With the change in restrictions in Wales coming into force on 24th April when we could legally gather in groups of 6 we were able to organise the first rideout of the year. Where to go was the first question? With the restrictions not yet allowing pub, restaurants and café to open until the 26th we decided it had to be a raid into Englandshire. The destination decided upon was Shobdon Airfield, which is near Leominster.
At 10 am John Hawkins, Tony Johnson, Murray Wiltshire, Lloyd Williams and myself gathered at Dowlais ASDA. Sadly Stuart couldn’t get out of bed that early. It was a bit windy up there in the back end of beyond and I was left with the thought of why anybody would choose to live up there let alone build a supermarket. We hit the road just after 10 and headed East to Beaufort and then over to Llangynidr. Despite the clear blue skies it was still a bit chilly in the keen wind and we were glad to get off the mountain despite the terrific views. We headed past Llangorse Lake to Bronllys to the Honey Café where Craig and Brian Hudson were to join us.
After a coffee and loo break we headed north to Brilley and Knington with Murray in the lead. There was a bit of flying going on at Shobdon and a few spectators. Some headed for the café while the rest of us sat on the grass and ate our sandwiches and emptied our flasks.
Suitably refreshed we headed out for and along the A44 but turned off before getting to the Widowmaker and turned south to Hundred House. Near Builth Wells I took over the lead as we were going into the town and taking the B road to Brecon. A nice bit of twisty which comes out at Upper Chapel. The plan was to get ice cream in Brecon as there is a rather nice parlour there. However when we got there we couldn’t find a suitable parking area and the queue was half way up the street. The ice cream got abandoned. This is when Lloyd had a call from work and had to leave us.
We headed for Sennybridge and then down the Swansea valley. A quick stop overlooking Crai reservoir for a quick chat as Craig would be leaving us at our next change of direction at Abercraf. From Abercraf we headed for Glyn Neath where Tony and Brian chickened out early and took the faster road to Rhigos and home. At Rhigos John headed over the mountain to home to leave Murray and myself to trundle down through the Dare Valley and home.
A beautiful sunny dry day and quite warm as the day wore on. Shame we missed out on the ice cream as that could have topped the day off. Funnily enough it didn’t feel like we had gone a long way but when I worked it out I had covered about 170 miles while Brian reported 206 miles, so it wasn’t that short a ride. Maybe it was the longer stops or the enjoyable roads? Once again great company and great roads.
Mike
All-focus 
All-focus
