Welsh Waltz

[Martin Barrett]

Well it all happened as planed.

 

Got up at 0440 and left 0505 across to the M1 and then M6, M54. So far so good not raining and heading under the cloud front towards the clear sky beyond. Stop for fuel at Telford and don oversuit as clouds are looking darker. Does the trick rain holds off arrrive at the Ponderosa for 0800 a little earlier than planned. The roads are damp but hopefully drying and the rain has held off the moutain tops are in cloud though.

 

As I come over the Horseshoe Pass grated by the sight of the Ponderosa, notice that there is no roof

 

 

My panic about the potential lack of second breakfast is eased when they open up shop at 0845

 

Orsen arrives just before 9 with KB just after and just as we are setting down to breakfast, Gary. Breakfasts complete we prepare to set out.

 

 

KB has given me the lecture on taking it easy on the first bit as the roads are still wet and there's the odd fallen leaf. And where off with KB taking the lead. I'm following. first bend his back end steps out, he continues unruffled. I'm thinking if this is taking it easy

 

After 40 miles we stop and top up our tanks. Then continue skirting around snowdon to come back over the Llanberis Pass. Still no rain but there is still the odd wet road. Stop for photo oportunity at the far end of the pass.

 

 

Off we go again this time Gary is taking the lead folowed by Orson, myself and tailend charlie KB. Despite the visual clue of following, Orson initialy seems to have forgoten which side of the road we ride on in the UK. He then seems to have another lapse in an overtake aroundan "S" bend causing much consternation to the elderly chap driving the car, for when I attempt to pass on the next straight, not fully marked up as two lanes but plenty wide enough, he sounds his horn and moves across. I give him the benefit of the doubt as there was a cone and a sign in the gutter and he might of wanted a bit more room. But he repeats it on the next straight again! I do go past though. Debating if to stop and have words. But decide this is not the best carreer option so just a slight dab of the brakes to make him think of the options that might unwind, but not so that he going to get close enough to shunt me up the rear. I notice in my mirror the KB is along side having words. Once we are all gathered together we head off for a "nice cup of tea" whilst the world sorts it self out, at one of the FFestiniog railway stations

 

 

Whilst there chap approaches and comments that you never see four Guzzis together. Transpires he has a Cali.

 

Continue to the Seaside where we have fish and chips for lunch. Whilst sat upon the sea wall eating a passing seagull scores a direct hit on me. Luckily misses my lunch.

 

 

Off we set again, I end up in the lead after a set of roadworks. KB takes me on the outside on a series of bends and gives me the thumbs up at the same time

- git -

 

End up refuelling again, a further 127 miles. A slight delay after setting off as Orson got fuel vapour into his eyes. But the system of keeping an eye (no pun) on the one behind cuts in and after a few minutes we are all gathered up and off again. The plan being that Gary takes us to the right road and I then take the lead.

 

I mistake his I'm lost indicator to pull in as There you go you lead. So off I set, he makes the mistake of following thinking that the road will come out roughly in the right place. Didn't do to badly once we reached the dead end only had to retrace a mile before could improvise across country to get to where we wanted to be.

 

Continue onwards ending up in a Pub in Welshpool just after 6pm. a further 80 miles.

 

 

Say our good byes after a drink and notice Orsons rear tyre is shagged (thats putting it nicely) Gary was going to accompany him a bit further on his way back to Whitchurch. Hope you got back OK. (edit- I see that he has)

 

There you have it the Waltz was about 250 miles between 10am and 6pm from Ponderosa cafe, Llangollen to the Raven PH, Welshpool.

 

I got back hope at 2200hrs having done a total of 605miles.

 

 

A good day out

[Orson]

Thanks all to a great introduction to Welsh roads! What a blast!!. That was one of my best days riding ever! The weather just kept getting better. Riding with 3 other Guzzis was a real treat...a symphony on wheels I seldom ride at Mach 1 speeds so, the ride was pretty thrilling. Good bikes, good riders, none of this knee out hanging off stuff. Just honest hard riding.

