Aberystwyth "meet"

KLR600 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

I say "meet" but really it was just a ride to Aber! No one else was there!!

Anyway, we met at One Stop in Bangor at around 11am and after much moaning of how cold and snowing it was some of us nipped off to get petrols in Tesco just down the road.

We rode over the mounatins past Llyn Ogwen on the A5 down into Betws y Coed and then took the A470 southbound. We stopped just after Bonkers Blaenau (notice how we rode around it and not through it, that was intentional...) for a smoke and bladder relief stop. The weather hadn't let up and we got caught in a bit snowfall.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/group1.jpg

One of the pillions got a video of us riding over the Crimea and all you can see is snow and bikes!!

Anyway, we carried on towards Aberystwyth stopping occasionally to regroup. I must say that it felt pretty awesome leading all the bikes over the mountains through the snow, I felt like some army leader guy leading his hardcore troops to battle.... Embarassed

With the weather not letting up and a few us (me definitley) questioning our sanity at riding through the snow and freezing cold we eventually rolled into Aber at about 2:20pm to be greeted with the sun blazing and the welcome smell of chips!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/aber2.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/aber1.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/aber3.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/aber4.jpg

Bunch of hardcore bikers or a bunch of idiots... You decide!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/stelmer.jpg

Stelmer ^^ Legend! He rode 400 miles in the snow to join the ride on his ER5!!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/benvanwell2.jpg

You always have to take a picture of someone taking a picture...

After a some chips and other pastries and a quick waterproof test of my boots in the sea we headed off back up the A487 out of Aber to the first pub we found and stopped where some of the group had a pint and everyone warmed up. Stelmer took his own way home from Aber as we weren't going directly back up north so I'm glad he got back ok!

Me and 2Smoke (Sorry if that's not your name, the guy on the CBR400 who wasn't hanging about Razz

) left the pub before the others as we wanted to get some shots of the group riding so we set up camp on a suitable corner after making sure the bikes had stopped sinking into the soft ground (thanks 2Smoke, I didn't even notice in my rush to grab the camera Embarassed

So we after the picture stop we headed over to the Tonfanau race track where some of the group have a bit of history so we had a wander about and heard how cool the races are there, definitely one to go and watch in the summer methinks.

We then rode back up the coast and headed back inland on the A470 where everyone pretty much went their seperate ways. 2Smoke and co headed over towards Porthmadog, me and Andy B went around Blaenau and back into Betws and I have no idea where the R1 riders, Benvanwell, Deonet and Truslack went, I sure hope they're not still looking for us!

All in all I think everyone had a good time and I personally had a great time, the best bit for me was following 2Smoke as he threw the CBR400 he was borrowing around like a toy that was apparently misbehaving, not that it showed!

Roll on summer and roll on the next ride!
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McGee · O RLY? Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

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Sad

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Its pronounced Jixxer!

bladerunner · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Karma :

WOW awsome set of pics. after seeing the 8th pic down when I was leading the pack after you and 2smoke (paul) set off ahead to take some pics of the group..I can deffo say my rear tyre was a bit low..just look at the pic and josh is 2 stone lighter than Tom who I had on the back for the trip down!. All I can say is I think the low road temp with wind chill must have dropped it by 10'C at least!! No wonder the 2 profiles made it feel like riding a shopping trolley in the wet bits!

That said Paul on the cbr400 ( a tonfanau race winner and many times podium guy) KLR600 on his zrx1100 and myself (also a racer and race winner at tonfanau) were making good progress from tonfanau circuit which was the high light for me on the way home! And seeing as me and Paul knew the way like the back of our hand must say that KLR600 rode really well on the huge 1100 down the same roads Wink

. It's amazing how one on a 400 one on a 900 2 up and another on a 2 yr old 1100 can travel down the same bit of road at very close to the same pace!.I hope to post up my pics sometime monday!!

