Royal Marines Association Riders Branch UK Tour Cancer Awareness Ride
So here we go, I think I have all the info of arrival and departure points, only taken me 6 months from when I planned the initial route.
This will all be subject to changes on the day and led by a local rider. Our departure time each morning will be 0900 and arrival time between 1600 and 1700. My intention will be to have a briefing every morning at 0830 and discuss routes and stops etc in detail, particularly a first RV out of the town we are leaving in the likelihood we will get split up.
Let’s get as many photo shots as physically possible, particularly those with 360 cameras. I will set up a what’s app group alongside the existing one we currently have nearer the time, (if you are not on our coms what’s app group for this trip contact me on 07787 568871) Andy Walker will lift the photos from the new photos only group and produce a video of the whole event.
There is a shit load of info on here but I wanted to collate it all in one place. You will need camp beds/roll matts and sleeping bags, there will be heads and showers at all stops.
Finally, although this is not primarily about raising funds, it is about raising awareness of cancer in serving and former serving Royal Marines, we’ve lost too many to this awful disease. However, please share our web site that Tony Lang created and just giving page amongst all your friends and family and also our auction item see if we can find someone with a few bob to bid on this. I would like to achieve over £2k if poss. All for the Royal Marines Charity. Be great if all members of the riders’ branch will each donate £16.64 not just those doing the riding
Make sure your bikes are up to date with maintenance tyres for 2,000 miles ish. This is going to be a cracker I hope.
Make sure you take plenty of cash for scran at establishments as there will be no card machines
Friday 17th July arrive at RNHQ NE & IOM HMS Eaglett, Sefton Street, L3 4DZ
Having gone to the Head of Establishment (CO of RMR Merseyside, Lt Col Dave Hartley OBE RM) he's hastened the answer from the Facilities Manager, and we are 'green light for both sets of dates, 17th July and 1st August.
There is an RYA Powerboat Course running over the first set of dates and so we'll have to play it by ear with regards to accommodation (Cot beds in the Hangar v Bunkbeds in the Austere Accommodation), however there is no issue with regards to the second set of dates and using the Bunkbeds in the Austere Accommodation (Sleeping Bag and Pillow required).
They won't be providing feeding on this evening. However, we are close to lots of fast food joints.
We can look to confirm Riders' details for Saturday 01 August (those who intend to return and stay overnight) nearer the time in order that I can look to arrange a hot buffet and a few beers.
It's still there intention to try and get us a Merseyside Police 'Outrider' Escort for the Saturday 18 July in order to get you to the City Limits, if you could confirm your initial route out of the City, or where you're heading too? This has been done by Jez
I'll now look to email the local RMA Branches of which there are 3 in order to rustle up:
- A 'Wave-Off' group of members for Saturday 18 July. Can you confirm the ETD please? Done
- A 'Welcome' group of members for Saturday 01 August. We can confirm timings in the days running up to your return.
Sat 18 July: Merseyside → Carlisle via Kendal & Keswick
Route: Liverpool → M6 → A590 → A591 → Keswick → A66 → Carlisle
Total Distance: ~180 mi | Total Time: ~4 hr 15 min
Left out of gates onto Sefton Street
Right on to Parliament Street/Upper Parliament Street (A562)
Left onto Tunnel Road/Durning Road (B5173)
Right onto Edge Lane
Edge Lane to M62 to M6
They are working on getting us a police out rider to the M62 Led by Jez O’Shea
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Notes / Highlights |
|
Liverpool → Kendal (via M6) |
~75 mi |
~1 hr 30 min |
Smooth motorway start; Plumgarths Café just before Kendal is a great first stop. |
|
Kendal → Keswick (via A591) |
~45 mi |
~1 hr 30 min |
One of the UK’s top biking roads; passes Windermere, Grasmere (stop for gingerbread), Thirlmere. |
|
Keswick → Carlisle (via A66) |
~60 mi |
~1 hr 15 min |
Scenic open A-road riding; stop at Surprise View or Ashness Bridge near Derwentwater. |
Fuel: Plumgarths (BP), Keswick, Southwaite Services, Carlisle.
