Fast Bikes UK Route Guide by Future Publishing

Great

ridinG

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GreatBritain road&track route Guide

• Great Britain map Book • 124 Great ridinG routes •14 uk track Guides

This is for all the riders who know that it’s about more than the bike, about more than the clothes. It’s about the peace and the quiet, it’s about the noise and the exhilaration. It’s about the journey as well as the destination, it’s about new friends and old routes - it’s about knowing every bend and every curve in the road but not knowing your destination. MOST OF ALL IT’S ABOUT YOU. ENJOY THE RIDE.

“FIRSTMAN GOTUPON TWOLEGS

THEN HE DISCOVERED TWO WHEELS.”

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Great

ridinG

routes

get out and ride more this summer

e all have a favourite road. The one where we know every ripple, bump and manhole cover, the perfect apex, and the right line to string the bends together. It’s the default rideout choice when we fancy a blast, want to try out a new mod’, or test a suspension setting. It makes every ride a good ride, and no-one knows it better than you (probably). Whether someone shows you a new route, you discover it by mistake, or you simply stare at a map and take a punt one sunny day - discovering a great new road can be as thrilling as starting a new relationship. All that going back and forth and trying a load of new positions finally pays off, and you eventually make the perfect pass. Heaven. You’ll never find your Tarmac nirvana if you don’t go looking, so pick a new route every weekend and get out and try it. Your idea of perfection might differ to the next man, but it’s a big country, and when you discover a great one - share it with us. 5

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ThispublicationcontainsOrdnanceSurveydata ©Crowncopyrightanddatabaseright2011 Future Publishing Ltd. 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2BW Tel:01225 442244 Fax:01225 732275 Email: fastbikes@futurenet.com EDITORIAL Editor:Richard ‘Moby’ Newland Richard.Newland@futurenet.com DeputyEditor:Simon‘Rootsy’Roots -Simon.Roots@futurenet.com RoadTestEditor:Alastair‘A-Force’ Fagan-Alastair.Fagan@futurenet.com FeaturesEditor: Benjamin ‘BJ’ Kubas Cronin - Benjamin. KubasCronin@futurenet.com ArtEditor:Andy ‘Beaky’ Saunders Andrew.Saunders@futurenet.com DeputyArtEditor:Andrew‘Panda’ Cottle-Andrew.Cottle@futurenet.com

ADVERTISING AdManager: Charlie 'JC' Oakman Charlie.Oakman@futurenet.com Tel:01225 442244 MARKETING CampaignManager:AimeeHopkinsAimee.Hopkins@futurenet.com PromotionsExecutive: Sarah Dean Sarah.Dean@futurenet.com FUTURE PUBLISHING Publisher: Charley Davies - Charley. Davies@futurenet.com GroupPublishingDirector: Richard Schofield - Richard.Schofield@ futurenet.com SUBSCRIPTIONS PhoneourUKhotlineon: 0844 848 2852 Subscribeonlineat: www. myfavouritemagazines.co.uk

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Land’s End 08 Dartmoor 10 North Cornwall 12 Devon & Dorset 14 Isle Of Wight/Hampshire 16 South East Coast 18 South Wales Coast 20 Bristol to the Brecons 24 Swindon to Oxford 28 Greater London Area 30 Canterbury to Margate 32 Cambrian Hills & Coast 34 Borders to Birmingham 36 Midlands 38 Norfolk 44 Anglesey / Snowdonia 46 Cheshire / Peak District 50 Lincolnshire 52 North Norfolk Coast 56 Preston to the Pennines 58 Leeds to Scarborough 60 The Isle Of Man 62 Galloway & Cumbria 64 Cumbria to Newcastle 66 North York Moors 68 Isle Of Arran to Ayr 72 The Cheviot Hills 74 Berwick-Upon-Tweed 76 Mid Argyll 78 Grampians to Dundee 80 North Berwick Coast 83 Inner Hebridies 84 Cairngorms 86 Aberdeen Coast 88 Ullapool 90 Inverness to Portsoy 92 Fraserburgh Coast 94 Cape Wrath 96 John O’Groats 98 6

great ridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

14 fantastic UK tRacK GUiDEs MALLORY Leicestershire

CASTLE COMBE 26 Wiltshire

SNETTERTON Norfolk

THRUXTON Hampshire

ANGLESEY Wales

BRANDS HATCH Kent

OULTON PARK Cheshire

CROFT North Yorkshire

DONINGTON Derbyshire

SILVERSTONE Northamptonshire

CADWELL Lincolnshire

ROCKINGHAM Northamptonshire

KNOCKHILL Dunfermline

PEMBREY Carmarthenshire

From the cliffs at Land’s End, to the ferry at John 08 O’Groats - there are 124 routes for you to explore

Brecons are 24 The an endless treat

TRACK LENGTH: 1.198 MILES (INDY) 2.301 MILES (GP) LAP RECORD: 45.460 45.460ss (INDY) 11m:25.724s m:25.724 :25.724ss (GP) TARGET TIME: SUB 50s 50s (INDY) 11m:40s m:40 :40ss (GP)

Der ek M iner Stra igh t

Dru i

Hil l Ha wth orn

d Ben ill

Dingle Dell Not as tough as it once was, but you still need to give Dingle Dell respect

ha m Gra

l Bend H il

n We stﬁeld Be

Bend ds

Paddock Hill Bend The most daunting corner in the UK, but get the line right and it’s easy

Paddock H

Hawthorn Bend Super-fast entry approached in ﬁfth needs big balls to conquer

Dingle Dell Corner Stirlings Take advantage of the camber and keep that corner speed up

