Off to Wales - route suggestions welcome

[Ralphie]

Hello all
Planning a quick trip to Wales soon with a couple of friends.

Can anyone advise as to a route that will fit our timetable:

Arrive Holyhead Friday night 19.20
Need somewhere to stay and get pissed - so no more than 2 hours drive from Holyhead, somewhere with B&B or cheap hotel & PUB.

Saturday - all day driving arriving back in Holyhead for 19.30.
Any suggestions as to places to visit etc greatly appreciated.
Only other possible issue - no green lanes as one of the bikes is an 1150 RT

Cheers
Ralphie

[treehugger]

I don't know if you'll fit it all in but...
The north of Angelsey is nice to stop off. Come out of Holyhead on A5 and turn onto the A5025 and follow to Amlwch (old fishing village). Should find a place to stay. If you head out of Amlwch the road joins the A5 at the Menai Bridge. Take A487 past Caernarfon to Prthmadog - fairly open fast A road. Past Porthmadog about 5 miles turn left onto A496 to Blaenau Festiniog - follow little railway!!. Pick up A470 to Betws-y-Coed. Turn left onto A5 to Capel Curig. At Capel turn left onto A4086 which goes over Llanberis pass and down the side of Snowdon. The road ends up in Caernarfon, from where it's a quick blast back up to the Menai and up the A5 to Holyhead.

It's great scenery and a fair mix of roads, from fast A's to twisty, slippy high passes, so enjoy

Let me know what you think

[Ralphie]

Need some help from you chaps with local knowledge

Now this has become a two day event, with full UN sanctioning from all the her indoors's.
So.
If we come into Holyhead,
Can you give me a list of places not to miss etc.
Our route may involve
In - Holyhead - Out Fishguard, or Stranraer.
2 days biking in Wales / North Western England/ Scotland
Cheers
ralphie

[africatijn]

Been to the Brecon Beacons once, excellent riding!!

T.

[jvaughan]

M4 is always a good bet. wouldnt want to overstress the BMW

[YEN_POWELL]

Well how about 'The Village' at Port Meirion (if that's how you spell it) if you're a Prisoner fan.

[Richie B]

You've got to do the Snowdon Loop. Look at a 1:50000 OS map and you'll see what I mean. Start at LLanberis, A4086 heading NW (or preferably the B road that runs parallel to the SW), turn left about 5 miles before Caernarfon (there's not many left turns before Caernarfon), keep going until you hit the A4085, turn left on the A4085, keep going till you hit Beddgelert, turn left onto the A498 and follow until you hit the A4086. Turn left to LLanberis.

This, of course, keep you on the main roads and you could probably do it in an hour or so. If you want a more adventurous route lasting longer I can do a waypoint list. Much more fun!

[Darkenbad]

Holyhead - A55 - A5- Bethesda - Ogwen Cottage - Capel Curig - A4086 - LIanberis Pass - Caenarfon - A487 - Pothmadog - A496 - Harlech - Barmouth - A470 - Brecon - Choose your route back.


PK

[Sharribee]

Got to agree that Llanberris pass is a must, riding in between those beautiful mountains is breathtaking. Then Blaenyfestiniog to Bala is a good ride. There are loads of lovely roads around that area and you could ride all day.

Brecon Beacons are lovely (my neck of the woods) athough from up north may be a little far for a day ride. If you do come down this way if you go down the west coast Aberystwyth to Tregaran then Llyn Briane damn is gorgeous and should be visited (there are some trailie rides up there too if you are feeling adventurous), onto Llandovery to Brecon on to Builth then Llandridnod wells, welsh pool back up to Bala, then Bettws - y - coed back to Holyhead. Did that ride a little while ago on my CB 500 I couldn't sit down for about a week aferwards.

HAve a fantastic ride, let us know where you go

[Ralphie]

Any recommendations of places to stay (in Brecon or nearby and in Ffestiniog)) or places to visit?

Hi all final preparations now:
Day one drive from Holyhead to the Brecon Beacons, and stay in Brecon for the night.
Day two drive to Snowdon loop and stay in Ffestiniog.
Day three back to Holyhead for the early boat home.
Cheers
Ralphie