ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) - SV650.org

13-07-09, 07:19 PM

Well im back, bit tired but most importantly me and the bike are in one piece (well sort of). Pretty much i booked a weekend off work at random many months ago and as if by luck it turned out my sister and her OH were off to camp in Snowdonia national park the very same weekend, i took it as a sign, booked myself into the camp site and went off to buy a tent. No real planning was done for the weekend, i did try to organise a ride on here but it was abit late and anyway i had no signal most of the weekend so couldn't have met up with any of you.

Day 1

So yeah, i set off at around 7.30 on Friday morning all excited at the weekend ahead of me but with no idea of what to expect (had it in my head there would be cops around every corner to ruin my fun and that it would be raining the whole time).

Decided against the motorways as i really hate them and like my tyre to stay round so went with this route up there: Clicky

All in all it went well and i managed to beat my sister who went by motorway by nearly an hour which made me smile! Once in Wales i got all excited by the seemingly twisty road that the A5 becomes after the dual carriage ways (by southern standards anyway).

I thought this was good scenery.......

A bit further down the A5 i realised i was in for something special this weekend as the road became even better mile by mile, then i turned off to get to the camp site (the road i would take every day

), and stumbled across this sight.

So yeah finally got to the camp site with the biggest grin on my face since first getting my SV and set up the tent bla bla bla.

Home sweet home....

Had some lunch and after looking at the map decided to head off to Anglesey: Route

Overall it was a good end to what was a long day on the bike, with some nice relaxing but still challenging coastal roads with very little traffic!(again something im not used to).

First bit of sun for the day in the evening, typical!

Day 2

Woke up not very refreshed as it was the first time ive been camping since i was in my second year of secondary school! But anyway i decided to just get on the bike and ride, choosing the nest roads based on what looked good on the map as i came to the end of each one. Here is what i ended up riding: clicky

A nice long day by all accounts but the roads were amazing, with some jaw dropping scenery. The first half of the day had some really nice fast open A roads but with plenty of tight bits to keep me on my toes, whereas the second half had lots of country lanes which caused me to fall out with my rear brake a fair few times as it locked up (my fault i know) and ill be the first to admit it did result in me getting a bit too close to a hedge than i had hoped.......

Anyway pics:

Really happy i found this road, it had me twisting and turning up and down a nice big hill to be presented with an amazing view over this lake then on the way down was shockingly quick and really had my heart beating fast by the end of it! Think it was the A4212, which also popped my hairpin cherry!

I then headed off to Lake Efwynwy and really enjoyed the road around, though it was very slippy and narrow. But with views like this who cares!

Then the heavens opened and was the hardest rain have seen in a while let alone been out on the bike in. I am very glad i went out and got the new gortex jacket though i did get wet in the end due to no storm collar. On the plus side though i still had lots of fun and the Avon storms are so good in the wet i hardly had to slow down from my normal pace (and no i don't think its that slow normally!) but in all seriousness i only felt the bike slip a few times and that was over standing water so 10 out of 10 to Avon for some great tyres.

Day 3

After a rather moist night and a smelly tent form all the wet gear i was up and ready to go for the final day. After the Saturday i didnt really know where to head as east took me too close to lots of towns and England

So decided i would carry on south and ended up visiting the Brecon beacons

.

So this is the route i took: clicky. Now i hadn't planned on it being so long, but after getting confused and taking the A485 the WRONG way and ending up all the way back into South Wales i had to get back to the camp site as quick as possible whilst having the most fun, so i took all the twisty A roads and tbh it was a blessing in disguise as apart form ending the day extremely tired, i can honestly say it was the best ride ive ever been on. So here are the pictures. OH and the sun came out to play!!!!!

Up the top of Brecon Beacons, amazing road, shame i stopped as i just reached the top (it was 6pm and i figured i should head back)

Beautiful views im sure you will agree.

So now the pictures dry up a little (im sure you'll be glad if your still reading this!) due to me rushing back but did get time for a few when i couldn't refuse the chance.

Nice sun set over the lake on the last road home

So that is that people, i had planned on taking a scenic route through Wales and the beacons again today but when i woke up it was beginning to rain, i hurt a lot after by 10 hour day yesterday and just wanted to get home. But after 1265 miles i think you can call that a pretty good trip! Was really impressed with the SV and how it coped with being *ahem* thrashed around, apart from drinking a lot of oil and having to buy some to get it back in the sight glass, it was a dream to ride. I think next time i wont do such silly mileage every day, but all i have to say is bring on Scotland!!!!

OH and when cleaning the bike today i was presented with this reassuring sight:

Anyone spot the problem? No idea when it happened as i was using it this morning but for both bolts to vibrate out is quite something! Shouldn't have slagged it off so much maybe lol.