NEAREST FUEL: Nearest fuel: Park Twenty Mile Service Station, 300 yards

Post code: DA3 8NG Tel: 01474 872331 Web: motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch

McLar en

Cl s

ht aig Str

Surtees Two different corners depending on the GP/Indy layout. Both are tricky

e a r w ay

m ha ab Br

Surtee

rve Clark Cu

GARAGE ✔

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 98 dB

POWER ✔

BRANDS HATCH KENT

As challenges go, the GP circuit at Brands Hatch is one of the toughest in the trackday business

our ﬁrst braking marker is around the 200m board as you head into Paddock Hill. Brake hard, down two gears and roll off the brakes slightly as you get to the top of the hill. Wait until you begin the decent before braking harder. There’s a yellow pit-lane exit line – aim to be a few feet to the left of the line for the perfect entry. It’s best to get on the gas early and settle the front, as it’s easy to join the Paddock Hill crashing club. Get hard on the gas as the hill drops away, and watch for the bike deckingout at the bottom of the dip. See if you can hold a gear back up the hill to Druids. Turn in nice and early to scrub off speed, ignore the natural ‘line’ but watch out for the bike backing-in. Hug

the apex and pick the bike up early, staying central on the exit – it’s too tempting to drift out wide and spoil the entry for Graham Hill Bend which is all about high corner speed and drive onto the Cooper straight. Run the bike onto the kerb on the exit of Graham Hill and follow the natural line of the outside of the circuit before shaving the brakes for Surtees (if you’re on the Indy Circuit). On the GP circuit, you’ll want to go down a gear or two for the tricky left hander. There are two lines. One is to rush in early, pushing the front and sacriﬁcing exit speed. The other is to turn-in later and square the corner off more for a decent run down towards Pilgrims Drop, where you should reach ﬁfth on a normally

geared road bike as you head up Hawthorn Hill, before the scary-fast Hawthorn Bend. Pick the bike up, using all of the track, and hold the gear before tipping into Westﬁeld, guarding the front-end from the severe bulge in the ‘mac on entry. The camber also falls on the exit. Down through Dingle Dell, hook another gear and stay in the middle of the circuit, before slowly drifting out for the blind entry to Sheene Curve. Only laps will bring you the ideal line. Pick the bike up, hold onto the gear and get down to second for Stirlings – another FB favourite with its beautiful incline that allows massive apex speed. Waft over to the left side for the superfast entry to Clearways.

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fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

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great ridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

greatriding routes fast bikes mag.com

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

greatridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

greatridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

PEMBREY Wales

TRACK LENGTH: 1.456 MILES LAP RECORD: 58.07s TARGET TIME: 1M:05s in irp

Hatchets Hairpin You approach this ﬂat out in ﬁfth, so get your braking marker sorted

itﬁ res

Ha tc he ts Ha

Postcode: SA16 0HX Tel: 01554 891042 Web: barc.net

Dibeni Be

Pa rk St ra igh t

Dibeni Bend A cracking long left that needs speed to join up the two apexes

Ess e Curve

Ho n

GARAGE ✘

Wo od lan ds

CAFE ✔

Woodlands One of those hold-your-breath corners that needs time to get right

FUEL ✘

NEAREST FUEL: Chivers Corner Garage, Burry Port, 2.5 miles

ands Hairp Brookla

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

Bookland’s Second gear and slow compared to the last few turns. Exit needs care

POWER ✘

PEMBREY CAMARTHENSHIRE A favourite with the natives, Pembrey offers plenty for the rest, including the longest left in the UK

t may cost a tenner to cross the Severn Bridge in a van (it’s free on a bike), but the impending visit to Pembrey is well worth the jaunt and is popular with many trackday companies, especially as they’re short of permanent circuits in the Wild West. Use the pit-lane exit as a braking marker for the first turn. Fifth gear 140mph (braking around the exit of the pit-lane) to 30mph in first is always asking for trouble. Hatchets Hairpin has the fastest entry and the slowest apex combination anywhere, so be aware of nobbers diving up the inside. A lifesaver look could save you an accident. Pick the bike up nice and early, getting into third gear for Spitfires; a fairly simple, nicely

surfaced right hander that shouldn’t cause any issues. Don’t stray too far over on the exit to assist with the perfect line into Dibeni – the only real left hander on the circuit, so take care with cold tyres. Dibeni is essentially a dual-apex corner that initially loads the front. Drift over towards the service road on the right while getting on the gas and grabbing another gear, and head back over to the second apex, or the start of the ‘Esses’. Avoid running too wide for the entry to the fast, sweeping left. Feel like you’ve just taken one turn and you’ve got it cracked. Brooklands Hairpin ain’t really a hairpin, but slow enough for second gear and big lean. Don’t be fooled into

great ridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

diving in too early as the track opens up in the braking zone. Up through the ‘box and Speedway straight as you head towards Woodlands – a proper balls-out righthand kink with a medley of bumps that scatter the apex. It’s best to dab the brakes beforehand and get back on the throttle to settle the bike, as you really don’t want to crash here. Back down to third or fourth for Honda Curve which, again, is bumpy in the middle of the turn. The track opens up immensely on exit, with freshly-laid Tarmac to ensure good drive onto the start/ﬁnish straight. If you’re on a big bike and overtaken a tiddler, watch out that they don’t get you on the brakes back into Hatchets.

