View Full Version : Loving the west rides!
This week I've managed a couple of great solo rides. Tuesday saw me do chedar gorge and Saturday saw a great run over the mendips through blagdon, ubley, Compton Martin and back through chew valley.
Makes you realise we have some top rides here in the west and how lucky we are. Today is a good day to be a biker! Sun is out and all is good. Thanks to theonlynemesis for making sure my day didn't turn to horse shlt. Top man & you know why..
_Stretchie_
01-07-13, 08:39 AM
Fancy coming a little further north?
We could repeat this
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=199093
;)
That looked like a great ride. I was in Majorca from may 21st to 28th so this ride totally passed me by!
Anything similar and I'll be looking to join in for sure, cheers!
dkid - your cheddar, chew, blagdon routes are ones that I'd love to do myself some time. Used to live and work around that area and loved it. I'm a bit worried that I'd be so busy oogling the gorge that I'd run straight into it. Same thing riding straight into chew lake lol.
Haha, yeah a lot of it is very nice to look at.
_Stretchie_
02-07-13, 08:26 AM
I've got to get my bike back together this week providing parts turn up and then got a couple of weekends away but we'll sort something out soon. Every been across the bridge to Wales on the bike?
Yeah my sister lives in Chepstow so I've ventured over a few times. Pushed on to tintern as well but not much further. I hear its good riding there, elan valley etc
_Stretchie_
02-07-13, 11:19 AM
Ha, GruntyGiggles on here is from Caldicot, but yeah good riding over there, get off the old bridge go north and over the roundabout (where you would turn right for Chepstow) carry on towards the racecourse and take a left where the Mistubishi garage used to be, that's a nice road and with take you to Usk, go through Usk and take a right at 'The Three Salmons Hotel' and a couple miles of twistness later take a left when the road ends and that will take you to Abergavenny. Have a brew and a bacon bap at the bus stop and route home is pretty much the reverse. Not a bad trip for a butty
We'll get you out there soon, or if you want a day one we can do a slightly modified AR10 route
Grant66
02-07-13, 11:32 AM
Got out in Wales a few times this year, would like to get out a bit more (when the Mrs hasn't got something arranged for me).
Weather was too good to pass up a ride last night so headed up to to the new inn at blagdon.
Good food and amazing views over the lake :)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/06/esa3y4e5.jpg
TheOnlyNemesis
07-07-13, 12:33 PM
I was heading to Cheddar today when my radiator went pop so now am off the road again.
Ah that sucks, sorry to hear that mate. Hope you can get a quick fix before our brief summer is over...
I managed a trip to tintern yesterday but unfortunately I was in the cage. Driving that road just isn't the same as riding it.
There was a plus side though, there was a cider festival and BBQ on so after sampling most of what was on offer the wife drove home! :)
TheOnlyNemesis
09-07-13, 07:24 PM
nice, i getting it fixed Saturday so am up for a ride Sunday if you want?
Good stuff, a ride sounds great if I can get permission ;)
Grant66
10-07-13, 07:34 AM
I have permission :-D can do Saturday as well B-)
TheOnlyNemesis
10-07-13, 07:54 AM
If bike is fixed early enough Saturday then I can do Saturday as well but otherwise it'll be just the Sunday.
I'll make sure the wife hasn't got me double booked but hopeful I'll be a yes.
What did people have in mind?
_Stretchie_
10-07-13, 08:52 AM
Gutted, the BlackBird isn't back together yet, but it will be, just waiting for some stuff to turn up in the post and not here for the weekend either, off up north on Friday.
I do need to get out and scrub the new tyres and brake pads in next week though :)
Looks like I've got a pass out for Sunday :D
TheOnlyNemesis
11-07-13, 08:39 AM
Same, Sunday has been allowed to me. But can only stay out for 2-3 hours at the most as i promised i'd go for a ride with the other half on her little 125 as well.
Grant66
12-07-13, 12:03 PM
Could meet at yours, can you plan a 3 hour route? Will your Mrs meet us somewhere?
TheOnlyNemesis
12-07-13, 12:11 PM
I'm thinking DKid knows routes around here better than me so maybe he could plans us a route, we know if anyone else coming? Welshy?
Haha I will have a stab at a route but I've normally just followed my nose when out solo riding. Any input welcome tho lads, a joint effort is fine by me ;)
I've got my kids until the wife gets home so can get on laptop later this evening. I've not done any organised routes round here before so bear with me if its a little sketchy....
Nailsea meet is fine by me too.
