2014 Welsh Rally
So, onto my third year of the Welsh Rally. I'd be taking a slightly different approach this year. I'd managed the Platinum and Dragon Awards the last two years. I'd noticed that I hadn't got very many of the Welsh locations from Grim Rides, so I thought that this year, I could take in a few more of those, and go for either Bronze or Silver Award instead. Dawn would be riding pillion again this year, so that meant that we could shorten the time on the bike as well, which should make things a little more manageable.
I could also pick up a few more Round Britain checkpoints plus any Two Wheel Poker ones nearby. Dawn also came up with the great idea that we could stay for an extra day and, while she was relaxing in the hotel, I could have another day on the bike concentrating on the rest of the locations that I could pick up in a day trip. I didn't take much persuading...
25 April 2014
Checkpoints have just arrived. Time to start the next round of planning...
I could also pick up a few more Round Britain checkpoints plus any Two Wheel Poker ones nearby. Dawn also came up with the great idea that we could stay for an extra day and, while she was relaxing in the hotel, I could have another day on the bike concentrating on the rest of the locations that I could pick up in a day trip. I didn't take much persuading...
25 April 2014
Checkpoints have just arrived. Time to start the next round of planning...
A Wet Weekend in Wales
Well, that’s another Welsh Rally over and done with. Despite getting pretty wet for most of the weekend, it was still enjoyable and I look forward to heading back next year.
Journey Down
The plan for the weekend was to meet up with John Fagan and a couple of his mates, Dave and Scott, at Moffat. We’d all head down to Wales together, picking up a few Round Britain Rally points on the way, before ending up at our respective hotels for the weekend.
However, things went wrong pretty quickly when, after taking the cover off the bike and taking off the centre stand, I noticed
that I had a flat back tyre! A quick call to Saltire Suzuki (which is thankfully only round the corner) and I got the bike in for a replacement. I was now running an hour behind, so sent John a text saying that I’d catch up at the second planned checkpoint (I had already visited the first on the way down to the South West Peninsular Rally).
I still went the same planned route, down the A701 to Moffat, and fuel up there since the next stop after that was too far. Lo and behold, there was John and Co. just finishing fuelling up. They’d decided to hang about and have another coffee. So we were back on the plan, albeit an hour behind schedule. I can’t say much about the locations, since the Round Britain checkpoints have to remain confidential until after the closing date, but the first two before lunch, were visited without any hassle. After a little difficulty in finding
the right petrol station to meet Dawn, we got to the third checkpoint easily enough.
However, this was where it started to go wrong. As usual, Junctions 18-21 of the M6 were backed up, so the 4 of us filtered through, however we were all doing so at various places and between different lanes. As a result, we ended up missing our turn off for the M56.
After a quick chat at the next junction, given the fact that we were behind schedule and the other guys had dinner booked, we decided just to head straight for the hotels. I would pick up the last 4 checkpoints on the way home…or so I thought.
Well, that’s another Welsh Rally over and done with. Despite getting pretty wet for most of the weekend, it was still enjoyable and I look forward to heading back next year.
Journey Down
The plan for the weekend was to meet up with John Fagan and a couple of his mates, Dave and Scott, at Moffat. We’d all head down to Wales together, picking up a few Round Britain Rally points on the way, before ending up at our respective hotels for the weekend.
However, things went wrong pretty quickly when, after taking the cover off the bike and taking off the centre stand, I noticed
that I had a flat back tyre! A quick call to Saltire Suzuki (which is thankfully only round the corner) and I got the bike in for a replacement. I was now running an hour behind, so sent John a text saying that I’d catch up at the second planned checkpoint (I had already visited the first on the way down to the South West Peninsular Rally).
I still went the same planned route, down the A701 to Moffat, and fuel up there since the next stop after that was too far. Lo and behold, there was John and Co. just finishing fuelling up. They’d decided to hang about and have another coffee. So we were back on the plan, albeit an hour behind schedule. I can’t say much about the locations, since the Round Britain checkpoints have to remain confidential until after the closing date, but the first two before lunch, were visited without any hassle. After a little difficulty in finding
the right petrol station to meet Dawn, we got to the third checkpoint easily enough.
