Click the small pictures for larger images
I’m
jumping straight into day four of the trip as I still need to gather some
extra photos from the guys for days two and three – I was a bit
slack and did not take enough (day two now done).
So as Tyron, Pete and Andy packed up and left (they only had two days
riding booked) it was down to the last three, RBJ, TWD and Rhomech. Only
we had a bit of a problem, we’d broken Rhomech! On the Tuesday we’d
stuck to some nice easy routes with the odd climb but on Tuesday we’d
steped it up a bit and I’m afraid we wore him out so much he declined
the ride on Thursday! I tried to tell him that today’s ride was
easy as far as I knew but he packed up and went home to bed! And I thought
South Africans were tough!
TWD crossing river .................and a couple of snowmen
So once again it was down to two, we packed the car and headed off for
Rhayader. The forecast was not good, but to be honest the morning started
off better than the rest of the week so far. We found our way to the last
car park at the Claerwen reservoir and kitted up in a rather cool breeze.
The first section below the main dam wall was a short interesting lane
that ended in a river crossing, not too deep but enough to keep your wits
about you.
We then set off on the road that skirts the main reservoir which was pretty much just a dirt road but the views across the water were fantastic and the sun was out. We came across two other bikers (both called Mark) and their guide for the day, Marianne from Trail Bike Wales (see end of report for contact details). Mark senior was on one of the new BMW X challenge bikes and Mark junior on an older TTR250.
We stopped for a chat and talked about where we were going so I got my
map out and after a few minutes I think Marianne took pity on me and asked
if I’d like to tag along with them. As this neck of the woods was
all new to me I quickly agreed!
While we were talking the weather took a turn for the worst and I could
see a wall of cloud crossing the water. Trying to fold the map in the
now very strong wind was not easy and both Marks had a bit of a chuckle,
but he who laughs last and all that!
We set off in a group and the rain turned very quickly to hail that bloody
hurt my nose as we made our way along the lane. Thankfully the hail stopped
and was replaced by thick snow! Now this was the first time ever that
I’d ridden in snow and I was thankful of the steering damper so
I could remain standing and wipe the goggles with one hand as it quickly
piled up blocking my vision! I stopped for some pic’s with TWD as
I’m sure the other guys would not believe it after the sunny weather
earlier in the week.
Me and Tony enjoying the snow!
A short section of road followed as Marianne looked for an open pub for an early lunch but in this part of the country finding an open pub at lunch time is harder than you think, all were shut. Straight after the snow the sun popped back out and the hillsides all started steaming! It looked rather surreal and we all commented on it. Having no luck with the pub lunch we carried on with Marion leading us over some UCR’s and I do believe that one of the Marks took a small tumble into a puddle somewhere along this lane but I missed it as I was playing catch up after every gate, volunteering to close them so I could blast along to catch up. We pressed onwards to a village that I have no idea of the name and had lunch - sandwiches from the local paper shop, although the two of us had already thought ahead and bought food with us. We normally don’t stop in pubs as it eats into the riding time too much.
After a welcome cup
of coffee from the same tiny little shop we set off onto the Strata Florida
which was the main reason for TWD and me coming up this way. We had heard
all about the river crossings and been told the scare stories but as it
had not rained for a while I though we’d be ok. However the clouds
where looking very menacing so I did no want to hang about. We set off
and sometimes Marianne led and other times I pressed ahead having a bit
if fun.
It wasn’t long before we came across the first of many river crossings
and I took the lead and crossed first, the rest of the group following
one by one. Now I must say both Marks appeared to be fairly new to this
off road malarkey so they were both a bit tentative crossing the rivers.
First crossing: Mark senior checking out depth, TWD crossing and Mark junior following.
The second crossing was a fair bit deeper but had a shallow section on
the right hand side. I crossed over and pulled the camera out but before
I could get ready Mark junior crossed over – well half way anyway
and then promptly tipped over into the water! The bike was well and truly
drowned. TWD crossed next and hit a small rock that sent him across the
deepest section so he gunned it hard and luckily made it across. Marianne
followed and hit difficulties early on so jumped off and walked the bike
across. So that just left Mark senior who edged out carefully –
far too carefully I think as I’m sure he hit the same rock TWD did
and fell over! So now we had two drowned bikes, great!
