Long Distance Ride - Strata Florida & Happy Valley

[WindyChuffer]

Went on a two day ride with MerlinGS1200 and Trailrides Wales, weekend of 7th & 8th June. Starting from Rhayader, taking in Strata Florida and ending up at Machynlleth for the night. B&B, then Happy Valley and more lanes back to Rhayader. First proper off road outing on the 1200GSA WC. Left London late and trailered it up. Bucketed down with rain during the night. Strata Florida was quite wet. Most of these pix are stills from the GoPro mounted to the 12. Some cracking riding. Super impressed with the new 1200GSA WC compared to the old model. Joined by a few other bikes including a KTM 640 & 690, a CCM 600ish, 300EXC, an 800GS and a cpl of others including MerlinGS1200's very tasty blinged up G650XC.

Note the GoPro mounted by the RH air intake.


Strata Florida:


Frogs Island 4x4 / Terrafirma wagon:






There's a front wheel here somewhere. Glad the air box and intakes are high on the new 12.

 

[WindyChuffer]

More pix on Strata Florida, again GoPro stills.

First casualty on a 600:

 

[WindyChuffer]

In flight refuelling from the handy C130 Tanker. We had a 300EXC 2t with us that had some fuelling issues; tank range of ~40 miles !!! My 300 EXC 2t does 90 miles to a tank. Jetting issue perhaps?

 

[WindyChuffer]

This time on Happy Valley heading towards Machynlleth. Gorgeous day. Great views of Dolgellau.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Here's a GoPro Vid shot from the 12 going up Happy Valley. Unedited. I have loads of footage from Strata Florida which really does need editing down. So here's a taster.

 

[WindyChuffer]

And another on Happy Valley, again shot from the 12.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Almost forgot - if you are taking a BMW off road, then for goodness sake fit a decent bash plate. On this trip we had a chap with us on an 800GS with the standard mickey mouse plastic bash plate. He cracked his engine casing on Happy Valley; the rocks can be vicious there. AA Relay home to the NE of England. Bummer.

Super impressed with the AltRider bash plate I fitted to the 12. Seems to have taken the pounding very well so far. Solid piece of kit.

 

[Timolgra]

Excellent

 

[GFJ]

First casualty on a 600:

Love this pic!

Good looking WC as well (plus the blinged up XC, makes mine look rather tame in comparison)

 

[Daxaar]

Superb, you're a braver man than I taking a new GSA on those trails.

I had my first taste of off-road with TrailQuest a few weeks ago. This makes me want to jump on the GS and head over there but I know however it would end in tears.

 

[JPR]

You Sir,are a definite hard core hero!

 

[Lord Vader]

More pix on Strata Florida, again GoPro stills.

First casualty on a 600:

Brilliant pics
You had a bit more water than me when i wrestled my super tanker through

 

[WindyChuffer]

Yes water level was quite high. Not do-able on the older GS last weekend due to the lower air intake; these would have flooded for sure. Nice pix though. Hopefully will get some of me emailed through...

 

[earthmover]

Proper job!
Mark

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Windychuffer
Excellent stuff and a well ridden GS, it certainly was watercooled. Thanks for posting,that gopro still looks like the best camera set up. Nice memories of Strata Florida. Do post other videos when you have edited. Look forward to that.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Here you go chaps, here's an edited video of Strata Florida. Turn the volume up and enjoy.

 

[Lord Vader]

Here you go chaps, here's an edited video of Strata Florida. Turn the volume up and enjoy.

Very very nice
Just cant believe the water depth you went through just alone for that i would fancy a LC
No chance with my 09,i drowned mine in much lower water levels

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

New watercooled GS adventure is crossed with de U Boat. Bit of good riding there sir. Thanks for posting that one up as well.

 

[finn]

excellent

 

[merlings1200]

Excellent video Mike