North Wales

[JulesW]

Conwy Falls cafe near Pentrefoelas is excellent and has the spectacular Conwy Falls nearby.

http://www.conwyfalls.com/

[JulesW]

The Ponderosa at the top of the Horseshoe Pass (A542) is a very popular biker's cafe. Fantastic views of the Eglwyseg Valley topped with the stunning limestone outcrops of World's End, Dinbren and Craig Arthur.

At the top of the Pass the A542 meets a roundabout, possibly the best roundabout in the UK. Why? It doesn't matter which road you take from this roundabout, they're all amazing biking roads.

http://www.ponderosacafe.co.uk/

[JulesW]

:cool:Weather today looks great for February, calls for a ride over to Snowdonia and a visit to Eric's Cafe in Tremadog via Y Bala and Trawsfynydd, return via Beddgelert, Capel Curig, Corwen and Llandegla. Perfect Sunday :cool:

[JulesW]

Back now, what a fantastic ride. Best of the year so far!

[JulesW]

Saturday weather looking very reasonable. The Yr Hen Efail Cafe and Tea Rooms in Dolgellau beckon as does the brilliant A494.

[zippie01]

I can highly recommend "Pete's Eats" (http://www.petes-eats.co.uk/index.asp) in Llanberis.

Take the A5 from Betws Y Coed to Capel Curig, turn left and follow the A4086 all the way past Snowdon, down into Llanberis and then take the High St and it is about 1/2 mile down on the right.

A great rideout from Cheshire, and a hearty Full English awaiting your arrival (other meal options available :) )

[JulesW]

I can highly recommend "Pete's Eats" (http://www.petes-eats.co.uk/index.asp) in Llanberis.

Take the A5 from Betws Y Coed to Capel Curig, turn left and follow the A4086 all the way past Snowdon, down into Llanberis and then take the High St and it is about 1/2 mile down on the right.

A great rideout from Cheshire, and a hearty Full English awaiting your arrival (other meal options available :) )

Hey Zippie, thanks for the recommendation. Love Llanberis, beautiful place and super roads to get there.

Found a lovely lakeside hotel yesterday for a fine cup of tea. The Tyn-Y-Cornel hotel, the place made me feel like I'd timeshifted to the late 40s or early 50s. Best brew I've had in years and wonderful roads to get there. The approach via the A487 and B4405 is superb.

The weather is looking like a mix of showers and cloud today but looks to be a bit better this afternoon so I might chance a 3 hour round trip to Trawsfynydd and back via Y Bala. Lots of rain in air but I might be lucky and you never know unless you go have a look. February weather is a bit crap but at least the roads a quiet this time of year.

[zippie01]

Hope you had a good rideout, very blustery and moist today !
If nice in the week I may take a day off and head towards the Mach Loop for a spin from Runcorn :-)

[JulesW]

Today was wet and quite blustery, took the fun out it tbh so I came back early and gave her a much deserved clean and polish.

The Mach loop, do tell! Which roads are good around there? I often look East if the weather is dodgy in Snowdonia and have a ride planned over to Glossop then the Snake Pass and back via Buxton and the Cat and Fiddle. I could do with some good local knowledge for the Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Northwich, Congleton area. My current plan for getting to the Peak District via Glossop involves the M56 and frankly I can't stand riding on motorways, they're too straight and plagued with random lane-changers. Any tips on good roads to get to the Peak from Wirral without using any M'way would be very welcome. :)

[Runako]

Jules, there is gonna be a big bike meet from the North Wales contingent of Dragon Bikers meeting up with the Southern contingent at Ponderosa - Details (http://dragonbikers.co.uk/index.php/topic,691.0.html)

[JulesW]

Runako, thanks for that, looks like it could be a right blast. Going to go if I can, will you be there?

[zippie01]

Had a great run down to Bala yesterday, was with two lads who had never done that route before !
Can recommend Jan's Cafe in Bala itself.
The road to Dolgellau from Bala is fantastic ! then up the A470 to Trawsfynydd and back round the B road to Bala. Loads of ruddy gravel on the road though !

[Runako]

Runako, thanks for that, looks like it could be a right blast. Going to go if I can, will you be there?

Oh yes, I'm with the group coming from the South so it'll be great to see another SV out and about :-)

[Grant66]

I'll check availability may tag along Ronnie. What happened to the triumph?

[JulesW]

Had a great run down to Bala yesterday, was with two lads who had never done that route before !
Can recommend Jan's Cafe in Bala itself.
The road to Dolgellau from Bala is fantastic ! then up the A470 to Trawsfynydd and back round the B road to Bala. Loads of ruddy gravel on the road though !

Bala to Dolgellau is fantastic and the A470 Traws/Bala road is one of my all time favourites. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[Littlepeahead]

And there's a place sells really good free range eggs and whiskey marmalade near Dolgellau. Though that may not be your priority on a bike ride.

[Runako]

I'll check availability may tag along Ronnie. What happened to the triumph?

Hello mate, great if you can make it. Would be good to see you again.

Nothing's wrong with the Triumph at all. But it's done way too many miles since purchase & not really had the time to even set it up properly. The SV's being worked on to get it back on the road in time for the real trip in June. Specialone has organised a French/Spanish tour with some trail biking thrown in. So before it does some hard miles, the SV needs a full service and trial run (hence the Ponderosa run).

[Runako]

And there's a place sells really good free range eggs and whiskey marmalade near Dolgellau. Though that may not be your priority on a bike ride.

Haha that seriously made me chuckle. Would be a good game though: "Right lads, the challenge is to get these Free Range eggs from Dolgellau to the Ponderosa without breaking nowt..." :-)

[Luckypants]

Hi Guys

This is turning into a ride-out thread, so I'm moving it to the ride-out section. The two cafes mentioned already have a thread each

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=103959&highlight=ponderosa
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=149040&highlight=conwy+falls

So they can have a bump..

Hope thats OK. Might see you on the ride-out :D

[JulesW]

Caffi Gwynant on the A498.

Brilliant cafe, very good tea, nice cakes, friendly staff and good prices. The location is superb, just on the southern flank of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) nestled in between Llyn Gwynant and Afon Glaslyn. The scenery is wonderful with good views of the Snowdon Horseshoe just up the road.

http://www.cafesnowdon.co.uk/

[Thelens]

I would not bother with the Cat n fiddle to be honest. It has been wrecked with speed cameras from one end to the other. 50 speed limit has ruined one of the best roads there is... tut
Maybe consider the same run but go to matlock at the end, rather than the old Cat n Fiddle.

[Matt-EUC]

Or take off your number plate and thrash it through the speed traps.


Sent via the medium of interpretive dance.

[Thelens]

mickey mouse plate works better lol :)