Some rides are just a date in the diary with little discussion beforehand. Others begin months before the engine is even started.
Our Welsh residential was definitely one of those.
The first conversations about heading into Wales started back in March when a number of people said they fancied getting away for a few days and making a proper biking trip of it. I volunteered to lead it and started putting some initial plans together. A couple of routes were created, covering two full days of riding, and they sat ready as drafts while the finer details developed.
The truth is, my forte and my interests are not in the minutiae of route planning. I enjoy the bigger picture, bringing people together, organising the trip and making sure it all comes together. The intricate business of sitting for hours studying maps and linking every tiny road together was left to someone who absolutely loves that challenge.
That proved to be the right decision.
The routes that came back were exceptionally well thought through. The roads chosen were exactly what a Welsh biking trip should be about, with flowing bends, spectacular scenery, quiet roads and those hidden gems you would probably never find simply following a sat nav.
The planning was done. The routes were loaded. The accommodation was booked. All that remained was for the day to arrive, the bikes to be packed, and for us to head towards Wales.
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The Joy of a Residential Ride
One of the real benefits of a residential trip is that it allows you to escape the familiar local roads and venture into areas that, as a group, you may never have explored before.
I was fortunate that many of the roads we rode were places I already knew well. Some I had experienced on my larger bikes in more recent years, but some held memories stretching right back to my late teens when I would head down from north North Wales on my CB125, chasing the excitement of the RAC Rally around Welsh Forest stages. There was something quite special about returning to those roads all these years later on a very different machine and with a very different perspective.
Day 1: https://www.relive.com/view/v4OGrKwPe5v
The trip itself was absolutely fantastic.
We had twelve riders, all from one of the local groups I ride with, and importantly everyone was of a good riding standard. That made a huge difference. We moved through the Welsh countryside smoothly and with a natural flow, which is always one of the pleasures of riding with capable and considerate people.
As the ride leader, I was able to simply ride my own ride and maintain the flow at the speed limits. There was no pressure for anyone to ride beyond their comfort zone and no need for anybody to take risks to keep up. Everyone had the GPX files loaded onto their own devices, we were linked through Cardo communication systems, and we had agreed points where we would regroup if the ride became separated. Buddy drop off was used in places. Flow was maintained.
There were quirks with navigation at times with different units having slightly different settings that led to re routing anomalies. All sorted via Cardo.
The riding was consistent, the group worked well together, and we remained together for most of the journey. That allowed everyone to relax, enjoy the roads, and take in what Wales does best.
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The Roads, the Rhythm, and the Safety Net
The routes themselves were a real mix, and that is exactly what made them so enjoyable.
We had those fantastic sweeping national speed limit roads where the bike just settles into a rhythm and everything feels effortless. Then, almost without warning, you would find yourself on national speed limit roads that were anything but sweeping, tight single track lanes with grass growing down the middle, reminding you that Wales does not really do predictable.
There were beautiful B roads, slowing sections through villages, stretches sitting at nationals (Tea Pot One was quoted often), and of course, no Welsh ride would be complete without dipping into 20 mph limits where you are forced to sit back, relax, and take in your surroundings whether you planned to or not.
And that is part of the beauty of it.
Those slower sections give you time to breathe. Time to look up at the architecture. Time to notice the detail in the villages and the landscape. Time for a quick chat as you roll through before the road opens back out again and you are back into the flow of the ride.
That contrast is what makes it so special.
Riding a motorbike in a group is always about the shared experience, but it only works properly when there is trust in the system. You need to know people have your back, that everything is organised, and that safety is not left to chance.
That is where Gruff came in as tail end Charlie, or TEC as we call it. He stayed on the back of the group, kept everything together, and maintained contact throughout. If there were any hold ups, lights that split the group, or anything worth noting, it came through quickly so I could adjust if needed.
It meant I could focus on the ride ahead, knowing the rest of the group was being looked after behind me if they were out of Cardo range.
And that makes a huge difference to how relaxed and enjoyable the whole experience feels.
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Accommodation, Decisions, and a Different Kind of Comfort
The accommodation was not my first choice.
If I am honest, I would have preferred camping. There is something about being outdoors after a day on the road, getting back to basics, and feeling closer to the journey you have just ridden. That tends to be my natural preference when I am away on the bike. But when I put the poll out only two said camping. The other one, Joe, couldn’t come anyway as he was on tour in Germany.
But on this occasion, the reality of the riding meant something different made more sense. I was glad of a bed and no ‘making camp’.
We had a very long first day (260 miles) and another long day planned for the second (180 miles), so proper rest became important.
Day 2. (Most of it). https://www.relive.com/view/vQvykjMm946
In that sense, staying at the White Lion Hotel in Macynlleth worked well. It was reasonably priced and gave everyone a base with a room to themselves. I must say organising accommodation is not only time consuming but so changeable with people’s decisions.
Some people chose to stay at a nearby bed and breakfast to secure a single room for themselves. That did create a little separation in the evenings, but only in a limited way. People still came together, shared stories from the day, and compared notes on the riding.
Looking back, keeping everyone under one roof would probably make the whole experience flow even better next time.
There is also a future in this idea that keeps coming back to me.
A return to Wales in early September feels right. There are roads from this trip that were not ridden this time, plus others I know would be brilliant to include. A smaller, more hardy group would suit that kind of ride well. I think two night base at Moto Junkies in Dolgellau. A couple of nights camping, sitting around a fire, cooking simple food, or taking the easy option and heading out for fish and chips near a local pub. Nothing complicated. Just good company and good roads.
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The Ride Home and the Rhythm of Sunday
The ride back on Sunday happened to fall on Father’s Day, which brought its own personal moments throughout the day. Messages, calls, and WhatsApps came through at different points, each one adding a small reminder of home while still being out on the road.
The riding itself was steady and enjoyable, although there were stretches of around 15 to 20 miles set at 40 mph that felt slower than necessary. That said, it created an unexpected benefit. It gave everyone time to settle, relax, and recharge a little before the next flowing section of road appeared.
Sometimes the road dictates the rhythm, and you just go with it.
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Small Moments That Stick
One of the highlights came during a stop in Staffordshire at a McDonalds late in the afternoon. Nothing glamorous, just a simple break in the day. But it turned into one of those moments that stays with you.
Jonathan had prepared a sticker for the Peaks and Dales Bikers Grand Welsh Adventure. A simple idea, but a thoughtful one, and it now sits on the side of my top box. Every time I throw a leg over the bike and see it, it brings the weekend back instantly.
It is those small details that often matter more than the big ones.
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The Bike, the Crossing, and the Ride
The machine for the weekend was the K1600, and it proved to be an absolute star.
It handled everything thrown at it without complaint. Tight switchbacks, narrow lanes, sweeping open roads, it just adapted and carried on with ease. It matched the versatility of an adventure bike in many ways, while delivering comfort that made the long days far easier to manage.
A very good choice for this kind of trip.
On the first morning, leaving Macynlleth, some of the group crossed the Barmouth Bridge, dropping their coins into the honesty box before continuing on their way.
I will leave the video of that to others to share. It is one of those things best experienced through the eyes of the people who were there.
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Final Reflection
By the time I got home, I slept well.
A small nightcap of whisky on Father’s Day probably helped, but more than anything it was the feeling of a weekend well spent. Good roads, good people, and a steady flow of miles that left the right kind of tiredness behind.
And that is really what it is all about.
Next weekend it is back to Wales this time with ROSPA Derby group. Looking forward to that.
Ride safe everyone.
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