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

CASTLE COMBE Wiltshire

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

TRACK LENGTH: 1.85 MILES LAP RECORD: 1m:07.4s TARGET TIME: 1m:20s

Folly

Folly If you can hold it ﬂat here, you’ll be doing well. Build up to it in stages

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Avon

Camp Corner Don’t be too greedy on the throttle or you’ll highside in front of the pits

ay tw Wes

The Esses

Dean Straight oc add Old P

er rn Co er Tow

Tower Corner There are better places to be brave than here, so choose a line wisely

GARAGE ✔

CAFE ✔

en d

ies Bobb

Old Paddock Bend If you can ﬁnd a bump-free line then let us know. Care needed on the exit

Qu arr De yC an orn Str er aig ht

s Ri

Camp

Postcode: SN14 7EY Tel: 01249 782417 Web: castlecombecircuit.co.uk

FUEL ✘

m m Ha

wn do er

NEAREST FUEL: Texaco, A420, Chippenham, 2 miles

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

POWER ✘

CASTLE COMBE WILTSHIRE Trackdays are limited at Castle Combe, but don’t overlook it. Fast and bumpy, the brave will love it

he Wiltshire circuit is a classic example of rich twats getting their own way. Ruined by noise limits and other restrictions, you’ll only find a few noisy days – and they’re race dates. This doesn’t stop Castle Combe from being a great trackday venue and a choice for TT teams to test before heading over to the Island. Just be warned that even some standard bikes won’t pass the noise tests imposed by the local council. The first turn, Folly, is probably the scariest corner in the world. Get it wrong, and you’ll be mincemeat. Despite the Armco staring at you and multitude of bumps, you can hold it flat, even on a 180bhp animal. Avon Rise needs caution. There are

big swells that will punish if ignored, so it’s best to stay to the extreme right of the track – literally between the white line and the grass to avoid the suspension doing a kangaroo impression. As you peak the rise, look for the lights on the outside of Quarry as a guide for the perfect arc. Less is more at Quarry, as racing in and pushing the front is probably slower than a less aggressive apex and getting good drive onto Farm Straight. The ﬁrst of the several chicanes is the Esses, taken in second or third gear. It’s one of few places the left of the rear tyre gets a workout, so be careful on exit. The Esses combine with Old Paddock Bend to bring a ﬂowing right/left/right. The apex of

great riding routes fast bikes mag.com

Old Paddock is another bump-infested place, so don’t hug the kerb too close. The exit likes to get bikes ‘slapping. Braking markers into Tower are limited, but there are ample markings on the surface itself. Choose wisely, as there ain’t much run-off. A short burst up to the second chicane of Bobbies, taken in second gear, and you’re onto the sweeping right of Westway where you’ll ﬁnd more nasty bumps that upset suspension. Then it’s off to one of the most ridiculous chicanes in the world, although it had to be installed to allow bikes to continue. First gear, almost stop, hop the kerb and shortshift to third gear for Camp. Look out for a vicious bump on the exit that can provoke highsides.

TRACK LENGTH: 2.356 MILES LAP RECORD: 1m:14.890s TARGET TIME: 1m:20s

Postcode: SP11 8PN Tel: 01264 882200 Web: barc.net/venues/thruxton

ch Chur

Club Chicane Massively fast approach to a right/ left-right chicane. Watch the kerbs

Brookl ands

Church Without doubt the most insane corner in the UK. 150mph please

Club

Vil lag e

ill Woodham H

All Allard Fast entry that needs a late entry to drive hard on the exit

ood

Goodwood ook for three sections of Tarmac. se the middle one as a guide

GARAGE ✔

Noble

CAFE ✔

gr av e

FUEL ✘

Cobb ell

b Camp

LIMIT: FROM 90 dB

NEAREST FUEL: Weyhill Service Station, 3 miles

POWER ✘

THRUXTON HAMPSHIRE

Thruxton doesn’t hold any bike trackdays, but if you’re a racer then welcome to ‘Speed City’

hruxton is all about big balls and the ability to ignore bumps that mimic sand dunes. It offers unbelievable grip and tyre shredding capabilities, even in the wet where you’ll see 150mph kneedown. The first turn, Allard, requires a very late entry and big corner speed to keep a flowing lap; if you mess this bend, the whole lap is screwed. Short-shift into fourth for the unnamed left kink where you’re shaving the grass with your knee, and back it down two gears for the intricate complex. It’s easy to rush into Cambell, turning too early and ruining the flow. Instead, keep to the middle of the track on exit to set up nicely for the left-hooker of Cobb, where you have a choice of

hooking another gear beforehand, or immediately before the next right of Seagrave, another bump-ﬁlled apex that needs a delicate throttle. Up to fourth, and look for a concrete rise on the right. Use this as an entry for Noble. Drift out to the grass on your right and follow the natural line of the circuit to set up for Goodwood. There are three sections of Tarmac that run parallel with each other. Use the middle strip as a guide for clipping the apex, and then look through the turn for a permanent marshals hut – that’s your perfect apex. Get the bike upright as soon as possible, notching ﬁfth for the approach into Church – without doubt the fastest and most exhilarating

corner in existence. Knock it to fourth and dab the brakes, then get back on the throttle to support the front from the bumps and power to Brooklands. Keep it pinned, all the way into top cog before braking at the 200 marker board for the Club Chicane, a nice right/left/right combo, but watch for the kerbing designed to ﬂummox cars.

