Welsh National Rally; May 2009
Clun Toilets and No Curry
For 2009, the Welsh National Rally was held on Saturday 9th May. The route Chris and I took for the Rally is shown below. As is usual for us, the route is designed to get a Dragon and Platinum whilst taking taking us through the more scenic parts of Wales. She who must be obeyed (the wife, not the witch) also stated we were going north again. As is becoming usual, we also bagged some RBR landmarks on the way up on Friday May 8th and on the way back on Sunday 10th. On the way up LMs #85, #22 and #38. We visited the now famous opera singing toilets at Clun after bagging LM #38. All of us should have such a thoughtful council. On the way back LMs #37, #48, #36 and #19. We met up with Scootabout at LMs #48 and #36. Unusually we also bagged an RBR landmarks while doing the Rally. Just the one, LM #86.
For Friday night we had booked into a farm B&B close to Church Stoke. As it turned out, the Grimrider (Rob) and a fellow Butt man (Phil) were also be staying there that night. As we had taken a bit longer than expected with LM #38 than expected (spent to much time in the Clun toilets), Rob and Phil had gone to a pub at Church Stoke. By the time we got to the fine establishment they had gone to they were tucking into a meal. We thought we would join them but the pub had stopped serving food. It was about 8:05 and the pub stops at 8:00 on a Friday night! I guess not a lot goes on in Church Stoke on a Friday night? Anyway back at the B&B the nice landlady offers us tea and biscuits so that's OK. We have a good natter and catch up before turning in to get a good night's sleep ready for the Rally next day. A good night that!
The next day we're all up bright and early. We have a good breakfast and then set off to do the 15 or so miles to get to the Rally start at Castle Caereinion. Rob is leading through the back roads as we briskly make our way there. (He's worn me out by the time I get there.) At the start we meet up with the usual RBR gang doing the Rally. Rob and Phil are off and running before us and then we're on our way. Pumped up by the ride to the start I overtake some bikes on the way to LM #86. It turns out they're fellow RBRs heading for LM #86 so I'm a bit embarrassed when they all stop with us to take photos.
In terms of planning, I was a bit laid back this year. I just printed off a few Google maps instead of producing my own specialised route notes. Now Google is fine but this was a big mistake and we did get lost a couple of times. The font wasn't very big and directions were given in road numbers and miles rather than waypoint town and village names. Around Caernarfon, to my annoyance, we got very lost and this cost us quite a bit of time. (So much so, that it got me seriously thinking that I must fit a Sat Nav to the bike.) Consequently, the last two control points were done in partial light.
We get to finish at around 10:00pm where we are greeted by a smiling Rob who has finished 4 hours ago and done 100 miles less than us. With all our wandering around, we of course have done considerably more miles than we planned. You'll see from the route above that the plan was to do 335 miles. We must have done at least a 100 miles more than planned. Anyway, we go in do the special test and, have a natter and something to eat with Rob and Phil. (The guy in front of me at the food queue gets the last of the curry!) We also meet some of our fellow RBRs. All of whom have finished well before us (despite my frantic start). Eventually Rob and Phil head off for home and we head off for the Shrewsbury Travelodge.
The weather this year wasn't as good as 2008 but it wasn't too bad. There was a bit of rain and wind but nothing execessive. Clive's organisation and running of the Rally was once again excellent and we did enjoy this year's Rally. However, I was a bit disappointed at myself for my shoddy planning. (I must do better next time or get a Sat Nav.) Having said that, by far the biggest disappointment for us is in forgetting to get the Grimrider's autograph, especially as he's gone and won the Butt again and is even more famous. Never mind, we'll get it next time we meet up with him.