Lakes Tour 2008

[dpSparhawk]

Bit of background. I drive one of the new shape MINI's at present. I'm a semi-regular on MINI2.com and have a group of friends on there.

Anyway, every year, one of the guys does a tour of the lakes (hence the Ullswater pic I posted). This involves classic and new Mini's meeting up over the weekend in Pooley Bridge on the edges of Lake Ullswater.

Aside from the partying (although not much alcohol consumed except by passengers), a run is organised through the most AMAZING twisty lanes and mountain roads. Approximately 150 miles of them.

This year there were 170 cars. It's a bit like a bikers rally... but for MINI'S instead

Here are a couple of shots from the day. This year, I didn't have a passenger so my Navigator was the car in front and most of my shots are taken from my car during a couple of seconds when I was stationary. Other times, we were abusing the living crap out of our tyres, gearboxes and brakes - excellent fun.

Composition isn't really considered in these shots. They're just fun shots.

Images 5 onwards are taken on the Hardknott Pass. A very twisty pass with 30% gradients and a favourite of most enthusiast drivers, bikers, cyclists and walkers.

The back road of Ullswater towards Howtown



A MINI heading out of the camp site.



THE DAY OF THE RUN

[super mike]

I want to drive those roads!

I really like that 2nd picture, the stationary cars make it.

[Mickey]

Great scenic photos. I have not been to the Lakes in years and now you have given me a reason to go. I have forgotten how beautiful it is up there

[Bilbo_baggin]

Great fun day Ian.


They could remake a movie you know and film it there...


The Italian Job UK 170 !!!



Paul.

[crashtestmac]

Wow that takes some organising.

Nice shots.

[cronus71]

Me too, I want to drive there!

[baronvon]

6th pic down, your navigator in front looks like she has a nice set of airbags

no wonder you followed her

THE BARON

[dpSparhawk]

Great fun day Ian.


They could remake a movie you know and film it there...


The Italian Job UK 170 !!!



Paul.

hehe, actually mate.. there is a run called "The Italian job" and it involves roads in various other parts of the UK and other groups on MINI2 have even gone to Italy itself and driven the Stelvio Pass.


The organisation takes months but it has been going for about 16 years now so is well established I have to say, the look on peoples faces is priceless when they see a massive convoy of MINI's driving few the various villages. There's even one road to Shap that goes parallel to the M6. It's a small lane but you generally see MINI's going PAST the cars on the M6


To all, I don't see any reason why we can't arrange a small outing up to the lakes sometime A. for the roads and B. for the photography opportunities .

[dpSparhawk]

Just a quick addition. This photo was taken of me driving through the watersplash at Rutter Falls on last years run.. It's one of 2 (sometimes 3) watersplashes on the run . Definitely a turn off the traction control moment otherwise you just lose all power...

[dpSparhawk]

Bah. Duplicate post.

[peterc4]

top day out, love the splash one

[liveseytowers]

Looks like a great day out, I love the roads in the lakes. I've never done this pass though so might plan a drive out in the summer. I nearly set my brakes on fire coming down "The Struggle" that leads to Ambleside

[dpSparhawk]

hehe, the Struggle is nothing in comparison to the Hardknott Livesy. Let me know if you plan to head out and I'll come with you. I can't resist a drive around the lakes.

You could really smell the clutch after doing the hardknott. hehe.

[dpSparhawk]

top day out, love the splash one

I'm not sure what speed I hit it at in that photo but I know the car almost got sideways .

[B B Leo]

love the second one m8 and also the extra one u added

[dpSparhawk]

Heheh,, what you can't see in the Splash pic is that there are a couple of other guys with cameras on tripods. I believe they moved VERY quickly as that water went quite a bit further than that shot shows.. heheh

[neo2810]

I've just got back from a week at Ullswater. I was staying in a log cabin at Parkfoot Caravan Park. We must have literally crossed paths

Lots of mini's at Parkfoot, you weren't one of them were you?

[dpSparhawk]

YES I was - I posted a shot of Ullswater here http://www.digital-forums.com/showthread.php?t=351383

We do it every year. Mostly staying on the farmers field just before and opposite Parkfoot. A huge party in the Marqui and 150 miles of the most amazing roads

[neo2810]

Yeah, saw it... great pic. Wish I'd known you were there, I'd have popped by to say hello, or just steal your beer...

[dpSparhawk]

Yeah it would have been great to catch up ... actually, I really needed a navigator as I was driving alone this year.. lol that said, I was following the guy in front who is a good friend.

As mentioned earlier, I'm planning on heading back up sometime with the main goal being photography. On the MINI runs, the idea is to drive those lanes as spirited as you can and have as much fun as possible (My poor tyres.. ). However, it leaves little chance for photographs.

So, a trip up there in a month or so might be in order providing nothing comes up, ( I have 3 and a half weeks off from 19th July ) so if anyone fancys joining up with me that's cool.

ALSO, a trip to Muncaster castle and the owl reserve might be in order