Big-Trailie-Fun in Wales (or: deep inside I'm a big chicken...)

[Pumpy]

A few months ago I asked my local TRF group (Trail Riders Fellowship) if they could recommend a few lanes for the big-trailie-run at the UK ADVrider Rally in Rhayader.

"Of course", said Bill, "we can take you there and show you around, pleasure..."

So last Friday we met at the Black Lion in Pontrhydfendigaid (Bridge of the Blessed Ford)


2 Africa Twins, 2 KTM’s and 2 GS’s



Lovely rooms in the old stables


Nice neighbours


And a decent Full English Breakfast the next morning (left to right: Ashley (AT), Adam (AT) & Bill (KTM))


Bill, Nick (GS) & Richard (KTM)


And off we went


There are quite a lot of gates in Wales…


But the tracks are great - mainly legal...


... gravel, hard-packed dirt, rocks and hill-climbs


Stunning scenery






Wild life (this little fellow ran with us for quite a while - hope he has found his mum again...)


Wales is generally wet and green...


Sometimes it's safer to be on the other side of the fence...


Suspension adjustment AT-style...


Perfect spot for lunch: halfway through the route, filling station near by and very biker friendly owners - Cletwr Café at Tre'r-ddol

Broad variety of food


And some specials that make you feel welcome and well looked after


I have booked us in for next Saturday - Julie & Emma look forward to treating us to a delicious lunch.

Then we came across the first puddles




And some difficult decisions: this way is more challenging but shorter, that one is really enjoyable but not so technical and that one...


Ok, we'll do them all and end up here again... (this track is actually a lot steeper than it looks)


Same phenomenon here...


C'mon, Adam, you won't chicken out, won't you?


Ok, what about this one then?


Oh well, maybe another day on another bike...


Nant-y-moch Reservoir


River Rheidol Valley


Easy going


But you shouldn't count your chicken... Nick took the "manly" route and came off (all my fault apparently because I rode too close in front of him... )


It's a bit easier on a KTM - Richard


Just a bit...


And sometimes you need a little help from your friends


This is actually a lane that we might want to avoid when it's raining next week (I even dropped the bike while it was dry... )


It is really highly recommendable to have Nick around (especially if you are only 5’4’’ and just over 8 stones... ).

So, where are you going, Nick?


Orange beauties...


Oops, my lunch break is over - report to be continued...

[Starstriker]

Beautiful pictures!

Seems lika you have alot of trails over there on the countryside. Very inspiring! Thank you!

[m0x]

WOW, one of the good looking hills i have ever seen. this has it all, lonely roads, water crossing, mirror picture thing, and hey, that fratte with yello thingy sure looks a yum.

good report

[Dr LC8]

Great shots!

I may joint you at some stage!

Ciao

Nic

[Pumpy]

Thank you for your nice comments!

So, work's finished for today and I can focus on the next installment of the report.

Yes, we had it all - even the compulsory road-side repair...


Nick's bash plate had come loose - strangely enough as we were only doing what a GS is supposed to do???


But with some imagination, pieces of fence and a Leatherman the damage was quickly fixed


And on we went


The western start of the famous Monks' Trod - TRO'ed for the last nine years... (TRO = Traffic Regulation Order = closed for any motor-propelled vehicles)


So we had to carry on along the Claerwen Reservoir


... which is not a bad route at all, although I found it a bit wearisome. Well, it was late, we had been riding all day but still - raised my respect for the Dakar riders...


Claerwen Dam


Then we arrived at Rhayader where the UK ADVrider Rally will take place next weekend


See the cake shop on the left hand side?


Refreshed we headed back to Pontrhydfendigaid


This lane we could do all together next weekend - the road riders can stay on the tarmac strip in the middle, the off-roaders can use the gravel on either side...


Lovely countryside they have in Wales


In the Ystwyth valley we met a rider on his brandnew 1200 ADV - just three weeks old but didn't want to start anymore


The owner blamed a faulty chip but we all thought: It's just too clean - the bike is sulking because it's not used properly...


This is how a GS should look like IMHO...


Home, sweet home


A long soak in the bath tub (no photos here...) and then a delicious meal


... and one or two drinks...


To be continued...

[the white rabbit]

Brilliant! I wish next week was last week if you see what I mean

[dazco]

Those tracks look excelent, cant wait now, just been doing some mods to the bike, and apparently ive got to drop my tire pressures quite alot, Cheers Dazza

[riderbob]

Thanks Ela for ruining my day. Fantastic photos and the views (and trails) look great!

Not fair that I can't make it.

I might have to do this on another weekend during the summer.

[Pumpy]

Sunday morning should have seen us leaving at 9.00 on the dot, jawohl! At least that was the plan...

Luckily Bill discovered his flat tyre just in time to prevent another roadside repair session...


Men can actually be quite useful...


Adam was so dedicated...


... that Bill took the opportunity to go on a test-ride on a proper bike


What did you say about the lacking "vavawoom" previously, Bill? I didn't hear you...


After another tea on the house we said goodbye to the lovely owner of the Black Lion and headed east.

Entering the Strata Florida


After quite a few big puddles we arrived at the first reasonable ford - Adam




I let everybody pass to take a few action pictures - Ashley


And when I then entered the water myself I slipped on a rock and almost submerged my faithful companion...

Fortunately Richard was not far and helped me lifting the big pig again... But I was so shaken that I went into the next ford in neutral...


Thought it might be advisable to have a break at this point...


Giving Bill the chance to adjust his chain and Richard to arrange his hair


Moral strength was soon restored and on we went


There were still some very tricky bits on the Strata Florida before we reached the end but no opportunity to stop and take action pictures


Although... Richard managed to drop his bike during a really easy-peasy U-turn


And Ashley ripped the previously injured but nearly healed ligaments on his ankle again when his foot got caught in a deep rut...

Therefore we called it a day and headed home.

Bill has really a talent to choose the most scenic picknick places...


Oops, dinner is ready - credits after the break!

[svs]

Very Nice. Love to see stuff from around the Globe. My dead relatives are from your part of the world. Thank your (our) ancestors for founding the U.S. of A.

I gotta ask the question....Why no Castle Pictures?

The Shire was missing too but you get a pass on that as your whole country side looks like the Shire....

Feel free to post back Castle Pics. Damsels in Distress pictures are welcomed too.

[rallybug]

Nice riding in Wales there, Ela

Just wish I could've afforded to come down, but alas carpets, water rates and property rates have all intervened

Have a good weekend back there

[GiorgioXT]

Compliments ... nice pictures, really interesting places and good report...
sometimes I should come back to UK ...

Pumpy, you need to change bike ...an HP2 is waaay more suited to you!
(an 950 Super Enduro too ...but it's really too high... not recommended for below-Loz heigts..)

[GalacticGS]

That's a great ride report!

Awesome pics of beautiful countryside and bikes, and great commentary.

Thanks for sharing Wales with those of us still dreaming of visiting someday!

[the white rabbit]

Originally Posted by GiorgioXT

Pumpy, you need to change bike ...an HP2 is waaay more suited to you!

I think HP2-usage is banned in this particular family

[Welshman]

Nice to see, home turf for me, rode most of that area back in the 70,s very different from the dry and dusty conditions where I am now.

Welsh