View Full Version : Weekend Ride (12th March) South Wales
Ceri JC
07-03-05, 03:37 PM
Hi Folks,
I've agreed to go for a ride (weather permitting) from Barry/Cardiff, up to the Beacons this weekend with a mate, probably the Saturday (unless it looks like Saturday will be gash weather, whereas Sunday will be great).
Anyone fancy meeting up and coming along?
Fairly flexible about time/length of the ride, so anyone interested, say so and we can arrange something.
Cheers,
Ceri
valleyboy
07-03-05, 10:17 PM
Im tempted.... could possible meet up on the A470 by Abercynon somewhere ??
That is unless you go another way...
Though I will probably still be on the hire bike... Im only now starting to trust the damn thing wont fall appart!
Ceri JC
08-03-05, 03:08 PM
Im tempted.... could possible meet up on the A470 by Abercynon somewhere ??
That is unless you go another way...
Though I will probably still be on the hire bike... Im only now starting to trust the damn thing wont fall appart!
A470 sounds fine for a meeting point, Mogs, would we be able to meet you there? Valleyboy, you know the area better than me- any good meeting points along there, service stations, tesco car parks, etc.?
Don't worry re: hire bike. We won't be going hell for leather- my mate has a naked hornet without a flyscreen and doesn't do over 80mph. I also expect that whilst the weather should be clear, it'll probably be less than ideal and still a bit greasy.
Jabba, who can't go has.. I quote
Just had a call from Mike Odelet of the IAM.
They will be doing a promotional "assessed rides" thingy at Black Mountain Yamaha, Abergavenny this coming Sat/Sun to coincide with the launch of the Yamaha MT01. There will be escorted rides, test rides, etc.
Just turn up if you're interested.
Perhaps somewhere to head for, but it may be packed!
Ceri JC
08-03-05, 04:32 PM
Jabba, who can't go has.. I quote
Just had a call from Mike Odelet of the IAM.
They will be doing a promotional "assessed rides" thingy at Black Mountain Yamaha, Abergavenny this coming Sat/Sun to coincide with the launch of the Yamaha MT01. There will be escorted rides, test rides, etc.
Just turn up if you're interested.
Perhaps somewhere to head for, but it may be packed!
Even if it's packed, it might be nice to have a letch at the other bikes/MT-01 (not something I could afford, but it'd be nice to see one in the Flesh). Good suggestion!
valleyboy
08-03-05, 04:46 PM
As for a meeting point.... theres plenty olong the A470... Abercynon roundabout would be easy for me.. plus its big enough to stop on the side of it... other than that... the only other place I can think of is that petrol garage before you reach it.. but for me to get there means going all the way down to Ponty, and then back up....
Mogs, if you decide to come along, I could come down to Nantgarw.. ??
The Mass
08-03-05, 08:01 PM
Sorry lads,
Another one I can't make...Saturday = Footy...sorry!
:roll:
Ceri.
I'll meet you and VB at the Abercynon roundabout (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-3.3139037227737&GridN=51.6527353587881&lon=-3.3139037227737&lat=51.6527353587881&db=grid&cidr_client=none&lang=&pc=&advanced=&client=public&addr2=&quicksearch=ST092957&addr3=&addr1=). It's down to you now to state time and day, Sat or Sun (my preference is Sat but will fit in whenever).
(I'll PM you my mobile number so you can text me plans if we havn't made a decision by 4.00pm friday. I don't have a functioning PC at home)
Ceri JC
10-03-05, 09:30 AM
Ceri.
I'll meet you and VB at the Abercynon roundabout (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-3.3139037227737&GridN=51.6527353587881&lon=-3.3139037227737&lat=51.6527353587881&db=grid&cidr_client=none&lang=&pc=&advanced=&client=public&addr2=&quicksearch=ST092957&addr3=&addr1=). It's down to you now to state time and day, Sat or Sun (my preference is Sat but will fit in whenever).
(I'll PM you my mobile number so you can text me plans if we havn't made a decision by 4.00pm friday. I don't have a functioning PC at home)
Sounds like a good plan. Valleyboy, you want to PM me your mobile too? I reckon Saturday looks like the best choice, weather looks to be sunny, but cold. We'll definately set a time etc. before Friday afternoon (sporadic net access at home).
I'm not familiar with the roundabout, is it safe to stop on for any length of time/is there a layby on it? I'm just concious that it's illegal to stop on roundabouts, and any old bill who are about might take a dim view...
Cheers, Ceri.
Looks as if someone should go up there, have a look around, find a good spot and report back tomorrow.
