Featured Riders On The Storm

Well, that was one of my poorer decisions.

I decided to set off on my Speedmaster for the Welsh coast last night, leaving the Midlands at about 6.30pm. It had been raining heavily all day, and I was about to change my mind about going when the rain stopped. Off I went.

By Shrewsbury, it was looking ominous: dark clouds, wet roads, low light. The cricket would have been called off long ago. By 8pm, it was dark, raining heavily, and the wind was getting up. Through Bala, and I was beginning to feel less than buoyant. Although traffic was light, the roads are very windy through to Porthmadog, and every car coming the other way left me dazzled and covered in spray. I wasn't riding at all fast - when there are no cats eyes, in those conditions you can't see the bends coming, and you can barely see which side of the road you are on. You feel every rut in the road as a destabilising force, because you don't see it coming.

The headlight on the Speedmaster is very bright, but it doesn't show the road ahead very well. I was getting pretty uncomfortable - other than not going out in it, what tips are there for riding in those conditions? I thought of Lawrence of Arabia racing along in the dark, and told myself to get a grip.

Eventually I hit the coast at Criccieth. The sky cleared a bit, the road was lit by the moon, and my spirits lifted. So did the bike, with the strong winds buffeting me all around.

I eventually got to Abersoch...a couple of beers went down very nicely indeed.

Beerman

 

You're spot on...I'm on it now!

Beerman

 

Thanks for that Wattie...very helpful...though as I only have sight in one eye to start with, it could be problematic....!

Beerman

 

I'd hoped to arrive by dusk...but given the weather, dusk arrived much earlier than I anticipated. Would I do it again? In those conditions? Not if I could help it!

Beerman

 

Went for a swim.

Beerman

 

Thank you Sandi T...I see no ships...

Beerman

 

A couple of other pieces of advice if I may:

1. I pulled into a layby on more than one occasion to let cars pass. Traffic was light, but cars are better equipped and they would come pretty close as they became anxious to pass. When I did this, I felt that I was losing confidence, but in reality I think it is a sensible option when visibility and traction are poor.
2. I wore a high viz vest. This was a late 'throw on', but again was a good move.
3. I had good kit: Halversson's jacket and trousers, which - despite a steady torrent of rain - remained waterproof..
4. A sense of humour is a good thing to keep in your back pocket.

Beerman

 

Thanks For that!

What a man. No helmet, no windscreen, no fairings, probably hopeless suspension, brakes and lights...and he rode at speeds we would regard as 'sporty' today.

Beerman