbucks from A413 London Road, not A421 as Google Maps would have you believe!)
End 1015: Gilks Garage Cafe, Banbury Rd, Kineton, Warwick CV35 0JZ.
Breakfast 1030: Booking yet to be confirmed, hopefully with reserved use of the rear car-park.
Routes: See below! Amersham -> Buckingham -> Gilks
Return Route: See Below!
Distance: Total Driving time is about 2h15m (about an hour each section). Total distance about 75 miles (each direction!).
Attendees:
- SeanP (Sean) - Mazda RX-8 R3, Diamond Grey - Amersham (any date)
- AMH (Ann + Neil) - Mazda RX-8 R3, Aurora Blue - Buckingham (any date)
Possible Attendees (based on last year):
- JoeP (Joe+Lilly) - Mazda MX-5 Mk3.5, Red - Amersham
- Nickp47 (Nick) - RX-8 R3 or Lotus Elise - Amersham
- DrewR3 (Drew) - Mazda RX-8 R3, Crystal White - (RV en-route? ~0800)
- Fab66 (Mark + Rachel) - Mazda RX-8 40th anniversary, Crystal White - Buckingham
- rx8hunter (Dan) - Mazda RX-8 PZ, Black - Buckingham
- Toug (Quentin) - Mazda RX-8 231, Titanium Grey - Buckingham
*To be determined*
Route Section 1: Amersham to Buckingham
*To be determined & confirmed*
For anybody who wishes to join me from further South; this will be via Aylesbury and A413. Approx. 1 Hour driving.
Two possible routes - we can decide on the day which to take:
A) Most direct, A413 most of the way, with some nice country back-roads..
B) More twisty, avoids Aylesbury via Cuddington (HS2 works dependent!).
Route Section 2: Buckingham to Gilks Garage Cafe
*To be determined*
Last time was:
Buckingham to Gilks Garage Cafe via Whittlebury, Blakesley, Preston Capes, Priors Marston & Fenny Compton. Approx 1h15m Driving.
Return Route: Gilks to Buckingham, then back to Amersham!
*To be determined*
Last time:
Neil Carter has kindly donated an exciting return route from Gilks to Buckingham.
Gilks B4086 / B4100, Banbury (outskirts), A422 Middleton Cheney, B4525 Helmdon, Wappenham, Abthorpe. Silverstone Village, Silverstone Circuit, Dadford, Stowe and Buckingham.
After another Coffee Break at the Starbucks, I can lead a convoy back to Aylesbury via the A413 and back towards Amersham. I might take some random roads back from there - but you can follow me or just split your own routes back to your own destinations! (Let me know!)
Driving Routes, Keeping together
The Google routes link above are what I will be using to navigate; please share and use them for your own navigation too!
Note, however, that some of the way-points need to be deleted on approach, as they may be slightly off-route; I will typically hit the "X" an cancel next way-point and "Continue Route" about 1 minute / 1/2 mile before each. Proximity (to the starting points) is required to use the routes.
If you get hopelessly lost - just plug in the final destination - "avoid motorways" and hopefully we'll see you there!
On the day, I'd like to nominate a lead driver (me!
), a tail-gunner, and probably somebody in the middle of the pack as well; who have reliable satnav or know the route.This will help maintain the group. Nominees (only) should drive with headlights on. Others, please refrain from headlights and fog-lights, unless conditions dictate.
Try to drive to keep the person in front and the person behind in view, as best as possible.
The rear-gunner to ensure nobody gets lost / left behind.
At major junctions: The leads & middle will slow to help corral the group back together if it gets very split up (it can happen).
Otherwise, try to proceed to the next way-point or meeting point.
Driving Guidelines
We want to have great fun driving our cars on some fantastic roads. Our cars are very capable, but please ensure that you drive SAFELY and Responsibly. Some driving advice below.
- Stay Safe! Have FUN!
- Always be able to stop safely, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see to be clear.
- It is definitely NOT a race and NOT a rally; but it will be a safe, spirited drive - making use of the best features of our cars.
- With a number of similar cars in a convoy, there is plenty to draw the attention of Plod, should they think there is anything antisocial or dangerous behaviour.
- Ensure *at least* a 2 second gap to the car in front. When stopped behind another vehicle, leave enough space - view of tyres on tarmac - in case you need to manoeuvre or they roll backwards.
- Abide by the rules of the Highway Code, the law by observing speed restrictions, traffic signs and traffic signals. (Damn you, Bucks County Council & the Nanny state!)
- Drive according to the road and weather conditions, the condition of your vehicle (tyres & brakes), and well within your own abilities and level of comfort.
- Slow for bends, use the "Limit Point of Vision" (see rule 1)... The car *may* be able to handle blind bends at high speed, but *you* cannot *see* what is around them! Slowing for bends means you have more fun -- accelerating out of them!
- Don't be tempted into driving quicker than is safe or that you are comfortable with, just because somebody else may be driving more quickly than you. We will follow some etiquette at major junctions, allowing catch-ups.
- Do not take unsafe risks; especially at junctions or with any overtakes. Only overtake if you can see you have the clear space to complete the manoeuvre safely. Definitely do NOT simply follow somebody through an overtake (or junction), without checking first. Give them space to complete fully, before you commit!
- Consider all other road users, do not endanger their lives, yours, or your passengers.
- Early mornings are likely to attract dog walkers, pedestrians, cyclists and the horsey set in rural areas; Slow down & give them space (use the full width of the road, where safe).
- Those with modified exhausts & intakes - please consider residents of populated areas, and club reputation; but b*****r the livestock in open fields!
- There are beautiful views and lovely twisties en-route, so it is a pity to miss the views; have fun on the twisties - what our cars are designed for (keep your eyes on main-beam, on the road ahead!)
-
BE SAFE, HAVE FUN