Who could do that? Yes, me on my way home. :)
Looks as if someone should go up there, have a look around, find a good spot and report back tomorrow.
Who could do that? Yes, me on my way home. :)
There's a couple of lay-bys north of that roundabout on the A470.
Ceri JC
10-03-05, 12:25 PM
Looks as if someone should go up there, have a look around, find a good spot and report back tomorrow.
Who could do that? Yes, me on my way home. :)
Mogs, if you could do that and post your findings early the 'morrow, that'd be tops. :thumbsup:
valleyboy
10-03-05, 05:16 PM
You can stop on the side of the roundabout.. its pretty big.... so as you come up the A470, stay in the left lane, go PAST the turning for Aberdare / Mountain Ash etc... and pull in to the side before getting to the Merthyr turn off.... keep your bikes well in to the left.... and they should be out of harms way... sadly, any lay bye's before this roundabout are a very big effort for me to get too.... as there isnt a roundabout between Ponty and Abercynon.... so it takes some time...
BUT.. if its easier, theres a Petrol garage about 3/4 of a mile before the roundabout... we could meet up there ??? There use to be a little chef there.. but thats now something else... I still need to go down to Ponty and back.. but at least you can stop somewhere a bit safer.... Other than that... Keep on going up the A470 past the roundabout, and pull in to the first lay bye along there.... That way, I will come down the A470, and back up a tad to meet you there instead of going through the **** end of my valley!
Ceri JC
10-03-05, 05:24 PM
You can stop on the side of the roundabout.. its pretty big.... so as you come up the A470, stay in the left lane, go PAST the turning for Aberdare / Mountain Ash etc... and pull in to the side before getting to the Merthyr turn off.... keep your bikes well in to the left.... and they should be out of harms way... sadly, any lay bye's before this roundabout are a very big effort for me to get too.... as there isnt a roundabout between Ponty and Abercynon.... so it takes some time...
BUT.. if its easier, theres a Petrol garage about 3/4 of a mile before the roundabout... we could meet up there ??? There use to be a little chef there.. but thats now something else... I still need to go down to Ponty and back.. but at least you can stop somewhere a bit safer.... Other than that... Keep on going up the A470 past the roundabout, and pull in to the first lay bye along there.... That way, I will come down the A470, and back up a tad to meet you there instead of going through the @rse end of my valley!
Which would you prefer, lay by or garage? I dunno what the roundabouts like, but I reckon one of the other 2 would be better- even with near perfect traffic/whatever there's likely to be at least 10 minutes where someone is waiting for someone else. Also, if someone is delayed for 1/2 and hour, I'd rather chat with the other person at a garage where there's a bit of cover/choccie bars and pasties, than dodge cars going wide on a roundabout :wink:
Cheers,
Ceri
valleyboy
10-03-05, 06:07 PM
Petrol garage it is then...
is there a specific route we will be taking from there on ??
Ive found a new play ground I would like to share if anyone wants me to show them :twisted:
It involves a short stint down Glyn Neath bank... lots of twisty roads... a nice long stretch of straight road... it eventualy comes back out a few miles from the storey arms... turn left to continue on to Breacon, or turn left to take you to Storey arms... but its not 1000 sheep road.. much longer this thing is! Found it by accident the other day by turning the wrong way! at night.. with just about enough petrol for the journey!
Went up the roundabout last night on the way home - it is big, but I don’t think us stopping on it would be very wise, cars may get away with it, but 4 bikes! I knew VB would have the answer, but I need only the tinyest excuse.
What used to be a Little Chef at the Petrol Station is now a Curry House. If you live in Aberdare and fancy a curry you’ll have to drive all the way to Ponty and back, can’t see that place lasting very long.
I found another lay-by on the old road (A4054) just past the graveyard.
The Petrol station is probably the best choice especially if we have to wait, my bikes low on fuel anyway so I fill up there, thus I'll have max range.
Ceri set a time?
If we're going for the Test rides etc. at
Black Mountain Yamaha
Llanwenarth Citra
Llanwenarth
Crickhowell
Powys
NP8 1EP
its here (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=325500&Y=216000&width=700&height=400&gride=325437&gridn=216073&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=pc&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=NP81EP&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=1&scale=25000) the map shows a pub opposite, perfect 'cept we cant drink.
Our route is obvious, up to Brecon on VB's latest discovery then down the A40.
Ceri JC
11-03-05, 10:28 AM
If we're going for the Test rides etc. at
Black Mountain Yamaha
Llanwenarth Citra
Llanwenarth
Crickhowell
Powys
NP8 1EP
its here (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=325500&Y=216000&width=700&height=400&gride=325437&gridn=216073&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=pc&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=NP81EP&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=1&scale=25000) the map shows a pub opposite, perfect 'cept we cant drink.
