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Michael Burke

Out in Wales again and still no rain is this a miracle? What seems to be more of a miracle was to have spotted run organiser Graham in Llandudno!

Graham had organised our run for September and despite not actually coming on the run (well only to our breakfast stop) we had a perfect route for the rest of the day and a perfect itinerary, even if we had no idea what it was! Breakfast was had at the Ponderosa with a super turn out of 14 bikes and the views were superb over to the North Wales Coast. We didn't have too many mishaps on the way although Richard did try and lose his rear seat on the way!

After breakfast Terry volunteered to get us to Llandudno and although we all went around a couple of roundabouts a few times we arrived safely and were greeted by a bit of blue sky. Despite the weight of the breakfasts we all managed to get to the end of pier and back without it breaking. After a quick discussion it was decided to go Betws-Y-Coed for lunch and this was a good decision as the sun shone we arrived. Despite Michael trying at the last moment to snatch the Rider-of-the-Month award from Graham by not having any money for lunch it really was no contest........ After lunch we headed back down the camera van strewn A5 and home.

Off we go then	A breakfast chin wag	Llandudno and no rain!	Has anybody seen Graham?
Perfect timing -thanks!	Oh I do like to be by the seaside!

Attendees were:

Dave and Lesley, Les Slow, Ian and Alison, Dodgy Dave, Richard, Alan & Andrea, Steve, Mick, Andy, Graham, Geoff and Tommy, Graham (bonnie), Terry and Michael.

Thanks to Dave for the excellent write up

The day dawned bright and sunny but with a chill in the air as we all, except Ian & Alison met at Wylie’s with good expectations of an excellent days riding. As usual there is always someone who shall be nameless (Brian!) without petrol. So while he went in the opposite direction to get some, the rest of us set off, picking up Ian and Alison along the way. Brian caught up with us by Bayley’s Island and took up station at the back. The less said about the speeds he achieved as he chased us the better! After a very pleasant run in increasingly warm weather we all arrived safely at the Caffi Caris for breakfast.

Once refreshed we carried on to our destination, the Power Station at Ffestiniog, via a slightly longer than intended route as Dave was asleep as we arrived at the first turning off the A470 for Ffestiniog. Not to worry we still arrived by 11.30am. Whilst everyone else milled around outside Dave went in to negotiate the traditional discount only to be greeted with the words “No Power Station tours today!” “Déjà vu” isn’t in it. Oh well, we are getting used to it. Dave was advised in no uncertain terms  by the young lady that it was best to phone before setting out. Pah!

So we all retired to the Lakeside Café and had a coffee and discussed the next move. We decided to free run to Bala via the A470 and A4212, to meet up again at the car park there and thence up to the Ponderosa for lunch. Les led us back out to the A470. Just as we neared the junction the sound of a police siren was heard coming up behind us. The universal thought was “Oh no! we’re nicked” Fortunately the copper wasn’t interested in us and he legged it up the road in the same direction we were going. As we rode along the A4212 the reason for the coppers haste became clear, a fellow biker had come a cropper. This put a slight dampener on things as we continued to Bala.

Once we had regrouped at Bala, Andy led us off to the Ponderosa. Rob, who by the way has only been riding for 7 weeks managed to turn left at the only roundabout on the way instead of right, despite his friend Steve waiting for him to show him the way. Steve hared off after him but eventually had to give up when he came to a T-junction and couldn’t see which way Rob had gone. Eventually the penny dropped and Rob stopped and enquired the way, finally rejoining us about half an hour later!

By now the weather was really warming up so we had lunch outside and watched the activity. The Ponderosa was absolutely buzzing with bikes of every description. Finally, around 3pm we set off for home via Llangollen, Ruabon, Whitchurch and Hodnet to complete an interesting and enjoyable days riding in good company.
 

Happy on arrival	Blue Sky in North Wales? Whatever next .....	I thought this should be breakfast!	Les is so sad that he spent the whole day in Wales and no rain
Last attempt to find Richard before leaving

Attendees were:

Dave Lombard, Les Slow, Ian and Alison, Dave (from Chester), Brian, Richard Bowen, (New Sprint), Andy (Speed Triple), Steve (Daytona), Rob (Suzuki Workmate of Steve)

Nice weather in Wales again for a quick run out to Crossgates in Mid Wales.

Breakfast

Attendees were: Richard, Terry, Dave, Ian, Graham and Alan (from W&H)

Geoff's Bonnie Day Out - Sunday July 17

Beautiful weather in beautiful Wales as Geoff took us on a Bonnie day out to Harlech Castle in mid Wales. A good turnout saw 11 bikes with 5 pillions make the sun drenched journey into deepest Wales, although it did take a bit of time before certain people joined the main pack. After our normal hearty breakfast we carried on through Barmouth to Harlech where the women immediately crowded Les for his autograph. Despite Richard's best efforts he couldn't quite negotiate a discount for the 15 of us (mainly because there were only 13 of us at this stage.....). After conquering the castle we then headed back via the gorgeous Bala road to Llangollen for tea and then home.

A wonderful day out in wonderful weather.