Grant66
12-07-13, 03:15 PM
Ronnie is wimping out of the fun of English pothole dodging and has chosen to tour road France on their boring professionaly surfaced roads.
I don't know the roads too well south of Bristol, I usually head east. Taking in some of the route stretchy posted a few weeks back.
TheOnlyNemesis
12-07-13, 03:40 PM
Will be an adventure for us two at least then.
Shotgun the back marker spot. That way i can see which pot holes you two dodge XD
Grant66
12-07-13, 04:46 PM
Have you got a working bike yet or will you be on a 125?
TheOnlyNemesis
12-07-13, 05:26 PM
it's being fixed tomorrow, that's why i can only ride Sunday
squirrel_hunter
12-07-13, 05:34 PM
Sunday eh?
Grant66
12-07-13, 05:41 PM
Have no idea what these roads are like, 3 hour (google estimate) route starting and finishing in Nailsea (other meeting places are available)
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201464957052290864182.0004e1537c929d0897882
Feel free to amend as required.
Hi there steve, shall we see you? If you know better roads edit away :)
Aha, an experienced group rider who has no doubt planned many a route. Could be off the hook here ;)
Ronnie is wimping out of the fun of English pothole dodging and has chosen to tour road France on their boring professionaly surfaced roads.
Boring? Pah! - http://goo.gl/maps/IWfA6
:D :D :D
Have fun fella's. Looking forward to joining you upon my return.
squirrel_hunter
12-07-13, 06:04 PM
Boring? Pah! - http://goo.gl/maps/IWfA6
:D :D :D
Admit it. You went down the shops for a pint of milk, got lost and are just too embarrassed to ask for directions.
squirrel_hunter
12-07-13, 06:11 PM
Have no idea what these roads are like, 3 hour (google estimate) route starting and finishing in Nailsea (other meeting places are available)
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201464957052290864182.0004e1537c929d0897882 (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201464957052290864182.0004e1537c929d0897882)
You sure that's 3 hours looks about 45 minutes to me?
Aha, an experienced group rider who has no doubt planned many a route.
Experienced group rider, yes. Route planner, no. I get lost to easily.
What's the start time?
TON, bring your better half for a full days ride. We can run drop offs and stops, shouldn't be an issue.
Have no idea what these roads are like, 3 hour (google estimate) route starting and finishing in Nailsea (other meeting places are available)
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201464957052290864182.0004e1537c929d0897882
Feel free to amend as required.
Hi there steve, shall we see you? If you know better roads edit away :)
Looks good to me, I am familiar with most of the route (first and last third really) but I'm sure where you lead, men will follow :)
There are a couple of good roads dotted in and around the route but to do them all we'd be doubling back on ourselves here and there so yours seems to flow better as a ride. I'm happy.
Are we planning any refreshment stops etc? It's gonna be a hot one.
Also, what start time suits everybody? I'm pretty easy on that score so will go with the flow...
You sure that's 3 hours looks about 45 minutes to me?
Crikey, I won't even try to keep up with you then :D
Grant66
12-07-13, 06:52 PM
Aha, an experienced group rider who has no doubt planned many a route. Could be off the hook here ;)
No just a numpty who spent half an hour trying to get google maps to work :p
Its a public map so you should be able to amend it, as I said I don't know those roads very well (some not at all).
squirrel_hunter
12-07-13, 07:35 PM
Also, what start time suits everybody? I'm pretty easy on that score so will go with the flow...
Not to early please. Its about an hour by motorway for me to make something near the start point. Which is where?
Not to early please. Its about an hour by motorway for me to make something near the start point. Which is where?
Not too early suits me. You coming m4, m32 into Bristol? I can meet you and lead you to start if you like. Do you know ashton gate (bcfc stadium)?
Grant66
12-07-13, 07:46 PM
11:30 Nailsea?
Lunch in Glosonbury, with stop in Radstock for tea & biscuits (assuming there is a cafe open otherwise it might be coke & peanuts in a pub).
TheOnlyNemesis
13-07-13, 12:09 AM
11:30 sounds great. I'll roll out if bed at 11:15. Nikki doesn't want to join as she feels uncomfortable in groups at the moment.
squirrel_hunter
13-07-13, 12:39 AM
Not too early suits me. You coming m4, m32 into Bristol? I can meet you and lead you to start if you like. Do you know ashton gate (bcfc stadium)?
Hadn't thought how to get there really. But yes, I know the stadium. There are a couple of entrances to it but if memory serves there is a KFC/ Halfords on Winterstoke Road, that entrance to the stadium car park? What time would I need to be there?
