Bishops Castle 3. Review and Pictures!!

**Radar** Sun Jun 19 2011, 23:33

First topic message reminder :

Another superb forum gathering started for me on Friday afternoon when I managed to sneak out work a bit early, dashed home and dragged my trusty and beloved Thundercat out for usual extensive pre-flight check...does it start? Yes, cool let’s go! This would come back to bit me a little later on...
Anyway this somewhat cavalier approach to preparation let Mrs.Radar and me get on with our usual pre ride-out ritual...This runs along the lines of me muttering stuff like “What the f€uk do you need to bring that for!!??” as she covered our bed with enough kit to equip a medium sized army! Eventually after much screaming, yelling and gnashing of teeth we jam all her gear into the panniers and put my toothbrush and change of skids in a tank bag side pocket and wobble off still muttering at each other into our helmets! I am never going to buy an intercom... By now it had started to rain too...oh great!
R2D2, Stevecat (and Pam) and Mr. France had met up already en-route and we joined them just outside Bewdley. It was good to hook up with people so early on in the weekend and all on Thundercats too. I led the group initially as paddled across Worcestershire, into Shropshire as the rain continued to fall, despite being the local I wound up at the back of the line after Craven Arms and it was Stevecat who led us the last few miles into Bishops Castle itself. It felt good to be back in the charming little town again and memories from the previous gatherings came flooding back. Somehow now the rain didn’t matter. We headed for our respective digs, R2D2 joining the camping contingent on the outskirts of town.
A quick call to Robercairns (Nick) our leader for the weekends fun and frolics revealed that he and Ellie were already sampling the cultural delights of Bishops Castle...they were in the pub!!
Once Mrs Radar had unloaded all her kit and my toothbrush we headed to the centre of the nights fun...The Boars Head...aka ‘the pink palace’ of BC1 legend. Here the group gathered and enjoyed an excellent meal, only marred slightly by Nick bringing out his favourite bright yellow ‘budgie- smugglers’. These were variously thrown about, modelled on people’s heads etc as the beer flowed. Just don’t ask about the skid marks...I’m sure it was some errant brown sauce...
It was great to see familiar faces from BC1/2 and some new people for me, such as Rosco and Dirtbike Dave who had made the epic journey down from Scotland for the weekend. Littlecat was on her first forum gathering and ride-out only 2 weeks after passing her test. I was particularly pleased to see that Oldcat had made it after all; the ‘Yoda’ of the Thundercat world despite having defected to a Honda in recent years was amongst us.
The evening passed all too quickly, the pub filled with the buzz of conversation and laughter, but it was a big tomorrow...the ride up to Snowdonia National Park and the weather forecast wasn’t great.
The morning of the ride-out dawned, and it wasn’t raining...result. We gathered for the ride outside The Boars Head and our numbers were swelled by Dai-san and his Gpz550 riding mate who were just coming for the rideout. All in sixteen bikes lined up ready for the off...including 9 Thundercats, a recent record and not bad for a bike 8 years out of production. Joining Yamaha’s finest were a 600 Fazer, a GPz550, CBF1000, Ducati 999, Triumph 1050ST, ZX6R 636 and Greencat’s stunning 11 plate 848. Rob and Lins were with us too, but no R1 this year as he was recovering from nasty accident on his daily hack. So Rosco generously was taking Lins as pillion for the day.

After the compulsory group photo-shoot the group saddled up and headed by Nick set off with Stevecat taking the tail. Sixteen bikes streamed out of BC and headed off for Wales. The marker system worked well and as we threaded our way through Shropshire towards Wales the group basically stayed nicely together. The initial sections along the A5 were not terribly exciting but got the group used to riding with each other and the roads got steadily more challenging and views more impressive as the ride progressed into Wales. Past the Incredible aqua-duct at Llangollen, over the Horse-shoe pass, were stopped briefly to take it the superb view down into the valley, before the first stop proper at the famous Ponderosa cafe for a cuppa and bit of cake. The weather had been patchy but there had been enough dry roads for most of the group to have some fun here and there. Later Dai-san and I were having bit of fun on section as explored the capabilities of his recently acquired Thundercat, made all the more impressive when we found out his front tyre was a bit on the soft side. Team ‘No-range’ on the two Dukes were a bit liked caged tigers pacing up down their cage but even they managed to cut loose here and there.

On through Betws-y-coed and Capel Curig causing an amusing amount of chaos in a petrol station before picking up the A4086 and the high-light of the ride...the spectacular Pen-y-pass as it cuts through the heart of the national park. The dark clouds were draped ominously over the mountain tops as we plunged down the pass, sweeping past cars and tour buses as best we could before reaching Llanberis for the lunch halt. Just as we rolled into the bike park a bus load of pensioners also arrived and there were unsightly scenes as bikers and biddies battled it out for the prime tables and the bog! In the confusion poor Mechy managed to find his way into the Ladies loo’s...his place in the Numpty Hall of fame assured. What a shame I got a photo too...

The weather had been patchy throughout and we had stopped a few more times than usual, but somehow it didn’t matter and for me it added to the spirit of the ride somehow

Littlecat had done well so soon after her test and the lad from Stoke on the GPz was putting on a cracking show when the pace did pick up.

