Renaultsport Megane 275 Cup-S | PH Fleet

It’s at times really hard to believe we’re two several years into functioning from house now. In reality, PH has expended extra time working in isolation than we did with each other in our ‘new’ central London business office. Despite this, I am nevertheless struggling to change to the lack of driving. The day by day jaunt to the train station may not have been substantially, but it was sufficient for me to enjoy getting in my vehicle. And when you think about that I utilized to push up to 2,000 miles for every thirty day period commuting to our outdated place of work in Twickenham, it really is pretty the distinction to the 300 measly miles I’ve covered since my last fleet update two months ago.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Retaining the mileage down is no terrible factor (specially with the present fuel charges) and at least it usually means I savour every inch protected when I do head out for a push. Which is precisely what I did when a team of us from PH headed to Wales for a weekend back in October.

I was lucky sufficient to shift to the Welsh border when I was 16 and spent plenty of several hours driving to and from Rhayader early in the morning for a couple laps of the Elan Valley. We’ve got staffers from the US, New Zealand and Bulgaria at PH, so in which superior to choose them for some of the finest roadways the United kingdom has to provide?

Heading to Wales from a variety of elements of the south east, Caffeine & Device created for a best assembly stage, which remarkably none of us had been to prior to. We virtually had the location to ourselves being a Friday early morning (even though we did get the complete C&M knowledge a couple months later with our to start with Sunday Assistance there in December). After a coffee and obligatory shots, we established off westward, handling to squeeze in a shock visit en route to a PHer’s outstanding non-public auto assortment (additional on that shortly).

Of study course, Rhayader is in which the pleasurable seriously commenced. I have driven all-around the Elan Valley on my very own far more times than I can recall, but becoming there with a group of good friends with the solar environment was a absolutely different practical experience. They are not streets that can be tackled at huge speed, but the scenery and elevation variations as you movement by the valley helps make it a magnificent push.

We paused at the previous Cwmystwyth mines on the B4574 to admire the look at and also marvel at the eclectic blend of autos 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 favorite push of the total weekend assisted together by the fact that we didn’t come throughout a solitary motor vehicle. We stayed right away at Aberystwyth at Glyn Garth Visitor House and ate at Gentle of Asia – the two hugely advisable!

The up coming morning, we headed north to a specified well-recognised triangle at Cerrigydrudion. There are ordinary pace cameras there now, but we continue to relished cruising all around the deserted streets right before grabbing lunch at Bala (Y Cfynod Café & Bistro – also fantastic). If there’s 1 need to-travel road in North Wales, it is the B4391 from Bala to Ffestiniog. It really a great deal has it all: twists and turns, undulations, stunning sights, and additional often than not you can find no-1 else on it. Except sheep, of class.

Our ultimate stop was a split at Beddgelert ahead of getting in the spectacular Llanberis Pass. Which, immediately after pretty much two days of sunshine and peaceful roads, was wet and packed with targeted traffic. It experienced to happen someday. But capture it early in the morning and you will have it to by yourself, which is particularly what we did ahead of heading house immediately after a night time at the Royal Victoria Hotel (once again, remarkably endorse when you happen to be knackered from two times of in close proximity to consistent driving).

This was my very first major excursion in almost two many years, and despite owning owned my Megane for extra than fifty percent that time, it was the to start with correct chance to seriously take a look at its opportunity on an extended period. It in no way ceases to amaze me how able these automobiles are, even in the firm of far more strong machinery, the drive served as the best reminder of why I purchased the automobile in the initial put. Not for practically nothing, but the time away also functions wonders for your headspace – which is much more essential than ever proper now.

If you do not want to go by means of Hereford on your way to Wales, then this is a tweaked route from Caffeine & Device for day one (the Flying Dutchman in Leominster tends to make a banging coronation hen sandwich if that strains up for a lunch end). And here’s the route for day two. If there are any great roads we missed, permit me know in the remarks for following time!

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