Some of you may remember last Septembers awesome / epic 'day trip to Scotland' Well I had an idea in the spring sunshine on first day of British Summer time to head over to Wales armed with camera to get some shots - messaged Steve and agreed to meet at Lymm at 10:00 today - all good in warm sunshine there so we agree 'quick route' over to Wales via Motorway then via Mold and Ruthin to Bala. First encounter with Police on M56, X5 clearly looking to stop bikes but he failed with us so stopped a pikey in a flat bed transit. Next cops encounter was 5 mins later, unmarked A4 or BMW, you would NEVER have spotted this in normal use. We stop in Ruthin and Steve is cold, I'm OK so we look for a cafe but nothing open - agree to head on to Bala - small back road was shocking with grit / salt so very steady progress. At the A5 Steve is really in a bad way with the cold - we push for Bala as nothing else close and warm up with a brew an bite to eat - I am ok temp wise and we agree to head separate ways when we hit the A5, with me heading for Llanberis and Snowdon At the Cafe, bright sunshine and all is well (apart from Steve moaning his previously spotless bike is now filthy!) The re-mastered / aka Triggers Blade On the way to Snowdon What an awesome view! Took it very steady on the A5, rarely over 70 - we had earlier spotted the police helicopter 'hunting down' a Focus RS 'convoy' on the A5 Got to Snowdon and only bike in car park - not even a GS with tin cans attached to sides parked up Took a walk on Snowdon to the main reservoir Great conditions Will post up a reply in a bit with some 'scenic shots' of Snowdon - its in simply amazing conditions for the time of year and def. worth a visit I've since spoken to Steve who is alive and well - I got back just after 18:00 after further seeing loads more police - they were really out in high numbers today all over Cheshire / North Wales
Snowdon pics cont' Parked up The Youth Hostel Looking down to Llanberis The track to the reservoir Pleased that these had not been trashed by anyone walking past
wow some of those pics are stunning al, i am now ashamed to admit i wimped out of going for a ride today as my i was a little chilly sat tinkering with the bike on my drive
Not far off - he was broken by the time we got to the Cafe - my £40 4 year old R&G heated grips were a godsend, plus Aldi windproof thermal trousers under leathers - as they say in Skiing terms - 'when its cold its all about the layers'
If you cannot provide photographic evidence of at least one (preferably fat, bearded, smug, Bluetoothed) GS rider in that car park then I'm not prepared to believe you were there.
Great pics al!! Looks like you had a decent day out... Never rode in Wales - kinda wanna a lot more now.
What a beautiful day to go for a ride.........NOT! I knew I'd made a mistake agreeing to Al's suggestion of a ride to wales but not one to let a mate down I said yes. At least I made it to Bala unlike six other Northern riders who slowly but surely messaged me with their feeble excuses! "My mum's got a verucca and I have to sit with her".........."Can't remember where I left my bike!" You know who you are!!!!! Anyway as said I made it to Bala through Police laden, salt-strewned, pot-holed roads and finally succumbed to the cold when I realised I was riding the bike one-handed due to severe frostbite in my throttle hand! We stopped for some lunch and a warm. Al kindly asked the nice lady if he could put the electric heater on for his wimp of a friend. So I managed to warm up some and on leaving the cafe I headed across the road to the Co-Op for a newspaper to put down my chest only to find them shut for Easter! That's when I decided to call it a day, and a bloody cold one at that! We shook hands and parted further up the road where Al headed for the North Pole and I took the B roads towards Chester. At this point I hadn't taken any pics at all so I stopped and sucked my fingers for a while and managed to come up with these.......... Could have been a really nice day but I reckon I need a re-think of my cold weather riding gear................Or just say no next time he asks Great pics Al, think I was meant to be a racer not a tourer!
, It's not much better sitting on a live fire range on the South coast facing out to the sea with no shelter But I must admit, you had it tougher as you had no range stew
I will admit too being one of your home boys who could not make it ! My excuse sorry dude its Bank Holiday there will be loads of cops and it is freezing "Stick another log on the fire please mrs and whilst your at it bring me a glass of Port ,"Thats better"
Stick to trackdays Steve,no police no salt and no potholes !!!! And the adrenalin keeps you warm what ever the weather. That said lads good photos. And I'm ashamed I was one of the shirkers who had ' forgotten where my bike was, sorry !! Btw good luck cleaning them bikes
Brave guys, that looks really cold, thanks for the pics but they are making me feel cold. Glad you got out though, will be out on mine as soon as I get her back, hopefully next weekend.