Nikki doesn't want to join as she feels uncomfortable in groups at the moment.
That's cool. Having ridden with her before I wouldn't want her, or anyone else for that matter on a smaller bike feeling they couldn't join us just because they are on a 125 or restricted licence.
Hadn't thought how to get there really. But yes, I know the stadium. There are a couple of entrances to it but if memory serves there is a KFC/ Halfords on Winterstoke Road, that entrance to the stadium car park? What time would I need to be there?
.
KFC/halfords is perfect. If you could get there for say 11:00 - 11:15 we could shoot over to Nailsea in around 10-15 mins from there.
In light of this (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=201362) I feel it's only right to postpone. I only know what's happened from the thread on here so hopefully Stu is ok but never the less....
All Agree? Thoughts?
squirrel_hunter
13-07-13, 09:04 PM
I would be happy to ride on.
We can do a different route and have this one for when he's back on the road.
Anyone else?
Not sure what to do really. There's no reason I couldn't ride I suppose, Just thought I'd suggest postponing seeing as how TONs off has happened on the eve of the ride. His place was also the meet point.
Depends on Grant too I guess. I'm only familiar with parts of the planned route. Would also be good to hear how Stu is and if Grant is up for riding after tonights events. Where was the off mate?
Grant66
13-07-13, 10:19 PM
He did say as they loaded him in the ambulance, to go out tomorrow, even wanted me to convince nikki to come. Could have been the morphine taking though.
Grant66
13-07-13, 10:22 PM
Happened on the a38 between cheddar and airport.
Ah ok, your call if you wanna ride or not. Sent you a pm regards options :)
TheOnlyNemesis
14-07-13, 03:53 PM
how was the ride?
Ahhh rubbish mate. You missed nothing :)
squirrel_hunter
14-07-13, 05:59 PM
My leathers are currently hanging up to dry. Terrible weather.
how was the ride?
SH knows waaay better than I do where we went but a bit (a lot) of guess work makes me think we may* have done something like the route below...
http://goo.gl/maps/fNmbd
*I could be very wrong though :confused:....
squirrel_hunter
15-07-13, 05:10 PM
Close, but this (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=51.636466,-2.6866273+to:51.6458602,-2.7120171+to:51.674684,-2.8254588+to:51.7055608,-2.8983624+to:51.7277738,-2.9232704+to:51.808915,-3.008474+to:51.8200401,-3.0161403+to:Llandovery+to:A470+to:A470&hl=en&ll=52.035597,-3.68042&spn=1.567999,3.828735&sll=52.038765,-3.683853&sspn=0.097991,0.239296&geocode=FRdkEwMdLBLY_w%3BFfLoEwMdXQHX_ylF-NkPapVxSDGUrnSO_B1zMw%3BFaQNFAMdL57W_ynhYv1GUZVxSD G3L8BIvwNKlw%3BFTx-FAMdDuPU_ym31yMII8JxSDF8N9LP6ZLdlw%3BFdj2FAMdRsbT_ ylnYSGAPsNxSDGhajB5f5i5lQ%3BFZ1NFQMd-mTT_ynVaalVU8NxSDGNendSdyiJ3A%3BFZOKFgMdJhjS_ykjB3 5_C9pxSDE1HyGfTCAAUA%3BFQi2FgMdNPrR_ymN8zEzpNBxSDH N9dl1HcQt6w%3BFdNqGQMd_A3G_ynBdpA0Da1vSDFZ6yh5-YfGzQ%3BFQS2GwMdVInM_w%3BFTaTGAMdrM3M_w&gl=uk&mra=pr&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&t=m&z=8) is more like it.
I've avoided the detour in Abba due to the escorted lycraists.
Its part of the AR10 route. I did want to get into the mountains but its hit and miss with me if I can remember where they are. This time it was a miss. Next time however...
Ah cheers Steve, I was lost after Llandovery and kinda made it up from there using mileage and a rough sense of bearings to create the 'loop'. Didn't realise the loop was as big as that though :o.
Again, thanks loads for leading on the route and showing me roads I never even knew existed. I had a blast. Hopefully you didn't have to ride too far off your normal pace to accomadate me. I think I learned a fair bit about the Honda yesterday. Was a top ride.
Shame TON and Grant couldn't make it but there will be other days (I gotta do that again :D). Sorry to hear the injuries are so nasty Stu but I guess you just have to keep telling yourself it could've been much worse although I'm guessing you don't feel too lucky ATM. Just enjoy the morphine and nurses...
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