However, this was where it started to go wrong. As usual, Junctions 18-21 of the M6 were backed up, so the 4 of us filtered through, however we were all doing so at various places and between different lanes. As a result, we ended up missing our turn off for the M56.
After a quick chat at the next junction, given the fact that we were behind schedule and the other guys had dinner booked, we decided just to head straight for the hotels. I would pick up the last 4 checkpoints on the way home…or so I thought.
Welsh Rally
The morning of the rally at least started sunny, with the forecast for heavy showers throughout the day. Our plan was to take it easier this year, and go for a Silver award (2 manned and 8 unmanned checkpoints). I’d planned that this would take about 6 hours,
including 30 minutes at each manned checkpoint, plus a one hour lunch break.
Along to the Start of the rally at Castle Caereinion to get checked in and to receive our list of questions for the unmanned checkpoints. Dawn was charged with taking the official photos whilst I dealt with the paperwork.
The morning of the rally at least started sunny, with the forecast for heavy showers throughout the day. Our plan was to take it easier this year, and go for a Silver award (2 manned and 8 unmanned checkpoints). I’d planned that this would take about 6 hours,
including 30 minutes at each manned checkpoint, plus a one hour lunch break.
Along to the Start of the rally at Castle Caereinion to get checked in and to receive our list of questions for the unmanned checkpoints. Dawn was charged with taking the official photos whilst I dealt with the paperwork.
The trip started off uneventfully, apart from having to traverse various B roads (aka country lanes) to get to the first location of Sarnau. The question was “Was is missing from the phone box?” . Before we left, I’d guessed that it was the phone…which turned out to be right. The phone box was at a junction of three roads and we watched bikes come from all three directions while we were there…so much for sat navs!
From there it was on to Rhiwlas to find out “What is the name of the house attached to the Canolfan Rhiwlas Centre?” It was a bit busy here, as it was the start of a mountain bike event, but eventually found the answer was Ty Ysgol (which means school house apparently).
From there it was on to Rhiwlas to find out “What is the name of the house attached to the Canolfan Rhiwlas Centre?” It was a bit busy here, as it was the start of a mountain bike event, but eventually found the answer was Ty Ysgol (which means school house apparently).
Next it was on to the first of the manned checkpoints at the Ponderosa Café. This is located at the top of the Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen (1400 ft). We got there just as the heavens opened so I guess it was time for a hot chocolate and sausage roll of course! We were just finishing off when John, Dave and Scott rolled in. They’d had a bit of trouble finding Sarnau (although it wasn't their first checkpoint) and were running behind schedule. So they were out of the café before we were…but we still managed to get on the road before they did, so
no idea what they were up to.
It was back down the pass and on to Cilcain to find out “Why must the green cemetery gates next to the school be kept closed”. There was a small group parked up outside the gates to the cemetery and church (which were green-ish). No signs about why the gates needed to be kept closed though? It looked like the school across the road, but closer inspection found that it was the community centre instead. The other cemetery was around the corner and the culprit that needed to be kept at bay were badgers!
no idea what they were up to.
It was back down the pass and on to Cilcain to find out “Why must the green cemetery gates next to the school be kept closed”. There was a small group parked up outside the gates to the cemetery and church (which were green-ish). No signs about why the gates needed to be kept closed though? It looked like the school across the road, but closer inspection found that it was the community centre instead. The other cemetery was around the corner and the culprit that needed to be kept at bay were badgers!
Next was a slight detour to pick up a Grim checkpoint of Denbigh Castle. Easy to find, so we stopped for a while. Not the hour we had planned but long enough stretch the legs.
Our fourth unmanned checkpoint was Nantglyn to find out when the Church House was built (1922), then on to the fifth, at Bala, to find out the two dates on the plinth at the East end of town (1895 and 1899). Between Denbigh and Bala it pretty much rained constantly and the temperature dropped quite a bit. I wasn’t too bad, but Dawn was soaked and cold, so, over a hot chocolate at the café next to the statue, we decided to cut the rally back to a Bronze (which we already had enough done) and head for the finish. We had an hour to kill before it
opened, so we stayed in the café along with 3 other groups of riders. More came and went and at that point, all of them were cutting their rally short.
