The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => Ride Reports and Event Reviews => Topic started by: steve hawkins on April 22, 2014, 03:15:55 AM
-
Last week, whilst the sun was shining, me and a couple of mates took a ride out from Swindon to Monmouthshire. Only an hour away, we first went to Ross-on-Wye and then headed down to find 3 Norman castles to the South West.
Skenfrith, Grosmont and White castle.
Popular with bikers, the area does see plenty of race-reps looking to make themselves unpopular on or spread themselves across the main roads. But since we were riding older Airheads (R100 and R100gs) and a Yamaha XT600, we found ourselves gravitating to the single track farm roads, winding themselves round the local hills and valleys. Fantastic riding and much of it below 20mph.
At lunch time we were directed towards an old stately home for tea and sandwiches. A place called Part-Y-Seal. Very 'shabby chic' old stately home and BandB, fantastic homemade butties and cakes. Unfortunately we spent too long at this place, enjoying the hospitality, the tea and cake, the quiet and listening to the birdsong in the garden.....We actually never made it to White Castle as a result!
Great area to explore for the kind of bikes being ridden by myself and my mates. All-rounders with a hint of trail about them. Bumping across a bridal way or rough road? - Not a problem.
Should have bought my camping gear and stayed a day or two - Or stayed at Part-y-Seal.
Note: The area had a rough winter, so the B road directly between Skenfrith and Grosmont castles has been washed away. However we found our way round the other side of the hill without resorting to maps and compasses!.
Cheers
Steve H
-
You a Swindon man then Steve?
I lived in Swindon from 79 through to 85, Toothill (with my Parents), then Prospect Hill (almost next door to the Castle Inn), Old Town and then WB, (now known of course as Royal WB!). Used to work at Skurrays (when it was in Old Town).
Liked RWB the best, very nice!
-
Yep, over on the east side of town, near the new Hostiple (as my lad used to say when he was a nipper).
Swindon - middle of nowhere - but not too far from anywhere else.
-
Swindon - middle of nowhere - but not too far from anywhere else.
I like that line. Stolen. ;)
-
I too went Castle hunting and visited the fabulous Raby Castle to check out a forth coming re-enactment what a stunning place.
Lou
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raby_Castle
-
Very impressive Lou.
Those castles are an amazing part of our historical heritage.
-
Very impressive Lou.
Those castles are an amazing part of our historical heritage.
Just been informed our proposed gig at Raby Castle is on, interesting combination Cowboys and Castles !!!! looking forward to 2 nights camping in the Castle grounds I will take my 45/70 no Buffalo but plenty of Deer [smiley=rifle.gif] the event is on June 28th if any UK members fancy it bear in mind there are some great bike roads up there.
Lou