Seeking Route Knowledge Please

**northworthy** · 17 Sep 08, 06:27 AM

Ducatisti
I'll be making my way back from the UK to CH around the 8th October. I never like using motorways, it's the byways for me which means in the UK minor A & B roads. Running down from home in N.Derbyshire I'll be heading for the overnight ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe (anyone used this Transmarche Ferry? Comments?).

So my main enquiry here is has anyone ridden the follow roads recently. I have never been along these back roads of Middle England. What are the road surfaces like, are they fast n twisty (hope so), is there any major diversions or construction work going?

A447: Ravenstone > Ibstock > Cadeby
B4455 + (B4027): Wibtoft > Stretton > Brinklow > Bretford > Stretton on Dunsmore > Prince Thorpe
A423: Marton > Southam > Cadbroke > Banbury
A4260: Adderbury > Steeple Aston
B4030: Lower Heyford > Middleton Stoney > Bicester

Are there better motorcycling / scenic alternatives close by?

Feed back very much appreciated - thanks.

**petevtwin650** · 17 Sep 08, 07:44 AM

This is a nice route IMO from hinkley down to Ducati Aylesbury (or at least close to it)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&sa...1&ie=UTF8&z=12

Only a couple of fixed speed cameras I believe.

Typical rubbish road surfaces. Nice cafe either at Hinckley or Long Itch.

Road works, not really an issue with filtering is it?

Usual warning about water coming off the fields and soaking the roads even days after the rain.

Enjoy.

**rupert** · 17 Sep 08, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

Ducatisti
Running down from home in N.Derbyshire I'll be heading for the overnight ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe (anyone used this Transmarche Ferry? Comments?).

We can back on Transmarche via the Le Havre - Newhaven route, the ferry itself was clean, and the restaurant not too over priced, however they had trouble opening the doors at Newhaven when we where waiting to board, and then the loading at Le Havre was the typical shambles, so we where late leaving again then. On the whole would use them again though, especially as they where at least £100 cheaper than any other crossings from Portsmouth or Poole!

**Masher** · 17 Sep 08, 07:56 AM

Hi Noteworthy I cant offer advice on the northern section, but it looks like you are intending to avoid Oxford, from my experience that is a very good idea, the ring roads have loads of traffic and very slow during the day!

**northworthy** · 17 Sep 08, 10:19 AM

[quote=petevtwin650;236037]This is a nice route IMO from hinkley down to Ducati Aylesbury (or at least close to it)

[url="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?
Enjoy.[/QUOTE]

petevtwin650
I'll run that route through my mapping system (Michelin) tonight - thanks very much indeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rupert

We can back on Transmarche via the Le Havre - Newhaven route. On the whole would use them again though

rupert
Thanks for sharing your experience - appreciated. I crossed with LD boat Le Harvre - Portsmouth and the cabin was filthy (looked like they'd showered an Irish Wolfhound in there), the food in the restaurant was dreadful and the french crew unhelpful. As TM are an affiliate of LD I have some apprehension to say the least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masher

it looks like you are intending to avoid Oxford, from my experience that is a very good idea, the ring roads have loads of traffic and very slow during the day!

Masher
Yes avoiding Oxford is a major element of my plan. I was once held up on the Oxford ring road when time was tight for overnight ferry from Portsmouth. Made the sailing but not without exceeding the speed limits. Thanks for your comments.

**Ghost** · 17 Sep 08, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

Ducatisti
I'll be making my way back from the UK to CH around the 8th October. I never like using motorways, it's the byways for me which means in the UK minor A & B roads. Running down from home in N.Derbyshire I'll be heading for the overnight ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe (anyone used this Transmarche Ferry? Comments?).

So my main enquiry here is has anyone ridden the follow roads recently. I have never been along these back roads of Middle England. What are the road surfaces like, are they fast n twisty (hope so), is there any major diversions or construction work going?

A447: Ravenstone > Ibstock > Cadeby
B4455 + (B4027): Wibtoft > Stretton > Brinklow > Bretford > Stretton on Dunsmore > Prince Thorpe
A423: Marton > Southam > Cadbroke > Banbury
A4260: Adderbury > Steeple Aston
B4030: Lower Heyford > Middleton Stoney > Bicester

Are there better motorcycling / scenic alternatives close by?

Feed back very much appreciated - thanks.

Hi Northworthy. The bold text is my neck of the woods, at Brinklow head to Bretford on the Fosse way, B4455. Follow that through to Princethorpe, where you make a left turn on to the Coventry Banbury road, A423. Through Marton twisty but 30mph blast up to Long Itchington, Diner on the left after the Cuttle pub, or the Two Boats Princethorpe side of the canal is ok for a meal.

Follow the dual carriageway that bypasses Southam, then its a stunning blast to Banbury (I love this stretch of road)

Straight over Banbury cross up the hill into Adderbury and turn left for Aynho and Bicester thats a good bit of road after Aynho.

I normally travel on to Aylesbury then. but your on your own again from from this point.

**petevtwin650** · 17 Sep 08, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

Hi Northworthy. The bold text is my neck of the woods, at Brinklow head to Bretford on the Fosse way, B4455. Follow that through to Princethorpe, where you make a left turn on to the Coventry Banbury road, A423. Through Marton twisty but 30mph blast up to Long Itchington, Diner on the left after the Cuttle pub, or the Two Boats Princethorpe side of the canal is ok for a meal.

Follow the dual carriageway that bypasses Southam, then its a stunning blast to Banbury (I love this stretch of road)

Straight over Banbury cross up the hill into Adderbury and turn left for Aynho and Bicester thats a good bit of road after Aynho.

I normally travel on to Aylesbury then. but your on your own again from from this point.

I think that is pretty much the route I posted up earlier Ghost

, but I didn't go into any great detail. I've been at the Long Itch Diner the last two Thursday nights. Shame you weren't there.

**Ghost** · 17 Sep 08, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

I think that is pretty much the route I posted up earlier Ghost

, but I didn't go into any great detail. I've been at the Long Itch Diner the last two Thursday nights. Shame you weren't there.

Ooops sorry, can't make this Thurs, as got to get ready for Snetterton on Friday.

**northworthy** · 17 Sep 08, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

Hi Northworthy. The bold text is my neck of the woods, at Brinklow head to Bretford on the Fosse way, B4455. Follow that through to Princethorpe, where you make a left turn on to the Coventry Banbury road, A423. Through Marton twisty but 30mph blast up to Long Itchington, Diner on the left after the Cuttle pub, or the Two Boats Princethorpe side of the canal is ok for a meal.

Follow the dual carriageway that bypasses Southam, then its a stunning blast to Banbury (I love this stretch of road)

Straight over Banbury cross up the hill into Adderbury and turn left for Aynho and Bicester thats a good bit of road after Aynho.

I normally travel on to Aylesbury then. but your on your own again from from this point.

Phil
Many thanks for running through that with me - very much appreciated. At this time of posting I am not 100% sure if I'll be galloping down there on the Wednesday or Thursday (8th/9th October), but when I do are you and Mark up for a lunch time break at the "Two Boats" Princethorpe?

(and any other Ducatisti that are reading this as it would be grand to meet you folks in person)