Our fourth unmanned checkpoint was Nantglyn to find out when the Church House was built (1922), then on to the fifth, at Bala, to find out the two dates on the plinth at the East end of town (1895 and 1899). Between Denbigh and Bala it pretty much rained constantly and the temperature dropped quite a bit. I wasn’t too bad, but Dawn was soaked and cold, so, over a hot chocolate at the café next to the statue, we decided to cut the rally back to a Bronze (which we already had enough done) and head for the finish. We had an hour to kill before it
opened, so we stayed in the café along with 3 other groups of riders. More came and went and at that point, all of them were cutting their rally short.
A cold and damp run to the finish, saw us arrive at 17:10, for another cup of coffee and a free slice of Birthday cake! Apparantly, it was the 20th birthday of the rally this year. After finishing up the paperwork, we picked up our Bronze Awards, then got back on the bike and back to the hotel for a warm shower and a hot meal.
Checkpoint Sweep
The following day started off raining…not what I wanted as I had planned a 12 hour run around NW Wales picking up checkpoints from various rallies, but since I was here I just got on with it. I also wanted to use the day to double check that my timings were OK for stops and travel time, in preparation for the Brit Butt rally in a couple of weeks ,when time would be more critical. Basically, I allow 5 minutes per checkpoint (to take a photo) and 10 minutes per fuel stop. I set off at 7:52 (already 22 minutes behind schedule) and had an extra fuel stop (since I hadn’t refuelled last night). I was also adding in one of the Round Britain stops that we had missed on the way down on Friday (which added another 9 minutes on to the time, so about 30 minutes to make up).
The following day started off raining…not what I wanted as I had planned a 12 hour run around NW Wales picking up checkpoints from various rallies, but since I was here I just got on with it. I also wanted to use the day to double check that my timings were OK for stops and travel time, in preparation for the Brit Butt rally in a couple of weeks ,when time would be more critical. Basically, I allow 5 minutes per checkpoint (to take a photo) and 10 minutes per fuel stop. I set off at 7:52 (already 22 minutes behind schedule) and had an extra fuel stop (since I hadn’t refuelled last night). I was also adding in one of the Round Britain stops that we had missed on the way down on Friday (which added another 9 minutes on to the time, so about 30 minutes to make up).
First stop was Flint Castle (Grim) with two of the Round Britain checkpoints to follow. After that it was on to Llandudno to pick up a Millennium Totem Pole and a Wall postbox (without a wall) for Grim before picking up another of his checkpoints at Beaumaris Castle, then onto the racing circuit on Anglesey.
Next up was a Round Britain location, then back onto the Grim ones, with the Melin Llynnon Mill. After a quick fuel stop, it was the Point Lynas Lighthouse as part of the Brit Butt Tour. There was a road that ran right up to the archway that we were supposed to get a photo of last year, on the rally itself, but it was for authorised vehicles only. I might have chanced it on the rally, but not today, so I made do with the long shot version. Then it was back to a couple of Grim locations at Anglesey Motor Museum and Caernafon Castle.
After that it was the long run out to the Aberdaron Coastguard station and back again for Harlech Castle, both from last year’s Brit Butt rally. It was at the halfway point on this loop that the rain started, just about as far away from the finish as I could be. It never let up for the rest of the day. After Harlech was the last of the Round Britain rally points, then down to the Lifeboat station at Barmouth and the courthouse at Dolgellau, both Grim locations.
I was thoroughly soaked by this point but didn’t really have many options to head back so I thought I may as well carry on as planned.
The next two points were together, with the Pilgrim’s Cross (Brit Butt) and Bwlch y Groes pass (Grim) at 1780 ft.. The ride up the pass was somewhat treacherous, with the rainwater running down the road, the losse gravel deposited on the road by said rainwater, and the sheep wandering around, but I finally made it to the top.
