Tour of Wales, 90 years on

retroman

retroman

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Over the Whitsun holiday of 1932 my late grandfather and three friends went on a tour of Wales on their motorcycles. Ninety years later my son-in-law and I replicated most of this route on our GSes.

I only found out that my Grandfather - who died in 1977 - was a biker when his photo album came to light a few years ago, with this carefully drawn map and annotated photos.

Photos to follow when I've figured out how to embed pictures on a thread, first attempt:

https://flic.kr/p/2nT1QJP

This was my Grandfather's bike, believe it's a Douglas.

https://flic.kr/p/2nSYg2q
 
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Here's the photos, annotated on the map. From top middle, clockwise: Puncture at Pontypridd; At Barmouth: Nr Brecon; Ludlow Castle; Aberglaslyn Pass; Swallow Falls, Bettws-Y-Coed; Harlech Castle; On the Brecon Beacons F. Styles, D.Griffiths, D. Prichard (my Grandfather) & G. Booth.

These guys would have rough-camped and I love the protective gear of the day - Army greatcoats, flat caps and a big stock of Senior Service fags.

https://flic.kr/p/2nT1DtV
 
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Some of the roads my Grandfather and his group followed are now busy A roads of course. After leaving Cardiff we decided to omit the A470 to Pontypridd, instead opting for the mountain road through Ogmore Vale A4061 via Treorchy that eventually crosses Rhigos Mountain.

A view of Treorchy from the top:
https://flic.kr/p/2nSZSq2
 
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We then headed through Penderyn and deep into the Brecon Beacons at Ystradfelte. I should add that I'm riding my '02 R1150GS. Hayden (son-in-law) caught the GS bug from me and has a '21 R1250GSA.

I'm actually a lot happier than I look in this photo:

https://flic.kr/p/2nSZSqY
 
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We called in at Llandovery for my last ever visit to the West End Cafe, after a truly crap bacon sandwich. Hate biker's cafes, no idea why I bother, and won't be doing so in future when there are so many good eateries and tea rooms out there these days.

Towards Tregaron via Llyn Briane, water levels are pretty low at the moment. That won't last in mid-Wales.

https://flic.kr/p/2nSZZjC
 
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What a great reason for a trip

Fabulous stuff, love those pics and especially the map.
I spent a couple of childhood holidays in 'Dolgelly' in the early 70's. I went back nearly 40 years later with my Dad and we walked Cader Idris together, just him and me and a cracking day out. He's gone now, but left some great memories - it's good to do stuff with your kids
This is a great reminder to get out with family and enjoy yourself while you can. Especially if there's motorbikes involved!
 
Thanks Vulpine2, agree with everything you say:beerjug:

One of my grandfather's photos is at Barmouth railway bridge. I don't know if he actually rode across it but I was recently amazed to learn that motorcycles are permitted on the pedestrian footpath - indeed, it's listed as part of the North Wales TET! So this had to be done.

https://flic.kr/p/2nT25KG
 
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Barmouth Bridge feels as if it's a rickety old structure and the walkers seemed a bit dismayed to see two rather large GSes bearing down on them, albeit slowly with hazards flashing. A still from the INNOV camera on the front of my bike.


https://flic.kr/p/2nT2pdG
 
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Ironically when we rode across the bridge was closed to trains (for five weeks) for extensive engineering works! The bridge will close completely later this year for a full renovation. Not before time, having seen it at close quarters ... :eek:

The exit is a quite steep and sharp left onto the A496 which needs a little concentration :yikes

https://flic.kr/p/2nSYJNN
 
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Continuing along the coastal road to Harlech for another quick photostop. My grandfather must have taken the B4575 through the centre of town for a better view of this old pile:

https://flic.kr/p/2nT2KNV
 
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I must say my previous experience of riding in North Wales has been grim: too much traffic, especially caravans and wobble boxes ... but we timed this trip just right. Very light traffic, clear open roads (even through Llanberis Pass). But first, after a diversion due to a rockfall, we arrived at Beddgelert for the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass.

https://flic.kr/p/2nT2u2m
 
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We stumbled across this little overbridge almost by accident, I thought "that's got to be photographed", then realised my Grandfather must have thought the same thing as he took his own Box Brownie photo from this very spot. I took a moment to reflect on the passing of time, and the bittersweet nature of this fleeting life.

https://flic.kr/p/2nSZ9z5
 
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Micky said:
Good one Retro :thumb2

:beerjug:
Click to expand...

Cheers Micky:beerjug:

After a loop which took us towards Caernafon (avoided), we had a great blast up the Llanberis Pass under the foot of Snowdon then headed for the next photostop: Swallow Falls on the A5 just west of Bettws-Y-Coed. I must have ridden past these falls on loads of occassions but they are easily missed. I was also a bit miffed to have to pay £2 to negotiate an auto turnstile to get in, but the view was worth it:thumb2

https://flic.kr/p/2nT2UJL

https://flic.kr/p/2nSWFEo
 
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retroman said:
We called in at Llandovery for my last ever visit to the West End Cafe, after a truly crap bacon sandwich. Hate biker's cafes, no idea why I bother, and won't be doing so in future when there are so many good eateries and tea rooms out there these days.

Towards Tregaron via Llyn Briane, water levels are pretty low at the moment. That won't last in mid-Wales.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188893961@N04/52429323684/in/dateposted-public/" title="Llyn Briane"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52429323684_26f4b3d647_b.jpg" width="1024" height="678" alt="Llyn Briane"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

Love the old pics Retroman. Cannot believe you went to the West End cafe….LoL, that place has gone down hill with change of ownership.
 
... and so to The Marine Hotel in Llandudno, a grand rambling old place. Clean and comfy room with free upgrade to a sea view. Parking around the back for the bikes although £6 for a space (both bikes fitted in one space though). Excellent breakfast, would stay here again.

https://flic.kr/p/2nT1RPq

https://flic.kr/p/2nT34s7
 
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