RAT Runs 2004

A cold and wet Wales beckoned (no change there then) for our last run of the season. Richard mapped out a route which saw him get lost on the way but everyone else not have a problem. A hearty breakfast at The Ponderosa was followed by a slightly shortened route to Ffestiniog power station due to the swelteringly hot weather. At the power station it was closed of course and Michael showed his annoyance by trying to park in the prohibitive waiting area.

Attendees: Richard, Dave & Lesley, Michael, Geoff B, Dave P, Terry and Brian. Total Mileage 200.

Graham hosted what turned out to be one of our most successful runs to Wales. Yes it did not rain! The run to Portmeirion was quite well attended considering a number of previous commitments and Graham's route took us through some spectacular Welsh seniority. We had a new breakfast stop to try out at the junction of the A458 and A470 and this proved very popular. Arriving at the Prisoner village Graham then pretended that we had three old age pensioners with us to get a discount. Well done Graham!

Attendees: Richard, Dave & Lesley, Catherine, Geoff B, Derek (guest!), Graham and Paul. Total Mileage 205.

A mystery breakfast run saw a hardy few brave the forecasted showers and it was not quite so mysterious as we didn't actually get to Graham and Hilary's due to their phone being out of order and them not knowing about it! Instead we had a short run out to Crossgates and then back across the scenic road to Newtown and back. Richard showed us his new yellow thing that he was running in and unfortunately Ian got to know the road a bit too well but apart from this and a few showers at least breakfast was good......

Les led us on his virgin run to the falconry centre deep in the Cotswolds. Of course we couldn't have a run this year without a few showers but generally the weather was OK. The falconry display was quite spectacular with a Falcon, Hawk, Eagle and an Owl all trying their hardest to swoop as low as possible over our heads. The highlight of the display though was a rare breed of Bird from Burton-on-Trent appearing during the display, namely Paul. Les was determined to win the rider of the month award as his immaculate planning did not include eating lunch anywhere but some quick thinking found us at a local garden centre.

Attendees: Ian, Les & Yvonne, Dave & Lesley, Brian, Les Jnr & Mrs Les Junior, Paul. Total Mileage 205.

Rainy old Shropshire but sunny old Wales! Were we dreaming? Oh no we were not........

Yes off to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) for a visit to some alternative workings. To supplement the day Terry turned up on an old working himself. Not only was it a Triumph Bonneville Silver Jubilee but it had done so few miles that it must have still been under warranty. We stopped at Harry Tuffin's at Churchstoke for breakfast and enjoyed dry weather to CAT where the sun came out and it was pleasantly warm.

The route back took in a beautiful mountain road and we then enjoyed looking for one of those other alternative workings - a leaded petrol pump; whether Terry actually found one in the end who knows.

On a day of dubious weather 4 bikes with 5 people aboard, led by virgin shepherd Dave with Lesley supervising, departed Wylie and Holland for the Danyrogof Caves near Sennybridge in deepest darkest Wales. However the number was swelled as first Richard and Rob joined the happy band at Much Wenlock and then Richard then diverted to Craven Arms to pick up Phil and Denise who were joining us from Ellesmere (Welcome to you, it was good to have your company). Dave led us via Knighton to our regular watering hole at Crossgates where breakfast was taken. Here Richard sprang a surprise on us and said he would not be accompanying us to Danyrogof (A phobia of holes in the ground developing? Or did he think that Dave wasn’t such a virgin after all and could manage alone!!) We continued on our way via Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells, Brecon and Sennybridge over a good variety of roads successfully avoiding the attention of the police who were seen out in force.

In glorious sunshine (yes this was Wales!) we arrived just before midday and such being the enthusiasm of the Pack for going into holes in the ground we headed straight to the caves. Dave pulled his Ireland trick and negotiated his OAP’s discount for us, £2.50 per head off!! The caves turned out to be very interesting with many different rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites and two happy hours were spent enjoying the cool of the caves which gave much needed relief from climbing the steep slopes in the high temperatures. Much amusement was also afforded by the Dinosaur Park, where the sound effects made it seem as if they were all very hungry!

Note: For those who are intending to get married and are looking for a venue with a difference, you can be married in the Cathedral Cave. It would certainly be unusual.

We then had lunch before finally setting off home once again via Sennybridge, Brecon and Leominster, where the group finally split up according to who was going where. At this point the weather finally broke and we were subject to some showers of varying intensity.

Attendees: Richard S, Brian, Graham, Rob, Dave & Lesley and Phil & Denise. Total Mileage 210.

A scorching hot spring day saw 8 of our regulars meet up for the short run to the Triumph factory for the open day. Now how we ended up with the short run being 205 miles long only Richard can explain. Yes that's 205 miles from Telford to Hinckley and back...... After a short stop at Tesco's in Evesham it was a quick hop up the Fosse Way (Evesham, Fosse Way, Telford to Hinckley?).

