arcdef
13-07-09, 07:19 PM
Well im back, bit tired but most importantly me and the bike are in one piece (well sort of). Pretty much i booked a weekend off work at random many months ago and as if by luck it turned out my sister and her OH were off to camp in Snowdonia national park the very same weekend, i took it as a sign, booked myself into the camp site and went off to buy a tent. No real planning was done for the weekend, i did try to organise a ride on here but it was abit late and anyway i had no signal most of the weekend so couldn't have met up with any of you.
Day 1
So yeah, i set off at around 7.30 on Friday morning all excited at the weekend ahead of me but with no idea of what to expect (had it in my head there would be cops around every corner to ruin my fun and that it would be raining the whole time).
Decided against the motorways as i really hate them and like my tyre to stay round so went with this route up there: Clicky (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e977e984e6b6b6e7&t=h&z=8)
All in all it went well and i managed to beat my sister who went by motorway by nearly an hour which made me smile! Once in Wales i got all excited by the seemingly twisty road that the A5 becomes after the dual carriage ways (by southern standards anyway).
I thought this was good scenery.......:rolleyes:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1069.jpg
A bit further down the A5 i realised i was in for something special this weekend as the road became even better mile by mile, then i turned off to get to the camp site (the road i would take every day :D), and stumbled across this sight.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1073.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1078.jpg
So yeah finally got to the camp site with the biggest grin on my face since first getting my SV and set up the tent bla bla bla.
Home sweet home....
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1082.jpg
Had some lunch and after looking at the map decided to head off to Anglesey: Route (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e9695fefa8af5feb&t=h&z=10)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1095.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1090.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1092.jpg
Overall it was a good end to what was a long day on the bike, with some nice relaxing but still challenging coastal roads with very little traffic!(again something im not used to).
First bit of sun for the day in the evening, typical!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1097.jpg
Day 2
Woke up not very refreshed as it was the first time ive been camping since i was in my second year of secondary school! But anyway i decided to just get on the bike and ride, choosing the nest roads based on what looked good on the map as i came to the end of each one. Here is what i ended up riding: clicky (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e96d71071d11b3fe&t=h&z=9)
A nice long day by all accounts but the roads were amazing, with some jaw dropping scenery. The first half of the day had some really nice fast open A roads but with plenty of tight bits to keep me on my toes, whereas the second half had lots of country lanes which caused me to fall out with my rear brake a fair few times as it locked up (my fault i know) and ill be the first to admit it did result in me getting a bit too close to a hedge than i had hoped.......:smt075
Anyway pics:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1100.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1106.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1104.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1112.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1126.jpg
Really happy i found this road, it had me twisting and turning up and down a nice big hill to be presented with an amazing view over this lake then on the way down was shockingly quick and really had my heart beating fast by the end of it! Think it was the A4212, which also popped my hairpin cherry!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1130.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1130.jpg
I then headed off to Lake Efwynwy and really enjoyed the road around, though it was very slippy and narrow. But with views like this who cares!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1154.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1157.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1159.jpg
Then the heavens opened and was the hardest rain have seen in a while let alone been out on the bike in. I am very glad i went out and got the new gortex jacket though i did get wet in the end due to no storm collar. On the plus side though i still had lots of fun and the Avon storms are so good in the wet i hardly had to slow down from my normal pace (and no i don't think its that slow normally!) but in all seriousness i only felt the bike slip a few times and that was over standing water so 10 out of 10 to Avon for some great tyres.
Day 3
After a rather moist night and a smelly tent form all the wet gear i was up and ready to go for the final day. After the Saturday i didnt really know where to head as east took me too close to lots of towns and England :smt064So decided i would carry on south and ended up visiting the Brecon beacons :thumleft:.
So this is the route i took: clicky (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e973f243526c4c17&t=h&z=9). Now i hadn't planned on it being so long, but after getting confused and taking the A485 the WRONG way and ending up all the way back into South Wales i had to get back to the camp site as quick as possible whilst having the most fun, so i took all the twisty A roads and tbh it was a blessing in disguise as apart form ending the day extremely tired, i can honestly say it was the best ride ive ever been on. So here are the pictures. OH and the sun came out to play!!!!!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1181.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1185.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1199.jpg
Up the top of Brecon Beacons, amazing road, shame i stopped as i just reached the top (it was 6pm and i figured i should head back)
Beautiful views im sure you will agree.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1211.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1220.jpg
So now the pictures dry up a little (im sure you'll be glad if your still reading this!) due to me rushing back but did get time for a few when i couldn't refuse the chance.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1230.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1233.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1236.jpg
Nice sun set over the lake on the last road home :D
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1239.jpg
So that is that people, i had planned on taking a scenic route through Wales and the beacons again today but when i woke up it was beginning to rain, i hurt a lot after by 10 hour day yesterday and just wanted to get home. But after 1265 miles i think you can call that a pretty good trip! Was really impressed with the SV and how it coped with being *ahem* thrashed around, apart from drinking a lot of oil and having to buy some to get it back in the sight glass, it was a dream to ride. I think next time i wont do such silly mileage every day, but all i have to say is bring on Scotland!!!!
OH and when cleaning the bike today i was presented with this reassuring sight:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/13072009205.jpg
Anyone spot the problem? No idea when it happened as i was using it this morning but for both bolts to vibrate out is quite something! Shouldn't have slagged it off so much maybe lol.
Thanks for looking/reading, sorry its so long, and here is a link to all of pictures i took (about 170 :smt101) clicky (http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/?albumview=slideshow).
Cheers,
Ash.