 

I'm sorry I didn't post up last night. I was exhausted and collapsed in a heap. Slept almost 10 hours! I wake up and see that Martin already has a trip report filed. This from the man who rode 150 miles just to meet up at the Ponderosa Martin gets the Ironman Award.

 

I've always rated northern California roads as some of the best I've ridden but, I'll have to put Wales right up there!

 

Thanks to KB & Gary for guiding us through some of Wales best roads & thanks to Gary for escorting me and my tire back to Whitchurch

 

I hope to return in the spring for some more riding!

[wambiker]

Hi Martin glad you got home at a reasonable time, still an outstanding effort Good report and looking at the rain bouncing off my car this morning we where even luckier with the weather. See you all soon hopefuly and hopefuly meet up with Orson in the spring for Welsh Waltz 2.

Cheers Gary

[Baldini]

Great ride . We were so lucky - I still can't believe how the weather turned out - all them clouds & we rode in the sun the whole day! Thanks for the good company. Glad to see you all got back safe (considering his tyre & his interesting approach to roundabouts - doubly so in Orson's case! ). It was a great day, one of the best. y'all.

 

Take it easy.

 

Keith

 

PS: Thanks for your posting a right entertaining report, Martin! Like the others Man of Steel - thanks for making the effort. KB

 

PPS: It's been chucking it down all day today....

[Baldini]

Next spring - Anyone fancy making it a 2 day with a pub B&B? Mid-week would still be best - it's quieter.

 

KB

[Martin Barrett]

Next spring - Anyone fancy making it a 2 day with a pub B&B? Mid-week would still be best - it's quieter.

 

KB

60611[/snapback]

 

 

Would we get a two day weather window?

Would we need to book rooms in advance? or could we do like this time look for the gap in the weather. Causes difficulty if you can't get away at short notice. It would fall right at the start of my leave year so I could block book a week if not too many people allready off.

Wouldn't preclude people joining for a single day if some notice of route/overnight/lunch stops etc or mobiles

 

 

But yes I'm up for it.

[belfastguzzi]

 

Would we get a two day weather window?

Would we need to book rooms in advance? or could we do like this time look for the gap in the weather. Causes difficulty if you can't get away at short notice. It would fall right at the start of my leave year so I could block book a week if not too many people allready off.

Wouldn't preclude people joining for a single day if some notice of route/overnight/lunch stops etc or mobiles

But yes I'm up for it.

60616[/snapback]

 

I'm definitely interested. The problem will be getting the free time at the right time. From that point of view, the earlier that a date can be fixed the better. If you want to have a floating date, I'll just have to see how it goes.

 

If extra time could be found, I'd really like some sort of 'Celtic Fringe' run and people could join as they're able. Say 2 days in Wales, cross Holyhead, up east coast of Ireland, stay on 'Ards Peninsula and have the next day around the stunning Strangford Lough then ferry from Belfast or Larne to Scotland. That could get expensive though and if there was a further trip into Scotland it would be a long way home for some folks. Another option could be to stay in N.I. and go up the Antrim Coast Road, another stunner, and back through Sperrin Mountains with a second night before returning by Holyhead.

 

However, I don't want to complicate what you might want to keep as a simple, straightforward 2 days in Wales. So I'm just flagging it up and it could still be a second trip on another occassion. Any thoughts, any takers?

[wambiker]

Hi, count me in, shifts permiting. Mid-week would be better for me and avoids the worst excesses of the north wales constabulary

Cheers Gary

[Martin Barrett]

I'm definitely interested. The problem will be getting the free time at the right time. From that point of view, the earlier that a date can be fixed the better. If you want to have a floating date, I'll just have to see how it goes.