Thanks for the adventure guys and girl (Hazel Wink

)

It sure was fun!!And glad to see no one but no one rode beyond the limit at any time!! A major bonus when a bunch ride through sleet snow and sun as it was today!!Well done one and all!
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

2Smoke · Crazy Courier Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

deanoet · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Karma :

Good pics. and a good day out as well Smile

Defo some quick riders amongst you. Dont like the wet, and first time ever on a bike in snowy conditions, on roads i didnt know. Really enjoyed the day though, some decent miles in as well on a mix of roads. Next time we will have to stop on the coast road for some pics, as that was a really nice backdrop. In the summer less chance of the bikes being covered in road salt and crap.

Thanx to truslack keeping the rear light visible by scraping salt off it. Smile

I am now further convinced that the hornet makes up how much petrol it uses. Similar re-fuel distances, ranging from £9 to £4. Liked the clock arrangements on the 06 one as well, wonder if they will go onto mine. Razz

Also big thanx to the guy on the bandit (forgot your name sorry Embarassed

) who stayed with me and truslack and even let us take a pitstop at his for a cuppa and for me to sort out my glove that i managed to pull the lining out of, rode back to his with odd gloves on (1 of truslacks) so i could reach the clutch Thumbs Up

PS
Truslack: Had to keep checking u hadnt fallen off or i hadnt forgotten you at a stop, so nice to have a pillion who is used to it and who doesnt move about at the slow moments Thumbs Up

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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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trickysax · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Karma :

2Smoke · Crazy Courier Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

My oh so forward planning was not so fantastic.. I had the cash in hand to tax the triumph, buy a few bits for it and have it ready for the weekend as the tdr is in need of an engine rebuild and a new tyre. Soo, all being well Until I spent all the triumph cash on new garage bits (more on that later.. Rolling Eyes

) So, bikeless I decided to use the cbr400 that I was working on for a friend, she decided it needed some miles doing so I borrowed it for the run!

After telling everyone who was coming with me that, no, it wont snow tomorrow, dont be daft!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout001.jpg

shit

a quick chat to robbie and it was decided to get to at least one stop and see how the weather was there, ok no probs, get Hazel out of bed, de-snow the bikes, convince jim that it was not snowing and get my shit together.

The four of us set off, Barry reconed he couldnt get his sp2 out of the garden.. whatever wuss! Laughing

As we came across the island along the trusty A55, the snow poured down and it got colder and colder! Adding to that the cbr was not happy on full throttle or anything above 3/4 throttle for that matter, great.. will it last I wonder?

ANYWAY.. got to one stop, few guys there so time for coffee and a burger and to decide whether we should press on. As it snowed more and more, I thought, well we may as well press on seeing as we had got this far and all.

So off we trotted, the weather got from cold and damp to heavy snow as we passed the top near blaenau fookin festiniog. The most depressing village in wales apparently.. +1 Wink

Eventually we hit Dolgellau and stopped for fuel
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout008.jpg

Thought some mods were going to give us hassle
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout009.jpg

But the BCF Massif scared them off in no time Laughing

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout015.jpg

And then, the sun came out
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout020.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout023.jpg

The cbr
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout024.jpg

As the roads dried out, we cracked on a bit, and as we turned off for Aberystwyth, the guy on the VFR750 blasted off ahead so I followed suit, few miles down the road we caught up with some traffic and I got through and started to have some fun on the drying roads, eventually ending up on my own for a bit Embarassed

So, grabbing the oportunity I stopped to take a few snaps as the guys caught up but I couldnt get the camera to do as it was told
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout028.jpg

Phil
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout030.jpg

Got to Aberystwyth as planned, no bikes in sight.. gutted! Oh well bunch of wusses Laughing

A bite to eat later and a quick pic of the bikes
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/bcfrideout/rideout039.jpg

and it started turning into a nice day Very Happy

So we set off in search of a pub and petrol. Found the former and struggled with the latter.. wierd end of the world that is!

After a quick pint (of coke Wink

) myself and klr600 pissed off ahead to find a photo spot and take pics of the riders as they came past. Had a nice blast along the twisties, the zrx showing itself as being pretty bloody nimble for such a heavy beastie! Shame the cbr was struggling to pull anything over half throttle, but its corner speed made up for it!