TWD starting across.......and getting to the other side ...was that deep?
BMW X challenge drowning! .......and
the rescue....Note:TWD not getting feet wet!
BMW X - a larger view of it drowing
Once the bikes were both recovered I said to Mark junior (ttr owner) “right
whip off the seat and pull the filter". Holding his hands up he said
“I don’t know where to start”. Well today’s your
lucky day then as I quickly pulled the bike apart and about half a litre
poured out the airbox with more inside the filter. Seeing that much water
in the box I decided to pull the plug as well and just as well I did.
As the plug came out a small water fountain followed!
We turned the TTR on it’s head and operated the kickstart to clear
the engine and once it was all put back together (and turned the petrol
on -oops) it fired up no problem, running fine without any farting or
spluttering.
TTR on its head: click pic for larger
images
Next was the BMW, Mark
senior and TWD had been working on this while junior and I put the TTR
back together. My god but it’s like a road bike with the amount
of fasteners holding all the different parts together. To get to the plugs
(yes twin plug head) the air box lower section needs removing much like
a road bike in its layout. Only problem, the engine breather pipe going
to the airbox was held on by those spring clip type crimps that need a
special tool to remove. One snapped lug later and the box was out, only
for us to discover that there was no plug spanner in the BMW tool kit,
and none of the others would fit! So we turned it upside down and opened
the injection butterfly to clear what we could and then put it all back
together again. Amazingly it started first press of the button! I do feel
that this short of bike belongs on simple dirt roads and not proper off
road terrain.
One thing I did notice while the bike was upside down Mark and that is the starter motor is in front of the engine right where all the muck can get to it. Make sure you remove the rubber cap from the electrical connection and clean the tabs regularly!
Luckily there were no more drowning of bikes on the next river crossing.
TWD crossing and a few unsteady moments
for the others
We filled up with petrol and Mark senior headed off home as the next section
was going to be over a bog and Marianne was not confident the trail tyres
would make it.
Tony offered Mark junior a ride on his CRF250X and he loved it so much
Tony told him to stick to it until we got to some more dirt roads. Marianne
made a sudden stop on the tar road and Mark found out that the Honda’s
brakes are a lot sharper than his TTR’s by losing the front end
and dumping Tony’s bike! He was very apologetic but luckily dirt
bikes crash well and there was no damage done, only hurt pride!
After a few more UCR’s we got to the bog and having never done much
bog trotting before I was a bit apprehensive but took the lead anyway,
picking my way along and blasting across any bad sections. That was until
the ‘bad’ bit caught me out and grabbed the bike so hard I’m
sure it would still be there if I was on my own! The front wheel was pretty
much buried to the top and it took a lot of pulling to free it. There
was so much mud stuck to the wheel I could hardly ride it! It felt like
a bucking bronco.
Being
a little more cautious we picked our way across the boggy sections, sometimes
walking the path first.
We had to clear a gully by taking a run and then hopping across the boggy
gap, Mark was a little unsure but had a go anyway and crossed over arms
and legs flying, bounced several times and then went arse over tit. First
thing he said as he got up was ‘well I made it across’! That’s
the dirt biker spirit!
Mark junior......... in the Bog
After that we split up and by the time we got back to the car and had packed up it was gone 7pm! Then temp gauge in the car reading 2.5 deg, so a bit chilly then! I floored the car and we were in the pub just past 8pm, another great week over.
If you’re looking for a guide in the area I could recommend Welsh Trail Tours (or somthing like that), Marianne can string a nice days riding together and the pace is good for people not interested in ‘pulling the handlebars off their bikes’, quote TWD.
Marianne is also the RoW officer for the Mid Wales TRF group and can be contacted on 01686 430522. So if any of you guys would like to hire a guide for the day give her a call. or see links below.
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