Our route is obvious, up to Brecon on VB's latest discovery then down the A40.
I agree with the route idea, From the meeting point, VB can lead us off to his new road (will that take us near Abergavenny?) to by storey arms, then weather/time permitting we can decide whether to trog further into Brecon, or head south and home.
Just want to gauge people's opinions on going to Abergavenny for the test ride:
My own is that I certainly wouldn't mind popping in for a looksee, perhaps as a "break" in the middle of the ride. At the same time though, if it's miles out of the way and the roads are not much fun (I've only be to 'gavenny in the cage and that was a few years back), I'd rather spend the time having a good ride round Brecon.
Meeting Time:
Shall we say meet at the petrol station at 10.30? Is that too early/too late? Just for clarity anyone know the "type" of petrol station (eg is it an Esso?). As for going home time, shall we leave that open till the day?
I'm okay with 10.30am see you there
Texaco it think!
Ceri JC
11-03-05, 02:48 PM
Valleyboy, 10.30@ the garage okay for you?
valleyboy
11-03-05, 04:11 PM
10:30's fine by me.... take some cash with you for more petrol! I havent been this way in the day light before.. only in the dark... will talk to you tomorrow at petrol station about the route...
I think its a good road... it takes us the long way round for where we want to go anyway :) I turned off to head back towards home, and it took me back to familiar territory.. we could try going straight on, as it eventualy all leads to Breacon around there anyway.. We have to go through Tawe.. and I think we pass Senny Bridge as well.
As said earlier, we eventualy come back to normal territory.. turn right to go to Storey Arms, or left to go to Breacon... so it looks like left it will be, at which point somebody else better take the helm! as I will get lost!
Ceri JC
11-03-05, 05:07 PM
As said earlier, we eventualy come back to normal territory.. turn right to go to Storey Arms, or left to go to Breacon... so it looks like left it will be, at which point somebody else better take the helm! as I will get lost!
I've never gone much further than a couple of miles north from storey arms, but there is a layby that's a bikers meeting point up there. If the weathers nice, there'll be some slick bikes and a burger van there. :D
Excellent, see you chaps at 10.30 then. Gimme a text if anything comes up/you'll be late/whatever, as I most likely won't be back on here till Monday. Cheers! :)
valleyboy
12-03-05, 10:03 PM
Well, I had a nice time today.
Almost ended in twisted SV, and Mogs being run over by an Izuzu 4X4.
I jsut wish I had my bike back... as the nekkid SV hire bike is fun.. but god damn! it gets cold!
Mogs was quite unaware of what nearly happened.. Me and Ceri following almost had a heart attack watching idiot in large cage plow his way through...
We even had some snow as well today.. followed imediatley by sun shine!
Had some nice pub grub.. after being told to go away from the first place we went! :roll:
Professor
13-03-05, 09:10 AM
Well, I had a nice time today.
Almost ended in twisted SV, and Mogs being run over by an Izuzu 4X4.
I jsut wish I had my bike back... as the nekkid SV hire bike is fun.. but god damn! it gets cold!
Mogs was quite unaware of what nearly happened.. Me and Ceri following almost had a heart attack watching idiot in large cage plow his way through...
We even had some snow as well today.. followed imediatley by sun shine!
Had some nice pub grub.. after being told to go away from the first place we went! :roll:
Glad you guys had a good time. Unfortunately, I am too busy writing
exam papers. By the way, why were you turned away from the first
place? Was any reason given?
Ceri JC
13-03-05, 11:27 AM
Glad you guys had a good time. Unfortunately, I am too busy writing
exam papers. By the way, why were you turned away from the first
place? Was any reason given?
The first place we went to was a pub with "restaurant" aspirations: We should have known better when the sign said "Something or other, Hotel and Restaurant", when it was clearly a pub with a couple of rooms. However, as there was a CBRR600 in the car park, it didn't seem obviously bike unfriendly. The barman asked if he could help, and when I asked if they were serving food at the moment he said they were full (yeah, right- wasn't exactly rammed, 3 other people in the place!) and suggested we go to a pub that did "bar snack" type food down the road (Bluebell Inn, very good if anyone is down that way and the staff were far more pleasent).
