Author Topic: First Small Taste of Touring :) (Read 6036 times)

Yamazer-92 · « **on:** 16 August 2013, 11:02:15 pm »

On monday I left to go on a mini tour of Wales for 5 days with my Dad and Brother. This was the first time either of us had gone away on the bikes properly for a period of time that involved sight seeing and doing some miles, so even though it was only from Devon to all over Wales I'm counting it as touring! Was really good fun though, some of the roads were absolutely amazing in Wales and the scenery in Snowdonia was fantastic. The Fazer was absolutely faultless as per and great fun to ride. Got 225 miles from my 2nd tank even with the old 18 litre one, plus was carrying my brother as pillion so can't complain with that! Carb balancing and TPS reset has really made a difference, was just so smooth.

The overall distance was about 725 miles in total with a break on wednesday to go up Snowdon, although it was in the clouds unfortunately so we didn't see a lot. Other than my ass and knees the Fazer was totally comfortable and did the journey with ease. I honestly can't bring myself to sell it even though I want a supermoto / trail bike, so my plan now is keep it and make it awesome and buy a crappy off road bike as spares or repair at some point to loon about on. I would really recommend Snowdonia National Park to anyone who hasn't done it, great roads and even better scenery. We're all really happy with the trip and I would definitely be up for something similar in the future, although if it was much further I would have to get something physically taller to stop my knees turning to dust. Another biking / life event ticked off the list for me

ChristoT · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 August 2013, 11:13:36 pm »

Looks like a nice trip! Once you get the long distance bug, you'll never go back. I'm going home (to France) via Holland. 1,220 miles according to Google maps, and towing a trailer to boot.

BRING IT!!

lew600fazer · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 August 2013, 11:23:12 pm »

Glad you enjoyed your Welsh trip but I have an observation to make , it is not raining, how did you arrange that, very rare.

Lew

ChristoT · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 August 2013, 11:25:05 pm »

Can it, Carlos!

Phil · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 August 2013, 09:49:24 am »

Good trip. The UK has some great roads and scenery if you search them out.

sure2ride · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 August 2013, 10:37:23 am »

I go to Wales every year or so and have been for the last ten years. mainly Brecon area for a long weekend with a few mates. Have to say, by far the marority of the time weather has been between pretty good to excellent. Only once has it rained over a whole weekend.
Great area, I love it.
Nice pics.

Chris · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 August 2013, 10:42:16 am »

Looks like an awesome adventure to share with your dad and your brother. Good on you for taking the time to do it.

I really hope I can make it to wales sometime as it looks lovely.

Chris

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 August 2013, 11:02:36 am »

For years my mates told me never go to Wales on a bike cos it's always raining and like an idiot I listened to them. But since I've been doing the biking/camping bit, I've always been lucky with the weather. Yes I've got wet a few times, but on the whole I've enjoyed some great weather there (Scotland too). Never let the weather put you off (unless the forecast is particularly bad of course!), and sooner or later you'll have the time of your life!
That first photo is the Nantgwynant viewpoint, I always like to stop there, great views. That view of Snowdon from the Pen-y-Pass restaurant is one of my favourites too. Glad you had a good trip Yamazer, I guess you'll have the bug now!

red98 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:20:27 pm »

great pictures,thanks for sharing.....did wales last year,very nice......went a bit further this year and toured scotland,also very nice ,not wishing to upset the welsh foccers but.............. it was better than wales

....there i`ve said it now

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:22:41 pm »

Quote from: red98 on 17 August 2013, 01:20:27 pm

great pictures,thanks for sharing.....did wales last year,very nice......went a bit further this year and toured scotland,also very nice ,not wishing to upset the welsh foccers but.............. it was better then wales ....there i`ve said it now

Hi Paul, when are you going to post some more photos of your trip? Been looking forward to it!

dazza · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:34:21 pm »

Just got back from Wales myself, first time on the bike....Foccing loved it !

