Iceland, her practice starts.

[Timolgra]

Ange has been improving her offroad skills in preparation for our trip in Iceland later this year on her TTR250 but it's time to start getting the hang of things on her Dakar, so.........

After an early morning brekkie at the Ponderosa we head west intending to call on a few mates and throw in some easy lanes for her

Nice and dry for them both

Trying to avoid the traffic we take the road through Llandrillo to Bala and stop for a smoke...tut

before anyone says it....

 

[Timolgra]

There's some lovely waterfalls on the Afon Lliew nearby but that'd have to be for another day

Just enjoying the views and tranquility of this wild valley.

And of course take some photos (all clean and dressed btw)

We call at my mates place, it's at 1200ft with no electricity, mains water, phone reception etc. and I've been coming here for 26 years, often for wild parties, piss ups and worse. Some of the best night's sleep I've ever had have been up in his wooden crog loft after a bottle of Jameson's.
Today he's not in!

 

[Racey]

Well done Angie... Looks to have been an enjoyable and successful day out...

Wish I'd been as thorough with my prep !!

 

[Timolgra]

Ok, let's go another mate's in the Coed y Brenin they might all be there

But first play on some gravel roads, this one passes a ruined house which I used to camp in at times.

At the top we meet half a dozen riders on classic bikes all wearing Sam Brown hi viz belts, I give them a head start but it's a sublime piece of twisting tarmac that I know well and pass them in time to get a few photos.

And here's Ange

 

[Bryn]

First time I've seen your Triumph Tim ...

That's lovely

 

[Timolgra]

She takes another gay photo in the hope of putting Skygod off me when we do the TAT this August....this should do the trick

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

That really is a lovely bike ... when you selling it?

 

[brassmonkey001]

Bah, I thought this thread was about shopping for frozen goods.
Or Kerry Katona going off her tits again.

 

[Timolgra]

Right then Ange, there's going to be rivers in Iceland and you won't be on your TTR so follow me

I give it several test runs for her.
Ooh err

Love this bike

C'mon Ange, it's not deep

Hooray

After a few runs, she's victorious but decides to quit whilst still ahead...(she's smarter than me).
Then we'll move on.

 

[brassmonkey001]

Couldn't you just show her this video instead of going to all that trouble?

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iaYnxBvHCJU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Timolgra]

Couldn't you just show her this video instead of going to all that trouble?

Class

 

[Timolgra]

Over to the Coed y Brenin forest now on the back road through Abergeirw.

I wanted to show Ange my old workshop where I was the mobile engineer for the Forestry Commission many moons ago.
It was from this region of Wales where in tough times many emigrated for Patagonia where they settled and Welsh is still their first language all the way over there.

After riding around the forest we call at another mates small holding, he's bound to be in

He's not, have the jungle drums been beating?

Right we'll call on Mick and the kids in Arenig, he'll be in.
He lives in the same house as I have, on two occasions. Again it's well over a 1000ft up, here loses the sun for 5 weeks in winter and it's flippin freezing.
But today's a glorious day and we're gagging for a cup of tea.

HE'S not bloody in either
So I get Ange to play in the gravel area next to the old granite quarry.

 

[Devon]

Great stuff Tim I am sure the pair of you will love Iceland, looking forward to the ride report already

 

[Timolgra]

Time to start heading back but Ange insists we get some tea.
There's a small cafe in Frongoch, on the Bala to Trawsfynedd road (A4212) which is always worth trying.
The food is homemade and fantastic, give it a try.

I go for the pork and apple pie 'she' the other even though I warn it'll go straight to her hips

Straight road ride now over to Cerrigydrudion, Ruthin and up near Moel Famau just above my last home.

So, not mega miles, around 150 but a great day out despite no one being home and Ange gagging for it all day.....tea that is

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

What model Triumph is that? ... details please.




edit: get that bloody caliper sorted!

 

[Vern]

It's some old knacker of his.

No idea about the bike though

 

[Timolgra]

edit: get that bloody caliper sorted!

No. Ride it

 

[Timolgra]

It's some old knacker of his.

No idea about the bike though

Ange here

DEAD MAN WALKING

and that's the last time you'll goose my arse xxx

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Stripped to the waist in a Pride and Prejudice way................it wasn't hot enough for that shenanigans

 

[Pumpy]

Great report, Tim - looks like you had a fantastic day out and that Ange really enjoyed herself!

Ange, get yourself registered on here and on "the dark side" - then you can tell these cheeky little b*ggers off yourself...

Over to the Coed y Brenin forest now on the back road through Abergeirw.

It was from this region of Wales where in tough times many emigrated for Patagonia where they settled and Welsh is still their first language all the way over there.

Thanks for this information! Funny thing is; 'Evans' and 'Jones' are still the most common surnames in the Welsh colonies in Patagonia and they are all really proud of their language, their customs and ancestry - but no one could tell me where their (great-)grandparents actually came from in Wales... So that's this mystery revealed - much appreciated!

All the best for your Iceland trip!