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

THRUXTON Hampshire

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TRACK LENGTH: 1.198 MILES (INDY) 2.301 MILES (GP) 45.460ss (INDY) 1m:25.724s 1m:25.724 :25.724ss (GP) LAP RECORD: 45.460 TARGET TIME: SUB 50s 50s (INDY) 11m:40s m:40 :40ss (GP) Dru i

Dingle Dell Corner Stirlings Take advantage of the camber and keep that corner speed up

NEAREST FUEL: Nearest fuel: Park Twenty Mile Service Station, 300 yards

ht aig Str

Surtees Two different corners depending on the GP/Indy layout. Both are tricky

e a r w ay

m ha ab Br

Post code: DA3 8NG Tel: 01474 872331 Web: motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch

McLar en

s Surtee

r Clark Cu

GARAGE ✔

n We stﬁeld Be

Dingle Dell Not as tough as it once was, but you still need to give Dingle Dell respect

ha m Gra

l Bend H il

Ha wt hor nH ill

d Ben ill

Bend ds

Paddock Hill Bend The most daunting corner in the UK, but get the line right and it’s easy

Paddock H

Der ek M ine r St Hawthorn Bend raig Super-fast entry approached in ﬁfth ht needs big balls to conquer

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 98 dB

POWER ✔

BRANDS HATCH KENT

As challenges go, the GP circuit at Brands Hatch is one of the toughest in the trackday business

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

BRANDS HATCH Kent

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

greatridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

greatridingroutes fast bikes mag.com

MALLORY PARK Leicestershire

SILVERSTONE Northamptonshire 38

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ROCKINGHAM Northamptonshire

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

TRACK LENGTH: 3.615 MILES LAP RECORD: NA TARGET TIME: NA

Postcode: NN12 8TN Tel: 0844 372 8200 Web: silverstone.co.uk

Becketts More left-rights than a cha-cha; make the bike, not you, work hard here

Cop s

Irelan d

Han ger S traig ht

Villa ge w To

Clu bS tra igh t

Copse Corner There’s no gravel in the run off on the outside of the turn, bonus!

Stowe It’s here that the track changes; our bus ride round it has got us excited

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Va le

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Farm

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Co rn er

C ur

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Club Corner

Woodcote A turn that’ll be restored to its former glory – the chicane’s going

GARAGE ✔

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

SILVERSTONE ARENA GP

NEAREST FUEL: At circuit/ Towcester, 4 miles from circuit

POWER ✔

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

MotoGP’s new home is still being remodelled, but it promises to be the fastest track on the calendar

010 looks like the resurgence of Silverstone. What with MotoGP, WSB, BSB and F1, the Northamptonshire circuit is officially the home of motorsport in the UK. We can’t give you a definitive lap of the circuit because the track is still a building site. We did, however, manage to blag an exclusive ride on one of the circuits’ buses for a rough idea, and the first section of the original GP circuit will remain. Although flat, Silverstone has always been liked by riders. Fast and flowing, the only major drawback was the world’s most ridiculous chicane; which has now vanished. Copse is a balls-on-the-tank third gear corner that needs massive

commitment. Brake just after the bridge on the start/ﬁnish straight. Thanks to F1, there’s oodles of run-off, so out-braking yourself and running wide isn’t an issue. Watch for the huge bump on the apex left by cars – avoided by drifting a foot or so wider. Up to ﬁfth and get over to the other side of the track for the super-fast entry into Maggots. Knock it down a cog to support the bike. The left/ right/left/right combination can be executed with a constant throttle to save the front tucking and to gain maximum drive onto the Hangar straight where you’ll reach top gear and close to 180mph on a road bike. At the end of Hangar is Stowe; another super-fast corner taken in third. This is

great riding routes fast bikes mag.com

where the unknown begins as the new development is undertaken. Not only will Silverstone be the fastest circuit in the UK, it will also be the fastest on the MotoGP calendar and looks set to be a trackday bonanza. It’s just a shame that Bridge will no longer exist – one of the greatest corners in the world.

TRACK LENGTH: 1.94 MILES (INTERNATIONAL) 1.7 MILES (NATIONAL) LAP RECORD: NA TARGET TIME: NA

Postcode: NN17 5AF Tel: 01536 500500 Web: rockingham.co.uk

Tur

Turn 2 Clip the kerbs each side through the little chicane for real racer kudos

Tu rn

rn 2

Turn 4 A simple right turn; focus on missing the bumps where tracks meet

7 rn

Turn

Tur

n Tur

Turn 1 No surprises here, you just need a late entry and to avoid a highside

GARAGE ✔

Turn 9

Turn

NEAREST FUEL: On site/Murco, Corby, 2 miles

Turn 8 The camber falls away a little and can catch greedy throttle jockeys

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

POWER ✔

ROCKINGHAM NORTHAMPTONSHIRE No longer on the BSB calendar, Rockingham’s National circuit is tight, twisty and pretty safe, too

s seen in our ‘Decadence’ feature last issue, Rockingham has promised so much to the motorcycling fraternity and given bugger-all, but the super-modern structure has potential to be an awesome venue. After losing BSB early on in the last decade, it lost kudos, yet still remains a frequent trackday favourite. The National circuit is the only layout you’ll experience, unless you own a stock car. Although ﬂat-ish and featureless, it’s still a good test and set-up station. The ﬁrst turn is a hassle-free, second gear right-hander, with the only caution being the greasy exit where highsides seem to be popular. Turn-in late and use all of the

track on exit. Up through the ‘box and head flat-out through the right kink, dabbing the anchors for the straightline chicane, running over the kerbs for maximum road use. Again, watch for highsides as the camber drops away. Pin the throttle onto the back straight and dab the brakes as you head into the double apex Turn 4, looking through the corner for the second apex. Watch for the undulation and bumps where the various circuit layouts meet. Get back on the gas and find a braking marker for Turn 5 – the slowest corner on the track. Crest the hill, shortshift, and look for a turn-in point for the blind entry to Turn 6. Don’t run too wide, as you’ll need a good line into the first proper

left-hander – watch for cold/new tyre shenanigans here. Turn 7 is essentially one long corner with a choice of apexes. Clip the first obvious kerb on entry, then look through the corner for a post that indicates the second. You don’t have to hit the second. Head up the gradual climb and just after the kerbing finishes on the right of the track, grab some brake and turn-in for the next left. Watch out for the camber declining on exit – Beej has first-hand experience of the possible pain, but don’t be afraid to use all of the Tarmac. You have plenty of time to get over to the other side of the track for the final hairpin which shouldn’t cause too many problems.

