Crawling into damp riding gear is never the best way to start the day but after the soaking we got on the way down to Wales it was inevitable that I would be starting my first Welsh rally in wet gear. That however was the only down side, because the rally itself is incredibly well organised and managed by Clive MCC. The manned and unmanned checkpoints are scattered all over north and south Wales and you pick/plan your own route.
Although it started wet, the day turned into one of the stand out riding days I have ever enjoyed as I meandered my way round some fantastic roads surrounded by often cloud shrouded stunning views. From the start finish at Castle Caereinion I rode west towards the coast and then went up and round Snowdonia before riding the LLanberis pass to Betwsy Coed and then head back to the start via Lake Bala.
Over the nine hours I was on the road (and in cafe's) I clocked up a distance of a shade over 300 miles which was 60 odd more than planned as I missed a check point so had to make a big out of the way diversion, which earned me a Silver award.
Although there were a few airhead's in the Rally I only saw one other R65 with a big black Polaris fairing but did not get a chance to chat to the owner as either I was leaving as they arrived or vice versa.
I'm definitely doing it again next year because it was a blast.
Some footage and blather from me during the rally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nA9MzLKHlE