Places of Interest: Windermere, Grasmere Village, Derwentwater, Keswick town centre
Departure at 0900 from HMS Eaglett, Merseyside. Plumgarths café just before Kendal will be our first stop where we will meet guys from RMA Carlisle. They will take us on to Carlisle Castle for a photo shot then on to scout camping centre at Radlincote Lane Nr. Kirkandrrews-on-Eden, Carlisle, CA5 6DW
Carlisle RMA Branch will supply scran and some beers for the evening and bacon rolls in the morning at the brief. I would ask all riders attending to make a cash £10 donation to the RMC and this will contribute to Carlisle’s fund raising for our visit.
Secure parking undercover on a hard standing and covered by CCTV
Our thanks go out to Steve Sanderson and Paul Davidson and all from RMA Carlisle for squaring this one up for us
Sun 19 July: Carlisle → Glasgow via Dumfries & Kilmarnock
Depart 0900
Total Distance: ~130 mi | Time: ~3 hr 15 min
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Carlisle → Dumfries (A75) |
~35 mi |
~45 min |
Gentle start; riverside views along the River Nith. |
|
Dumfries → Kilmarnock (A75) |
~65 mi |
~1 hr 40 min |
Lovely rural ride; optional stop at Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill. |
|
Kilmarnock → Glasgow (M77) |
~30 mi |
~45 min |
Smooth dual carriageway finish into the city. |
Stops: Dumfries town centre (fuel/coffee), Thornhill (Castle), Kilmarnock Moto.
Places of Interest: Drumlanrig Castle, Nith Valley villages, Glasgow riverside.
Destination is HMS Dalriada 25 Birkmyre Road, Glasgow, G51 3JH
Possible bunk beds but definitely room for camp beds, heads and showers. Some from Glasgow RMA may meet us on route and lead us in. They are not having a tin shaking day
No scran on site but very local according to our own Tatts is MacDondalds and Subway.
Tatts will be manning the bar for us that evening.
Secure parking for the bikes on site
RMA Glasgow will donate £300 to our fund
Mon 20 July: Glasgow → Inverness via Spean Bridge
Depart 0900
Total Distance: ~170 mi | Time: ~4 hr 45 min
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Glasgow → Crianlarich (A82) |
~50 mi |
~1 hr 30 min |
Loch Lomond views; tight bends between Tarbet & Crianlarich. |
|
Crianlarich → Glencoe → Fort William |
~55 mi |
~1 hr 45 min |
Glencoe Pass – iconic Highland ride; stop for photos at Three Sisters. |
|
Fort William → Spean Bridge → Inverness |
~65 mi |
~1 hr 30 min |
Wide valley riding; Spean Bridge Commando Memorial viewpoint. |
Stops: Tarbet (Loch Lomond stop), Fort William lunch, Spean Bridge photo stop.
Fuel: Fort William, Inverness.
Places of Interest: Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Loch Ness (optional detour).
0900 - Set off from HMS Dalriada, Birkmyre Road, Glasgow G51 3JH.
Fuel en route can be acquired at The Green Welly Stop, A82, Tyndrum, Crianlarich FK20 8RY, halfway between Glasgow and Spean Bridge, or at the Shell Garage PH33 6TJ after the last roundabout out of Fort William on the A82. On what is known as the Road to the Isles. This should be enough to get everyone to Inverness comfortably. The whole trip to Inverness, including Achnacarry, is 181 miles and just under 5 hrs in the saddle.
1200 - Arrive Commando Memorial Spean Bridge, PH34 4EG. You can get a Bacon Roll and decent Coffee at the Spar in Spean Bridge PH33 6TJ, just before the junction with the A830, and take it up the hill with you to have at the memorial.
1200-1400 - Meet with Ed Wilson, RMA-TRMC Scotland & Northern Ireland Rep, and Highland Branch Chairman. Who will escort us for a personal guided tour of the Achnacarry Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) 1942-46 and then escort you onward to Inverness.
1400 - Set off from Achnacarry to Inverness
1545 - Arrive at TS Briton, Inverness Sea Cadets, 44 Kessock Rd, Inverness IV3 8AJ
1600 - Brief from Ed on local Hospitality and Scran Venues. Meet with Highland Branch and Cheque Presentation.
1700 - Admin
1800- Run Ashore/Scran
Secure parking for bikes
Tue 21 July: Inverness → Arbroath
Total Distance: ~154 mi | Time: ~3 hr 45 min**
A96 NE out of Inverness
B9090 and B9191 towards Auldearn
A939 all the way down to Grantown-on-Spey (Love Speyside whisky)
Once over River Spey A95 for a short distance back to B939
A93 for a short distance to pick up B972 Pass of Ballater
A93 to Banchory then B974 and A957 to Stonehaven
A90 then A937 to Montose
Finally A92 in to Arbroath
Arrive at Condor Barracks. Transit accommodation organised by Steve Milan and Graham Faulkner
Taxi ride to Abbey Inn Steve Milan’s pub for scran and a couple of wets for a small contribution to Steve
Wed 22 July: Arbroath → Newcastle via Kirkcaldy & Jedburgh
Depart 0900
Total Distance: ~180 mi | Time: ~4 hr 30 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Arbroath → Kirkcaldy |
~50 mi |
~1 hr 10 min |
Coastal ride; Forth estuary views. |
|
Kirkcaldy → Jedburgh (via A68) |
~80 mi |
~2 hr |
Rolling Borders countryside; stop at Carter Bar viewpoint. |
|
Jedburgh → Newcastle |
~50 mi |
~1 hr 15 min |
Fast A68 then A696 into city. |
Fuel: Kirkcaldy, Jedburgh, outskirts of Newcastle.
Stops: Carter Bar, Jedburgh Abbey.
Arrival at HMS Calliope which is South Shore Rd, Gateshead NE8 2BE. Access is not great from North of Newcastle. It’s either a chewy route through the city centre via the central motorway and Tyne Bridge which both have extensive road works on. It would be longer but possibly easier to get there from the south by going through the Tyne Tunnel and heading west. A lot will depend on ETA.
Our own David Hall can’t get the leave to be part of the ride He is actually on holiday with Cath (his wife) for a chunk of it. If he can, he will try to wing some time out of the day we all arrive at Calliope and guide us in. In any event he will recce the options for us closer to the day and get back to us.
There is a small bar on site but we will have a short walk over the bridge to get scran. Possible bunks and camp beds definitely, heads and showers.
Thu 23 July: Tyne → Hull via Whitby & Scarborough
Depart 0900
Total Distance: ~150 mi | Time: ~4 hr 15 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Newcastle → Whitby (A171) |
~70 mi |
~2 hr |
Beautiful moorland route; Whitby Harbour & Magpie Café. |
|
Whitby → Scarborough |
~20 mi |
~35 min |
Clifftop riding. |
|
Scarborough → Hull (A165) |
~60 mi |
~1 hr 40 min |
Coastal A-road via Bridlington; seaside views. |
Fuel: Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington.
The address we arrive at is Hull Sea Cadets, Argyle Street, Hull, HU3 1EX at 1730 then on to Wenlock Barracks, Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 6PW with Shane. We cannot arrive here before 1800. They will arrange for someone to let us in and give us the codes for the gates etc.
No scran on site but something is available close by. Not sure yet, wait out on this.
No tin shaking for this branch. Apparently, they have some of their RMA members that ride bikes but are not part of the rider’s branch that may want to join us on the way in and possibly out the next day. I think we met some of these lads at last year’s ride to the wall.
Fri 24 July: Hull → Norwich via Boston & King’s Lynn
Depart 0900
Total Distance: ~165 mi | Time: ~4 hr 15 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Hull → Lincoln |
~45 mi |
~1 hr |
Lincoln Cathedral detour. |
|
Lincoln → Boston |
~35 mi |
~50 min |
Fenland landscapes. |
|
Boston → King’s Lynn → Norwich |
~85 mi |
~2 hr 25 min |
Flat, open roads – watch crosswinds. |
Fuel: Lincoln, Boston, King’s Lynn.
Stops: Lincoln Cathedral, King’s Lynn quayside.
We arrive at Asda supermarket, Unit A, 585 Hall Road, Norwich, NR4 6EG and join RMA Norwich for a while and help them tin shake at the supermarket and get a photo. A local HOG group have asked can they join us for the ride in and maybe the ride out. I have agreed to this.
The address for the overnight accommodation. It is about 30 minutes from Asda to Ingham.
(Norwich Cricket Club have two grounds and we are using the more picturesque one just three miles from the beach at Sea Palling not at Postwick). That’s Sea Palling Road in Ingram, NR12 just outside Stalham. Take your bathers/speedos for a dip here some stunning beaches close by.
Christopher Watts or our own Dave Gibling or another branch member will facilitate this.
Not sure about scran here yet, that’s a wait out at the moment but Christopher tells me we have options
Camp beds and sleeping bags, heads and showers available
Secure parking for the bikes
All looks good to me. I have seen the groundsman at Ingham / Norwich Cricket Club today & he has confirmed all is set.
You will have Dave Gibling & his wife riding out with you I believe to act as your local guide. It is basically directly behind the church & Swan PH at Ingham. It is tree lined & the entrance on your right approximately 150 yards along the Sea Palling road. If the boys wart fish & chips & a dip in the North Sea (it is very warm at the moment after the weather we have had) then head to Sea Palling once you have got your bearings. There is a pub there too.
The key to get into the pavilion at Ingham is on a code 1992 in a key lock.
There will be a small self serve bar in the club which it is requested that if you would like to use then the liquid refreshment is paid for in CASH.
The showers are available & otherwise just bed down where you fancy or even on the outfield if you wish.
Yours Aye
Chris Watts
RMA Norfolk
Branch Secretary
Sat 25 July: Norwich → Chelmsford via Thetford & Braintree
Depart 0900
Distance: ~100 mi | Time: ~2 hr 30 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Norwich → Thetford |
~30 mi |
~40 min |
Thetford Forest – shaded ride. |
|
Thetford → Braintree → Chelmsford |
~70 mi |
~1 hr 50 min |
Smooth A131 countryside riding. |
Stops: Thetford Forest Café, Braintree Services.
Destination is Whitehouse Farm, Main Road, Rettendon Common, Essex, CM3 8DL what 3 words
Biked.Roadways.Prowl
They will sort out Fish & Chips or Chicken & Chips for us all and advise as to the cost closer the time, the branch will be there to spin dits etc and will see us off in the morning. Hopefully with bacon Rolls.
Bikes are secure. There is water and heads no showers.
The branch does not hold fund raising days but their members will contribute hopefully.
1. Re the accommodation, we also have the availability of a caravan, sleep 3 and 3 cabins for use to sleep in.
There is running water and toilets but no showers where we are, sorry but it will be bird baths only.
2. What is your expected arrival time? Looking at the details, you have planned a total of 2 1/2 hrs riding time with time added for stops with a departure from Norwich at 0900. Certainly me and possibly 2 others from the Branch would like to meet up with you on route, we can guide you into Whitehouse Farm, so if you are able to give me a grid for Thetford Cafe (as there are a couple) and a RV time my aim will be to meet you there.
3. We will just need to know how many Fish and Chips and how many Chicken and Chips and we will get the order sorted with the delivery time that you want, so let me know. The morning will be bacon rolls cooked by us with tea and coffee as needed.
4. My assumption is that as you are riding each day you will not want a 'Union Street' type night drinking Port till stupid o'clock? We can do that if you want 
but let me know if my assumption is right. We have lots of beer including 'Zero' stuff and that will be free as the branch covers that cost. We will have a donation for you that can be paid however you want.
Sun 26 July: Chelmsford → Deal via Chatham & Canterbury
Distance: ~95 mi | Time: ~2 hr 20 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Chelmsford → Chatham (A130/A2) |
~35 mi |
~45 min |
Medway river views. |
|
Chatham → Canterbury |
~30 mi |
~40 min |
Historic city centre – cathedral stop. |
|
Canterbury → Deal |
~30 mi |
~40 min |
Finish at seafront, old smugglers’ pubs. |
Fuel: Chelmsford, Chatham, Canterbury.
Destination RMA 37 The Strand, Walmer Deal, Kent, CT14 7DX. The bandstand View apartment is above I believe. Parking is free out the front until 0900 Monday morning so that’s good for us. At the moment there are 12 of us here I bagsy one of the single beds. Jez and Dave can have the kingsize
To clarify, they won't be at a tin shaking event. It will all be happening in the Deal RMA Club which will be open until 2300 if required that day.
They will be doing some form of fundraising on that day and there are a few ideas going on for that. They have some entertainment booked for 2 45-minute sets, a local (more mature group) Anything raised will be part of this event.
They have beds in Bandstand View Apartment on the top floor of the building (3rd Floor) One king-size, 2 singles and a sofa bed. There is sufficient floor space as well for camp beds and also on the 2nd floor in the Gibraltar Room where the food will be served from. There is a bathroom with a shower in the flat and toilets in the Gibraltar Room. I have agreed a curry with accompaniments The cost will be £12 per head. Some of their members may eat with us once we have a better idea of numbers. So basically, we will be in the same place for the whole visit. The Bandstand on the green opposite is an ideal spot for photographs before we all leave.
Mon 27 July: Deal → Portsmouth via Brighton (A259 Coastal)
Depart 0900
Distance: ~150 mi | Time: ~4 hr 30 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Deal → Hastings |
~45 mi |
~1 hr 20 min |
Coastal B-roads, sea cliffs. |
|
Hastings → Brighton |
~40 mi |
~1 hr 15 min |
Seven Sisters viewpoint. |
|
Brighton → Portsmouth |
~65 mi |
~2 hr |
Chichester Harbour detour. |
Stops: Brighton seafront, Bexhill, Chichester.
Destination is to our accommodation in HMS Temerraire eta 1600 where we will get our accommodation from Paul Moore then head off down to the Yomper on the seafront, Eastney Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 where a para friend and Phil and his partner Sheils Ex Army will be standing by with Cornish pasties and a crate of beer supplied by the riders branch committee (maybe a warm month dip whilst we are there)
Portsmouth RMA are suggesting meeting up for wets and maybe some scran at the ship Anson on the hard in Pompey which is walking distance from Temerraire.
Secure parking for the bikes here and probably bunks not camp beds.
Tue 28 July: Portsmouth → Exmouth via Dorchester & Sidmouth
Depart 0900
This is at the moment the most attended leg of the trip
Distance: ~135 mi | Time: ~3 hr 45 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Portsmouth → Dorchester (A27/A31/A35) |
~70 mi |
~1 hr 50 min |
Optional detour via New Forest. |
|
Dorchester → Sidmouth → Exmouth |
~65 mi |
~1 hr 55 min |
Jurassic Coast views, Sidmouth Esplanade coffee stop. |
Fuel: Dorchester, Sidmouth, Exmouth.
Destination will be Seafront at Exmouth for a photo shoot and meet up with RMA Exmouth members. The flagpole sounds best - on the Esplanade - just before the Pavilion (postcode of the Pavilion is EX8 2AZ).
They are not tin shaking. RMA club is in the police club in Exmouth and is closed Tuesday nights. Kate Coe said the steward would open it up for us if required. Unfortunately, they do not have contacts for accommodation so Phil Gilby has invited us to stay in the drill shed with our bikes which has heads and showers. Camp beds and sleeping bags required. Phil Gilby has also arranged for us to eat in the sergeants mess and has also told me he will pay for it. We can stay on in Sergeants mess for a couple of wets if you so wish. I don’t think getting taxis down in to Exmouth is worth doing and CTC will be a great photo shoot for us, and I am sure Phil and his team will be very supportive of this.
Before we leave in the morning, we will lay a wreath at the memorial wall at that time we will remember Dean Swift, Dave Richardson and Tony Lofthouse who we have lost to cancer.
Secure parking for the bikes goes without saying.
We are to meet with the guys from Poole on the way down at Bere Regis. Royal Oak, West Street, Bere Regis, BH20 7HQ eta 1100
The Royal Oak is in West Street, Bere Regis BH20 7HQ
I did a recce and a couple of photos are attached showing the car park. How many bikes do you estimate will be on that final leg to Exmouth?
I spoke to the landlady and she opens at 10am for coffee etc. She anticipates the lads might need some bacon rolls, tea and coffee.
I'll advise our members to wear polo shirts and green berets for a photo shoot. I'll be there early to guide you into the car park.
I'm thinking of inviting Mrs CG but I'll check with a couple of friends first before I invite her, I don't want to cause offence or embarrassment.
I'll bring a collecting box in case any members or public are feeling generous.
Wed 29 July: Exmouth → St Austell via Okehampton & Tavistock
Depart 0900
Distance: ~115 mi | Time: ~3 hr 15 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Exmouth → Okehampton |
~35 mi |
~45 min |
Smooth A30 run. |
|
Okehampton → Tavistock |
~30 mi |
~1 hr |
Scenic Dartmoor section. |
|
Tavistock → St Austell |
~50 mi |
~1 hr 30 min |
Bodmin Moor views. |
Stops: Okehampton (fuel), Tavistock (lunch). Possible Stonehouse stop to re-create photo from when our branch was formed. Awaiting approval
Destination Cornwall Services, Victoria, Roche, St Austell, PL26 8UF what 3 words cheerful.loud.snug where RMA St Austell will be tin shaking. We will help them for a short while and get photo shots. Then on to hotel.