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

Postcode: LE9 7QE Tel: 01455 842931 Web: mallorypark.co.uk

Edwina’s A left-right that needs the careful re-application of power on exit

Stebbe Straight

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La k

Gera

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Shaw’s A bumpy entrance that leads to some brain-out moves. Be warned

Gerard’s A fantastically long right-hander that you can really experiment in

Devil’s Elbow ht Straig Kirby

Devil’s Elbow Feed power in carefully as you exit, as the left hasn’t had much work

TRACK LENGTH: 1.350 MILES LAP RECORD: 55.845s TARGET TIME: SUB-60s GARAGE ✘

CAFE ✔

s Stop

Shaws

NEAREST FUEL: Snax 24, A447, 2 miles

FUEL ✘

LIMIT: FROM 98 dB

POWER ✘

MALLORY PARK LEICESTERSHIRE

‘The Friendly Circuit’ is certainly that. Just don’t expect to get much rest during its 1.35 mile length

he little circuit may look ‘simples’, but its technical and bumpy sections require time to fully conquer. The addition of a few chicanes has done little for safety. There’s a change of Tarmac just after you dive underneath the start/ ﬁnish straight bridge. Brake here for Gerard’s, one of the most exhilarating corners around. It’s also the bumpiest. Gerard’s is usually a third gear bend, and involves getting on the throttle early to settle the bike while trying to cope with the undulations. Look as far through the corner as possible for the exit, ensuring drive and perfect exit pace as you hook another gear towards Edwina’s chicane. Back down to second for the entry to the left/right

ﬂick of Edwina’s, watching on the exit for the rear escaping – you just have to glimpse at the Tarmac to see the torrent of tell-tale peg marks. Up to third and short-shift to fourth for the right/left, high speed Esses. Roll off the throttle just as you change direction and exit with caution – there’s Armco and a nice big tree on your outside. Don’t glide out too far anyway, as you haven’t got much time to set up for the hairpin. The approach to Shaw’s is a hazardous stretch with many hidden bumps. Josh Brookes’ incident in last year’s BSB showed why you need to stay over to the left of the track, even if there are slower riders in front with a pass down the inside shouting at you.

greatriding routes fast bikes mag.com

All the way down to bottom gear for the 180-degree Shaw’s, staying in the middle of the track on the exit, clicking second gear, in order to get the best line into the Bus Stop. Watch for super-rough Tarmac on the right ﬂick. Short-shift into third (especially with road-shift), and careful as the camber drops away into Devil’s Elbow.

Postcode: NR16 2JU Tel: 01953 887303 Web: motorsportvision.co.uk/snetterton

TRACK LENGTH: 2.99 MILES LAP RECORD: NA TARGET TIME: 2m:00s

The Esses Use third on the left on the way in and snick it to second for the right

2 7

Russell Bend Be careful on the exit as the left hand side of the tyre may be cold

10 Bomb Hole This dip looks easy, but can catch you out. Stand it up asap on exit

3 1

NEAREST FUEL: On site/Sainsburys Attleborough, 4 miles

GARAGE ✔

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

POWER ✔

SNETTERTON 300 NORfOLK Snetterton has the UK’s fastest straight, but it’s not all about top speed as there’s lots of turns to master

net’ is easy to learn and tricky to master, and is one of the fastest circuits in the UK. Even standard gearing on some bikes will be too short for the Norfolk straights.

As well as incorporating most of the old circuit, the new ‘Snetterton 300’ layout includes an infield section of almost one mile in length, increasing the whole lap to nearly three miles and adding five new corners into the blend. In addition, the entire circuit has been resurfaced, the notoriously naggery Russells chicane removed and Coram remodelled. The super fast Riches (Turn 1) remains the same, however, Turn 2 is now a tight hairpin that leads into the new infield rather than the Revit straight as before. A short straight then leads onto Turn 3, a sweeping

lefthander that apparently has the same radius as Monza’s Parabolica, before a blast of acceleration brings the tight lefthand Turn 4 and another potential overtaking spot right in front of Tyrrells café. Turn 5 is a fast left that should separate the men from the boys while Turn 6 is a tight right that provides yet another overtaking opportunity if you are braver (or more stupid) than the chap ahead through Turn 5. After Turn 6 the circuit builds in speed through Turn 7, which spits you back out onto the Revit straight. From here until Coram the circuit layout is unchanged (including the ‘where has my front wheel gone?’ dip at the Bomb Hole), but Coram is increased in length and tightens slightly before a very short

straight followed by the tight and tricky lefthander of Turn 12 and back onto the start/ﬁnish straight.

