Weekend in Wales

[landyandy]

Finally managed to take my bike away for a short holiday … this is the first time in 5 years of ownership its been used for something other than commuting.

Anyway, a colleague from work recently bought an RD07, so I suggested a weekend in Wales would be a good little trip.

We left London after work on Friday evening with a couple of rooms booked at the Travelodge at Oswestry (a couple of hundred miles). It started raining at the start of the M1, got heavier and heavier, and even heavier, to such a point that the first fuel and tea stop at Birmingham was a welcome sight – well, I say sight, when it was more a bit of luck, as I was suffering from extreme misting up of the crash helmet. Very annoying. After a brief stop, we continued onto Oswestry (it finally stopped raining just past Telford), arriving at 9. Not bad – roughly 3.5 hours running time.

Fortunately, the next morning, the weather had improved somewhat, but there was still a bit of drizzle hanging about.



From Oswestry, we headed up and around Lake Vyrnwy – very pretty route surrounding the lake …



… then headed along the Hirnant Pass, during which we attempted a couple of off road excursions …



We were going to try a few tracks (recommended on the ‘Great Roads’ section of this forum), but found that the Welsh Hillrally was taking place, so were denied access. Instead, we headed down for a spot of lunch in Bala, then went around some of the little lanes near Cader Idris.



Having got utterly lost, we then found our way to Dolgellau, then headed over to Barmouth. We were advised that we could take our bikes over the ‘footbridge’ that runs beside the railway track, so we went over that, up into the mountains, and eventually dropped into Aberdyfi. Time for a spot of off-roading on some of the byways above the town …





Good tracks, although a tad ‘flinty’ – unfortunately, I managed to take a bit of a tumble, but the engine bars saved the day … phew!

After that, we decided to find a hotel in Tywyn, rather than push our luck any further.

The next morning, we then headed along the B4405 which is a great road, and took a couple of diversions up into the surrounding hills, for some more photo opportunities …





From there, we took the B4518 thorugh Llanidloes…



to Rhayader, via the Elan Valley resovoir …



From then on, it was through Brecon, down to the M4 at Cardiff, then a cruise back into London.

Total mileage – 650. Well worth it, and a thoroughly recommended route.

[Unmutual]

If I'd known, I could have met up with you en route, cos I only live 10 minutes from the Elan Valley Dam complex.

[DaveS]

Fantastic pics... wonderful write up.

[landyandy]

Thanks!

Struggled with some of the pictures, due to the 50kb limit. Had to chop bits off, so you don't get the full scenery effect unfortunately.

Write up was ok, but a bit of a rush job, as work kept on getting in the way!

Maybe there are some pics that could be used on your header page ... ?!

[Chad]

great pics fella i know this post has been here a bit but had to coment any way thanks for great pics and write up