 

If extra time could be found, I'd really like some sort of 'Celtic Fringe' run and people could join as they're able. Say 2 days in Wales, cross Holyhead, up east coast of Ireland, stay on 'Ards Peninsula and have the next day around the stunning Strangford Lough then ferry from Belfast or Larne to Scotland. That could get expensive though and if there was a further trip into Scotland it would be a long way home for some folks. Another option could be to stay in N.I. and go up the Antrim Coast Road, another stunner, and back through Sperrin Mountains with a second night before returning by Holyhead.

 

However, I don't want to complicate what you might want to keep as a simple, straightforward 2 days in Wales. So I'm just flagging it up and it could still be a second trip on another occassion. Any thoughts, any takers?

60620[/snapback]

 

Some rambling thoughts.

 

I really enjoyed the ERIN rally this year. The weather was good but the main thing was the company. We formed our own little V11lemans.com clique. The Celtic soul brothers, no not Dexy’s Midnight runners but BFG, J O’S, Ferg, Big J and non indigenous Celt Baldini with me as Englishman abroad (but not in a poncy Quentin Crisp manner)

 

It’s difficult to take a long period away from the family. I have four children aged 3 to 14 including one who has learning difficulties and is developmentally delayed. It is selfish of me to take extended periods away from my family placing the burden solely on my wife.

There seems to be some sort of conspiracy between them. When I went to Holland Michael put playdough in his ears. When I went to Wales he put sponge pieces up his nose. Both times I ended up taking him to the hospital the following day to have them removed; at least with the sponge it didn’t require anaesthetic to sedate him to remove it.

 

Getting a good turn out. Chris’ last two events Spean Bridge and Dodford speak for themselves when you compare the numbers when you look at the difference in events, no camping, remote location. Four seemed like a good size of group to waltz around Wales and also south west Eire. But 20 plus V11s going across the tops of the dikes was a fantastic sight. I suppose it’s how you organise the group so it can fragment if needed.

Guy can bring his “2006 freight train” and be Road Captain.

 

What I’m trying to get at is I’m fairly game for anything day trips are easy I will travel to participate. The odd overnighter isn’t too much of a problem also. I can also do a couple of long weekends Thurs am to Mon pm or similar. The full Celtic run might be too much in one go. But could extend the Erin or do an Irish V11.

BFG I will come and ride with you next year one way or another.

[belfastguzzi]

Some rambling thoughts.

60634[/snapback]

 

Yeah. I think the spirit of the Welsh thing is something of its own, fairly quick and simple and easy to arrange, so best not mess with it.

 

Depending when it is, I'll go across via Holyhead and you never know, there might be the opportunity for one or two to do the trip the other way too...

[Baldini]

...Some rambling thoughts...etc.

 

 

Yeah. I think the spirit of the Welsh thing is something of its own, fairly quick and simple and easy to arrange, so best not mess with it.

 

Depending when it is, I'll go across via Holyhead and you never know, there might be the opportunity for one or two to do the trip the other way too...

60640[/snapback]

 

I also have 3 young kids & have similar feelings to Martin. I find it difficult to be away for any amount of time.

 

I think the Welsh run is great as it is - so's we can watch weather. Timing depends on Orson...he visits spring - dunno when. Orson? An overnight stop adds a chance to have a few beers etc. It maybe, depending on numbers we could fix last minute pub accomodation. There's a couple places I had in mind, & maybe Gary knows places? We could camp but that means lugging gear...& it's not really about that...

 

Belfast, really hope you can make it over. Your idea of a trip round the "Celtic Fringe" sounds great too...bit more involved - & more time, but worth thinking about? Like Martin, one way or another, I'd like to get over to see you there sometime.

 

Best, KB

[Orson]

a 2 day trip sounds great

 

I would just like to reiiterate what a grand time I had riding with you chaps (blokes?) It was great to have someone with local road knowledge taking the lead so we could see which way the turns went and where to brake. Fantastic riding. A week later and I still have a buzz

 

As I said earlier, I work a 2 week on / 1 week off work cycle. I'm not selfish enough to presume everyone needs to plan around my schedule though When I get back to Saudi, I can post my schedule here and we can see if there are any dates everyone can agree too.

 

Cheers