Snowdonia is amazing

[Brenhden]

So I'm off to Europe in a few weeks and I needed to test out all my new camping kit. I've not long passed my test and got a DRZ400 from RichP on this site a few weeks ago and needed to test that as well. The adventure didn't start that well as I had my gorgeous new girlfreind over the night before and drank a lot of wine stayed up late and woke up early. I suspect she thought the trip would kill me and wanted a proper send off...

Anyway I packed Binko (the DR) up and headed out of Bristol, heading into what I've always known as the rainiest place on earth...

1_2013-05-21.jpg (48.82 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

The first little problem was that there isn't a decent way to tie my map thing down and it lifts up and flaps around at speed, particulary concerning as my phone is in there charging. I ended up having to pin it down with the fuel cap, not the best solution and something I will work on before my next trip.

2_2013-05-21.jpg (60.36 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Binko was ace considering the extra 25KG hanging off the back. I've no desire to go fast but she happily did 70. I headed over the Old Severn Bridge but couldn't find a place for a decent pic, rode almost past Chepstow and turned onto the B4293 and heading towards Raglan when I passed this great sign.

3.jpg (54.59 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

I soon reached Abergevenny and went right into the centre for a cup of tea. It was then I discovered a whole new world. There were hundreds of bikers by the bus station. I pulled in for a tea and a fag but forgot to take a photo (sorry). After that I headed off without stalling or dropping my bike and soon after passed this little beauty at Tretower

4.jpg (56.18 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

What I don't understand is how there are so many new roads in Wales? There were bikes everywhere and lots of safety signs and the world slowly became more hilly. I stopped at the Halt cafe for lunch which was also full of bikers and the Paninni and Chocolate sponge really sorted my hangover out, its a great place rather like a canteen on a ski run.

After that I really got into my stride and the miles melted away as the scenery got more amazing. This one is on the A470 near Dolgellau

5_2013-05-21.jpg (45.5 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

And this one is between Dolgellau and Blaenau Festiniog.

6.jpg (29.66 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

This one is Binko at [strike]Mount Doom[/strike] Blaenau Slate mine.

7_2013-05-21.jpg (47.9 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

After that I went through Betws-y-Coed and onto some of the best mountain view roads I have ever seen.

I was getting pretty tired when I rocked up to Llanberis and I also had no idea that it was the town the Snowdon train stops at. The campsite was busy and I had to find a bit of flat land and get on with the serious business of testing kit. To be continued...

8.jpg (75.46 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

[Brenhden]

Part 2

I will be reviewing all my new kit in a different thread (http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... e-kit.html)

So after a pretty good nights sleep I had some ace fried eggs from the farm the camp was on.

9.jpg (83.96 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Then headed into Caenarfon to see the Castle.

10.jpg (55.38 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

It is incredible, I'm a big castle fan and this one really didn't disappoint, I set myself the challenge of walking up every step and passage and I my legs were killing... On the way round I spotted Binko and got this through an arrow slit.

11.jpg (68.78 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Here is an arty shot of a Cannon capture from the French by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The RWF have a museum inside the Castle and it is well worth a look.

12.jpg (108.78 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

The Museum also includes a Bren Gun, listed as a Light Machine Gun, this name is heavily disputed by anyone who has ever had to carry one across a field...

13.jpg (42.95 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

So with that done I left Caernarfon with the temperature steadily rising, I grabbed the gratuitous Castle/Bike money shot on the way out.

13a.jpg (74.85 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

I could have taken another route but the road from Llanberis to Betws is amazing so I ttok it again and found Llanberis slate mine looks even more like Mount Doom than the last one did!

14.jpg (43.79 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

[Devonboy]

Did you get mugged by Japanesse and American tourist's to take photo's of them at Caernarfon castle. I did, the Wife managed to rescue me.

[Brenhden]

Part 3

I got to Betws-y-Coed in full sunshine and again was amazed at how many bikers there were there, sorry I didn't get any photos of the bikes. I wandered round and found a waterfall at the top of the town and decided to climb up onto it.

15.jpg (68.6 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Happy day

16.jpg (46.55 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Climbed down and thought as the sun was so warm I would dip my feet in... It was so cold I almost had a heart attack!!!

17.jpg (125.69 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

After that I headed back to camp and got this pic, I was speechless with the beauty of Wales... Got back and wandered into town for a few pints and to write postcards.

17a.jpg (44.83 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Home to camp with another fire and some dinner. There was only one other tent on site and it had two 20yo girls in it. If this was the beginning of a horror movie I didn't like the role I'd been cast in...

18.jpg (122.02 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

I got peckish and made a toasting fork.

19.jpg (75.1 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

Another a slightly soggy night and breafast of more eggs I packed up and headed home

21.jpg (47.34 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

22.jpg (60.65 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

This was my first proper adventure and it didn't disappoint, the bike was great and once I put earplugs in I could really motor. These are happy days indeed :woohoo:

[Brenhden]

There was just me and a bus load of Germans when I was there and they weren't to communicative...

[Rederic]

That looked like a good rehearsal for your european trip

Once you get the bug it's hard to stop it thank's for the photo's

[Alan29]

You're right about Snowdonia. Its just 90 minutes from me so its my local playground.

[boboneleg]

Great stuff for a first adventure. If you like castles and you haven't been before there are some crackers just over the bridge with great roads as well, White Castle, Skenfrith and Grosmont are well worth the visit.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for you in Bristol, I live in Hanham.

[Brenhden]

Hey Boboneleg, I'm in Redfield

[Earwig]

You're right about Snowdonia. Its just 90 minutes from me so its my local playground.

Actually 9 hours :S to the "Castle" :whistle: but was on back roads via the peaks

Wales .... Nice roads ... B)

Wales-1.jpg (29.64 KiB) Viewed 2087 times