Why go to Wales? It is an interesting place even without a motorcycle, but when we look at the number of times our free touring routes for Wales are downloaded, compared to those for Scotland, Wales generates well over twice the interest.
Perhaps Wales is such a popular destination because – for those of us in England – we only need a long weekend to sample so many of its delights.
There are off-road experiences or track days at Pembury Circuit. There are off-the-beaten-track tour companies that will take you to the out-of-the-way places, and for those that are into road riding, there is a never-ending supply of flowing roads with decent road surfaces to keep us entertained.
All of this, Wales packs into a land mass that is a quarter of the size of Scotland, which is why it is the first place we think about going when there are a few free days on the calendar.
More Please
Wales certainly is an immersive motorcycling experience. If you like exploring, Wales is the gift that will keep giving. There is always a reason to go back for more. However, there are a couple of shortcuts available.
A quick trawl of the internet brings up several people offering tours of the best roads in Wales, which helps with staying on the roads worth riding and not taking the road that looks good on the map but turns out to be a goat track (been there – done that).
Moto Wales
The more I think about it, the more I understand why Roger White – a motorcycling colleague of ours – started Moto Wales. Well, perhaps start isn’t the correct description because start suggests the beginning of something new rather than a continuation.
Having spent more years than it would be good to count, riding and showing people around Wales, the last four years or so including RoSPA and Bike Safe training, Roger and a collection of instructors from RoSPA, the Police, IAM and the Military cooked up the idea of leading tours through some of the best roads in Wales, and mixing it with advanced riding instruction if you so desire.
Invigorating roads, stunning scenery, and, if you wish, adding some extra polish to your roadcraft skills, all wrapped up into one neat package.
Boring
If, at this point, you are thinking that the spectre of spending time training will murder the joy of riding in Wales, I’d suggest otherwise. Wales isn’t the sort of place where you have a boring time on a motorcycle.
Having been chased around Wales – not by the Police, I might add – you can always find roads to meet your needs, and the roads get all the better when someone is helping you extract the maximum enjoyment from them.
If you want to stay on the tarmac but are looking for a challenge, try the Devil’s Staircase near Llanwrtyd Wells.
If progressive riding is your goal, try the 23-mile stretch of the A483 between the roundabouts at Crossgates (A483 and the A44) and Newtown, where the A483 meets the Newtown Bypass.
Even motorway training is available, although, for that, you do have to use the M4, and if you wish to make it an all-girls weekend, Moto Wales also has that covered with lady tour guides and instructors.
But Wait, There’s More
Organising Moto Wales involved cake. Most motorcycling activities are better with cake, and touring Wales is no exception.
And what if your motorcycle needs some extras? A set of Denali lights or perhaps an Innov camera set-up? How about some Ultimate Addons – well, addons – or something from the excellent range of SW-Motech luggage? [Highly recommended].
All of these can be fitted by Moto Wales while you consume cake and talk motorcycles in the tour departure lounge.
But Why?
It is more a case of Why Not rather than Why.
Some folks prefer to join organised tours, and some let loose and see what happens. Some ride solo across the world, while others prefer the company of fellow motorcyclists.
And then there are those who ride BMW GS – like Roger – but you can’t account for everything.
Moto Wales exists because of the exquisite roads, the desire riders have to hone their skills, and the joy that comes from a shared passion.
And when the bikes are parked safely for the night, there is also the Welsh Beer to consider.
Clarity
When our friend Roger White told us he was starting Moto Wales, we wanted to help and hence the article.
The header image used in this article is based on an original photo of Bwlch Mountain, Treorchy, Wales by Mohammad Abbasi and is used under license.
