Easter (long) weekend in Wales (with pics)

[nikolees]

I was planning to ride Scotland on Easter weekend (which I extended by 2 days ) - then I had a conversation with myself (and a friend of mine), the conclusion was that it might be a very long journey with too much time on motorways and roads unsuitable (if any) for my bike, and the weather forecast didn't look very promising for the Highlands. Then I got that promo email from MSVT for a trackday in Anglesey and said (to myself again) why not? So I booked and didn't think of Scotland again.

Off we go on Thursday (not only me but many many more, so it took me 2.5 hours filtering through M1 traffic for the first 100miles), then headed for the Peak District to get the first 2 challenge tags-the roads were very good, medium traffic...a nice way to start a holiday...first stop Liverpool.

 

In the meantime, I'd spoken to a new friend from Hereford and asked if he'd like to join me on track- he couldn't, but suggested that I visited them on Friday and stayed with them at their restored barn-farm house in the middle of nowhere right on the Welsh border (I had a quick meeting - you should know by now with whom-me) and decided why not? the plan was to get as many riding time as possible on worth riding roads...(after I'd spoken to him I realised I would pass close from all the Welsh tags)

Weather was not very kind on Friday, warm but wet- not that it bothered me, I knew the best part was ahead.

Got my tags on the way, arrived late-ish and they took me to the village pub to have the best fish'n'chips ever...and then the word spread around that my friends were having a biker friend visiting them, so a small group of guys and gals in their mid 50s at best gathered around and chit-chatted (about bikes obviously),it was amazing that everyone of them had something to say - going back to Bary Sheene or Marc Marquez and Crutchlow- even my friends didn't see that coming...

Next morning we woke up early and my firend ran to his workshop (right after he let the chicken out ) to fit last bits and pieces to his new acquisition, a '99 Yamaha R6 track bike (beautiful)...

 

And then the very good stuff started...Llanthony Priory (1st tag for the day-beautiful place), I had to do some light off road/mud track, but the view of those ruins deserved it...

 

I was now riding on the spine of Wales...beatiful weather, great roads, NO speed cameras for over 100 miles (!!!!!!), I found some company en-route to make things even more interesting...greatest riding day of my british life so far...

Got lost one or two times (I have to admit I don't like sat navs, I keep it traditional-paper maps and notes), but every time that happened I was on a even better road, amazing!!

Late-ish arrival at a village near the circuit (google maps suggested it would take me 3.5 hours - I doubled it ), had a "light" 10 o.z. Welsh burger at the hotel pub and went to bed...

 

Sunday morning on track...the sea moist wasn't very kind- you couldn't see further than 200m, even less at some parts of the circuit and I had to wipe my visor 3-4 times a lap...funny thing was that if you moved 2 miles inland there was the brightest day...

nice experience though...late afternoon it got much better and we enjoyed more...

Back to the hotel, fast food from outside as I was too tired to wait sitting on a table until I get served...oh, yeah...I shouldn't forget to mention how friendly Welsh people were, especially ladies (after many pints I assume)...if I were a woman that friendli-ness would be called sexual assault...

Next day on the road again, getting the last Welsh tags and arriving early in Liverpool, just to get out for a photoshoot in the fog...

 

Very early start for my last day (mates had to go to work), mini breakfast on a tag point and the rest of the road back through A and B roads until I got tired and headed back on the M1 traffic

Edited April 11, 2015 by nikolees

[nikolees]

in total 1200 miles on the clock...most of them on really nice roads..

I say that everyone should ride Wales...one of the best places I've been and great in many ways for motorcycling...

I'm sure I'll go again soon

 

[al_stu]

Aww you rode right by me the oh, and I had the bike with me too if I'd have known I might have joined you for an hour or two. Looks amazing, very jealous

[Guest]

You cant beat the roads in wales m8.

[nikolees]

Aww you rode right by me the oh, and I had the bike with me too if I'd have known I might have joined you for an hour or two. Looks amazing, very jealous

 

Aw, you're so blessed to have roads like these so close to you...

I'm having thoughts for another ride, now that weather is opening up...but instead of challenge tags I would go for forum members...

not that i know anyone personally, but why not...how does that sound???

[al_stu]

Yeah I haven't explored Wales yet but looking to do a big ride out in a couple of weeks. I'm whitchurch most weekends and near cmc clay cross during the week. On the doorstep of matlock and derbyshire, so properly spoilt for choice if I want to go out

[rob m]

Fantastic report and pictures mate! The decision not to go to Scotland paid off, Wales really is a special place.

[nikolees]

Fantastic report and pictures mate! The decision not to go to Scotland paid off, Wales really is a special place.

 

Cheers Rob...it really did pay off..

not to mention that I really enjoy leaving things I'd like to do for another time...it keeps me motivated in a way..

[Jnestie]

Very nice looking trip . I moved from North Wales three years ago so need to get the bike down there to rude the roads. Just need to find the best route from cumbria to get there.

[Throttled]

Great post. Just back from a weeks holiday in Wales, but with the car. Spent the whole time jealous of the bikers!

[nikolees]

Great post. Just back from a weeks holiday in Wales, but with the car. Spent the whole time jealous of the bikers!

 

I feel for you, must be very difficult in the car surrounded by so many bikes...

I'm keeping your advice for Scotland