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SNETTERTON Norfolk

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fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

ANGLESEY Wales

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The Hairpin The most straightforward of all the turns, treat it as half a roundabout

TRACK LENGTH: 2.1 MILES

(INTERNATIONAL)

The Hai rpin

Anglesey Circuit, Ty Croes, LL63 5TF Tel: 01407 811 400 Web: angleseycircuit.com

Peel

Banking he

The Banking Positive camber means that you can take leaning liberties here

Turn 1 To get good drive on the exit, be brave and turn in as late as you can

Ch u

rch

Tu rn

Roc ket

Sea ma ns

Peel The camber isn’t consistent here, so be careful feeding the power in

Bus Sto p

Tom Pry ce S tra igh t

LAP RECORD: N/A TARGET TIME: 1m40.0s

Back straight It’s not a straight at all, but needs to be treated as such. Keep it pinned!

GARAGE ✘

NEAREST FUEL: Gwalia Service Station, Holyhead, 6 miles from circuit

CAFE ✘

FUEL ✘

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

POWER ✘

ANGLESEY CIRCUIT NORTH WALES

The UK’s newest track is one of the best, too. But it’s a long way for many of us, and facilities are basic

t doesn’t require too much imagination to see why Anglesey has been tagged the Phillip Island of the UK. It’s too easy to marvel at the beautiful scenery and seaside views. The start/ﬁnish straight is short – you won’t get out of third on most road bikes. Stick to the right for as long as possible and turn in for ‘Turn 1’ as late as possible, carrying heaps of corner speed. Brake late for The Banking, taken in second, which has a massive clue in the name. You can bury the front in the mass of positive camber and get on the gas early as the incline works with you. Watch for the nasty bump on the far left as you accelerate from the hairpin; no damper will soak up this one.

Up to fourth for Church. You shouldn’t need to brake, just roll off the throttle and get back on it to steady the bike. Gradually feed in the gasser and the gears for the back straight. Use the second slip road as an apex and ideal line-guide as you prepare to climb the hill for Rocket – an absolutely blind entry until you reach turn-in. Brake just as the ascent really becomes noticeable and get it into second. Avoid the lure of turning in too early for the right. Use the permanent stack of three tyres as an apex. Pick the bike up for good drive and hook another gear, as you peel in for, er, Peel. Again, turn-in late for the best line and get the bike upright before the camber drops and the track descends.

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Don’t run too wide as you need to get the bike over to the right of the track for Seamans – a tricky, bumpy, downhill, adverse camber left. Drift to the right and feed another few gears until the service road on the left – use this as a rough braking marker. Down to second for the Hairpin. Nothing too tricky here. The run down to the Bus Stop has plenty of bumps as you start braking, and be mindful of the Tarmac on the ﬁrst half of the corner, as it’s the junction for the various circuit layouts. Oh, and if you can, try and experience the Corkscrew. It’s not as steep or as American as Laguna Seca’s edition, but it’s still one of the best sections of track in the UK.

TRACK LENGTH: 2.692 MILES LAP RECORD: 1m:35.436s TARGET TIME: 1m:50s l

Postcode: CW6 9BW Tel: 01829 760301 Web: motorsportvision.co.uk/oulton-park

S he

Shell Oils Massively cambered, Shell lets you carry speed relatively safely

Old H a

Is la nd Be nd

ll Deer Leap Use the marshal’s hut as a guide to getting the right line

e sid ke a L

Foul

Hi ll To p

Ca sca de s

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ap Deer Le

sto n’s

Old Hall Leave your entry late to get the best speed on the run down to Cascades

Hill Top Powerful bikes may need a dab of rear brake to stop excessive lift

CAFE ✔

ill

er b r

id’s Dru

GARAGE ✔

yH Cla

k Knic

FUEL ✘

NEAREST FUEL: Wardle Service Station, 4 miles

USUAL dB LIMIT: 102

POWER ✘

OULTON PARK CHESHIRE

Oulton Park rewards riders that have balls and ﬁnesse in equal measure. Few tracks ﬂow so well

ulton is beautiful, but you need to concentrate. Use a patch of Tarmac on the left as a guide for the line into Old Hall – the cambered third gear corner. Avoid turning in too early as you’ll encounter bumps and ruin drive. Snick two to Dentons; a right kink where you roll off the throttle after the apex and brake hard when the bike’s upright, setting up for Cascades – a third gear left-hander with big corner speed and camber. Just as the bike nears upright, the camber drops, so don’t run wide. Keep a foot over the rear brake to Lakeside if you’re on a big bike. You can get away with braking and downshifting one for Island as you reach the last rise on the straight, before getting

on the throttle to support the front. Island isn’t the place to crash. Down two cogs and go hard on the anchors. Place yourself in the centre of the track for Shell Oils. Run-in hot and the banking will rescue too much speed. Get on the gas early, looking for the exit, but watch out for the camber falling away. Hook two gears through the flat-out right kink, before back down the ‘box to second for Britten’s chicane. Don’t rush in and sacrifice exit speed, although it’s a notorious highside spot. Again, cover the rear brake as you crest Hill Top, reaching fourth or fifth before braking hard at the 200-marker board for Hislop’s. Charge in to the first right, get on a constant throttle

for the left and short-shift to third for the last right. Get the bike vertical and over to the right, feed the gears up to Clay Hill, muscling the bike over to the left about two feet from the edge. Let the bike drift and bang it down a few gears for the double-apex Druids. Watch for damp patches and leaves, and the bumps on the ﬁrst apex. Be aware of the front lifting and ‘slappers as you dive under the bridge. Cover the rear on the run to Lodge. Use second, watching the front-end for crap Tarmac on the apex. The camber drops on the exit. Get the bike over to the centre of the circuit to allow for as little lean angle as possible for Deer Leap, and aim to skim the marshal’s hut on the left with you shoulder.

