Riders – 4
Miles – 299
Weather – Dry Sunny Warm, light breeze (easterly, gale 6 or 7, backing 8)
Time out - 08:05
Return - 17:00 (sorry.....)
Destination - Wales - south Snowdonia, Caernarfon loop
Riders – Krozzy(CBF Thou), John Burns (BMW K1300S) Stuart McCrorie (GSXR750), Jonathon Ramsay(GSXR750)
Route – From BP, M6, M56, A49 Peckforton Right, A543 Wrexham right, A525 (SP Rhuthin) Llandegla Left, A5104 (SP Corwen)left, A494, A5 Rhug.
A5 west, Left, A494Bala Right, A4212 Transfynydd left, A470 (SP Dolgellau) right, A496 Barmouth. A496 North Maentrog left, A487 Porthmadog – Caernarfon right, A4086 Llanberis pass – Capel Curig right, A5 Betws-y-coed left, A470Llanrwst right, A548 Abergele right, A55 east, A494, M56 J12 Runcorn “The Bridge”, A557 M62 J7-9, Winwick(Warrington) to M6 J22 Homeward, Owls Split for home at J25 Wigan
Introduction – Jonathon Ramsay, Merc truck Sales guy (Ciceley) originally from Essex, moved to Scotland for University purposes, met girl, Stayed in Scotland, Cue violins (Glasgy area). Job brought him to Bolton. Whilst in the land of the men in skirts, was a motorcycle club active member but has had a while off. Hey Jonathon you never forget it’s just like riding a bike…….
Ride – Set off from BP, Krozzy leading, down M6 past the urban jungle which is south west lancs, M56 first Junction A49, Off. Roads empty at this time of a morning but speed cameras still working so watchit. Past Oulton, Beeston, Panama Hatty’s heading for the right turn at Peckforton for Wrexham, I always miss that one… Owls practice feet up ’U’ turns, to have us all heading for Wrexham. At Wrexham, thought there may be a better way towards Wales rather than following Rhuthin as usual (wrong… and map check later shows A525 is only viable route out of Wrexham), Owls now getting more practice at feet up ‘U’ turns. Now on A525, always a good road once into Wales proper, fast sweepers, not too much other traffic, we notice very few other bikes around, odd, just usual obstacles, caravans, campers & horseboxes (AARGH!!) Similarly onto A5104 we blast to Rhug for breakfast.
At Rhug estates grub shop, Excellent barms with runny egg, not spilled on jacket, it’s a skill we should all master. Opportunity here for route refinement, contemplated an about face to Horseshoe pass and Ponderosa but there always another day for that. Settled on Bala and the “dambusters” road round the lake to Transfynndindiddidnt…. returning via Barmouth and the coast road.
Set off onto A5 then left on A494 towards Bala. At Bala , turned right onto A4212 following more than usual number of vans and cars with canoes on top, heading for the new(ish) white water centre, didn’t see any banjos though. The A4212 is a groovy bit of tarmac the highlight of which is the 270 degree curve round the top of the lake, just go harder and further over till either tyres, talent or bottle runs out. The road then opens out into a valley with good visibility, then, with a swish past my right elbow, Stuart was on his way just to give the gixer a blow through. All caught up though by the left turn south to Dolgellau. Turning right up the Mawddach estuary for Barmouth, a good road this but spoiled a little today by campers and day dawdlers (Bank Holiday, see) Barmouth was full, struggled finding somewhere to park (free) luckily Stu had spotted a couple of places near the amusement arcade, did I mention feet up 'U' turns..... We all park up and head for a brew. In probably the roughest café in Barmouth, 4 cappuccinos were ordered @£1.70, no choice of cakes Stu consoled himself with a Kitkat, still it was cheap. Fuelling up at the cheapest (only) petrol in Barmouth we head north up the coast road past Harlech and one of Eddy’s more impressive 12th century castles. Stunning views of the coast bathed in the rare Bank Holiday sunshine, turquoise seas, I wished I’d brought my trunks. Onward north towards Porthmadog and Caernarfon after about 10 miles of these big, wide, high capacity , you know, boring, A roads we swing right onto the A4086 Llanberis pass. Past the slate quarry, lake and Snowdon railway, Capel Curig and into Betws-y-coed. Straight through Betsy, left over the bridge left again towards Llanrwst. At Llanwrst we turn right onto a little known road labelled A548 towards Abergle. What a doozing road this is, provided you watch for the blind ‘T’ junctions just on the only overtaking spot (steady Krozzy they’ll get you one day) otherwise sweeps, nadges, alpine style curves, elbow scrapers, whoops, the lot. Arriving Abergele looking for a roadside hostellery. Only spotted one with two guys sitting outside but looked like a “locals only” place. Carried on to the A55 Junction and Mc Donalds. Pulled in for a Mcburger, McFlurry and a McCoke. Now about 15:00 all our clocks running down. Dive onto the A55 for a quick run homeward. Onto M56, JB beemed himself home. Stuart (call sign “Maverick”) turned the rest of us off onto a shortcut via Runcorn over the “big dipper” bridge. Then onto A557, M62 to M6 J22 and home Owls split at J25 M6
Getting carried away with all this good weather apologies to all those waiting for riders to return. Always picturesque is Wales, especially in the sun, but where does that wind wot tears you head off come from on motorways? Keep off ’em I say.
Cheers
Krozzy