Thanks for looking/reading, sorry its so long, and here is a link to all of pictures i took (about 170

) clicky.

Cheers,
Ash.

P.S. Whats all this about North Wales hating bikes and speeding, i only came across one cop hiding with a speed gun and one other driving through a village, unless they are that good at hiding and i will be getting a handful of letters through the door.......

13-07-09, 07:28 PM

Glad you had a great time and some fantastic pics there. Nice write up and glad you got to see so much

13-07-09, 07:48 PM

Cool Beans

Awesome trip & write up! How did you hang / stash your wet gear in the tiny tent?
Can't belive you missed out my top recommendation of the A466 Chepstow - Monmouth, But then thats another excuse for another trip!

Is that brake fluid on the rear tyre / wheel (strips paint so beware)

13-07-09, 07:57 PM

hi, nice pics m8, sure the sheep didnt mess with ur NUTS, LOL. how did u get home.

skeetly · 13-07-09, 07:57 PM

Didnt need any of us lot then

Thats a cracking weekend of riding.

13-07-09, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by injury_ian

Cool Beans

Awesome trip & write up! How did you hang / stash your wet gear in the tiny tent?
Can't belive you missed out my top recommendation of the A466 Chepstow - Monmouth, But then thats another excuse for another trip!

Is that brake fluid on the rear tyre / wheel (strips paint so beware)

Oh yes another trip will be planned, this time ill spend more time in the breacon beacons!

and no its the cleaning gel i had left to soak when i noticed the calliper hanging off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damian

hi, nice pics m8, sure the sheep didnt mess with ur NUTS, LOL. how did u get home.

Thats the thing, i noticed it when i got home!

13-07-09, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeetly

Didnt need any of us lot then

Thats a cracking weekend of riding.

Hehe, would have been nice to meet up with you though!

Not sure if i saw you on either sat/sunday as a guy on a similar bike to yours was at the side of the road in betws y coed and gave me a nod?? Nice little town, very touristy though!

dizzyblonde · 13-07-09, 08:31 PM

Quote:

ahhh now that place appears to be a particularly favourite Org lunging spot

dizzyblonde · 13-07-09, 08:41 PM

seeee

BTW....I think your rear brake broked!

skeetly · 13-07-09, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcdef

Hehe, would have been nice to meet up with you though!

Not sure if i saw you on either sat/sunday as a guy on a similar bike to yours was at the side of the road in betws y coed and gave me a nod?? Nice little town, very touristy though!

