The BEST Tenner iv spent for over 14months!

[Šįk]

Tap tap tap.. Tap tap.. Tapping away on the iPad bored as hell.. Outside is looking bleak and sorry for itself. Dogs are snoring & telly is bland. Nothing to do all day, nothing fun anyway! Pointless cleaning the car, done it 5 times already this Christmas holiday..

Only one option really.. Camera, jacket, wallet, keys. Not been on a good, proper drive in a 'quick' car since I had my crash end of 2011.. I'd already been out in the 182 for a drive to Moffat and back but weather was awful, especially with the budget tyres the 182 came with, so that didn't count.. Was silly conditions.*

So I set off, heading down the A689 from my house to... Hartside! 23 miles of sheer driving heaven.. Roads were damp/wet but the fresh Goodyear Eagle F1 filled me with plenty of confidence over the budget infinitys (FLOL).*

Radio off, Clear vision and very quite roads meant this was a gona be awesome! Car felt great, responsive and tight! Love the 15" wheels, makes the drive so much more enjoyable. 3rd, 4th, 5th that Yozza constantly trying to smash through my ear drums! ..Yet still no traffic, brilliant roads and awesome scenery.. Epic.

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Got to Alston, were the flawless A689 meets the infamous Hartside road.. The closer I got to the peak of Hartside the foggier it got, GUTTED.. But never the less I battled on in hope it might magically clear!

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Creeped up to the Hartside Cafe through the heavy fog to find it dead.. Could barely see it! So i decided to tootle on past in hope on the way down the other side it may clear.. and so it did.. The best bit of Hartside was to come!

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Roads still quite, passed maybe 3-4cars coming the opposite way.. Car still performing effortlessly, tyres digging in without worry that Yozza taking round two upon my ears! 4th, 3rd, 4th to 2nd.. It went on.. Going at a good steady yet safe pace. Then it dawned on me why I love these cars, why I love these road and most importantly why I love driving! That crash I had could of been the last time I drove.. But thank god it wasn't! It made me wiser and more aware of the roads. Not to be as daft or go as fast as it's not a race.. But more to feel the car, enjoy every turn, gear change and most importantly know the limits!

The weather was starting to spit & I came to the stage were the corners became alot more blind and the scenery was hooded by the trees and hills. Came to a good turning spot so I decided it would be best to turn around and head back.

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

And the way back up I took the chance to stop off and take some more pictures before I tucked the camera away for the day, as I was wanting to take full opatunity of driving.

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

Hartside by PSJHodgson, on Flickr

After coasting back through the heavy fog at the peak, it once again cleared up and away I went. Stopped at Alston to chuck some fuel in, then off I went back down the A689 home. Another Epic 23miles back.

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This is a little different to what I normally do so please be gentle.. But I really enjoyed myself on this drive today.. I fell in love with the 182 and driving again, as tbh I was kinda nerves to stretch the cars legs as tbf it's been a while!*

Best bit about it though, it only cost me £10! Ten measly quid in this current climate is hard to get so much pleasure from. Infact I think I'm going to do it again tomorrow!

My ears are still ringin from that bloody Yozza!

Thanks, Piers.

 

[Aluco]

Love this

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Looks pretty fappin' tidy, that.

No pics of wrinklydawg tho ? Disappointed.

 

[Addicted]

Looks good, naughty naughty having washer blanks with xenons

 

[Hixle]

Love it! Nice shots too Piers!

 

[mini_nick]

Car looks great, good write up!

I agree re the not going balls out fast to have fun, I have had some of my best drives just making swift progress and enjoying myself rather than focussing on going as fast as you can, just not worth it on the roads, save that for a track day!

(excuse the pun )

 

[jamier27]

very moving

 

[Siddle]

epic tale!

 

[Jcs]

Great photos, location, write up and car.

Top work!

 

[StephenJ]

That was a great read and nice pics.

 

[Rob]

Enjoyed that Piers, and great to know the crash hasn't ruined driving for you. Got to be the best thing about the mk2's, they're the perfect mix of pace and that go kart feeling we all love. They're not do fast that giving it hell on the road will see you either dead or in prison, and they're just raw enough that you can enjoy the road but still use the car practically.

 

[dutty_112]

awesome pictures, looks mint the car, really want one as a 2nd car, either ph2 or a ph1!

 

[Lal B3N]

Looks great! Nice little write up.

I havnt been for a proper blast over Hartside since getting the 182 really, need to get back up there!

 

[BREMBO]

Great thread and car

 

[not normal dan]

There great photos an the area looks so picturesque.

Cracking camera skills

 

[McGherkin]

Epic shots, writeup and car.

 

[DB.]

Great photos

 

[Jay.S]

That looks like a great road.

Nice shots aswell.

 

[MartinR]

Very nice! liking the ultraleggeras too...

 

[Chris205]

I love hartside Piers, it's literally my second home. I love going up the mountain from alston as you dont need to brake too much and can hustle the clio chassis all the way up, then from the cafe down to penrith is phenominal. I love the closeness to the walls etc.

I tend to go up in the dark as you know the roads are empty and you get to use all of it, especially handy when coming down the side towards penrith and your brakes are dead so you end up slinging it into the bends.

IF you're up for it we could sort a meet out at some point, maybe a night time drive out would be cool so we can all enjoy the roads without risking tourists lives.

 

[chris_182]

this is like a proper EVO writeup. Nice pics.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

What driving is all about, great stuff, great pictures.

 

[Aluco]

I f**king love the lake district

 

[richd]

Some cracking photos here

 

[Wick]

Looks good, naughty naughty having washer blanks with xenons

FLOL at assuming more than 10% of clio's have working jets

 

[Scotty-boi]

Much likey!

Awesome looking roads

 

[Harpham]

Epic little write up. Taking the Clio out for a spin never fails to put a smile on my face.

 

[Rob]

Thanks to Chris' post I've just realise where this is. I love that road so so much, JD's dad caught me on kirkstone pass after I'd been there and text him to ask if one of his 'Clio buddies' was hooning around the lakes...

So jealous you're local to this, like, insanely.

 

[Šįk]

Really happy with the response guys I might have to do another one in the future!

Apologies for some of the incorrect grammar.. I.e "opportunity" etc.

Thanks.

 

[martynzs]

That sits very well doesnt it.

 

[Tunst]

Have to get a meet organised when the weather picks up!

Cracking write up

 

[James28]

Awesome photos

 

[Fletcher]

Nice pics/ car.

 

[Flat Eric]

Great write up and great photos. Looks like a great road.
I love going out for a blast too. Cheers me up

 

[Nashy]

Good stuff piers.

 

[dezmondo]

Excellent!!

 

[danward]

Fantastic pictures, your car is ace!

 

[jenic]

Really enjoyed reading that, the clios are really cracking cars, I used to love going up your way in mine. I picked up the Trophy form Carlisle last December and the drive home was one of the best I've had due to the empty roads.

 

[Lawro]

That car is stunning! I love titanium on 182's so much.. Great write-up too!

 

[montana]

Brilliant little story :approve:

Has made me rack my brains for a decent run out around my way now