Fancy a great weekend riding the fabulous, curvy biking roads of Wales with its breathtaking scenery, and with no shortage of interesting places to visit.
This is a 2 night, 3 days away weekend motorcycle tour to Mid and North Wales, departing from Dorchester on the morning of Friday 8th and returning on Sunday afternoon 10th September. The tour will be based in Llanfyllin, Powys, within touching distance of some of best biking roads in mid and north Wales – especially west and east of Bala and north over the Denbigh Moors, and not forgetting the stunning Snowdonia National Park.
The tour is open to all Full Members. This is an opportunity not to be missed to ride the fantastic roads Wales has to offer motorcyclists.
Contact Brian to reserve your place mtc@dwdam.org.uk
Day 1 – Friday 8th September: 0900 depart Dorchester to Llanfyllin, Powys.
The ride will initially head north across Dorset and Wiltshire along A roads and a few dual carriageways, aiming for Leigh Delamere Services West on the M4 (coffee/comfort stop). Once refreshed we head west along the M4, then the M48, across the Severn Bridge, crossing the border into Wales at Chepstow. The ride then heads west along the first of our curvy Welsh roads – the B4235 to Usk, and on to Abergavenny Bus Station for another refreshment stop (approx 72 miles, 1 hour 45 mins). After short break, head for Brecon and take a route up and over the Brecon Beacons via Lower and Upper Chapel. We descend to Garth and take another great road, the B4358 from Beulah to Newbridge-on-Wye along the A470 to Rhayader, with a lunch and duel stop en-route.
After lunch we head for Llanidloes and on arrival we take the fabulous B4518, past Llyn Clywedog Reservoir and to Machynlleth via Forge. Stunning scenery and the B4518 Llanidloes to Machynlleth is Iisted as one of the top 5 motorcycling roads in Wales. On arrival in Machynlleth we head for Llanfyllin via Mallwyd via the A470, the A458 and just before Llangadfan, left onto the B4395 direct to Llanfyllin (33 miles from Machynlleth).
Day 1 – Total 247 miles. ETA Llanfylin 1730
Day 2 – Saturday 9th September: After a good Welsh breakfast we depart from Llanfyllin at 0900 for a fabulous tour across the Denbigh Moors and a loop around the Snowdonia National Park. The initial route out of Llanfyllin will follow the wonderful B4391 to Bala, another road listed amongst the top 5 motorcycling roads in Wales. On arrival in Bala the ride will seek out the cross county B4401 road to Corwen, we then follow the A5 to Llangollen and ascend the Horseshoe Pass along the A452 to the famous Ponderosa Café, a mega for bike riders. Following a refreshment stop, the ride heads towards Ruthin along yet another cracking, twisty road, the A525 which runs through Nant-y-Garth Pass. On arrival in Ruthin the ride will head for the Denbigh Moors, past Llyn Brenig, then back onto the A5 heading for Betws-y Coed. After a stop coffee stop, the ride commences what promises to be awesome – the Snowdonia Loop, passing Llyn Ogwen, Bethesda and it’s Welsh Slate Quarries, Llanberris, Pen-y-Pass, Beddgelert, Rhyd with a lunch stop at the Oakeley Arms, Tal-y-Bwlch, near Bleanau Ffestiniog.
The last leg to Llanfyllin will follow yet more stunning roads including the B4391 and the B4212 past Llyn Celyn to Bala. The rode then hugs Bala Lake, this is the B4403 which runs on the east side towards LLanuwchllyn. The ride then ascends towards Bwlch Y Groes, before it descends to Lake Vyrnwy, then onto Llanwddyn via the B4393, B4391 and A490 to the Cain Valley Hotel for a well earned glass. All in all, a cracking day’s riding.
Day 2 – Total 196 miles. ETA Llanfyllin 1700 / 1730.
Day 3 – Sunday 10th September: – After another hearty Welsh breakfast, we depart from the Cain Valley Hotel, Llanfyllin at 0930 and head for Dorset via the B4393, LLangadfan, A458 , LLanfair Caereinion, follow the B4389 A483 direction Welshpool, A483 to the Newtown by-pass, continue on the A483 to Crossgates, The A483 is listed amongst the top 5 motorcycling roads in Wales. Although relatively flat by Welsh standards, it is packed full curvy bends and features some fabulous scenery. At Crossgates take the A44 to Rhayader, Builth Wells, Bronllys, Abergavenny, Usk, and Chepstow. Leaving Wales behind we cross into England via the Severn Bridge, M48, M5, Bridgewater, A39 Bath Rd, Somerton, Illchester,A37 Yeovil Dorchester.
Day 3 – Total 232 miles approx. ETA Dorchester 1700 / 1730.
If you are interested contact Brian (Tour Leader) no later than 1st July who will provide you with an additional written briefing document outlining pre-tour admin arrangements but briefly they are:
Tour Leader / Organiser:
Brian Purnell.
Tour Numbers:
Will be a maximum of 8 with a minimum of 5 to make it a viable tour.
Hotel Accommodation:
The Cain Valley Hotel, Llanfyllin, SAY22 5AQ, Powys. Costs = £75 ppn, on a B&B basis in a double room, single occupancy.
Evening dinner: Available at The Cain Valley Hotel if required on both Friday 8th and Saturday 9th September.
Booking Arrangements: Tour booking should be made direct with Brian at mtc@dwdam.org.uk. Closing date for making a tour booking is Saturday 1st July 2023. When making a tour booking, a £50 deposit to reserve your hotel accommodation will be required. All bookings will be taken on a first come first served basis. The balance of the tour full payment will be required to be made by noon on Tuesday 8th August, one month prior to departure.
It is requested that tour hotel accommodation payments be made via BACS transfer. BACS details will be advised via a What’s App ‘Wales September Weekend Tour Social App’ which will be set up to communicate with confirmed tour bookings.
When submitting your booking, the following information is required:
Full name, contact details (email address & mobile number. Any dietary requirements should also be made known when booking.
Account settlement: Each individual will be responsible for settling their individual Hotel incidentals expense account when checking out. The Tour Leader will settle Hotel B&B costs on behalf of all tour members drawing on the monies already paid in by tour members. Receipts will be provided in the normal manner.