Welsh National Rally; May 2015
Stopped for Impersonating a Heddlu
The Welsh National Rally (WNR) was held 9th May and we were all really hoping that the weather was going to be better than the previous year. As it turned out it was. The morning was a bit drizzly but then it turned into a fine afternoon. Rob came up with our platinum route of around 310 miles. Not a bad route as it turned out. Plenty of interesting roads without too many goat tracks. (Apart from when we followed the directions of my sat nav.)
As you'll see from the map we did a mid Wales route. Starting at Castle Caereinion we headed north to our first manned control at Llay, then south west to our second manned control at Abergynolwyn, then south to our third and final manned control at Llandovery and finally north back to Castle Caereinion for the finish. On the way, we took in the required 15 unmanned controls and 4 dragons needed for a platinum.
I'm quite happy riding with Rob apart from the fact that, being the committed distance rider he is, he doesn't like to stop. Half the time we ride by an unmanned control while he memorises the answer. For example, one question for the Crugybar control was "What is the name of the Stove Store?" He memorised this as we rode by. I attempted to do the same but of course 5 miles down the road I'm thinking what was the question let alone the answer? To his obvious frustration, I was not able to set my sat nav for the next control as quickly as he did. Much disdain came my way if I, God forbid, stopped to write down an answer or I was holding him up whilst I set my sat nav. So I let him use his memory and sat nav, and made sure I got the answers from him at the next manned control when we had to stop to answer some questions. To be fair to him, we did have a long stop and nice lunch at the fine cafe at Abergynolwyn and my sat nav was useless.
I can't say there were any real problems with the route and we managed to stay well ahead of schedule. We got to the Llay manned control just as they were opening so that worked out real well. We did get stuck in a queue for a car boot sale at Aberystwyth and had a bit of difficulty finding the dragon petrol station at Llandrindod Wells. Also, I need to get a new sat nav as I can't seem to stop it taking us down goat tracks like the one we went down just after leaving Aberystwyth. (My companion tells me it cost us a whole 5 minutes!) The afternoon's riding when the weather cleared up was lovely. Nice dry Welsh roads.
Although the route was fine, we did get pulled over by the Police or I should say the Heddlu. We left the dragon petrol station at Lampeter pulling out behind a Heddlu car. We were following the Heddlu and hadn't gone too far when suddenly on comes the blue flashing lights. The reason? Rob's front spotlights were flashing on and off a bit like a police bike's. I think they were thinking of having him for impersonating the Heddlu. Looking at the photo I can see their point now. Turns out to be another feature of the old GS. When it's started its old electrics can sometimes be overloaded by all the accessories connected to it causing the front spotlights to flash on and off. After a stern talking to by the Heddlu they let Rob off and we proceeded on our way. I must admit I did wonder why all the cars were clearing the way for us!
We got back to Castle Caereinion around 5:50pm which wasn't bad considering we got away about 8:40am, got pulled by the Heddlu and had some long breaks at the manned controls, particularly Abergynolwyn. I've never finished before 6pm before but I guess that's what happens if you ride with a zealot who doesn't stop much.
The special test was about landing a model plane. It was quite a good simulator knocked up by one of the Clive crew. After that it was a good curry and catching up with the usual crowd. I spent the night at Oswestry while Rob rode home to Wolverhampton. I must admit it was nice to be riding to the PremierInn while there was still daylight. A lovely evening and I felt great. The WNR remains my favourite rally. The Welsh roads and scenery are unbeatable and the genuine club atmosphere that Clive brings to it is nice.