We were greeted by a sea of bikes as far as the eye could see. This year the event was all ticket and it was lucky it was as the bike park was absolutely totally full. Inside the attractions were varied with a special RAT tent for the members with complimentary drinks. There were dancers, a stunt rider, dodgems, teacups, hot food vans, RAT merchandising and the biggest Triumph clothing shop you will ever see.

The factory tour was the highlight with the impression being given that there were just one or two Rocket 3 bikes being built. It looked to us like a Rocket 3 production facility with some other bikes also being made! What a bike though; it is an absolute marvellous piece of BRITISH engineering. Even the Triumph employees we spoke to were so pro-active about everything at Triumph (praise especially to the guy at the end of the line where someone WHEELS the Rocket 3 down the slope).

Back out into the glorious sunshine and we caught sight of some fantastic stunt riding and some rather hot looking dancers. No brave soul tried the dodgems or teacups but we did make extensive use of the RAT tent.

This year's event was by far the best so far, although the weather helped, and we look forward to next year.

Attendees: Richard S, Chris, Dave P, Brian, Geoff, Graham, Dave L and Phil. Total Mileage 205.

As usual we encountered a brief shower on our expedition to the Llywernog Lead-Silver mine near to Aberystwyth. It wasn't that bad really as our six intrepid explorers set off in good hearts for a breakfast at Crossgates. Graham S. was supposed to meet us there but I guess 10.00 is a bit early for him. After refilling we then went off for a guided tour of the old mine at Llywernog which provided a fascinating insight into the lives of the old miners.

Les was desperate to win the rider of the month shirt as he first pretended to lose his keys in the car park and then knocked his helmet off inside the mine! After our tour we dropped in at Aberystwyth for lunch and a brief look at the cool inviting sea. A leisurely ride then took us back to SUNNY Shropshire!

So it was cold and wet but who cares when you're riding with your mates to a place of interest. Obviously lots of people as there was only four bikes on our April run!!!! Even stalwarts like March Rider-of-the-month Graham, Dave & Lesley, Les, Geoff and 'I'll see you in Buxton' Dave were frightened by the cold.

The visit to the Blue John Caverns was very interesting as we headed underground again for a look at subterranean matters. Chris and Brian pretended that they were not scared but we know better! The caverns stayed open for an extra 2 hours to allow Terry to climb the steps back to the surface but apart from this the trip was uneventful. Not even any rain! That's right to all you 'I'm staying in my warm bed types', no rain and only a very slight chill - honestly!

The first monthly run of the year saw a healthy seven bikes and a healthy (I think) eight people set off for Warwick Castle on a quiet Sunday morning. With the conditions dry and calm (unlike the previous week-end) we made good progress as far as Bromyard where the road was closed. A really well signposted detour which had exactly no signs of where to go was no barrier as Richard led us to safety.

With a slightly delayed start waiting for those who forgot to put their clocks forward and for Graham who forgot to bring any money with him meant that we finally got to our breakfast stop around 10.45. Yes Terry no breakfast until 10.45!

During our breakfast stop a brief discussion resulted in us agreeing that a couple of hours would not do Warwick Castle justice so we detoured to Stratford-on-Avon for a brief stop and light refreshments. In the bike park at Stratford-on-Avon our number boosted the number of Triumph's present to at least 15 which made a good show.

Our new Rider-of-the-Month trophy was revealed in the form of a RAT polo shirt. This will be given to the winner at the monthly meeting to wear on the next RAT run. Watch the Rider of the Month page for the winner of March!

Attendees: Richard S, Brian, Rob, Richard W, Chris, Dave & Lesley, Graham. Total Mileage 170.

Terry tries to hide a traitor in our midst as a hardy bunch of Triumph's set off again for the Ponderosa. It was pretty chilly but the threatening rain clouds stayed away so we could blow away yet more cobwebs.

We had a rare appearance from youngster Simon who showed us his new Tiger. So we only had 5 Sprints on the run out of 6 bikes!

An eventful first of the year breakfast run saw Richard lead our hardy few into the Welsh mountains for a breakfast at the Ponderosa. On a not too cold and drying morning it was an opportunity to blow some cobwebs away and also to enjoy the wildlife. Richard had already warned everyone about pheasants on the road when he rounded a bend at Atcham and there was a pheasant that was determined to play a game of '

chicken'. Richard had already said 'I've seen pheasants on the road today and my advice is if you meet one don't do anything silly' so the course of action of aiming for it did the trick. With a mass of feathers the poor ex-bird re-arranged itself on Richard's fairing. The result was a bad crack on the small centre fairing and mysteriously all of the fasteners on the screen popped off.

Fortunately that was the extent of the damage and apart from a feather lodged in Brian's fairing nobody else was affected. Anyway the weather was pretty good and there was a hot and welcome breakfast at the Horseshoe Pass.