Suitably refreshed we headed back, the pace was noticeably quicker at times, despite long sections of the A470 being dug up. I really enjoyed a few miles when 6 of the 9 Thundercats were heading the pack, great stuff. We were going along fairly well under the circumstances when suddenly from nowhere Rosco roared past me on the exit to a bend, nearly scrapping out waving an apology and disappearing into the distance like he suddenly added a rocket motor to his bike! At his point Nick suddenly slowed the line and I was more than a little perplexed. All made sense a couple of miles up the road when we suddenly swept past Rosco who at the side of the road with all his video and stills cameras ready to capture each of the group as we passed! Good work Rosco!

This section of the run included the sublime B4391 which the guys and girls at the front attacked with some verve despite the wet and slippery conditions. I was at the back of the pack by now keeping Oldcat company, who had taken over from Stevecat as group backmarker now. The gutsy Littlecat was picking her way gently across this section, riding for the first time in such demanding conditions. She really impressed me all day and her confidence and speed will no doubt increase with the miles.

Having so many Thundercats together again is a rare event these days so we took the opportunity to line up all 9 alongside Lake Llyn Celyn. They made an impressive sight...but with the advancing years we might do well to hit this number on future rides.
It was here that the reason for the increasing odd handling of my bike became apparent...my back tyre seemed to of lost pressure...or was it just too soft all along due to my thorough lack of preparation?? Panic was quickly averted when Rosco sprang to the rescue with a compressor from under the seat of his Thundercat. In addition to a small TV and photo studio his bike had more underseat accessories than I have ever seen and wiring loom like black spaghetti! Cheers bud; you got me out of the poo big time.
The ride continued and despite the continually changing weather we all managed to have a bit of fun at various points along the way.
The Stoke contingent headed home before we got back to BC, good to meet you both lads!
Mr.France headed back to Southampton from BC, another 200 miles on top of the 200 we had just done...respect
Once at BC Ellie was offered a go on Dirtbike Dave’s Duke which she gleefully accepted. A slightly nervous DBD looked on as Ellie initially wobbled off, nearly got T boned at walking pace by a slightly bemused Fiesta driver. 10 minutes later she roared back, with a grin on her face and much clearer idea as to what bike she wanted next!
I headed back to our digs while Nick, Ellie and ‘Team No-range’ on the Dukes went for a quick blast.
Ellie arrived back at the digs a good ten minutes before Nick and ‘Team No-range’...she was texting, making tea. They muttered something about her taking a different route and then looking for her...one day the truth will come out!
The group gathered again at the Three Tuns for a superb meal and beer from the on-site brewery. Once again the conversation flowed and laughter ringed out from everybody. Even my thank you speech didn’t spoil a good night!

A few mentions:

Littlecat: Gutsy performance all weekend for a newly qualified rider on tough roads in challenging conditions

Mechy69: The toilet confusion! A worthy Numpty award winner

BigNige: If you are going to have a sneaky pee behind a hedge...take your high viz off!!

Oldcat: looked very distinguished with the walking stick...rather like Steed in The Avengers...except when he relieved himself in the hedge on an early stop!

Ellie: Having an umbrella on a ride-out...and using it

Mrs.Radar: Mistaking the little safe in our room for a microwave

The lads from Scotland for coming so far in the face of a lousy weather forecast, great to meet you both

Oldcat for turning out despite some difficult circumstances

Oldcat and Stevecat for being such excellent sweepers at the end of the line

I also get mention for least prepared and longest use of an indicator! Doh!!

A final big thanks must go to Nick and Ellie, for doing the lions share towards organising a truly excellent event

It was a pleasure to ride, socialise and spend time with you all!

Picies to follow when I get a few minutes!

Roll on BC4 and some sunshine!

Now for the piccies....

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RC wearing his budgie smugglers loud and proud in the bar of The Boars Head!

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Is this the first forum proposal??? Rosco pleads for Mechys69 hand...

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Forming up for the Saturday ride-out, little Bishops Castle invaded once more

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RC models hos leaders high viz...is it me or does that pose look just a little too natural???

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The standard group shot...

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It was long before Oldcat was checking out the wildlife...he muttered something about pythons?

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Me, my beloved and Mandy...

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OK the weather was a bit crap, but the view was still imprssive at the horseshoe pass

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BigNige, Greencat and Mechy69 at the firsr proper stop at the Ponderosa

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Littlecat up at the Ponderosa,she thoroughly enjoyed the whole day

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Tea and cake, we bikers are hard b@ast@rds

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Enjoying the somewhat too fresh air

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Great view from the Ponderosa, even on a day like this one

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Team No-range at rest in their natural environment...a petrol station...God they are beautiful though!

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Causing a suitable of choas at the first petrol halt

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All safe and sound at Llanberis

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Bikers and Biddies battle it for tea and cakes! There were some nasty scuffles...

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Mechy69, securing in his sexuality emerges from the ladies...numpty t-shirt secured...!!

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Evem Mary Poppins has a Thundercat...

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9 Thundercats soaking up the...err no just soaking!

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Rosco to the rescue!!

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Have you ever considered taking up Knitting Rosco??

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We passed through loads of great countryside

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Team Stoke!!

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Oldcat doing his best Steed impression

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MrFrance was pretty chilled all day...

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Impressive lone up

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Ellie showing a Fiesta a clear pair of heels

No pics from the eveniing I am afraid..I forgot my camera!