Monday 11th June
6 riders met at Windle Island and set off in bright warm sunshine over the new Runcorn bridge and up through Frodsham and the Delamere Forest for a break at the Delamere railway station cafe. On then towards Tarporly where 3 familiar riders crossed our path as we approached the town. A quick detour through Eaton brought us out at the Four Lane Ends Traffic lights where we caught up with the other riders and became a convoy of 9. At Prees Heath we pulled into the transport Cafe where 2 more of our group were waiting and so after a break we became a convoy of 11. Now taking the B roads we went down to Wem and across the A5 to Knockin to join the A583 and turned south to Welshpool. A pleasant ride in lovely sunny weather.
At the Westwood Park Hotel we were surprised to find a large tent erected in the hotel yard and after some furniture moving all the bikes were nicely stored inside. We the all found our rooms, settled in and then met the others in town and had a few drinks in the Royal Oak Hotel. Being a bit pricey for meals we walked to a sort of Harvester to have a meal and then went back to the Westwood Park Hotel for a few drinks before retiring.
Tuesday 12 June. Dave’s Ride
Down for breakfast at 7:45 we had a superb meal and drinks to start the day we set off to the petrol station meeting point on Dave’s run at 10:00. A quick stretch along the A 458 to Heniarth and a right turn up country lanes through Dolanog, Llanfihangel brought us to the B4393 to Llanwddyn Dam cafe at the south end of Lake Vyrnwy. A lovely rest stop here with a bird hide where there were lots of little birds to see on the feeders. Then on up the west side of the lake to Eunant and up a very nice river valley road reminiscent of some of the Pennine routes and at the top a huge glacial valley view looking South. We then travelled south down the valley for our lunch stop at the Red Lion at Dinas Mawddwy. A pretty little town, very quiet, and under the shelter of a large mountain. Then on to the A470 to go towards Dollgelau but we turned right up through Britdir to join the A 494 and Right to the Bala Lake Railway Station cafe where we rested and looked round the station and engine sheds. While resting here we were treated to and airshow of 3 F14 or F15 aircraft doing tight turns down the valley.
After the break we took the B4391 to Llangynog then Penybontfawr and turned off for a break at Llanfylin. After the break a shortish ride on the A 490 took us back to Welshpool. One knowledgeable member guided us to a super chippy in Welshpool for our evening meal where curry, steak, pies and fish and chips followed by apple pie and custard were consumed before retiring back to the Westwood Park for Drinks.
Wednesday 13th Bob’s Ride.
Down for breakfast at 7:45 again for another superb meal and drinks to start the day. We set off to the petrol station meeting point for 10:00 and after fuelling we set off down the A458 for a short while before turning off to use the country lanes to get to Caersws and the Unicorn Hotel where Bob had arranged for them to be open especially for us! Then on to Staylittle via some lovely valleys and moorland roads and then through magnificent scenic valleys to Machynlleth. From here we followed the scenic river Dyfi estuary into Aberdovey for lunch arriving after a slight delay due to a mystery problem with sparks on one of the bikes.
Lunch was taken in the sunshine and the admiring visitors that stopped to reminisce about the bikes of their youth!After lunch we set off for Tywyn and a right to Tal-y-llyn through even more scenic valleys. At cross Foxes a right turn took us onto the A470. This road is a scenic wonderland and and at one point we stopped for a rest in a lay-by and were treated yet again to an air show by a couple of Tornados and a C130 transport flying low up the valley. Onwards from here we joined the A458 and had a smooth run down to the Llanfair Caereinion railway station where we were invited to view the engine sheds and workshops where they had just been able to re-equip with new NC machinery to keep the engines running. A very impressive setup for a small voluntary organisation.
From here the short run down into Welshpool finished the run at about 4:30. Another trip to the super chippy was had before retiring back to the Westwood Park for Drinks.
Thursday 14th June Richard’s Ride
The morning dawned wet and very windy but after our super breakfast we went to the tent in the yard and tried to stop it blowing away by tying it down to benches. At 10:00 we set off for the garage and thence onward to Llanfyllin and the Vyrnwy Dam cafe. From here we took the east side road along the lake up to Rhiwargor where we turned right to pass though some very varied forested, then moorland and then river valley country roads to bring us to Bala. Where we rode to the new visitor centre, Gorwelion, and cafe for lunch.
Leaving here we continued up the lane and joined the A4212 at Fron-Goch and headed for Trawsfynnid round Afon Tryweryn lake here on the high road the wind was very strong with leaves and small branches being blown off the trees but as we dropped down to Trawsfynnid we became more sheltered.
Left turn here and after 600 yards a turn onto a narrow lane to avoid Bronaber and get to the “Gated Road” that passes through the hills to the bottom of Llanuwchllyn and the Railway Cafe at Lake Bala. This road was very scenic and as a gated road there was no traffic and no people except for the occasional farm. A real get away from it all location.
Down at the rail station we rested for coffee and cake and chats to the volunteers that run the line, one of whom come up from Kent twice a year to help out. Off then round the north side of the lake on the A494 to Bala and joined the B4391 to Penybontfawr where we caused a big traffic jam in the main street as we tried to park all the bikes outside the Railway inn and the local shop where we bought drinks and ice creams and brought the town to life! Then back for a few hundred yards to take the B4396 to Abertridwr for a short stop at the Vyrnwy Dam Cafe again before continuing our route home through the minor lanes via Llanfihangel and Dolanog to arrive at Heniarth to join the A458 to Welshpool.
Another trip to the super chippy for some food for some of us whilst others went “fine dining” but all arrived back at the Westwood Park for Drinks. We had the charity collection and as a thank you to our hosts a collection was also made for some flowers and chocolates for our hosts who had been most welcoming.
Friday 15th June.
After breakfast we presented the gifts to our hosts, took some photos and loaded the bikes for the journey back. 11 joined the convoy home and on the way to Wem we had our first incident of the week when a driver not concentrating nearly crashed into our leader. Horns and fingers were hooted and raised at the offender and we carried on unscathed to the Truck stop at Prees Heath. After a chat with some Brummies and a drink we resumed the trip to the cafe at the Delamere railway station where we met some senior electric bikers who were enjoying a holiday in the area.
Back on the road and over the new Runcorn bridge, which the Queen had formally opened for us the day before, and on into the chaos of the Liverpool road system where most of us ended up at the Booths store on the A59 to say our goodbyes.
A fabulous week of biking was had by all and not a notable drop of rain whilst on the bikes. A great week out with memorable runs.
Thanks go to to all who organised or participated in the event.