Parked up, found a good vantage point (after a few failed attempts!) and after a while we heard the sound of bikes! Unfotunately my camera failed again, took three pics and spazzed out.. ach. So no photos from me Sad

Oh and it snowed again Laughing

Off we trotted, and the rest of the gang had waited for us (cheers Thumbs Up

) and we promptly stopped for fuel in machynlleth. Robbie and I had suggested a call past the Tonfanau circuit so we could show where rob broke himself 2 years ago, so decided to turn off for tywyn and head that way. Nice roads up that end anyhoo!

Found a turning, up a tight little road signposted tywyn that was quite damp but found plenty of grip on the little 400, that was still refusing to rev much. Ah well!

I think it snowed some more, and the road was quite mental and felt sorry for some of the bigger bike riders but mr zrx seemed to be sticking with me and plenty of traffic lights meant we were regrouping easily enough!

All too soon I passed the tonfanau turning, (sorry, never been that way) and did a quick U turn with everyone else!

After a quick regroup we set off to the circuit, hopped the gate and had a stroll up. Cue loads of nostalgic chat from robbie and myself, was good to go back but I think when I do I'll have paid an entry fee and will take a bike Embarassed

All too soon, it was time to set off home, time for more fun albeit a bit slower, the roads were drying nicely but I was getting tired and made a few mistakes so decided to chill a bit.

The anglesey lot headed off to porthmadog and the others went towards Blaenau, I just stuck behind jim after caernarfon and nailed it back.. Was bloody frozen when we got back!!

After an hour I defrosted enough to make a curry and have a few beers!

Thanks everyone, good day out and well organised (well, us northen hard guys/gal anyway Cool

)

Nice to meet you's too, hope we can do the same soon?

Paul
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Currently in the stable.. '89 TDR250, 86 NSR250 '79 350LC, '79 DT175MX, 82, Pasola, '98 R1, '95 Speed Triple.. all of them total sheds..

andy b · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Karma :

had a great day out and to meet some more bikers Very Happy

some great roads from tywyn turn of and followed bladerunner who i hoped new the road Thumbs Up

KLR put Craigie B it's andy b Wink

great pics and looking to the nexts one
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passed theory 30th july passed cbt 19th august passed das 31st august
current bike suzuki gsxr 750

2Smoke · Crazy Courier Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

Oh just to add to the nostalgia trip from me and rob like a pair of old men talking about the war zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Tonfanau some time in 2006
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/tonfanau16thapril/10.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/tonfanau16thapril/6.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v139/two_smoke/tonfanau16thapril/beforesmash.jpg
I think he fell off in this race Question

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Currently in the stable.. '89 TDR250, 86 NSR250 '79 350LC, '79 DT175MX, 82, Pasola, '98 R1, '95 Speed Triple.. all of them total sheds..

bladerunner · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Karma :

Aye good old april 16th 2006 them pics. Paul had the 51 plate and I had the privilage of wearing the number 1 plate for all of 1 full race Rolling Eyes

It was the next race I binned it after the motor blew its guts! We finished 1st and second in that race...I love the pic off the start line..you can see my front wheel pawing the sky a little Very Happy

....Good got the rest of the guys on the ride must have thought it mad to think thats a race track.it seemed so empty without the hundreds of racers and track crew milling about!!
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

flimbar · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Karma :

I take my hat off to you guys, looks like a great hardcore day out.

I couldn't make it because I had coursework to finish to submit for Monday and when I woke up on Sunday and saw the snow I thought "thank God I didn't sign up for this one".... now I'm thinking "damn, missed a bit of an adventure there".

Maximum respect to all of you who went along.
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Yamaha YBR125 > Suzuki SV650S > Suzuki DL650 V-Strom > Honda CBR600F > Honda ST1300 Pan European

rich-wales · L Plate Warrior Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Karma :

hello all!! i am the very cold and wet bloke on the VFR with my crazy mate james hanging on the back... that was a top ride out...

st3v3 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Looks pretty fun, don't forget to post in advance for the next one.. Thumbs Up