1001 dry miles round England and Wales

[Fritz]

20 years ago a bike club started, but it wasn't the Vstrom, which I didn't have then - taken until more recently to see the light! The club was for BMW GSs and back then we had our venerable R100GS. Someone had put a shout out for a bt of a do and it was based in Kington, Herts, but right on the Welsh border. Lovely spot and surrounded by some cracking riding.

Pics are in Elan Valley and the dirt road is the one going out the top that then gets more knarly - but first mile or so not too tricky two up.

The irony is on the ride out there was just the one GS 

[Fritz]

Back on the black we discovered some great paced riding and some cracking 'mountain' roads - not suggesting alpine engineered passes, just narrow very steep and windy surfaced shepherds trails

[Fritz]

Whilst our fellow rider stopped to chat to some trail riders Bev noticed the CRF had been parked very colour coordinated 

[Fritz]

Leaving after the weekend we passed this relic - common to the skie around our way in past as based at Dishforth - there's one in the beer garden of the 'Standard' pub in Northallerton too

[Fritz]

A sign I always welcome, though a tad narrow to take too much advantage of. Out of Hay on Wye and over Capel y Ffin, be nasty if busy but as Queen's funeral quite quiet..ish

[Fritz]

Bev wanted to observe the 2 minute silence and it was coming up as we passed this place. It was open but only staff in and funeral on TV so they welcomed us for a coffee and a moment of reflection. As the BH and funeral had been announced just before the trip we wondered about fact we were swapping accommodation that day so fuelled up before and bought some emergency supplies...but it turned put to be unnecessary really. All said it was a nice place to stop for the break

[Fritz]

And so to next destination, Weston Super Mare.

Only chosen as wanted to see a different area while revisiting places seen like Cheddar Gorge - how small  having been to the Gorge du Verdon an many other places now the impact isn't quite so much 

Loved the public art and the architectural past glories, though a bit down at heal we loved the place and lots to see round and about like Brean Down, the piers, the 'art installation' (See Monster - it should be open now, way delayed and way over budget I imagine but interesting none the less)

[Fritz]

Amazing murals

[Fritz]

check this out against Bev for the scale - she is small, but not that small 

[Fritz]

A final goodbye to Weston

[Fritz]

A quick flit to the view from the top of Bleadon hill for expansive views before a ride to Glastonbury...it smelt of joss sticks and was populated with crustys, wizards and weirdness based on the brief foray. A chance finding of 'Wild Beer' near Shepton Mallet led to a beer buy sent home via parcel for free so something to welcome us back   

A few days with friends in Dorset - bike was in garage when it rained 

[Fritz]

Finally a route back with an overnight at relatives in Worcester were it looked very grey and got cooler, but no rain.

A  detour through the Peak on some bonkers roads - Ford (I think) - appropriately named - very slippy setts, care required

Bloody freezing on last leg and home a few hours before the skies opened.

Trip distance amazingly exactly 1001 miles

Great trip, great bike 

[Whiterose]

Great write-up and piccies, many thanks. 

[Upt North]

  enjoyed that Fritz and Bev.
Thanks for posting.
Upt'North.

[cooltshirt]

Good stuff, thank you

[Barbel Mick]

  good trip!

[Asmith61]

Great trip fabulous photos 

[purplebikeunicorn]

Someone had put a shout out for a bt of a do and it was based in Kington, Herts, but right on the Welsh border. Lovely spot and surrounded by some cracking riding.

Do you mean Kington, Herefordshire?  Herts is a little way away from Wales! I've lived in the area for many years and I'm still finding new roads and bits to explore!

[Fritz]

Indeed I do, Kington Herefordshire - and aye a maze of roads thereabouts