Few days in Wales

[Ki3r]

I've got a week off at the end of September, and going to it to spend a few days around Wales. Taking a bit of a gamble with the weather, but at the moment it doesn't look like its raining.

Can anyone recommend any places to head towards? I'm going up on the 27th, not sure what time I'm going to leave, ideally morning. Spend Wednesday riding around and head back Thursday.

Also, places to stay. I'm hoping to do it as cheaply as possible, but don't want to spend nights in dodgy areas!

Thanks .

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

some pointers on here...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


I did go a little further North West than on the map.

Thanks . I remember seeing that at the time and that's what got me thinking about it.

Not sure if my bike will be the best for it, 2003 GSXR 600, hoping I can carry everything I'll need in a rucksack as I don't have anything else ha.

[Ki3r]

B&B booked in Dolgellau (don't ask me how to pronounce it!). Looking forward to it. Leaving mine around 0900/1000, riding up, should take around five hours non stop, but I'll properly get lost a far bit.

Looking forward to it.

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

Add in a bit of phlegm and you should be ok. They don't like the English that far over so take your own food.

Where are you starting from?

Ha!

Starting in Poole, Dorset.

[Ki3r]

Bikesalot said:

I done a couple days in Wales on my K5 750. I only took the bag on the back, friend took the tent though on his GS. If you're staying in a cheap hotel/s then one bag is fine. The weather was a real mixed bag when I went, heavy rain. Sunshine. Repeat etc.

What bag is that? Looks perfect for what I need. Don't fancy having a rucksack on for the trip up there. Guessing it is big enough to fit a pair of shoes, jeans and a couple of tops along with boxers/socks and spare gloves?

[Ki3r]

Bikesalot said:

It's a blacks 40L holdall, and very cheap. https://m.blacks.co.uk/product/blacks-transit-40l-... Whilst it doesn't advertise as being waterproof everything I took stayed dry. You'll have loads of spare space, I took a few changes of clothes, sleeping bag, stove, cooking equipment etc. Easy enough to mount on the back too.

Thanks . Couldn't be any cheaper ha.

[Ki3r]

mak said:

I gotta get away on an epic bike journey one day, pissing around on the same old runs on the odd weekend afternoon is not exactly living the dream .
Have a good one .

Pretty much why I've done this, same old roads before heading back. Normally with my week off my day job I'll work my second job, I've not had a day off from either for a good year now.

I know it isn't too far away, but what things will I need to take with me?

Going to take a map book and possibly a spare phone just in case, anything for the bike? Bare in mind I'm not any good at fixing things!

[Ki3r]

MotorsportTom said:

A map and an RAC/AA card will be all you need. Stop in smaller cafes and while eating ask if you can charge your phone. I have never wanted a spare (apart from when it ran out of battery in between).

You'll need the battery to take pics because Wales is ace. Not as good as Scotland or Ireland but still lots of fun!

Don't always stay on big A roads or even B roads. Some tiny little back roads can take you great places. Just explore and have fun!

RAC/AA is next on the list, waiting until pay day on Friday . I've already got a spare phone, so isn't a huge problem, just in case mine dies in the arse end of no where and I need it.

I'm hoping to borrow my sisters camera for it, although a phone would be easier...perhaps power packs.

If this goes OK, I like the idea of Scotland, will have to be next year as I'm out of holiday.

[Ki3r]

Tail pack purchased. Sadly the one on the other page wasn't in stock at the closest store to me. RAC cover sorted. Tomorrow my bike is going for a quick chain adjustment (I would do it myself, but bike doesn't have a centre stand and I don't have a stand annoyingly). Only costing me £15/£20 though.

Looking forward to it, should be fun.

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

I do mine on the side stand, takes five minutes.

How do you do that?

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

Loosen axle nut and two adjuster lock nuts. Half turn either side of adjuster nuts, tighten lock nuts, tighten axle nut.

I had no idea you could do it on the centre stand! Will do that tomorrow . For some reason I assumed the back wheel had to be off the ground.

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

Loosen axle nut and two adjuster lock nuts. Half turn either side of adjuster nuts, tighten lock nuts, tighten axle nut.

Annoyingly I didn't have a sprocket big enough, took it to where I got it from and they did it for £8! Impressed with that.

Fitted the usb charger, it's direct to the battery and constantly on, will it drain the battery if not used every day? If so I'll disconnect it over night.

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

make sure you put a fuse in the positive feed.

Already done .

Thank to above for ideas. Will look into it

[Ki3r]

SBDJ said:

It will probably draw a tiny bit of power, but I don't think it would drain a battery overnight. Personally I'd stick it on a relay switched by something like the indicator power feed, that way you'll never have a problem.

Haven't got a clue how to do that ha.

[Ki3r]

Pwillis said:

The roads around Llangollen are worth a look. There's the Horseshoe pass amongst others.

That is on my list. I'm thinking at the moment to do the following on Wednesday.

Dolgellau - Llangollen - Colwyn Bay - Caernarfon - Garndolbenmaen - Penrhyndeudraeth - Talsarnau - Barmouth - Dolgellau

The weather still looks ste mind you.

Bag is packed, bike is ready. Looking forward to it.

[Ki3r]

CaptainSlow said:

I wouldn't even attempt those two.

Any reason for avoiding them? Was mainly planning to go to them as its on the way back to the B&B. Not for the roads or anything.

[Ki3r]

Thank you for the above, will look into it .

[Ki3r]

I've made it to the b&b. 290 miles, an extra 40 as incompletely misread the signs and got on the wrong way at the m4 and started heading back to London! It was only when I realised 20 miles later I should be going the other way. Was not impressed.

The roads are fantastic around here. And the views are even better.

I've been incredibly lucky with the weather, once I left Dorset it stopped. Little bit in the beacons, but other than that nothing.

I'll upload photos once I'm back on Thursday. I'm possibly going to try and do the mile long zip line they have near Bangor, only downside is its £60!

Lovely b&b. Only downside is no Internet signal (not a surprise) and WiFi doesn't reach me in the building I'm in. Does in the main house though.

[Ki3r]

Rh14n said:

As a North Walian I hereby apologise profusely for the weather today! Not a good day for the zip-wire I'm afraid but I agree, if you get the chance, do it, it's brilliant!

I've been incredibly luckily with the weather. First half hour was raining, went along the A5 (lovely road/views). Then only started raining when I got to the arse end of no where in Snowdonia, half hour from the zip line I think.

I was going to do it, but forgot to take a spare set of clothes and didn't want to do it in my bike stuff ha. Plus I hate heights!

Ended up going along past Cwm Penmachno, that is a horrible road. Weather was ste. Couldn't see my hands on the handlebars at the worst!

Back at the b&b now. Early night hopefully, didn't want to do too many miles (did 175) as got nearly 300 to do tomorrow.

[Ki3r]

I was heading along the A5 from the A470 and turned right down there. I'm sure if it was clear it would be lovely, but I hated every single minute of being along there ha. All I could think was if I fell off it would be hours until someone found me.

I'm now back home. Less than six hours to get home which I'm pleased with, took me nine to get there (but did stop off a lot more, on the way back I purely stopped for fuel).

I had a great time. The views were amazing, the roads were stunning. I'm glad I went. Trying to think where to go next. I'm tempted to hop on the ferry and start at France.

Will add a few photos in a bit .