The next two points were together, with the Pilgrim’s Cross (Brit Butt) and Bwlch y Groes pass (Grim) at 1780 ft.. The ride up the pass was somewhat treacherous, with the rainwater running down the road, the losse gravel deposited on the road by said rainwater, and the sheep wandering around, but I finally made it to the top.
My final checkpoint was the run back down the pass to Lake Vyrnwy. For the Tour photo, I simply had to take a photo of the plaques. On the rally last year, I could also have taken a run around the lake, with a photo of my odometer at the start and finish, for an extra 150 points. I'm not sure the extra 11 miles are worth it, but you never know on the rally…
Then it was a straight run back to the hotel. My schedule had me back for 19:45, but I made it back by 19:00. So my timings are looking good for a fortnights time. We’ll just have to see if my planning gets me a good route first of all…
Then it was a straight run back to the hotel. My schedule had me back for 19:45, but I made it back by 19:00. So my timings are looking good for a fortnights time. We’ll just have to see if my planning gets me a good route first of all…
Journey Home
My original plan had been to pick up one or two points near Oswestry, then to have a run up to the Peak District, with one stop in between, to pick up some more. However, the fact that we’d missed a few locations on the way down, and the fact that the Peak District loop would have added a couple of hours on to the journey, I decided to focus on the missed Round Britain Rally locations, add in a couple of Grim ones, and the Two Wheel Poker one halfway home. It would be a long run from there, but I would at least get home at a reasonable time and get some rest before going back to work the next morning.
Things started off well, with the first location from the Round Britain rally being found without any problem. It went downhill from there. The next location was the Moel ty Uchaf standing stones Llandrillo. As got to the end of a farm track I was beginning to doubt my sat nav co-ordinates. However, a quick check on the website confirmed I was in the right place, but still had a mile to walk to get to the stones. It was chucking it down (the weather theme for the weekend) so I declined the option and cut my losses by heading for the next stop, the mountain pass of Milltir Cerrig (Mile of stones) . Next up was a Round Britain location but ten minutes away from my destination I was faced with a road closure and signed diversions. Fair enough, I retraced my route for about 20 minutes and came around from the other side…only to hit a road closure on that side as well. 45 minutes wasted and I had to retrace my steps again to get back on the route to the next location. Thankfully, it was 300 yards off the M6 and a quick picture and I was off to meet Dawn for lunch near Preston.
My final stop was my third location for the IBA Ireland Two Wheel Poker event. A Cheese press…you certainly see some weird sites on these rallies. From there it was a straight run up the M6 and home. Tired, slightly damp, but a good weekend overall.
My original plan had been to pick up one or two points near Oswestry, then to have a run up to the Peak District, with one stop in between, to pick up some more. However, the fact that we’d missed a few locations on the way down, and the fact that the Peak District loop would have added a couple of hours on to the journey, I decided to focus on the missed Round Britain Rally locations, add in a couple of Grim ones, and the Two Wheel Poker one halfway home. It would be a long run from there, but I would at least get home at a reasonable time and get some rest before going back to work the next morning.
Things started off well, with the first location from the Round Britain rally being found without any problem. It went downhill from there. The next location was the Moel ty Uchaf standing stones Llandrillo. As got to the end of a farm track I was beginning to doubt my sat nav co-ordinates. However, a quick check on the website confirmed I was in the right place, but still had a mile to walk to get to the stones. It was chucking it down (the weather theme for the weekend) so I declined the option and cut my losses by heading for the next stop, the mountain pass of Milltir Cerrig (Mile of stones) . Next up was a Round Britain location but ten minutes away from my destination I was faced with a road closure and signed diversions. Fair enough, I retraced my route for about 20 minutes and came around from the other side…only to hit a road closure on that side as well. 45 minutes wasted and I had to retrace my steps again to get back on the route to the next location. Thankfully, it was 300 yards off the M6 and a quick picture and I was off to meet Dawn for lunch near Preston.
My final stop was my third location for the IBA Ireland Two Wheel Poker event. A Cheese press…you certainly see some weird sites on these rallies. From there it was a straight run up the M6 and home. Tired, slightly damp, but a good weekend overall.