Chairman's Blog

Jan and I have been on a good run and to a great location  – The Tenby weekend, as organised by Chris, our rideout co-ordinator.

We had arranged to meet up with Nigel and Joanna at 8am on the outskirts of Mold at the petrol station (really! – 8 am in the morning!). We were not sure whether Nigel would be able to make it – after all he does not believe the day contains two 8 0′clocks.

It started well with the petrol station being closed due to a fuel tanker unloading fresh supplies, so after a hasty trip to another close-by petrol station to fuel up, we returned to a nearby street where we hoped Nigel would spot us and pull in.

At this moment a white 1500 came into sight and there were Ian and Val, on route to the meeting point at Dolgellau. Ian diverted and pulled in behind me. This was their chosen route to go to Dolgellau as well.

A couple of minutes later, Nigel and Jo joined us and we set off. The weather at the start was quite clear and sunny, but it soon became obvious it was not going to continue that way.

On reaching the outskirts of Bala, I had decided I was getting cold and there was every indication that precipitation was about to be encountered (it was going to rain!), so a quick pull in was called for to don the waterproofs. A few minutes later we carried on in time to encounter the wet stuff.

We continued down to Dolgellau where we pulled in at the Little Chef to meet up with Chris and Amy, and John, Marilyn and Kidogo.

With everyone present, we were about to set off when Chris decided to put on his waterproofs.

I must admit to wondering what we were letting ourselves in for when he started to put on a dry-suit!

Being a resourceful chap, Chris had utilised one of the best bits of waterproof kit he knew – a old dry suit for watersport, which he had very carefully adapted for use as a motorcycle over-suit.

Soon we were on our way, but I can’t say with good progress – the first leg from Dolgellau was dogged with roadworks and slow speed limits for long stretches with no reason for the length of some of them. It was obvious that it was making some drivers of cars very impatient, as was witnessed at the junction of the A487 and the A 493 north of Machynlleth.

We had come to a set of traffic lights, which had plenty of warning of long delays, and after we had queued we were able to proceed in a convoy led by a car towing a caravan. We all made it through with Nigel, riding as last bike, commenting on the CB that the traffic lights just changed to amber as he passed them.

We followed the slow moving traffic behind the caravan for a fair distance before the road turned left over the river bridge.

At a point some 50-60 yards beyond the bridge, which was narrowed down to one lane due to the road works, we were still approaching the traffic lights at the other end with the road barely widening when a reckless 4X4 driver had lost patience and decided he was coming through, regardless of the GoldWings still in his way.

He pulled sharply across in front of me causing me to swerve and emergency stop, only just holding the bike up.

He then swerved around the other bikes behind me before heading off over the bridge. He had no regard for the safety of others and used his vehicle as a weapon to force us out of his way.

It was a pity I didn’t get his registration number as he would have been reported to the Police.

Progress was slow due to heavy traffic and caravans.

We eventually stopped for a break (and loos) at a cafe & petrol station at Llanrhystyd, I will be avoiding the cafe in future as it seemed to take 25 minutes to be served with a coffee after it was ordered.

We continued after the unintended extended break toward Cardigan, where we were able to find parking spots in a Pay and Display car-park where everything paid, including 3 GoldWings each having to pay – despite only taking 1 car spot.

We were warned by a local that the Council make a fortune out of the unwary motorists in town who park crossing one of the white bay lines.

Lunch was taken in a cafe in town, though we had split up by this time, as Ian was famished and couldn’t wait for the rest of us, then Chris found a cafe in a Jewellers shop that he fancied trying.

After lunch we met up and continued to make our way towards Tenby, where we arrived about 3.30pm. This was good timing as it gave the ladies time to dump the bags at the hotel then walk around the market stalls and the shops in the town, which was only a very short walk away.

Later that evening we all met up at the Lamb Inn where tables had been booked earlier in the afternoon, as it was one of the few places which allowed Kidogo into the bar area. We then had a very enjoyable evening chatting and drinking after a good meal.

The following morning we met up again after a leisurely breakfast and wandered around the town.

We visited the Statue of Albert the Good and had great fun at Jan’s expense when she fell off one of the cannons while trying to pose for Nigel’s camera. I am not, and I emphasise not, going to send the video I took of it to that TV programme.

Soon it was 1.15 pm – time to get ready to meet up for the return journey.

Luckily we had nice weather all the way back, along a very well chosen route that more than made up for the frustrating busy road the previous day. Chris led us to Llandovery, where we turned left and went cross country to Rhayader, then onto Newtown.

I can say that this route was an absolute dream to ride along.

The scenery was great and we managed to spot numerous Red Kites – very distinctive birds of prey with a forked tail, which are managing to repopulate the area after having been nearly wiped out.

Just before Newtown we parted company with John, Marilyn and Kidogo, as they turned towards home in Dolgellau. We continued North, and at Chirk, parted company with Chris and Amy.

Jan and I arrived home under a dull grey sky, and it was no surprise to me to take off my coat and put it away, then walk outside to help unload the bags, only to find it had started to rain heavily.

The whole weekend was a pleasure and worth the effort.

Thanks to Chris for organising it.

Pictures of the ride can be found on the GoldWings North Wales website at The Tenby Ride Photos (courtesy of Nigel, Ian, John and myself).

The following poem has been sent to those on the ride by Ian and Val and I thought I would let you enjoy it.

Goldwings Black, Red, White, Silver and Blue,
Went to Tenby as a rideout crew.

Over the mountains down the lane,
Wherever we went came the rain.

Arrived at Tenby and out for a meal,
7pm was the deal.

At the Lamb Inn we did meet,
Plenty of food for us to eat.

Beer, wine, chatter did flow,
Somebody else turned up – Kidogo!

Goodnight all – evening over,
Off to bed to get sober.

Glorious Sunday did arrive,
All refreshed and still alive.

Take some pictures, lets have fun,
We’ll watch Jan fall off the gun!

Dave took footage as she hit the ground,
Thank you ‘You’ve Been Framed’ £250.

Downtown Tenby painters dream,
Off went Nigel in search of ice cream.

Cup of tea slice of cake,
In the sunshine lovely break.

Time to leave, fuel tanks full,
John & Marilyn got a trailer to pull.

Leader Chris plans the route,
Partner Amy packs the boot.

‘Help me on the bike’ Joanna stressed,
‘Ok’ says Nigel i’ll make sure you’re dressed.

On our way through Mid Wales,
Up valleys and down dales.

Once again me and my gal,
That’s the lady I call Val,

Enjoyed ourselves on this trip,
Good riding and the odd tip.

Goldwings Black, Blue, White, Silver and Red,
Trips over…… get to bed!

……..Ian and Val

Dave T