Renaultsport Megane 275 Cup-S | PH Fleet

It’s in some cases really hard to believe that we’re two a long time into doing work from dwelling now. In simple fact, PH has used additional time doing work in isolation than we did together in our ‘new’ central London business. Irrespective of this, I am even now struggling to modify to the deficiency of driving. The day-to-day jaunt to the teach station may well not have been considerably, but it was sufficient for me to enjoy becoming in my car. And when you consider that I employed to generate up to 2,000 miles for each thirty day period commuting to our aged business office in Twickenham, it’s pretty the contrast to the 300 measly miles I’ve lined due to the fact my past fleet update two months in the past.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Retaining the mileage down is no undesirable factor (primarily with the existing gasoline price ranges) and at minimum it indicates I savour every inch coated when I do head out for a travel. Which is exactly what I did when a team of us from PH headed to Wales for a weekend again in October.

I was fortunate sufficient to transfer to the Welsh border when I was 16 and expended a great number of hrs driving to and from Rhayader early in the morning for a couple laps of the Elan Valley. We’ve acquired staffers from the US, New Zealand and Bulgaria at PH, so exactly where far better to take them for some of the most effective roadways the United kingdom has to offer you?

Heading towards Wales from many components of the south east, Caffeine & Machine built for a ideal meeting point, which remarkably none of us had been to ahead of. We practically experienced the location to ourselves remaining a Friday morning (whilst we did get the full C&M knowledge a few months afterwards with our first Sunday Provider there in December). Following a espresso and obligatory photographs, we set off westward, controlling to squeeze in a surprise take a look at en route to a PHer’s remarkable personal car collection (much more on that before long).

Of training course, Rhayader is in which the enjoyable actually started out. I’ve pushed all over the Elan Valley on my have more situations than I can remember, but staying there with a team of mates with the sunshine placing was a totally distinct working experience. They are not roads that can be tackled at huge pace, but the surroundings and elevation changes as you stream by the valley would make it a impressive push.

We paused at the previous Cwmystwyth mines on the B4574 to admire the perspective and also marvel at the eclectic blend of cars and trucks in attendance – Subaru, Renault, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover all in attendance. Chasing RacingPete in his Impreza into the sunset as we headed for Aberystwyth was my favourite push of the total weekend aided together by the reality that we failed to come across a solitary automobile. We stayed overnight at Aberystwyth at Glyn Garth Guest Dwelling and ate at Light-weight of Asia – both of those very suggested!

The upcoming early morning, we headed north to a particular effectively-recognized triangle at Cerrigydrudion. There are normal speed cameras there now, but we still loved cruising close to the deserted roads ahead of grabbing lunch at Bala (Y Cfynod Café & Bistro – also terrific). If there is one particular have to-push street in North Wales, it is really the B4391 from Bala to Ffestiniog. It really substantially has it all: twists and turns, undulations, stunning views, and much more usually than not you can find no-a person else on it. Besides sheep, of course.

Our final cease was a break at Beddgelert just before taking in the breathtaking Llanberis Move. Which, immediately after pretty much two times of sunshine and peaceful roadways, was wet and packed with website traffic. It had to happen sometime. But catch it early in the early morning and you may have it to oneself, which is accurately what we did prior to heading property just after a night at the Royal Victoria Lodge (yet again, remarkably suggest when you are knackered from two times of in close proximity to consistent driving).

This was my initially huge journey in nearly two many years, and irrespective of getting owned my Megane for additional than 50 % that time, it was the to start with right prospect to definitely check out its possible on an prolonged period of time. It never ceases to amaze me how able these automobiles are, even in the company of more highly effective equipment, the travel served as the excellent reminder of why I purchased the auto in the
first put. Not for nothing at all, but the time away also will work miracles for your headspace – which is extra crucial than ever appropriate now.

If you never want to go by using Hereford on your way to Wales, then here’s a tweaked route from Caffeine & Machine for working day a single (the Flying Dutchman in Leominster can make a banging coronation hen sandwich if that lines up for a lunch end). And this is the route for working day two. If there are any excellent roadways we skipped, permit me know in the comments for upcoming time!

Auto: 2015 Renault Sport Megane 275 Cup-S
Run by: Ben Lowden
On fleet because: September 2020
Mileage: 39,945