This weekend saw me, my son Kieron and two friends take our 1st ride out for the year. With plans for our trip around France progressing nicely we've planned a few rides to ensure that we are all sorted equipment wise and riding skills wise. Kieron, who has been referenced here before has now progressed with his motorcycling career and is now riding an MT125 and has passed his theory test (still no motorways just yet).
My friend of 30 years, Chris had arranged this trip to Caernarfon. He has just picked up a new bike and so this was going to be an excellent opportunity to see how compatible the two of them were. His brother, Adrian is well versed with his TDM but it's always good to stretch the proverbial legs.
We left from my house just after 10.00 and headed off to the Severn Bridge so that Kieron could cross - as he has not yet passed his practical test he obviously cannot cross either of the bridges normally as they are both motorway. However the original bridge has footpaths running along either side of the bridge, one side of which you are able to ride learner bikes (officially only 50cc - anything over should be pushed the 2 miles to the other side!!). This gave Kieron the moniker 'Half Hour' as this was the amount of time that this diversion was going to give us.
Our route then took us up past Chepstow and then on to Raglan on route to Abergavenny where we stopped for a quick coffee and fuel break. We had been experiencing light showers along the way, but it was exiting Abergavenny that it really started to come down. I hadn't really noticed the increase until I looked down at my arm and saw the water pouring down my arm. Our route took us up through Crickhowell, Brecon, Sennybridge on to Llandovery, through Lampeter to arrive at Aberystwyth for a late lunch. We pulled up outside a lovely shop where you can get a coffee and cake whilst looking through their stock of bike clothing and accessories. Electra Moto Gear were a friendly and welcome stop for a drink.
Our ride then up to Caernarfon continued in the rain (and increasing winds) which rather detracted from the amazing views and we were glad to get to the hotel. With the bikes parked and locked, the heating cranked up to start drying the clothing and 4 motorcyclists showered, we went and had dinner.
Sunday morning we were awake and breakfasted by 9.00. We took a walk around the marina before we set of for our return trip. We refueled at a local superstore en-route to Llanberis and Penn-Y-Pass to the North East of Snowdon. Just after the pass we stopped for a couple of photos and to appreciate the view of Snowdon in cloudy but dry (for now) skies. The scenery as I'm sure many members on here will testify was stunning and we were fortunate enough to be able to appreciate it in relatively dry sunny conditions. It was only after lunch that the rain returned and made the trip more a case of get home as soon as possible.
With just 20 miles left to get home and in the pouring rain, I negotiated a bend only to find myself on rather dark, very slippery mud. I was just able to stay upright. As we made our way along the last few miles I noted that Chris appeared to be taking the bends as gingerly as I was; he later confirmed that he too had nearly lost it on the same bend. We all got home at about 5.30pm feeling rather tired, very wet but pleased with our 1st trip out for the year.
Kieron is definitely a chip off the old block and is just the kind of biker that the future of our interest needs...well done Kieron
:clap:
Thanks for your report and lovely pictures, let's hope that Spring is finally here and we can all enjoy our biking, as it seems to have been such a looooong winter
That sounds a great route, glad you got some pleasure out of the weekend despite the rain.
Sometimes it is good to book these things in advance and force yourself out, It's easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the right day to come.
Spot on guys well done
Go Kieron!
Well done all especially Kieron.
Nice write up bob I have done some of that route myself .
I have friends with a B&B between Lampeter and aberaeron who I visit a lot on the bike .
I love it around some of those little spots hard to park a car but ideal for the bike :yes:
P.s. I still prefer the pannier reflectors on yours to the red ones on mine
Quote from: pross on March 12, 2018, 09:42:51 PM
P.s. I still prefer the pannier reflectors on yours to the red ones on mine
Thanks all.
Tony - you did a great job on the bike for which I am grateful. The bags do look fantastic.
Quote from: Brizzlerob on March 13, 2018, 12:52:57 PM
Thanks all.
Tony - you did a great job on the bike for which I am grateful. The bags do look fantastic.
It never let me down mate 👍.
Once I turned off the power to the shed by accident and the optimiser kept on testing and :censored:
The battery up everything else was done when required by me ( brake pads etc ) easy stuff the rest by Cradley Kawasaki :yes: