Tywyn Bay and Ynis-hir

So, its been almost a month since my wonderful adventure ride around Northern Spain & Portugal with Lindsay - see the blog tab above. I've been way too busy to get out on the bike since parking up in my freshly painted garage the wonderful Mrs 'H' surprised me with while the bike was away and she was off  work (school hols). I'm so impressed and thankful, she really got stuck in - even filled the cracks in the concrete too and painted the floor with proper factory paint - how good is that? It was only fair I got involved with her decision to decorate the lounge, and along with the usual mad-rush at work my GS had to stay put for a while.  However, sure enough, I managed to get my 'visa' for a great ride out yesterday (Sunday) in to Wales.

Back in June on Fathers Day I was given another surprise book from the kids ( and Mrs 'H' too)  written by Neil Peart the Rush drummer, lyricist and Motorcycle travel writer called 'Far and Away'.

I have read and enjoyed one of his books before - 'Ghost Rider', and managed to find the time to finish reading Far & Away last week. In the book, Neil describes his travels on his BMW GS between cities while touring with the band all with an interesting  autobiographical style that describes the rides through Europe and North America, along with his love of nature, bird-watching drumming and many other interests. I found the book inspirational, and along with recent experiences in Spain it got me thinking, why don't I spend a bit more time off the bike when out for a ride at weekends? Why not stop and take more notice of the world around me.

Often, I pass many nature reserves without stopping so I decided on this ride to stop by and look around.

With a flask and packed lunch I followed my own pre-planned route into Wales to Tywyn,Cardigan Bay. My route took me on the high road B4518 around Llyn Clywedog reservoir, with a short stop to admire the view and through 'Staylittle',  a small town that really has !

The Ride Route to Tywyn

I couldn't resist a stop to look at the great Cadair Idris in the distance as the ride took me up on high.

Here's a view of Cader Idris in the distance below  the cloud line. 

The view was spectacular from here, a monument has been  placed here in honour of the Broadcaster and Writer Wynford Vaughn Thomas. Apparently his favorite viewing location.

My GS - Pannier-less this time overlooking Cadair Idris

I managed to get a good zoom shot I wanted. This is the direction I was heading, toward Machynlleth.

Had a bit of trouble getting the GS moving again, the camber of the road made the bike quite low on the side stand, so couldn't push it up with my left leg after getting on. Ended up having to push the bike across the road to straighten the bike enough to get it upright.

This kind of problem would have fazed me when I bought it 3 years ago, requiring embarrassing help from a passer by to help me lift it, but nowadays after 17 thousand miles, not so bad. Just as well as the road here was totally deserted and no passing traffic !

Look at the cloud-base.

A huge bank of cumulus gathering up vertically to cumulonimbus as the air current pushes up across Cadair Idris.

Having seen plenty of hills in Spain recently with Electricity generator windmills, its quite surprising to realise there are more and more popping up in Wales too.


Personally, I don't think they spoil the view much, make it more interesting in many ways, but I guess if they put them up in my back yard I would complain too !

Soon after I dropped back down through the valley and along the estuary just past Machynlleth to Aberdovey and then on through Tywyn town.

I parked up at one of the many car-parks at the sea front - saw my sandwiches off while chatting to a retired couple down on holiday from North Wales. Nice couple who had been coming to Cardigan Bay for years and gave me some ideas for returning with my family one day.

Later I headed back inland toward 'Bird Rock' - Craig yr Aderyn, a vast cliff two miles from the coast that once stood in the sea millions of years ago, now inhabited by many birds (hence the name).

After Bird rock the route took me onto an RSPB  Nature Reserve at Ynys-hir, Ceredigion a Salt Marsh wetland, with woodland teeming with wildlife.


The reserve had some good trails. Well worth paying the £5.00 donation to the RSPB. Since I was wearing motorcycle gear I parked my bike up and walked the shorter blue route around to one of the hides. This route took me out to the marshes, armed with my field glasses I found one of the 'hides' and spent a good while watching the Herons, and Storks as well as what looked like Canadian Geese. There were plenty of Blue-tits, Great tits, and Robins.

Here's some views from one of the hides. I definitely have to make a trip back here in the Spring to watch even more bird activity.

Salt Marsh Inlet

Looks like a great place to live doesn't it? A Victorian 'Castle' home. I can't find reference to it's name or history though.

The reserve has the railway running along the estuary toward Dovey Junction.















The Robin was very persistent in attracting my attention, even 'puffing' up his feathers. This is usually done in a threatening manner to warn off by making a bird look bigger, but I think in this case was impressing me into giving away an easy snack by the picnic area !

My return home was via the faster A470 to Rhayader and Crossgates. I love that road, fast and twisty,  a very popular 'biker route'.

While riding it reminded me of my days as a system engineer in the '90's driving the same route near Llangurig in horrendous rain following an old man on a bicycle who didn't seem to even care it was raining - he was that used to Welsh weather he was simply oblivious of the 'monsoon' . Hilarious.

Finally, I took the A44 skirting Radnor Forest to Leominster, then Leysters onto Tenbury (the best way) and home.


A Great day out, I'm looking forward to visiting another nature reserve soon now !

Total round-trip miles: 250