Seeking your views as to arranging local drives

[StephenS]

Hi everyone

I‘m just following up on the discussions at the club night in January that took place as to the popularity of the weekend drives and to maybe having more of these in 2019.

Mention was made as to rides out on Sundays and also on Friday nights too.

So with this in mind (and with Greg’s approval ) I thought I would sound out members views and ideas as to having more of these “Impromptu rides”

I would be be very interested to learn of your thoughts as to the following:-

Sunday morning short runs out ( say 2 hour shorter run with pub lunch / cafe stop for an hour)

Sunday morning longer runs out ( say 4 hour longer run with pub lunch/ cafe stop for an hour)

Friday night run out ( say 2 to 3 hour run out with pub stop for an hour - maybe bar meal or just a drink)

Weekday runs out on similar basis as above- anyone interested?

Suggested meeting venues eg Washington services, Lanchester garden centre for southerly drives and suggested meet up points for northerly drives ( McDonalds at Moor Farm Roundabout near Cramlington on A19?) and where to meet for westerly drives. Are there better places to meet up or are we happy with existing meeting venues.

Have you any suggestions as to great routes to drive or suggested destinations for say 2 and say 4 hour runs.

Any suggestions for places to visit. ( I suggest Goatland, Bamburgh,Otterburn,various stately homes, York classic car show plus other shows held in the north -to name but a few suggested drives)

Any thoughts on organising a sunny summer night for a car treasure hunt ending at a nice country pub

Once I get everyone’s feedback, depending on demand, I will compile a suggested calendar of events ( and will create this so as to avoid clashes with other club activities)

Here hoping for a good response from everyone

 

[Eldavo]

All sound great ideas Stephen, I‘m sure that you’ll get people committing to all the different types as time commitments change.

I’d welcome the evening runs and shorter Sunday runs being added to the calendar as I can’t always spare a full day out. With that in mind, maybe some “loops” would be good? Meet at a coffee/breakfast place, do a run for an hour or two and end up back at the same spot so people can get straight off or stay for lunch if they wish?

 

[Porschekit]

Stephen, I'd be happy to join any ad-hoc runs out at any time throughout the year, subject to my availability. I agree with David's comments above.

I remember a great run from the NE across the military road to "Sallys" cafe, last June (ish) on a Thursday night, with 20+ cars, we were still sipping coffee at 9.50pm in the warm summer breeze as the sun went down......any time's a good time.... bring on the warm weather.....

cheers John

 

[JohnCRS]

I would certainly support runs at any time other than Sunday morning. Happy to meet up Sunday lunchtime and later though and, as my time is my own, during the week works even better. Being based in Teesside support for the Northumberland and borders runs, especially short ones, is limited due to the additional 90 miles or so round trip to the start and home at the end.

Go for it.

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Sounds like an excellent idea Stephen, you can count us in, as most Sundays are free and having missed much of last year's great weather due to the engine rebuild, any excuse to get out is a good one. It's -4 out there this morning and the only thing in use at the moment is the battery charger! We're looking forward to the thaw.

 

[Adam_B]

I’d welcome the evening runs and shorter Sunday runs being added to the calendar as I can’t always spare a full day out. With that in mind, maybe some “loops” would be good? Meet at a coffee/breakfast place, do a run for an hour or two and end up back at the same spot so people can get straight off or stay for lunch if they wish?

This would suit me as well. Also having recently stopped work if anyone fancies some mid-week day runs once the weather is better I'd be interested.

 

[rowtietowers]

Shorter Sunday runs or nice summer evening midweek runs would probably suit better as we have 2 dogs, one of which doesn’t like being left for too long. Probably wouldn’t do a Friday night though.

 

[Davidbf1.com]

Definitely up for some ad-hoc drives mid week evenings (summer) and sat or sundays, depending on what’s going on at the time.

 

[rgbower]

count me in too (other commitments permitting!)

 

[kennyrobinson]

I'm certainly up for evening drives as well as weekends.

 

[Bus_ter]

Count me in too! I'm right up North in the region (Northumberland) so anything up here would be great.

 

[gronk1967]

More than happy to join in any weekend drives planned im usually at a loose end Sunday mornings...I only moved to the NE relitvely recently local so don't really know the roads well enough to offer a suggestions.

 

[Willardfan]

The more options there are the greater the chance of being involved at some point. It's difficult to juggle family, work, activities, weather, distances etc. etc. so we'd welcome the variety and the possibililty of joining in more than has been possible so far.

The potential downside is dilution and relatively low turn-out. Time will tell......

John & Gillian

 

[Carbon]

would also be happy to join in ! a southbound run would be ideal as ill be starting in Whitby.

 

[Kevin Ervin]

Thoughts for a run out this Spring / Summer -

Last year we had an impromptu and unplanned drive out from where we live in Seaton Carew near Hartlepool to Hexham, which took us through West Durham and out on to the Alston road before diverting North towards the A69. I’m quite familiar with the area having lived near Barnard Castle. We travelled through there and up through Cotherstone, Romaldkirk to Middleton in Teesdale.

Lunch at the Fox and Hounds in Cotherstone was excellent and the roads were just perfect, if a little a slower than some of the long sweeping roads of Northumberland. The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland is also a good watering hole in a lovely setting on the the same basic route. I don’t know how this fits in with where everyone lives, but any additional ideas to the route would be appreciated.

 

[StephenS]

Many thanks to everyone who replied to this post and who also gave their views at the last club night

With the new season upon us I can’t wait to get my car back on the road this weekend especially if the good weather continues

Anyone up for ride out this weekend. Any suggestions?

 

[Porschekit]

Stephen, mine's also back on the road Friday 1st. We've got the Gibson Motor Sport visit on Saturday 2nd March morning.... but we are looking to have a ride from there (Low Dinsdale - behind Teesside airport) to "somewhere" for coffee or late lunch if Saturday is convenient for you. It could be up the Wear valley......

 

[StephenS]

Sorry John but I’ve got some family staying with us Friday and Saturday but thanks for the invite