Bobbi’s Epic Journey
Last month I went on my first long solo trip on the Kawasaki GT550, taking photos of landmarks for
the Round Britain Rally, combined with visiting my sister in Wales and an old friend in Solihull.
Day I
Had to pack as I,d been on the Brooklands club run the day before and was too tired to do it
when I got home, then rode up to Gloucestershire in sunshine to phot my first target in Toddington,
then across to Tewkesbury and the M50 - a completely empty motorway! Stopped at Raglan for the loo
and to buy airtime for my mobile which was giving problems. Rode on to the Oasis Café at Abergavenny
- a bikers meeting place. Met some friendly bikers (1 love the Welsh accent!), missed ‘Woody’ from the
internet Bikers Forum I frequent, due to my phone problem. Then to my sisters home at Llantilio Crossenny,
9 miles from Abergavenny, where) met my great-niece Milly, now 14, haven’t seen her since she was 3!
Day 2
Abergavenny - Brecon - Llandovery where I chatted to a biker from Cardiff at the bikers café,
found my target quite easily, then on via Carmarthen to Laugheme on the South coast, photted the castle
and talked to a man who had 8 British bikes in his garage. On to Fishguard, had a bit of trouble finding
the target till I asked a roadworks crew, one of them got a map out and showed me. The location was down
a footpath, so a police officer kindly moved his unmarked car so I could phot the bike in front of the
“Old Fort’ sign - thanks Mr Plod. Phoned my sister to say I wouldn’t be home by 7.30! On to Newcastle
Emlyn, found the castle easily, but there my luck and my disposable camera ran out and I’d left the
second one in my room! Oh well.
Late afternoon now, and all the filling stations are dosed. Help! Finally found one at Lampeter, much
relief - please note folks, in them thar Welsh hills, fill up before 5 oclock! Phoned Gillian again,
told her where I was, she said she’d cancel the dinner table she’d booked - oops! Not an easy road
from Lampeter to Llandovery; I was tired and it was getting dark and cold, but at Llandovery the A40
begins to took like an ‘A’ road again and it’s good all the way to Abergavenny then B road ( raining
now but not worth stopping to put waterproofs on), then up the narrow lane. I dipped the headlight to
see the awful surface better, then quickly back on main beam! Fact - if you can’t see how bad the surface
is, the bike doesn’t wobble so much! Turned in to Gillians gate but couldn’t face the track, which is
surfaced with loose stones and with a drop on the right, parked the bike at the top and walked down.
Chicken?
Yeah, cluck cluck!
Day 3
Earlier start, just as well, the two castles I had to phot were so amazing I spent ages looking round
, and chatting to an elderly gent who used to ride a Velocette. Then on via Hereford to Bromyard on what would
be a great biking road if only the surface weren’t so awful! Breakfast in the middle of the afternoon at “Le
Café” in The Square at Bromyard, where I was made very welcome by Carol and Alan. They’re always glad to see
bikers, but Carol said if you’re coming in a group, phone beforehand so she can get some extra help in, as Alan
will be outside looking at the bikes!
This was a sentimental journey for me as I used to work near Bromyard; then I continued on to Worcester - a ride
I used to do once a fortnight on my BSA Dandy moped - arguably the worst thing BSA ever produced! From Worcester
where I went to school to Droitwich where I lived when 1 was first married, phot a statue there and head for the
motorway and my next stay near SolihulI. Great to see my old friend Helen, it was a good thing I was going out and
about on the bike or we’d both have lost our voices!
Lessons leamed so far - don’t stay with friends or family if you want to use all the daylight -
they have a tendency to expect you back for tea! And don’t be lulled into a false sense of security cos your
bike has a big tank - those Welsh hills and bends use more fuel, and the petrol stations all pack up at teatime!
oh, you don’t get off that easy - I’ll tell you the rest next month!
Day 4
Left late (nattering again), headed for Womboum (west of B’ham) and my next target,
‘The Bratch’ locks. Watched some boats going thru and chat to a (pedal) cycling chef I met.
Then out into Shropshire to Wenlock Edge, down a very long hill with an awful surface, only
to be foiled from reaching my target by “Foot & Mouth - Keep Out” signs. Never mind, photted
the signboard to prove I’d been there, and off to the next location north of Telford, a pile
of horseshoes at a smithy by the road. There was another target further north, but I called
it a day as I planned to meet Graham from the Round Britain Rally website, so I headed for the
motorway - it’s a good way to get thai the city usually! But this was the day some idiot decided
to hang from a bridge, causing closure of the M6 and traffic chaos throughout the area! I filtered
for MILES down the motorway, going down the M5 to Dudley, on quite the wrong side of Birmingham. Somehow
1 found my way to Solihull, avoiding choked roads by taking roughly the same direction and working
my way back. Never got to see Graham but I did get back to Helen’s.
Funny moment - stopped to look at the map, along came 2 little boys on scooters. As I took my lid off,
one said "Cor it’s a lady! I didn’t know ladies could ride motorbikes!” And an observation - filtering
on the M5 (which I’ve never done before) I was pleased at how many drivers moved over to let me thru - including
a Volvo! Also I was quite amazed how many people are totally unable to show you where you are on a map!
Day 5
Set earlier, caught the moming traffic including the one who pulls out so you can’t pass - silly twit,
the other side was clear so I went round, giving him a mental 2 fingers (he wasn’t worth the effort). Following
signs for NON motorway route to Warwick, it suddenly disappeared from the signs, so used the motorway anyway,
went too far, couldn’t find the road I needed, had to go all round and find the other end! Worth it tho, at the
landmark -another Old Smithy, this one used by a wood-burning stove company - I was offered coffee and use of
the loo by Julie, who was “holding the forge” while her boss was away! Then I headed south for Chipping Norton.
Had to stop for waterproofs, the first rain since Tues evening, but at Chipping Norton It was hot sunshine.
Visited the Tourist Office for the mapref for my next landmark and lunch seemed a good idea so I bought a sandwich
. What a sandwich - probably the Best in England - freshly made with doorsteps of crusty bread, bulging with ham
and salad - and all for 2 quid. It’s hard to get going again when you’re full and it’s sunny but off I went to
find the Hawk Stone, then set off for home. Checking the map just outside Burford, first a dirt-biker, then a dear
old gent on a pedal cycle, stopped to see if I was Ok! Swindon, Marlborough, Salisbury - back on home ground.
Salisbury was chock a block as usual so I toodled round some back roads and on home to Wareham.
With the club run the day before I set out, I’d done 1300 miles in the 6 days-so I went on the Daisy Chain Run on
Sunday - another 100.-so it’s time for an oil change a new front tyre too - the old one got thru the MOT before I
went but now it feels horrible!
It was my first long trip on my own, and I was nervous before I ‘vent - but now 1 can’t wait to do it again! I would
refuel earlier, as I really didn’t like the bit when I was low on petrol - I did have my RAC card and mobile phone,
but it was dark and lonely, which is ok as long as you keep going! Also I may join the YHA as I’m told theyte not
surprised if you turn up at 10pm, unlike friends and relatives who tend to expect you for tea!
And having done 1400 miles in 8 days, I reckon I’ll be ok to do the 900 miles to the rally near Prague next year!
Oh - and always ask a lorry driver if you want to know where you are!
PS - Since then l’ve done the National Rally - 690 miles in 30 hours. That’s another story, but I did get to meet Graham
at the finish! And my new tyre is lovely.
BOBBI