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:46:49 pm »

Welsh roads on a very fast yellow bike - what more could you ask?

dickturpin · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:51:44 pm »

A blue bike

red98 · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:52:29 pm »

Quote from: nick crisp on 17 August 2013, 01:22:41 pm

Quote from: red98 on 17 August 2013, 01:20:27 pm
great pictures,thanks for sharing.....did wales last year,very nice......went a bit further this year and toured scotland,also very nice ,not wishing to upset the welsh foccers but.............. it was better then wales ....there i`ve said it now

Hi Paul, when are you going to post some more photos of your trip? Been looking forward to it!

hi nick....for some reason i cant post pictures at home,iam not too good with computers, its my age

[size=78%]...will try at work when things calm down a bit [/size]

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 August 2013, 01:57:09 pm »

Quote from: dickturpin on 17 August 2013, 01:51:44 pm

A blue bike

Yes, you have a point. As blue bikes are obviously much slower, you'd have more time to take in all that lovely scenery...

dazza · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 August 2013, 02:15:23 pm »

Quote from: nick crisp on 17 August 2013, 01:46:49 pm

Welsh roads on a very fast yellow bike - what more could you ask?

Another Foccer who knew where the foc he was going

Was there the same sunday as you Nick, tried to get on line before I set off from Hereford to see if there was any other foccers out. Ended up about 30 miles from Fishguard, just enjoying those twisties.

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 August 2013, 04:35:36 pm »

Hope to do plenty more day trips to Wales, maybe a long weekend now and again too, so may meet up with you soon Dazza. Where you based?

dickturpin · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 August 2013, 04:52:30 pm »

Quote from: nick crisp on 17 August 2013, 01:57:09 pm

Quote from: dickturpin on 17 August 2013, 01:51:44 pm
A blue bike

Yes, you have a point. As blue bikes are obviously much slower, you'd have more time to take in all that lovely scenery...

I'd be wary on a yellow un in wales...might think you're sat on one of their daffodils!

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 August 2013, 05:07:27 pm »

Quote from: dickturpin on 17 August 2013, 04:52:30 pm

Quote from: nick crisp on 17 August 2013, 01:57:09 pm
Quote from: dickturpin on 17 August 2013, 01:51:44 pm
A blue bike

Yes, you have a point. As blue bikes are obviously much slower, you'd have more time to take in all that lovely scenery...

I'd be wary on a yellow un in wales...might think you're sat on one of their daffodils!

You must have some f**k off big daffodils where you come from...

dickturpin · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 August 2013, 05:11:45 pm »

Quote from: nick crisp on 17 August 2013, 05:07:27 pm

Quote from: dickturpin on 17 August 2013, 04:52:30 pm
Quote from: nick crisp on 17 August 2013, 01:57:09 pm
Quote from: dickturpin on 17 August 2013, 01:51:44 pm
A blue bike

Yes, you have a point. As blue bikes are obviously much slower, you'd have more time to take in all that lovely scenery...

I'd be wary on a yellow un in wales...might think you're sat on one of their daffodils!

You must have some f**k off big daffodils where you come from...
#
Aye...everything's just that bit bigger in Yorkshire!

dazza · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 August 2013, 05:14:00 pm »

I'm based in Kent Nick so bit of a trek for me. Was visiting my dad near Hereford but next time I'm down that way, will have to have a meet up.

Yamazer-92 · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 August 2013, 08:00:03 pm »

We were pretty lucky with the weather, my Dad had heard that is was bad for rain too from mates at his work who used to be in the army. But out of the 5 days we were only caught in proper heavy rain once and other than some cloud here and there it was mostly dry and sunny. I think we would consider scotland in the future even though it is a fair bit further. Definitely the best mix of roads and scenery I've ever ridden though, only thing near me that compares is dartmoor and it's nothing in comparison. Good to see some other peoples photos and hear that you like to visit there as well. I would definitely go back, might go with some mates in the future although a few of them own bandits so would have to account for a few break down stops

lew600fazer · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 August 2013, 11:06:48 pm »

Quote from: ChristoT on 16 August 2013, 11:25:05 pm

Can it, Carlos!

Never thought of that, can it?? ummm!!
Before I moved to Spain , I lived on the Wirral and that is like a 20 minute ride to North Wales, I have spent many a happy hour riding around the Welsh country side. Regular run for me was Horseshoe pass stop for a brew at the Ponderosa chew the fat with some of the old farts , I was the young fella in that group and I am 64. Have ridden all over the area and love it, still wet or dry it is a bikers dream.
Lew

Buzz · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 August 2013, 10:45:12 am »

Hey dazza, what top-box/pannier setup have you got?

dazza · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 August 2013, 01:00:49 pm »

Hi Buzz, I use a simply givi 45L top box and 21L panniers. Seems to be enough room if you pack right and don't take stuff that you don't use. (which I usually do) If I take a tent, I'll bungee it on.