P.S. Whats all this about North Wales hating bikes and speeding, i only came across one cop hiding with a speed gun and one other driving through a village, unless they are that good at hiding and i will be getting a handful of letters through the door.......
Day 1
So yeah, i set off at around 7.30 on Friday morning all excited at the weekend ahead of me but with no idea of what to expect (had it in my head there would be cops around every corner to ruin my fun and that it would be raining the whole time).
Decided against the motorways as i really hate them and like my tyre to stay round so went with this route up there: Clicky (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e977e984e6b6b6e7&t=h&z=8)
All in all it went well and i managed to beat my sister who went by motorway by nearly an hour which made me smile! Once in Wales i got all excited by the seemingly twisty road that the A5 becomes after the dual carriage ways (by southern standards anyway).
I thought this was good scenery.......:rolleyes:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1069.jpg
A bit further down the A5 i realised i was in for something special this weekend as the road became even better mile by mile, then i turned off to get to the camp site (the road i would take every day :D), and stumbled across this sight.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1073.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1078.jpg
So yeah finally got to the camp site with the biggest grin on my face since first getting my SV and set up the tent bla bla bla.
Home sweet home....
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1082.jpg
Had some lunch and after looking at the map decided to head off to Anglesey: Route (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e9695fefa8af5feb&t=h&z=10)
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1095.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1090.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1092.jpg
Overall it was a good end to what was a long day on the bike, with some nice relaxing but still challenging coastal roads with very little traffic!(again something im not used to).
First bit of sun for the day in the evening, typical!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1097.jpg
Day 2
Woke up not very refreshed as it was the first time ive been camping since i was in my second year of secondary school! But anyway i decided to just get on the bike and ride, choosing the nest roads based on what looked good on the map as i came to the end of each one. Here is what i ended up riding: clicky (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e96d71071d11b3fe&t=h&z=9)
A nice long day by all accounts but the roads were amazing, with some jaw dropping scenery. The first half of the day had some really nice fast open A roads but with plenty of tight bits to keep me on my toes, whereas the second half had lots of country lanes which caused me to fall out with my rear brake a fair few times as it locked up (my fault i know) and ill be the first to admit it did result in me getting a bit too close to a hedge than i had hoped.......:smt075
Anyway pics:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1100.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1106.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1104.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1112.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1126.jpg
Really happy i found this road, it had me twisting and turning up and down a nice big hill to be presented with an amazing view over this lake then on the way down was shockingly quick and really had my heart beating fast by the end of it! Think it was the A4212, which also popped my hairpin cherry!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1130.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1130.jpg
I then headed off to Lake Efwynwy and really enjoyed the road around, though it was very slippy and narrow. But with views like this who cares!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1154.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1157.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1159.jpg
Then the heavens opened and was the hardest rain have seen in a while let alone been out on the bike in. I am very glad i went out and got the new gortex jacket though i did get wet in the end due to no storm collar. On the plus side though i still had lots of fun and the Avon storms are so good in the wet i hardly had to slow down from my normal pace (and no i don't think its that slow normally!) but in all seriousness i only felt the bike slip a few times and that was over standing water so 10 out of 10 to Avon for some great tyres.
Day 3
After a rather moist night and a smelly tent form all the wet gear i was up and ready to go for the final day. After the Saturday i didnt really know where to head as east took me too close to lots of towns and England :smt064So decided i would carry on south and ended up visiting the Brecon beacons :thumleft:.
So this is the route i took: clicky (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116336716014794639321.00046e973f243526c4c17&t=h&z=9). Now i hadn't planned on it being so long, but after getting confused and taking the A485 the WRONG way and ending up all the way back into South Wales i had to get back to the camp site as quick as possible whilst having the most fun, so i took all the twisty A roads and tbh it was a blessing in disguise as apart form ending the day extremely tired, i can honestly say it was the best ride ive ever been on. So here are the pictures. OH and the sun came out to play!!!!!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1181.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1185.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1199.jpg
Up the top of Brecon Beacons, amazing road, shame i stopped as i just reached the top (it was 6pm and i figured i should head back)
Beautiful views im sure you will agree.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1211.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1220.jpg
So now the pictures dry up a little (im sure you'll be glad if your still reading this!) due to me rushing back but did get time for a few when i couldn't refuse the chance.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1230.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1233.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1236.jpg
Nice sun set over the lake on the last road home :D
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/DSCF1239.jpg
So that is that people, i had planned on taking a scenic route through Wales and the beacons again today but when i woke up it was beginning to rain, i hurt a lot after by 10 hour day yesterday and just wanted to get home. But after 1265 miles i think you can call that a pretty good trip! Was really impressed with the SV and how it coped with being *ahem* thrashed around, apart from drinking a lot of oil and having to buy some to get it back in the sight glass, it was a dream to ride. I think next time i wont do such silly mileage every day, but all i have to say is bring on Scotland!!!!
OH and when cleaning the bike today i was presented with this reassuring sight:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/13072009205.jpg
Anyone spot the problem? No idea when it happened as i was using it this morning but for both bolts to vibrate out is quite something! Shouldn't have slagged it off so much maybe lol.
Thanks for looking/reading, sorry its so long, and here is a link to all of pictures i took (about 170 :smt101) clicky (http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/arcanedefiance/wales%20-%20july%20-09/?albumview=slideshow).
Cheers,
Ash.
P.S. Whats all this about North Wales hating bikes and speeding, i only came across one cop hiding with a speed gun and one other driving through a village, unless they are that good at hiding and i will be getting a handful of letters through the door.......