SaPAR Rideout Archive 2018 Previous rideout reports

Rideout Reviews 2018

8th April – Aberystwyth

The first rideout of 2018 (March was abandoned due to appalling weather) was thankfully in warmer and drier conditions. The group of 24 riders left Montford Bridge picnic area and headed via a variety of twisties to Crossgates cafe for morning coffee. We proceeded past Rhayader, over the Cambrian Mountains and headed to Aberystwyth for lunch. The return trip to Shrewsbury was a more direct route Via Newtown for yet more coffee.

Ride Leader – Ken Swinton
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Photos courtesy of Sally McMillan and Bill Croxon
Video Clip courtesy of David Rogers

3rd June

This months ride began at Montford Bridge Picnic Area then taking the scenic route, stopped at Newtown for a quick break. We then took the main route towards Aberystwyth diverting via some minor roads and stopping for coffee at the Woodlands Café at Devils Bridge. After refreshments the group headed via the Elan Valley with splendid views across the lakes. After lunch onwards via Newtown and back to Dinkies Dinah for final coffee. 22 riders began the ride with some leaving at various points along the route.

Ride Leader – Phil Noble
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Photos courtesy of Ken Swinton and Marion Versluijs

1st July

Our chairman Bill Croxon organised and led this months ride which took us along scenic roads to Llandudno and the Great Orme via Bala for a comfort stop and Betws y Coed for morning coffee. 14 riders started the venture, a smaller number than usual due to it being holiday season with many of the regulars away in other picturesque locations. Nevertheless, a good turnout in what could only be described as Scorchio conditions. Temperatures rose steadily throughout the day from a mild 16 degrees to a mind altering 31 degrees. Thankfully most riders heeded the warnings to bring fluids. We did have an incident in which an anti-English Welsh pheasant attacked a rider who had to retire with a possible broken digit. Not sure how the pheasant got on although I did see one laying by the roadside. The ride ended at Oswestry services and before the proposed finish point to allow riders to travel home and refresh. Guess the mileage was won by Tim Moore who shared the takings with Bill, only £6.50 each, Tims share has been kindly donated to Air Ambulance on his behalf.

Ride Leader – Bill Croxon
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Photos courtesy of Ken Swinton and Bill Croxon
A video of our antics can be found here

5th August

Kevin Fletcher organised and led this months ride to sunny Barmouth. The roads were excellent as was the weather with only minor hold ups on the last approach to Barmouth. The total mileage for the trip as recorded by Kevin’s trusty milometer was 158 miles. The winner of the Guess The Mileage competition after a recount was Roger Tame who was the closest with a guess of 161 miles. Roger and Kevin shared the spoils of £18.00 and both have asked that it be donated to the Air Ambulance. Many thanks for that chaps, A convenient sum of £20.00 has been added to my local Air Ambulance collecting box.

Ride Leader – Kevin Fletcher
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Photos courtesy of Kevin Fletcher and Ken Swinton

2nd September

Bob Hayes led this months ride through deepest Shropshire with a brief comfort stop at Clun then on to the Elan Valley visitor centre for morning coffee. Suitably refreshed we ventured over the mountain roads towards Devils Bridge for lunch. The return journey was dampened slightly as we rode towards Newtown where the official ride ended. The guess the mileage competition was won by Stuart Wall with a guess of 134 miles which was closest to the actual mileage of 121.

Ride Leader – Bob Hayes
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Photos courtesy of Ken Swinton

7th October

Marion Versluijs led this months shortened ride which coincided with this years AGM. The route took in some fabulous views of the Shropshire Hills visiting Clun, Ludlow and Jackfield. Unusually we started with 12 riders and finished with 14, not bad when temperatures were only 3 degrees at the start. Guess the mileage competition was won by Kevin Fletcher who was spot on with 107 miles. Kevin also has promised to donate his share to the Air Ambulance.

Ride Leader – Marion Versluijs
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Pictures courtesy of Marion Versluijs and Ken Swinton

4th November

Jon Tatton led this months ride through the Shropshire countryside towards Crossgates cafe for lunch. A varied assortment of roads and conditions kept our members on their toes but all arrived safely. More of the same in the afternoon led to the old station at Welshpool where the official ride ended. Guess the mileage competition was won by John Roe who was only 0.2 miles off the correct mileage of 118.8.

Ride Leader – Jon Tatton
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Pictures courtesy of Ken Swinton

2nd December

The final rideout of the year was led by John and Annie Roe who headed a group of 11 bikes from Montford Bridge to Bala then on to the Ponderosa for lunch. Although the weather was fine and sunny as we left it deteriorated as we ventured over the hills towards our mid morning comfort break. The ponderosa was typically windy and wet but as we made our way back down from Horseshoe Pass it began to clear , only to become much worse as we headed back towards Telford. The guess the mileage competition was won by Robin Padgett who was only 1 mile out of the planned distance of 114 miles. Both Joh Roe and Robin have kindly donated their winnings to the Air Ambulance and the cash has been popped into my local collection box.

Ride Leader – John and Annie Roe
Tail End Charlie – Glyn Jones
Pictures courtesy of Robin Padgett, Tony Richardson and Ken Swinton
A video of the ride courtesy of Andrew Harrison can be viewed by clicking this link