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OULTON PARK Cheshire

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DONINGTON PARK Derbyshire

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CADWELL PARK Lincolnshire

TRACK LENGTH: 2.5 MILES LAP RECORD: 1m: 30.90s TARGET TIME: 1m:40s

Postcode: DE74 2RP Tel: 01332 810048 Web: donington-park.co.uk

od wo lly

Cra

ner Curve

airpin ean’s M cL C

r ne or

dH Ol

Craner Curves Keep breathing - you’ll get down it! Just don’t push the front too much

Sch wantz Curve

Redgate It’s so easy to turn in early, but it needs patience to leave it late

Re d g a

Coppice The only thing that’ll get you on the right line here is loads of laps

rds da

Wheatcroft S traight Melbourne Loop Demolished and unlikely to be rebuilt. So take it easy on the Esses

s se

Melbo

r rne Coppice Co

The E ne Hairpin

NEAREST FUEL: On site/Moto Service Station, A453, 3 miles

GARAGE ✔

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 98 dB

POWER ✔

DONINGTON PARK DERBY

Once the home of MotoGP, it’ll be a crime if we never ride Donington Park again, because it’s ace

f Donington still exists when you book your trackdays this summer, you won’t be disappointed. Forget the recent headlines – it’s still one of the best circuits in the UK. Just be über-careful in the wet. Tip into Redgate just after the pit lane ﬁnishes (use the pit-lane for more room), usually in third gear, but maybe second on some smaller bikes. It’s tempting to turn-in early as the corner really opens up, but carrying momentum as you head into Craner Curves is vital. Stay out to the left of the track, short shift into third, then fourth as you head down the hill. Miss the apex at Hollywood and look for the ﬁrst apex on the right-hander of Craner. It’s best to roll off rather than

brake or shut right off, as it’s effortless to lose the front-end. Down a gear or two, and sweep downhill into the Old Hairpin, burying the front-end and ignoring what looks like a dirty track. Use the entire road on the exit and muscle the bike over to the right for a good run into Starkey’s Bridge, hooking fourth just before the apex. Run the bike back over to the right for the sweeping line through Schwantz while holding onto the gasser, before ﬂipping over to the other side of Maclean’s and going back down the ‘box to either second or third gear. Avoid turning-in too early. It’s a short burst up to the blind entrance for Coppice, braking at the change of Tarmac. There’s no other

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way of getting the line right, other than to practice. Hit the ﬁrst apex, run the bike wide while looking for the second one and clicking another gear. What happens next is down to Donington Park. At the time of writing, the GP Circuit has been demolished and there isn’t even a complete lap to be ﬁnished.

Postcode: LN11 9SE Tel: 01507 343248 Web: motorsportvision.co.uk/cadwell-park

Charlies

Coppice Can be taken much faster thanks to the camber. Keep it tight on the exit

Mansﬁe l n ntai Mou The

The Mountain Don’t lean back and pin the throttle otherwise you’ll ﬂip it big style

Park S traight

n ar

Gooseneck Be careful on the exit as you drive downhill towards Mansﬁeld

nd s Be l l Ha

Goos en e

irp in

ce pi Cop

TRACK LENGTH: 2.173 MILES m:26.654s LAP RECORD: 11m:26.654s 1m:40s TARGET TIME: 1m:40s

GARAGE ✘

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✘

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

e urv Chris C

NEAREST FUEL: Nearest fuel: Limited on site/Scamblesby Filling Station, 2 miles – cash only

Chris Curve You’re in Chris for ages and you can experiment with the throttle here

POWER ✘

CADWELL PARK LINCOLNSHIRE

Cadwell’s got the lot, including the only jump in the UK. The whole track demands respect – it can bite

adwell Park – a roller coaster on serious man ‘roids. The first corner, Coppice, sets the precedent with immediate commitment needed for the third/ fourth gear uphill left-hander. Don’t run too wide on the exit as you’ll need time to set-up for the blind entrance of Charlies, with a sniff on the anchors and a lower gear. The camber drops away on the exit, so steady on the throttle for the run onto Park Straight – not exactly a straight, but flat-out, up the ‘box to fifth as you crest the hill to see Park. Brake hard as soon as it levels off, and get it down to second. Short-shift to third before a late peel-in to Chris Curve – a long right hander that punishes the rear tyre.

Up to fourth and follow the left of the circuit before picking a braking marker for the Gooseneck. This section can bite hard and caution is needed as you exit from the downhill left. Down to second gear for Mansﬁeld, watching for the bike backing-in because of the steep decline. It’s also easy to out-brake yourself here. Get the bike vertical for the very short straight before the ridiculously tight chicane, usually taken in second. Hold the gear and carry the bike right up to the redline before a change in surface that offers a good braking point for The Mountain chicane. The left has oodles of positive camber to ram-jam the bike into. Flick over to the right and get the bike upright as soon as

possible in order to save ‘death-by-The Mountain’. The best line for heroics is straight up the middle, but sticking to the left (the riskier option) may be the best for lap times. Click another gear and stay over to the white line on the left before the entrance to Hall Bends – dab the brakes to scrub-off a touch of speed. Once leaning, hold a constant throttle through, throwing caution to the rise just after the last right – the rear goes light and more than likely your arse goes tight. Take the Hairpin in ﬁrst, watching out for leaves and damp patches under the trees. Short-shift to second for Barn, tipping-in early and standing the bike up to avoid highsiding on the negative camber.