The bikes look forward to Wales	Yvonne looks on as the Harlech women crowd Les for his autograph	Geoff raises the flag as Triumph captures the castle	Brian and Rob discuss the historical importance of Harlech castle
Geoff educates Tommy whilst Les & Yvonne offer encouragement	Ian proves that he is as tall as a mountain as the mountains in the background are the same height as him	In we go	Looking down on the bikes
Ian sits down at the back as his leathers start to get too sweaty for the rest

Rider-Of-The-Month nominations:

Geoff for not getting us a discount at Harlech Castle
Richard for not being able to count

Attendees were: Richard, Brian, Geoff and Tommy, Ian and Alison, Les and Yvonne, Andrea and Alan, Dave Mk3, Rob, Terry and Kay, Paul, Steve.

Beautiful weather for Geoff's BBQ as we set off for Greenwood Country park on the A49 just outside Leominster with Geoff looking frantically for his petrol cap. Despite this and Richard taking the wrong turning at Leominster we still managed to arrive in good time for a hearty breakfast and then a walk around the country park.

Rider-Of-The-Month nominations:

Geoff for sort of losing his petrol cap
Richard for going the wrong way at Leominster

Attendees were: Richard, Brian, Geoff, Ian and Alison, Michael and Alison, Simon

Then it was off to Geoff and Andrea's for a superb barbecue where Terry came and joined us as heard there might be some food left.....

Richard's Academics Run - Sunday May 15

May was confusing for a number of reasons. Firstly we started with ten bikes but then Graham turned round half way to the breakfast stop which made us nine. Then Ian missed our start and went to our breakfast stop at Banbury but we went to Stratford so we were back up to ten but Terry's mate left us at Banbury so we were only nine but then Andrew from 'Ireland' met us at Oxford so we were back up to ten. So I guess that must be twelve bikes..........

The weather was wonderful and we had a completely new route to Oxford through the Cotswolds. Parking was easy in the centre of Oxford and we all enjoyed some Morris dancing. Simon managed to convince the attendant at the tower that Richard was over 60 and Dave and Lesley had to have lunch before we left for a leisurely trip via an Ice Cream at Broadway on the way back.

A good change of direction that was enjoyed by all.

Rider-Of-The-Month nominations:

Simon for getting Richard an Old Age pensioners Pass
Terry for panicking when his ignition 'failed' with the kill switch on
Ian for not riding with us to Oxford

Attendees were: Richard, Brian, Terry, Geoff, Paul, Rob, Graham, Dave and Lesley, Andrew, Ian and Terry's mate!

Our April run saw Michael try and get a pub in Abergavenny to serve us. It started off bloody cold and ended bloody cold and wet! Michael had sorted out a superb route as we glided through deserted roads into Wales and enjoyed some fantastic scenery. Our stop was in England at Hay-on-Wye but the route took us in and out of Wales and we arrived in Hay-On-Wye at exactly the right time - 'Opening Time' for our breakfast stop. We were cold and the breakfast stop was cold but Graham and Hilary met us to provide some warm entertainment......

No rain yet as we then headed to thee medieval Tretower although as we arrived there was some raindrops ominously appearing. It was even colder inside Tretower and Brian and Steve chose to keep their helmets on. With the weather closing in Brian, Richard and Rob chose to head home whilst the others braved a superb local lunch and then got very wet.

A great run through some lovely countryside but why is the weather so bad on Michael's runs????

A happy bunch	I'm sure that the way in is over here ....	Where is everybody?	RAT's creeping around
Lovely views of Wales	Michael & Alisn wondering why it is so cold

Rider-Of-The-Month nominations:

Michael for organising such cold and wet weather
Brian and Steve for keeping their helmets on in Tretower
Graham for arriving on four wheels

Attendees were: Richard, Brian, Steve, Michael & Alison, Paul and Rob

The start to the new season saw a healthy turn out of 10 bikes (with Paul from Burton) as we 'painstakingly' made our way to the National Motorcycle Museum. First we had a problem on the Kidderminster road and then the road to the motorway was closed. However we were not to be disappointed by the heart warming breakfast at Tesco's. Excellent value as usual, even if Terry did complain about the quality, cost and cleanliness not being what he was used to at his breakfast stops.

After breakfast Richard took us on a route to the museum that completely avoided the motorway. First we negotiated Fish Hill (thanks were given to Richard at the museum about his pre-warning about the bends) and then we had a ride up the Fosse Way. Although the weather was not as warm as promised it was pleasant for this time of year. With 10 bikes a fairly gentle pace was taken and we arrived at the museum in a very relaxed mood.

Richard negotiated a massive discount for us all. The museum was something special and was a fantastic collection of British motorcycling heritage with some really amazing designs and styles. Of course we loved the old Triumphs but even though it is a museum the 3 Valmoto Daytona's were Richard favourites........

Time for Breakfast	A happy group at the museum	What the ****	Lovely old Norton
1975 Triumph 4 cylinder prototype	Lovely looking old Triumph Trident	Silver Jubliee Bonneville	The first Triumph Legend ............. 1992!

After our visit we made an unplanned visit to new Solus dealer Solihull Triumph which is less than a mile from the museum where they were participating in the Triumph open week-end.

Attendees were: Richard, Brian, Ian, Geoff Mk2 and Tommy, Les, Terry and Kay, Steve, Adrian, Simon (yes Simon!) and Paul.