Travelodge Roche, Victoria Road, Victoria, St Austell PL26 8LQ we are all booked in here. The Travelodge at Roche is attached to The Victoria Inn, which is a St Austell Pub. They serve good beer and a selection of traditional pub grub. This is where RMA St Austell have their monthly lunch meeting and they always look after them well. Some of their members will be along for a social in the evening to spin some dits.
Bikes will be in Travelodge car park
Thu 30 July: St Austell → Bristol via Yelverton & Tiverton
Depart 0900
Distance: ~120 mi | Time: ~3 hr 15 min**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
St Austell → Yelverton |
~45 mi |
~1 hr 10 min |
Tamar Bridge crossing. Maybe stop at Stonehouse |
|
Yelverton → Tiverton |
~45 mi |
~1 hr 15 min |
Rural Devon roads. Maybe a stop at Busters |
|
Tiverton → Bristol |
~30 mi |
~50 min |
A38 into the city. |
Fuel: Yelverton, Tiverton, Taunton.
Destination Sainsbury’s Superstore, 111 Winterstore Road, Bristol, BS3 2NS Where we will help RMA Bristol tin shake for a while and have phots taken
Then on to HMS Flying Fox, Winterstoke Road, Bristol, BS3 2NS
Some bunk beds and space to put up camp beds and sleeping bags. Mike Howell has done a recce and will be sorting an rv for scran for us. Obviously, heads and showers. Mike will also lead us in and lead us out.
I met Mike Howell at HMS Flying Fox, he has the layout of the accommodation in the main building where the Heads and Showers are, the breakfast will also be served in the main building on the Friday 31st July.
Our lovely lady Sam Coles-Corum Office Manager RN HQ, also RMA Bristol Branch member, will be heading up breakfast, with a few helpers.
Ken, Sam will need to know the timings for breakfast, early birds?
Fri 31 July: Bristol → Swansea via Avonmouth & Severn Bridge
Distance: ~140 mi | Time: ~3 hr**
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Bristol → Severn Bridge (M48) |
~20 mi |
~30 min |
Stop at Aust Services viewpoint. |
|
Severn Bridge → Swansea (M4) |
~120 mi |
~2 hr 30 min |
Smooth motorway run; Mumbles Head evening stop. |
Fuel: M4 services, Swansea.
Destination and Overnight stay at Swansea Sea Cadet Unit, Swansea Marina, Maritime Quarter, Ajax, Pilot House Wharf, Swansea, SA1 1UN.
A charity collection will be held at Tesco Marina on the 25th July by the SBBRAM , and all proceeds will be donated to the Bikers fund raising efforts, as they are unable to do anything on the 31st.
An evening social BBQ and drinks etc has been organised by one of their members Tony Rowlands who has a Man cave called the 'Hoof Inn' at Dunvant Killay.
They don't have transport to take us there but they can escort us there. It is a 5.5 mile trip that will take around 20 mins. Whether we will want to get back on our bikes again in the evening I am not sure, I need a show of hands for this asap please, the alternative is to hang around Swansea Marina and fend for ourselves. I will ask Alan Sherman how easy and costings for taxis. It is a shame they want to do something like this and we cannot make it, but our arses may be saying something different.
Sat 01 August: Swansea → Merseyside via Newtown & Oswestry
Distance: ~150 mi | Time: ~4 hr 15 min**
Depart 0900
|
Segment |
Distance |
Time |
Highlights |
|
Swansea → Builth Wells (A483) |
~60 mi |
~1 hr 30 min |
Great mid-Wales sweepers. |
|
Builth Wells → Newtown |
~40 mi |
~1 hr |
Scenic ride; optional Llyn Clywedog detour. |
|
Newtown → Merseyside (via Oswestry & A5) |
~50 mi |
~1 hr 45 min |
Pass Chirk Aqueduct before finishing. |
Fuel: Swansea, Newtown, Oswestry.
Norman Wareing and Taff Swift have both suggested a different and slightly better route than this so stand by for change. Destination is obviously the same.
Destination RNHQ NE & IOM HMS Eaglett, Sefton Street, L3 4DZ
We should have a welcoming party from the 3 RMA branches around Merseyside
There will be a party night here to celebrate our 10th birthday, some are bringing wives, girlfriends, boyfriends and staying in local hotels. All 3 RMA branches will send some members to join us, scran and beer. Some are staying in a nearby Travelodge