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Steam Trains And Biker Hang Outs
By Ren Withnell
Steam trains hold a certain special place in my heart. I myself am a motorcycle nut and not particularly a train buff. My love of trains comes through osmosis, by being around those who love them. My grandad of whom we talked last night loved them with a passion. My father is a more of a casual fan although he works a few days as a volunteer on the Amberly line down south. Both of them made model trains in great detail, I can remember my grandad's desk filled tiny tools, bits of plastic, wire, track and technical drawings. I also distinctly remember seeing and occasionally riding the steam trains of the Ffestiniog railway. I like trains, especially steam trains but it's the memories around them I love.
This morning my Dad and his wife will be joined by my uncle and his wife to ride the recently restored Welsh Highland Railway. This will depart from Porthmadog using the same station as the Ffestiniog Railway that I clearly recall from my youth. It's at this point the gf and I will set off for home and they'll ride the narrow gauge rails for the day.
Oh dear, another terrible day it seems.
My Dad's flustering around, I think he's just a tad excited. The gf and I on the other hand are loading up the bikes and kitting ourselves up for the return journey. The weather is a cracker, cool at the moment but warming quickly so I make sure there's a little space to put my jumper on the bike. I don't think I'll be needing it for too long. Just in case we don't get back together at the station I bid my Dad and his wife farewell then we hop onto the bikes and make the short ride into Porthmadog.
I'm puzzled as to where to park, thankfully the kind parking attendant at the station points us to a suitable corner where we can leave the bikes. My uncle and his wife are already there and we talk a while until Dad arrives. As I walk through the waiting lounge and the gift shop I'm filled with a warm, safe sensation as the smell of steam and oil triggers feelings of childhood memories. It is pleasing to stand on the platform listening to my uncle and father talk of where the carriages and engines come from, they are being a right pair of anoraks today.
The station at Porthmadog.
Smell it, smell the oil and the steam. Fantastic.
As we leave the car parks the train crosses the road and we wave them off on their journey. Dad and my uncle are like excitable children, I hope their respective wives keep each other entertained otherwise it will be a dull day for them. The sun is shining, the air is warming nicely and they could not have chosen a better day for the journey. The gf and I too are lucky, we have 2 marvellous machines of our own to ride and an agreeable ride home to make. Lets crack on shall we?
The main roads lead us out to Trawsfynydd, Dad managed to pronounce this for me but I can't make head nor tale of how it should be spoken. I pick up the sign for Bala which I can say correctly. This road takes us smoothly over some less ambitious hills and along green valley floors. There are a couple of climbs where we're struggling to hold a reasonable pace so I try to ensure cars can pass when it is safe. Most do but there's always the random fool in his execumobile that believes going fast is a god given right. Silly boy, he passes us on a dubious bend only to get stuck behind the same truck we're stuck behind already. This mildly frustrates me but these days I've learned to laugh rather than wind myself up.
Bala is quite a pretty town with a long high street, I'd hazard a guess this was once a market town. It's always busy when I've been here and today is no exception. We pass through and head out to the lake for a little rest. I know there's toilets here and it is a well know biker hangout. Sure enough as we roll in even on this Tuesday lunchtime there's 4 or 5 bikes parked up.
Lake Bala is looking magnificent today. We'll be back here soon.
Amidst making use of the facilities I talk to a gentleman on a big fast looking BMW. He's waiting to meet a guy who's purchased a tank bag off him from Ebay. The guy is riding all the way up from Weymouth to collect it, then he's riding back home again! Now that's a proper day's ride, over 500 miles I'm guessing. I've done those kind of mileages in the past, it's do-able but it's not my idea of a pleasant, relaxing and comfortable ride. I think the 130 miles I estimate we'll cover today is just nice thank you.
In keeping with taking our time our next port of call will be The Ponderosa Cafe near the Horseshoe Pass. Oh yes, we're pushing the boat out today, we've covered 30 miles already and we're going to take on another 20 or so before our next stop. The A494 takes us to the A5 then the A5104. The A5104 is more our kind of road, quieter, smaller and filled with curves. We roll along at a good pace, fast enough to be making progress yet slow enough not to be scared and to look at the scenery. I note the trees are not in leaf, some have made a start and some are hanging on just to make sure. This sun will encourage them. It feels like a long time since last summer.
The Ponderosa is busy. Bikers come and go, riders dine and chat and motorcycles are scrutinised with lustful eyes. I note someone looking at my worn out 125, their face denotes surprise rather than envy. We have a chip butty and a brew each and sit in the sun. This high up with a noticeable breeze it is not warm, I've still got my jumper on. I ponder as to which way we could return home, I'd rather avoid Warrington if I can. We could go back via the gf's place in Halewood, we could have our next brew stop there and grab a snack. What a good idea.
The fine weather brings the bikers to The Ponderosa, even on a Tuesday.
I expect to get lost coming through the minor roads rather than heading towards the familiar A49 and Wrexham. However Chester is clearly signposted and this route takes us through some pretty villages and farmlands. Treuddyn, Leeswood and Penyffordd look enchanting in the sun then all too soon we're back on the A55 and the familiarity of the A56. I stop to suggest the gf leads us back to her place as she knows where she is now. Guess what? She hasn't got her house keys with her. Why would she? She wasn't expecting to be going home just yet. Well that's spoiled my plan hasn't it. Oh well.
She leads me, carefully, through the roadworks under the M56, along the dual carriageways through Runcorn and over the Runcorn Bridge. I take over again and place us on the route she will use to get to my house. She knows how to get to my house via the motorways in her car, but she can't use the motorways on her "L" plated 125. She needs to be certain of this route as it will soon be time for her bike to start living at her house rather than mine. I know it's a step she doesn't want to take, but it's a necessary step and she is more than ready for it.
As is often the case the last leg seems to drag and take too long. I think a few mind tricks are at play here. We are on familiar roads now so there's nothing new to see which can make the time drag. It also means our trip is over and we are returning to our everyday lives, the holiday is over all too soon. We are just grinding through the conurbations between Liverpool and Manchester, we are commuting, we are not exploring any more. I should be down but with weather as good as this even St Helens looks nice. We stop for a final brew at Orrell Motorcycles, delaying the inevitable return home.
Well we've had another remarkable few days. Wales provided an exquisite backdrop for a great rideout, Dad provided sumptuous accommodation and circumstances meant I could catch up with my Dad's side of the family in a great setting. Best of all we're not done with Wales just yet, we'll be making a return trip with friends very soon. This time we'll be sleeping in a tent and maybe the weather won't be as good but I'm sure it will be a first rate weekend as long as we make the most of it.
Stumbling Into Wales
It was a great day to be on two wheels in Wales...as long as you ignore Ren's inability to park a motorcycle.
Back Roads And Beaches
Our Dynamic Duo saunter and bimble around the beautiful back roads and beaches of The Llyn Peninsula.
Steam Trains And Biker Hang Outs
Ren gets all sentimental around the Choo-choos our couple return via The Ponderosa
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Travel StoriesBack Into North Wales 2015