21st/22nd, Rhayader...thats Wales!

I'm organising (in the loosest sense of the word) a meet up at Rhayader April 21st/22nd (with arrivals Fri PM). Its primarily for throwing big traillies on the ground but there's substantial interest in road rides as well.

As some of you 'orrible lot have been talking about Rhayader, Elan Valley and that area I thought I would flag it here as some might like to join in for the weekend. Camping (although loads cheap B&B there) based with rides sat and sun and beer in the eve's.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194985

So if anyone wants to come along, there's people there for socialising and roads for riding. Havent got anyone leading the road rides as such (are you there green goblin?) but everywhere is nice round there.

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

So if anyone wants to come along, there's people there for socialising and roads for riding. Havent got anyone leading the road rides as such (are you there green goblin?) but everywhere is nice round there.

Is this 'roads' as in the normal sense of the word

I'll dig out me map of the area, I like a spirited blat

Yes, sort of. The roads around the reservoir are wide single track. There's also the mountain road to Aberyst-thingy and you can go up Bala way. VB rated the road from Abergavenny to Rhayader as one of his favourites, A470? Youve been on a bit of it.
KwakZZR I think goes over there a lot as well.
But if the weathers good the views and location make up for any sore testicles.
Origionally a chap with one of this big naked bikes was looking after the road ride, so should be ideal for 'normal' bikes

Im still here went out on my bike on sunday and did some very nice roads with Xan and Vix, even made a video of some of it.. sadly, as my suspensions rock hard, all the camera did on my bike was bobble about!

Ive cleaned my brakes up good and proper, and replaced all the seals on the front, so only have the rear brakes to overhaul, and all the things that make me stop will be in tip top condition... only one last thing to solve, and I even think I know whats causing it... after much reading and stuffs.. thers a valve that works off the engine vacuum that directs clean air from the air filter directly into the exhaust system on the bike (think its called Kleen) its to cheat on the emission tests really... but the problem is, when the valve breaks, it doesnt let any air through.. so you end up with a slightly different fueling at those lower RPM's as the airs going into the inlets instead of some of it being redirected (this is all after the air filter) into the exhaust... the other way of knowing the valve is duff is that if you have an aftermarket can, it'll stop popping... as theres not enough clean air in the exhaust now to cause the unspent fuel to ignite (hence the pops and bangs).. and my bike aint been popping or banging for a very long time... so give me a week.. and my bike will be cured.. only thing left to do will be to get it on a dyno and a PCiii map done for it.. and Im good to go for summer appart from rattling valves!

as for the ride / weekend.. I have nothing planned, so will probably attend... and may camp over or somesuch... pitty really, as Im going to struggle to get a tent on my bike now Ive got a tail tidy on, as that had the hooks on... but unless Ive pre-booked myself for something Ive forgotten.. I'll be there... just dont plan on me going offroad following you lot!

The road from Abergavenny to Rhayader way, we took the road through Talgarth, and then the A470 from Builth Wells up... its a fast road, and its only dual carriage way down below Merthyr Tydfil.. all nice roads from there on up...

I'll try and keep up.

Its one I'm pretty sure I won't make which is a pity because as you say Dr Rich all the roads are good there. Only being an hour away I've been there a few times and it never disappoints.

Everyone goes on about the A470 as being the best road but don't believe 'em. Yeah its good but IMHO the A483 is far superior, in fact you could do a good loop from Rhayader down to Builth Wells on the A470 then back up the A483, stopping at Crossgates for a coffee (cafe very popular with bikes), then up to Newtown still on the A483 before returning to Rhayder again on the A470. Shouldn't take more than a hour or so, depending if and how long for you stop at Crossgates.

If you go on the A44 back towards Kington (beware of the few hairpins between Penybont and Radnor - fun they are but they sneak up on you real bloody quick and tighten up something amazing, not what you need when your pushing on a bit and don't realise what you're going into.) but before you reach Radnor turn right onto the A481 back to Builth you'll go down a stormer of a road. Quite tight and narrow at points but some brilliant corners and some nice fast sweepers - just watch the sheep.

Another reccommendation is the Lynn Brianne reservoir which isn't too far away. From Beulah head to Abergwesyn taking the turning up the side of the big white house which takes you eventually towards Tregarron. After you've done the small, tight hairpins and come down the hill the other side take a left and keep going - the scenery is just amazing. Be careful though as the tracks are mainly single tracks with passing places and there are plenty of blind corners and long, long drops down the sides of the road.

Traillies will love it around Rhayader and surrounding mountain areas, but road bikes will also love it. Damn I'm getting jealous thinking about it, but then I can't complain as I'm supposed to be camping in Kington sometime in May with friends and I'm making my way on the bike so guess what I'll be doing in the mornings while they're still all snoring away.

have a good one guys. Highly recommended bit of the country.

Thanks for that info Carlos. As I'm not road riding myself and dont want to plan a route per se I may just mark up a map with POIs connected by good roads and then folks can find their own way..they are so called adventure riders FFS ...or VB and Beenz can lead them round

Oi! Rich! You still need my assistance on this ? lol

I have a planned route if required... big triangle taking in Llandovery, and Abergavenny.... should do most people, could also detour onto Black Mountains if people wanted too... not sure of mileage at the moment...

Yes, but I reckon which way to go will be a hotly debated topic on the fri eve/sat morning. Weather forecast iffy.

Bugger..... I had enough of crappy weather on sunday went all the way to Aberystwyth to get drizzled on and half lost in the mist... lol

then Beenz went and sent me a picture of nice sunny weather at Llandovery! Git! lol

well, plenty of nice roads up and around there.... I may just tag along for the bimble... once people get lost, then I may be of use...