As for the bloke in the Isuzu Trooper, it was bloody hairy. Basically this guy tried to overtake all 3 of us in one go and I don't think he saw Mogs (who was leading) at all. He tried to pull in to the lane I was in (missed me by less than the foot) and came within a cat's whisker of rear-ending mogs when he was forced to swerve when a car came the other way. Mogs let him get past and the idiot then proceded to try (unsuccesfully) several dangerous overtakes on the car in front. Don't know what he thought he was doing- there was a line of about 15 cars, with a bus at the front on twisty roads. No way he was going to overtake all them before it became dual carriageway, no matter how much of a rush he was in/how dangerously he drove... :roll:
BTW Valleysboy, you know that bloke on the Aprillia RSV-R we saw (shakily) leaving the burger van place? Me and Mogs caught up with him and overtook him shortly after you left! :twisted: Another "Weekend Warrior" with a machine far in excess of their abilities. :wink:
Professor
13-03-05, 06:55 PM
The first place we went to was a pub with "restaurant" aspirations: We should have known better when the sign said "Something or other, Hotel and Restaurant", when it was clearly a pub with a couple of rooms. However, as there was a CBRR600 in the car park, it didn't seem obviously bike unfriendly. The barman asked if he could help, and when I asked if they were serving food at the moment he said they were full (yeah, right- wasn't exactly rammed, 3 other people in the place!) and suggested we go to a pub that did "bar snack" type food down the road (Bluebell Inn, very good if anyone is down that way and the staff were far more pleasent).
Not nice.
Baldyman, Carsick and I once went to a posh restaurant in Bath
called the Pump Room (beautiful dining hall, waiters in proper
uniforms, a pianist in a black tie playing classical music on a
grand piano, etc). We occupied a table straight away but later
encountered a problem of a different sort: we ordered coffee and
desserts but the waiter informed us that between noon and 2PM they
expect customers to have proper lunch. We did not want to part with
our hard earned cash + Carsick had a toothache so we had to retreat.
I guess the Pump Room people have a point in that the restaurant has
a view of the Roman Baths so many people come there just to have a
glimpse of the Roman Baths without having to pay the extortionist
entry fee, coffee being only an excuse.
Black Mountain Yamaha was interesting, shame the bloke from Gwent IAM was not there, he must have been out on an observed ride, I think VB gained a Biro though. Friendly staff there – well they said hello, but they must get lots of “just looking” bikers there. The MT 01 looks very nice, but not for me. If any one is thinking of taking that road (A40) BMY have public toilets attached.
The Llanwenarth Hotel can go on the black list, nuff said.
The Blue Bell in Glangrwyney is a nice place, good parking with a reasonably priced bar menu. The Chilli was good (£6), perhaps we could descend on this place on the ride out on the 23rd.
The Izuzu, I didn’t see until he was at my shoulder, so he must have been going so lick, I was checking my mirrors quite often. From what Ceri and VB say, I think this is a good thing - blissfully ignorant, I know I would have come off the gas.
Mr. Weekend Aprillia, surprised me, Ceri and I weren’t pushing it at all, and he left the burger van ages before us. I thought it strange that he didn’t come over for a chat at the van everyone else was crowded around that little heater.
So big thumbs up to Ceri and VB for the ride out – much more fun in company. We’ll have to arrange another some time in the summer; it took me ages to warm up again when I got home. Next time perhaps the Hornetteers will be able to join us!
Ceri JC
14-03-05, 09:38 AM
Mr. Weekend Aprillia, surprised me, Ceri and I weren’t pushing it at all, and he left the burger van ages before us. I thought it strange that he didn’t come over for a chat at the van everyone else was crowded around that little heater.
Yes, he had a 5-10 minute head start and we caught him in under quarter of an hour and as you say, we weren't going very quick at all.
I'm not saying you have to go flat out all the time if you've got a superbike and, he may of been low on fuel/had mechanical fault that meant he was taking it easy, but even so, it wasn't exactly a road to potter on (I love 30mph crawls around empty single track lanes in summer, but 50mph on a dual carriageway in winter-like conditions seems strange). Also, his "slow control" (or lack of it :wink:) would suggest it was more a case of the rider than the machine. He could of saved £6000 by buying a GS500F instead :D
So big thumbs up to Ceri and VB for the ride out – much more fun in company. We’ll have to arrange another some time in the summer; it took me ages to warm up again when I got home. Next time perhaps the Hornetteers will be able to join us!
My mate still hasn't heard from Luke (the friend with the hornet), I hope he's alright :? It was great fun, thanks both of you for coming out.
Sounds like I missed some fun :(
Any photos?
Ceri JC
14-03-05, 03:35 PM
Sounds like I missed some fun :(
Any photos?
Sorry, no paparazzi found us :)
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