Off to Wales
 

Re: Off to Wales
 

This looks like a whole lot of fun, keep posting. Are you camping?.

Off to Wales
 

Hey Mal,

I had to ditch the camping cos I was ill for a whole week just before the trip so I didn't want to push it; glad I didn't.

I'm currently in Newtown having some steak after what I can only describe as a pretty interesting day.

The hotel is about an hour away, so I'll post some more once I'm settled in.

Off to Wales
 

Day Two was certainly eventful........I crashed twice!!!!

The day started with a full on English brekky to get us ready for the ride ahead. We set off a bit late in the day around 11am and made our way though Snowdonia park and travelled through Bala.
We travelled steadily and stopped a few times for photos.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/9enyhejy.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/mygabera.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/avuvaruz.jpg

We then headed down some B roads and took a detour into a single track road. I tried to avoid a puddle by moving to the right (over a bit of gravel) then tried to move back to the left and encountered some mud!!
I lost the rear end and couldn't control the bike, so headed into the soft verge and crashed into mud and grass on bike's right side.

I was thrown off the bike and I landed on the tarmac and felt the impact as my head hit the ground.
My mate riding behind me jumped off his bike and rushed to my aid.
I felt some pain on my right side and my head but was able to get up after sitting down for about a minute.

I suddenly jumped up because I realised the bike was still on its side. My mate helped me get the bike back up.

Surprisingly, the damage to the bike was minimal; the front indicator broke off and the rear indicator was knocked off by the luggage strapped to the bike.
The rear brake pedal was bent but not broken.

The luggage took a lot of the impact so I quickly checked the contents of my panniers. My iPad was OK but my laptop had cracked; the crack only affected the casing and not the screen.


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/y8eny7ad.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/duzypuja.jpg


My textile had ripped in a few places but the most damage was to my left boot. It seems my boot was caught in the foot rest and ripped.


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/a5yqazu3.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/udarevev.jpg


I was a bit worried at this point and wished I had the number of a Welsh Organ, like Runako so I could find a place to buy new boots.

After worrying desperately for a few minutes, my mate asked if I had tape.........which I happened to have (after reading different posts on the Org about travelling gear, I knew I had to take some tape along :-) ).
We taped up the boots and it was good as new......well almost ;-)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/u4u3yhu3.jpg

After cranking the bike a few times, she finally came back to life. We set off again, only for me to crash a second time, less than 50 metres from the first crash. It appeared that my back tire had some mud which caused the bike to slip.

This time, the bike crashed on the tarmac and my head took a second pounding on the same side. My right leg was trapped under the bike so I couldn't move.
The engine was still running so I pressed the horn to get my mate's attention as he was in front then I hit the emergency switch to turn the bike off.

My mate rushed to my rescue (once again) and helped lift the bike a little so I could get my leg out. Then we got the bike back up together.

This time, the top fairing had scuffs on it from the fall, but still nothing was broken; the mirror, the fairing, the lever, the foot-rest and pedal didn't have a crack or bend!!!!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/deha8ejy.jpg


At this point, I looked at the trip gauge and realised we had only travelled 80 miles; just over a third of the planned mileage for that day!!
Before we set off, my mate made me promise that I wouldn't crash again, which I did, so we cracked on!! ;-)

We travelled through Dolgellau, and hugged the coast for a bit.


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/ytute6en.jpg


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/8u2ajujy.jpg


We continued through Aberdovey and then pushed till we got to Newtown where we had planned to have lunch but got there around 6pm.

We were well rewarded with what I can only describe as a great meal at Mirrens Steak and Tapas.


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/aju4ybes.jpg



After filling our tummies, we decided to ditch the planned route towards Builth Wells and just headed in the quickest direction to the guest house my mate had booked.

The guest house was tucked away deep in the countryside so we had to get on single-track roads again........this time I plied the roads more cautiously and we arrived at the location without incident.
As we turned off our bikes, all we could hear was the chorus of birds singing and sheep baa'ing........glorious!!!!!

We settled in, tweaked the route for the next day and hit the bed........oh boy I slept as soundly as a baby dreaming about all the twisty roads and mountains we had traveled through and wondering what Day three might hold :-)

Re: Off to Wales
 

Lol :) sounds like an eventful time and, most importantly, glad all is well. Your bike seems indestructible. Long may it stay that way. I would have been of little physical help I'm afraid as, with my steed of the road temporarily, I decided to travel the farthest north I've dared venture (under my own recognisance) and visited friends in Derby. But I could have steered you towards a useful outlet in those parts. Hopefully you've now found a suitable replacement.

I hope the rest of your trip continues to be fabulous and I'm now back so if any assistance is needed, I'll be keeping an eye on your thread. One thing I would mention is that its always said to replace your helmet if you get a bang on the head as the structural integrity could be compromised without any outward visible sign of damage. At the very least I'd suggest checking the helmet inside and out (if possible) for any sign of damage and think about replacing if necessary.

Good luck and happy riding.

Re: Off to Wales
 

stupid mud!!! glad you're alright

Off to Wales
 

It was certainly fun and eventful.
I think Wales is really blessed with great roads and scenery and the weather held up real good.

Got back home on Sunday around 6pm; the trip was planned for 3 days which was certainly too short......I think we only scratched the surface!!

Wales was meant to give me some touring experience under my belt before Europe and I'm so glad I did it!!!



Thanks for the advice. Well noted.
I'm off bikes for at least a week as I need to sort out my indys and get new boots and a new helmet...........Oh dear, I see my Euro funds depleting :-(

I'll finish up the write-up for Day 3 today or tomorrow and add more pictures.

Cheers!!!

Off to Wales
 

Thanks mate!!!

Re: Off to Wales
 

Sorry to hear about your off's . Just think what you foot and head would have been like without good gear.
Seems you've got the touring / exploring bug, no bad thing.

Re: Off to Wales
 

Literally 5 miles from my house there :cool: That is my local road.