Could well have been. So many bikes through the place its ridiculous sometimes

Those tourists come with their pockets full of gold see

13-07-09, 07:19 PM	#1
arcdef Guest Posts: n/a	ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) Well im back, bit tired but most importantly me and the bike are in one piece (well sort of). Pretty much i booked a weekend off work at random many months ago and as if by luck it turned out my sister and her OH were off to camp in Snowdonia national park the very same weekend, i took it as a sign, booked myself into the camp site and went off to buy a tent. No real planning was done for the weekend, i did try to organise a ride on here but it was abit late and anyway i had no signal most of the weekend so couldn't have met up with any of you. Day 1 So yeah, i set off at around 7.30 on Friday morning all excited at the weekend ahead of me but with no idea of what to expect (had it in my head there would be cops around every corner to ruin my fun and that it would be raining the whole time). Decided against the motorways as i really hate them and like my tyre to stay round so went with this route up there: Clicky All in all it went well and i managed to beat my sister who went by motorway by nearly an hour which made me smile! Once in Wales i got all excited by the seemingly twisty road that the A5 becomes after the dual carriage ways (by southern standards anyway). I thought this was good scenery....... A bit further down the A5 i realised i was in for something special this weekend as the road became even better mile by mile, then i turned off to get to the camp site (the road i would take every day ), and stumbled across this sight. So yeah finally got to the camp site with the biggest grin on my face since first getting my SV and set up the tent bla bla bla. Home sweet home.... Had some lunch and after looking at the map decided to head off to Anglesey: Route Overall it was a good end to what was a long day on the bike, with some nice relaxing but still challenging coastal roads with very little traffic!(again something im not used to). First bit of sun for the day in the evening, typical! Day 2 Woke up not very refreshed as it was the first time ive been camping since i was in my second year of secondary school! But anyway i decided to just get on the bike and ride, choosing the nest roads based on what looked good on the map as i came to the end of each one. Here is what i ended up riding: clicky A nice long day by all accounts but the roads were amazing, with some jaw dropping scenery. The first half of the day had some really nice fast open A roads but with plenty of tight bits to keep me on my toes, whereas the second half had lots of country lanes which caused me to fall out with my rear brake a fair few times as it locked up (my fault i know) and ill be the first to admit it did result in me getting a bit too close to a hedge than i had hoped....... Anyway pics: Really happy i found this road, it had me twisting and turning up and down a nice big hill to be presented with an amazing view over this lake then on the way down was shockingly quick and really had my heart beating fast by the end of it! Think it was the A4212, which also popped my hairpin cherry! I then headed off to Lake Efwynwy and really enjoyed the road around, though it was very slippy and narrow. But with views like this who cares! Then the heavens opened and was the hardest rain have seen in a while let alone been out on the bike in. I am very glad i went out and got the new gortex jacket though i did get wet in the end due to no storm collar. On the plus side though i still had lots of fun and the Avon storms are so good in the wet i hardly had to slow down from my normal pace (and no i don't think its that slow normally!) but in all seriousness i only felt the bike slip a few times and that was over standing water so 10 out of 10 to Avon for some great tyres. Day 3 After a rather moist night and a smelly tent form all the wet gear i was up and ready to go for the final day. After the Saturday i didnt really know where to head as east took me too close to lots of towns and England So decided i would carry on south and ended up visiting the Brecon beacons . So this is the route i took: clicky. Now i hadn't planned on it being so long, but after getting confused and taking the A485 the WRONG way and ending up all the way back into South Wales i had to get back to the camp site as quick as possible whilst having the most fun, so i took all the twisty A roads and tbh it was a blessing in disguise as apart form ending the day extremely tired, i can honestly say it was the best ride ive ever been on. So here are the pictures. OH and the sun came out to play!!!!! Up the top of Brecon Beacons, amazing road, shame i stopped as i just reached the top (it was 6pm and i figured i should head back) Beautiful views im sure you will agree. So now the pictures dry up a little (im sure you'll be glad if your still reading this!) due to me rushing back but did get time for a few when i couldn't refuse the chance. Nice sun set over the lake on the last road home So that is that people, i had planned on taking a scenic route through Wales and the beacons again today but when i woke up it was beginning to rain, i hurt a lot after by 10 hour day yesterday and just wanted to get home. But after 1265 miles i think you can call that a pretty good trip! Was really impressed with the SV and how it coped with being ahem thrashed around, apart from drinking a lot of oil and having to buy some to get it back in the sight glass, it was a dream to ride. I think next time i wont do such silly mileage every day, but all i have to say is bring on Scotland!!!! OH and when cleaning the bike today i was presented with this reassuring sight: Anyone spot the problem? No idea when it happened as i was using it this morning but for both bolts to vibrate out is quite something! Shouldn't have slagged it off so much maybe lol. Thanks for looking/reading, sorry its so long, and here is a link to all of pictures i took (about 170 ) clicky. Cheers, Ash. P.S. Whats all this about North Wales hating bikes and speeding, i only came across one cop hiding with a speed gun and one other driving through a village, unless they are that good at hiding and i will be getting a handful of letters through the door....... Last edited by arcdef; 13-07-09 at 07:20 PM.

13-07-09, 07:28 PM	#2
Speedy Claire Guest Posts: n/a	Re: ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) Glad you had a great time and some fantastic pics there. Nice write up and glad you got to see so much

13-07-09, 07:48 PM	#3
injury_ian Guest Posts: n/a	Re: ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) Cool Beans Awesome trip & write up! How did you hang / stash your wet gear in the tiny tent? Can't belive you missed out my top recommendation of the A466 Chepstow - Monmouth, But then thats another excuse for another trip! Is that brake fluid on the rear tyre / wheel (strips paint so beware)

13-07-09, 07:57 PM	#4
Damian Guest Posts: n/a	Re: ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) hi, nice pics m8, sure the sheep didnt mess with ur NUTS, LOL. how did u get home.

13-07-09, 07:57 PM	#5
skeetly Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: betws y coed Posts: 749	Re: ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) Didnt need any of us lot then Thats a cracking weekend of riding.

13-07-09, 08:41 PM	#9
dizzyblonde Da Cake Boss Mega Poster Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a flying Horse Posts: 9,992	Re: ArcDef goes to Wales......(a tad image + text heavy!) seeee BTW....I think your rear brake broked! __________________ Suzy, yellow 2001 SVS. Kitty, V-Raptor 1000, ZZR1400<<its my bike now Pegasus! Hovis 13.8.75-3.10.09 Reeder 20.7.88-21.3.12

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Oban and beyond (Image heavy)	DarrenSV650S	Photos	3	12-06-09 08:53 PM
my new baby image heavy	Amplimator	Photos	17	11-05-09 10:19 PM
Trip to Wales (image heavy)	gazman	Photos	7	15-08-07 03:29 PM
70s bike day at the Ace (Image heavy)	empty	Photos	6	23-07-07 03:33 PM
SV650 text image needed(image of fairing decal req'd)	Heed	Bikes - Talk & Issues	2	10-03-07 10:59 PM