West South Wales VMCC Mountain Run

Sunday 5th August 2007

Well done that man - John Booth, for what has been one of, if not the best, run this year. This was a well attended with about 30 plus bikes out. The route started in Gwynfe on the Black Mountain and took us over towards Myddfai through a myriad of both mountain tops and small wooded lanes. We then descended on to the main A40 for a short main road run to Llywel where we entered the Eppynt Military area - what a fantastic ride with smooth roads terrific scenery and the sun beating down to keep us all warm. I have to say the Triumph was on song and the previous weeks outing in Scarborough only seems to have done it good - I was flying along. It is a strange area with its high views and almost barren landscape, until you spot a German Village in the distance - we could have been abroad. Mind you cannot get to the village, which is a training fascade anyhow.

We went onto Tirabad and then turned for Llangamarch Wells and finally for the morning ended up in Llanwrtyd Wells for lunch at the Belle Vue. A good Sunday lunch was enjoyed and after a natter and a few photographs it was off again towards Abergwesyn and the Devil's Staircase - this tested both bike and nerves with its steep hairpin climbs and steeper descent. I have to say the road to the staircase must rate as one of the prettiest around with its valley sides and views of the Irfon River, still a mountain stream at this stage.

Onward over the pass and onto the twisty and very picturesque road around Llyn Brianne, unfortunately the promised ice cream stop was not to be - the ice cream van was nowhere to be seen so after another quick natter and comments on how well the Triumph was going and sounded we set off through Rhandirmwyn through to Llandovery. This route is also very pretty and especially for me as I am also a canoeist so the views of the River Twyi meandering and thundering through the gorges is a pleasant distraction (not that I needed one following Hywel on his Norton (I never noticed the miss, although he insists there is one there - that is why he was behind me all day!!! - only joking Hywel!))

Llandovery was, as usual full of bikers enjoying the cameraderie one would expect from bikers and so the Triumph was a pleasant change from the R1, GSXRs and Fireblades we have all got used to. I have to amdit this is where my ride stopped as the company was good, the Apple Pie and Ice cream superb and so Hywel and myself decided not to ride the last few miles back to John's Farm (I did ring and tell him albeit some hours later, sorry John).

A good day and one where bike and rider wher well matched - the roads suited the bikes power and it rose to the challenge, I even forgave it the few oil drips it left me by way of letting me know it had worked hard.

Photos to follow although there will be none of the scenery because it was such a good ride we did not stop to take any. 100 miles of classic scratching (not sure if that was a word used in 1972!)