Rideout from Abergavenny Saturday 26th

[valleyboy]

Start point Abergavenny for approx 10.30 am
Route, various around Wales, to start with a full tank from Abergavenny if possible, though as long as you have about 50 -60 miles left in the tank we will probably stop at th Halt Cafe half way up the A470

No idea of mileage of route, or how long it will take.... any tagger alongers, I shall be on a red VFR1200 at Abergavenny bus station at somepoint after 10... ideally looking to start at 10.30 to 10.45 if possible.

[DrewDrew]

Where in Aber?

[squirrel_hunter]

Abba Bus Station.

I'm in.

[DrewDrew]

I have to watch the olympic torch in Dinas first.
Is Halt Cafe easy to find? (just in case I am late)

[valleyboy]

Its on the A470 just before you get to Rhayader, theres a petrol station and cafe there.

Yup, start point is Abergavenny bus station.

[squirrel_hunter]

I wouldn't bother with that there Olympics thing, if you've ever been to a White Snake concert its a similar sort of thing but theres only one of them and they're walking as opposed to swaying in time with the music.

I no idea about the café, VB should hopefully be able to help as I just follow the bike in front.

[valleyboy]

Haha, stopped at the holt cafe a few times for petrol... As you well know, I navigate by food establishments!

[Runako]

Sounds good both, i'll join you for the most part anyway. Another excuse to break in the new gloves ;) Drew, I watched the torch in Cardiff yesterday ... meh ...

Anyway, if you're that keen, it leaves Cardiff Bay at 6.30am, so get yourself down and that way you've got bags of time to get to Abergavenny.

If not (and I suspect there's a woman at the end of that not) then what time are you planning to leave Dinas?

[DrewDrew]

Very perceptive of you!
More of a noose than a (k)not really ... (-:

[valleyboy]

Right, those with mobile t'internet i am at the top end of car park (furthest point away from snack bar) with a red vfr1200...

[DrewDrew]

I was a bit late at 10:45 and think I missed you. There were lots of other bikers (I didnt expect that) and we had not agreed to wear a red rose or something. In the end tagged along with some chap from Bristol on something called a super blackbird... He put earplugs in... and then aaaahhhh! Thats it for now - got to dash - need to get a clean pair of underpants! ... (-:

[valleyboy]

We didn't leave until 11am do'h! must have crosed paths there somewhere...
anyway, I got home intact.. after I put my helmet back together from it falling off my bike...

[squirrel_hunter]

Yep back now after a couple of stops to stretch the leg.

[Runako]

Cheers Lads that was a smashing ride. Elan Valley in particular was stunning! What were you riding Drew. If it was a black SV I saw you but we didn't think anyone else was turning up. SH you look nothing like your profile Pic. And you showed me a clean pair of heels on the way back. You certainly know how to handle that ER6. More practice with the SV I think. Mind you, after riding behind you I was overtaking like a god all the way to Cardiff :)

[Runako]

anyway, I got home intact.. after I put my helmet back together from it falling off my bike...

Hope the helmet's ok mate. If we get a chance we should do a similar thing again and maybe get some others involved, just reboot this section.

[DrewDrew]

yep ... OEM black pointy.
I need to get some summer gear - I was cooking in my lined waterproof high vis textile jacket...lol

[Runako]

Lol, dude I'm sure you passed us twice during the ride as well. I was on a black SV with Black leathers with yellow bits following an ER6 and a Red VFR. I'm sure you and the blackbird overtook us. Then you stopped on the side of the road to get your bearings (we passed you) before you caught and undertook us as we turned off down a side road.

If any of that sounds familiar to you then I've inadvertently got you on Video!

yep ... OEM black pointy.
I need to get some summer gear - I was cooking in my lined waterproof high vis textile jacket...lol

[DrewDrew]

Very!.
Did you have a small black rucksack? Have you got a headcam? I would love to see the vid.
Cheers

[Runako]

Haha, indeed that is said rucksack, and the cam's on the tail pointing right at you! We were taking it easy along that stretch behind the traffic. But that road we turned off unto was a brilliant little secret, we didn't see another vehicle for a good 3/4 miles :D

I'm converting/editing hours of footage (pita) but will put a montage of the trip up on here @ some point. I'll reference the names of everyone featuring in the vid in the title so look out for it. Hope you enjoyed your ride!

Very!.
Did you have a small black rucksack? Have you got a headcam? I would love to see the vid.
Cheers

[DrewDrew]

pesh
just noted rear tire is flat and .. a nail in centre of tread.
How the hell do you remove rear wheel with no center stand!!!

[Runako]

Bummer! Sorry to hear that mate. Paddock stand on the swingarms or swingarm bobbins. Then you're all good (if you haven't got paddock stands get some).

pesh
just noted rear tire is flat and .. a nail in centre of tread.
How the hell do you remove rear wheel with no center stand!!!

[squirrel_hunter]

How the hell do you remove rear wheel with no center stand!!!

Carefully.

Or with a paddock stand. Or axle stands under the swing arm, but lifting it on won't be easy. Paddock stand is best, £30 and a great investment for the future.

[DrewDrew]

I couldnt fint anyware open in Cardiff so went to Thunder Rd in Bridgend, got a stand, back to remove the wheel, back to Thunder Rd again to get the tire replaced. What a pallaver. Now have a Bridgestone on the back, and a Dunlop on the front. The chap thought it not a good idea to have different brands/models, what do you think. Also, what do you think about repairing tires. I didnt like the idea on a motorcycle - any experience?

[Runako]

Had I realised you wanted it today I would have a) suggested Riders/Bevans in Cardiff for the stands and b) Petersons just off the Penarth high street for tyre change (Edit: Riders may not be open on a Sunday so fair play). Thunder Rd are reasonable for some things, less so for others, but its a long way to go for a paddock stand/tyre change. I suppose they did have a tyre in stock so you could get it done today but I reckon you could have saved a few £'s.

Tyres - The main consideration for you is that different brands run different compound mix so the tyre characteristics may not be complimentary. Add to that the now varied level of grip between front and rear and you may find that it takes a little while to get completely comfortable with the feel. But it should be ok if both the tyres are of radial construction.

I couldnt fint anyware open in Cardiff so went to Thunder Rd in Bridgend, got a stand, back to remove the wheel, back to Thunder Rd again to get the tire replaced. What a pallaver. Now have a Bridgestone on the back, and a Dunlop on the front. The chap thought it not a good idea to have different brands/models, what do you think. Also, what do you think about repairing tires. I didnt like the idea on a motorcycle - any experience?

[Runako]

Forgot to mention Drew. If you ever need a hand with anything, I'm not (too) far away from you so just give us a shout.

[DrewDrew]

Both Ryders and Bevans were shut ... I cant blame them on such a nice sunny day. Thanks for the offer. I want to install a waterproof cigarette lighter to power a USB - iPhone - satnav and not that confident with things electrical so may take you up on that. Thanks again.