IKBA.co.uk Messages

IKBA Messages | Contact IKBA | Bikes on RealClassic.co.uk | Classic Bike Stuff on Amazon.co.uk
Back to the Message Board

Click here to search eBay using an item number or text description...

Welsh wanderings

Posted by Brickboy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Brickboy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 1:02 pm

I have a nice ride up to Aberystwyth with a mate coming up. None of this camping - we are B&Bing it.

It's been a couple of years since I've ridden in God's own motorcycle land and I can't wait to enjoy the scenery, culture and a nice pint in the evening.

I'm hoping there will be many more trips as my mate sorts his life out and gains more time

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by 6TDen <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=6TDen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 1:23 pm, in reply to "Welsh wanderings"

Don't forget to observe the 20 mph limit.
Den

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 2:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

Had to cancel my Welsh trip in June due to health. Had planned to visit my late wife's family plot on Anglesey, going up through Snowdonia & via Criccieth, where we spent many happy times. Was not looking forward to the 20 limit at all, the Blackbird gets huffy even sticking at 30.
God's own motorcycle land? Much as I love Wales, isn't that Scotland?

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 2:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

God's own motorcycle land? Much as I love Wales, isn't that Scotland?

Nah - North Yorkshire.

Or Tirol, Súd Tirol, Dolomites - basically anything Alpine, though stupid speed limts there are spoiling things.

Nigel B.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Will <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Will' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 3:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

The Welsh 20 limits are a nuisance but they're not nearly as bad as people make out just as long as you plan your route. And thats not much of a hardship as most of us choose to avoid built up areas already, although I admit that is more difficult for foreigners/tourists who don't have local knowledge. I do find the local 20 limits that I travel thru daily frustrating but when I'm out on the bike further from home & further into into Wales they don't ruin my ride.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 4:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

God's own motorcycle land? Much as I love Wales, isn't that Scotland?

Nah - Somerset, great for gentle bimbles....

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 5:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

Much as I like the mountains and other wilder places in Wales, I do like the Marches up and down Offa's dyke, etc.

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Expat Stu <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Expat+Stu' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 7:53 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

Guys, try Spain...

Re: Welsh wanderings

What's the post code?

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Brickboy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Brickboy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

Despite the encouraging words about the 20mph limits, I have (and still do) thoroughly enjoyed Welsh roads for 40yrs. I've watched motorcycles there go from limited numbers to endless GS tractor convoys with 8' wide alloy panniers or insane sports bike riders in the 90s. I remember when getting petrol on a Sunday was something you learned to avoid by filling up on a Saturday evening so you could actually get home the next day.

It's still the best motorcycling country I know of. Spain is nice but very hot in the summer and the back road surfaces can be quite challenging, especially if, like me, you take your K75S off-road up a mountain trail with full touring panniers in chase of your trail bike riding partner. Actually, going up on my Chen Shin road tyres was fine... (Did I mention that I bought the bike for £650 a week before setting off?!) Going down was 'interesting' but certainly a great adventure.

At present Spain is around £500+ to get there on the ferry. I can enjoy a whole week in Wales for that and be at home at the end of it. If I'm lucky Wales also won't be too hot prevent me riding for a whole day either.

I loved touring Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and most other countries in Western Europe. In fact I love going abroad - but my calculations of time/money/enjoyment led me very strongly to the conclusion that they are best enjoyed in an air conditioned car wearing shorts and chatting happily to my wife. In 2022 when it was nearing 40 degrees my week in Wales was blissfully enjoyed by taking the car for the same reasons. I'd have had a hideous week on the bike but the car was a refuge from the incredible heat which meant I could see and do much more than just sweat my excess pounds into my riding kit.

Horses for courses and all that!

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 16, 2024, 10:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

I found the Isle of Man TT course to be the best riding i ever had. Lovely Country and worth riding around for 5 days. Nice Italian restaurant in Laxey too.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by calidavid <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=calidavid' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 6:34 am, in reply to "Welsh wanderings"

Alpes Maritime up to Sospel and around the mountains. I did that for 12 years on the Ducati and California.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by MadMike <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=MadMike' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 1:18 pm, in reply to "Welsh wanderings"

The scenery in Wales is magnificent, if rather small compared with other countries. The only problem I found in Wales was that all those Welsh people's seem to go there for their holidays. They were everywhere.

Other opinions may be available but this one is always correct.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 1:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

A whole lot of Boyos and Taffys in Wales. Had quite a few holidays there and the last time it was Holy Island for 5 days. Did go to Snowdon hoping to catch a train but you need to book in advance. Caernarvon castle also refused entry as they also wanted advance booking which was odd as very few people in there. Went to another castle on Anglesey and they just said come on in. That castle was great and was an unfinished one that was intended to be much taller. Nice few hours in there

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 2:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

I like Wales but there are nice roads in Devon and Cornwall you just need to know them North Devon is good as a member of the MCC used to hold reliability trials on the minor roads Maz has a trophy for winning the Valley of rocks trial in the Beetle ...

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by spriddler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=spriddler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

On R4 this morning a spokeslady for the Brecon Beacons said that the huge increase in visitors over the past 5 years (especially from the U.S.A.) has become problematic and are considering employing official guides and encouraging people to arrive by bus rather than their own vehicles and to wear appropriate clothing and keeping to indicated paths when attempting their highest mountain Pen y Fan. It puts Brecon and the Beacons in the same group as Venice and other honeypot tourist destinations.

'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at at the flood.....'

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 4:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

Did the classic thing of walking into a back street pub in Caernarvon. Locals who were talking English started yakking in Welsh. Wife went up to the bar, ordered in Welsh, in which she was fluent. Everyone went back to English.

Re: Welsh wanderings

Posted by Hants Ian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Hants+Ian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 17, 2024, 6:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Welsh wanderings"

That's why I stopped going to North Wales for a holiday.Pig ignorant people!

The light at the end of the tunnel maybe an oncoming train

Re: Welsh wanderings

Same in Cornwall years ago Maz and I went into a pub in North Tawton ordered a couple of drinks and sat down it was a hot summer everyone was looking at us and muttering .. Then a gent came in he had arrived on horseback he came to our table and made himself known and we enjoyed a chat.. he then got up and went...One of the customers came over and asked if we knew the gent.. we didn't then told he was the Lord of the Manor and we were sitting in his seat..Years later when we moved to Dartmoor we got to know them well and the Lord still in touch today..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

« Back to index

[ IKBA.co.uk Messages ]

IKBA Messages | Contact IKBA | Bikes on RealClassic.co.uk | Classic Bike Stuff on Amazon.co.uk

Thank you for your support...