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fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

ISLE OF MAN

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fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

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CROFT North Yorkshire

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Postcode: DL2 2PL Tel: 01325 721815 Web: croftcircuit.co.uk

Jim

Jim Clark Esses Fast and hard work, you need to muscle the bike hard to get it turned

se Es rk

Barcroft

Sun

Sunny Fast, but look out for the bumps, especially through Sunny In

le x

H a i r pi n

Tow

Comp

Tower Bend Pick your entry line well, otherwise you’ll be braking on rough terrain

Clervaux Pick the bike up early on exit and straight-line the ﬂip-ﬂop chicane

u va

Cl er

CAFE ✘

ane

GARAGE ✔

ic Ch

TRACK LENGTH: 2.127 MILES LAP RECORD: 11m:19.695s m:19.695s TARGET TIME: 1m:30s 1m:30s

NEAREST FUEL: Toll Bar Garage, Entercommon, 3 miles

FUEL ✘

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

POWER ✘

CROFT NORTH YORKSHIRE

An absolute cracker, often forgotten by those not already in the north, but well worth the experience

circuit embroiled in recent negativity, Croft is set deep in North Yorkshire and is another very physical circuit on the BSB calendar. It produces unbelievably close racing, but trackdays are becoming less frequent. Use the exit of the pitlane as a rough guide for braking and get down to third gear as you head into the first corner, Clervaux. Pick the bike up and shoot down to the straightline-able flip-flop ‘chicane’ before knocking down to second gear for the evertightening Hawthorns. Let the bike run wide, shifting into third and look for the apex of the right-hander of the Chicane. You have to dominate the bike and muscle it to get around the left.

Flat-out, up the ‘box to the uneven braking zone of Tower. Keep to the left to avoid the worst of the swells, back down to third (or second) and avoid turning in too early and ruining drive on the exit. Accelerate hard up to the very fast Jim Clark Esses, where you ﬂick left, then muscle the bike back over to the right, avoiding the temptation to use the run-off (it’s full of boulders). Then it’s the almost-ﬂatout and über-bumpy Barcroft – don’t rush in and load the front, as your fork is likely to bottom out. Back down to third for the equally rough Sunny In and the slightly more yielding Sunny Out. There’s a big mound on the exit, so watch for the front taking off. Then the nadgery and tighter section

of the circuit takes over from the fast ‘n’ flowing bit, and begins with the first left of the Complex. There’s very little in the way of reference points, so only practice helps. Hug the apex and the left of the track for as long as possible, then flip over for the right as late as possible, setting up for the first gear Hairpin. 20mph, first

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great riding routes

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fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

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KNOCKHILL Scotland

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TRACK LENGTH: 1.271 MILES LAP RECORD: 48.474s TARGET TIME: 55s

Postcode: KY12 9TF Tel: 01383 723 337 Web: knockhill.com

Seat Curves Incorporating Duffus Dip, look out for bumps, camber and elevation change

Taylor’s

McI nt

Real Radio Hairpin Tight and peppered with bumps on the approach, it’s just like Mallory’s

Duffus Dip

Butchers A test for suspension, too soft and your bike will bottom-out here

Butcher’s

an e

Rail way Ben d

Chi

Clark Don’t be fooled by the positive camber on the way in – it changes

Cla

rk NEAREST FUEL: On site/BP Dunfermline, 4 miles

GARAGE ✔

CAFE ✔

FUEL ✔

LIMIT: FROM 105 dB

POWER ✘

KNOCKHILL DUNfERMLINE

BSB’s only trip into Scotland only takes a minute to lap, but incorporates all sorts of entertainment

p over the hill and wait for the pit lane to end before getting on the anchors, turning in late for the ﬁrst right of Seat Curves. Taken in third, you have to ignore the bumps that dominate the apex and the exit’s camber decline. Flip it over to the downhill left (take care on cold tyres, as it’s the only left where you push the front), holding a steady throttle until you start braking for the second gear right-hander of the deceptively-tight Scotsman with its notorious highsideprone exit. Short shift to third for the drop into Butcher’s; a constant-gas kink that can punish the bellypan of softly sprung bikes. Back down to second for the John R Weir chicane that’s actually a straight-line jump over

the kerbing, with a right kink onto the back straight. Settle the suspension with an tap of the throttle while the springs simmer, otherwise you’re likely to end up airborne and out of control. Clark’s is a second or third gear, slightly uphill right that starts off with positive camber and soon changes to an adverse camber. It’s critical to get the bike onto the fat part of the rear tyre for drive towards the fast and bumpy, ﬂat-out curve of Hislops. Again, watch out for a cold rear tyre. The entry to the Real Radio Hairpin is much like that of Mallory Park’s hairpin; fast, rough and susceptible to unsettling the rear when hard on the brakes. Apply a progressive braking action to aid stability and don’t rely

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too heavily on a slipper clutch. First cog is ideal, but may be too short for some bikes. Like Clark’s, the camber works with you initially then drops-off on exit. All the way up the ‘box as you cross the start/ﬁnish line, sticking to the right-hand side of the circuit to avoid both wheels leaving the deck as you get to the summit.

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

great riding routes fast bikes mag.com

fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

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fast bikes mag.com great riding routes

THE BT-023, YOU’LL HAVE TO TRAVEL A VERY, VERY, VERY LONG WAY TO BEAT IT

You see we’ve designed the BT-023 with a clever new mix of compound technology, incorporating Silica Rich Ex and RC Polymer, to give you far greater durability. In other words, your tyres will last longer. You’ll also discover that it excels in wet weather. This claim is no idle boast thanks also to our Mono Spiral Belt and 3 Layer Compound; together they give you the grip, stability and bump absorption that you demand, come rain or shine. What’s more, with the heavier touring bike in mind, there’s the optional GT spec.

Your nearest stockist is just a click away www.bridgestonebikersclub.co.uk