Or “Day Trips on the XT660Z in Mid Wales”… Just down the road from the Overland Workshop is Llyn Brianne, test rides and day trips over the Epynt Army Range will lead inevitable to the circular route round Brianne, and in all honesty it is possible to ride a few hundred miles in 7 or 8 hours and avoid most of the traffic on the coastal roads running south from Aberstwyth. I have like many, missed the opportunity for overseas tours so have been making the most of what we have to offer here in the UK, which to be honest, is quite a lot. I dragged the XT660Z out of the workshop and loaded up the MetalMules with lunch and randomly set off on a back road bumble – 7 hours later I was back home… time flies for me on the bike – its a great mental health reset.
Tag Archives: R1150GSA
Which bike do you wish you had not sold?
I’ll kick this one off… my low milage minter R1150GSA – apparently now living and being used in Portugal.
Overland Event
I was lucky enough to join Paddy and his team supporting Metal Mule at the Overland Event in September. The event is not just another bike rally as nearly all the presenters are either published authors, have written for Overland Magazine (that includes me), or are film makers. Paddy describes the event as an “immersive experience that has a uniquely relaxed atmosphere” — and he is right. It was a relaxing but frenetic September break and Paddy delivered a varied agenda with motorcycle travel at its heart. There was food, drink, and music from around the world, and hundreds of riders with stories to tell, motorcycle test rides, historic and modified travel motorbikes on show, specialist equipment vendors, author presentations and workshops. I had my XT660Z and R1150GSA on show, much beer was drunk, many friendships renewed, the bands were great and where else can you get woken up to the sound of a travelling accordion player.
What’s keeping me going?
I realised recently that I had not posted here for 17 months — it’s been a difficult two years for many people and I don’t know anyone who has not been touched by the impact of Covid… we have lost three friends and family members to this disease and now in the summer of 2021, it feels like we may be coming out of the restrictions and some sense of normality is returning. Recently I dug out my passport, applied for my official Welsh Covid vaccination certificate, and dusted off my currency cards and eastern European maps and have been planning for 2022. I have lots of people to be thankful for, friends, colleagues, my three lovely children, their partners and a beautiful granddaughter and wife. Life in the Overland Workshop has been great distraction, bikes may have low annual milages but are ready to spring into long distance action when called up… and I have rediscovered the delight of local one day trips. Stay safe all, see you on the other side xx
