Vespa Tour of Wales - One Week To Go

Thursday 29th March 2018

Having used a scooter as my only mode of transport for 15 years, the acquisition of a new Vespa GTS300 in late 2017 seemed to spark a hankering for that cliche of the mid-life crisis - the two wheeled road trip.  

Thinking back, getting front and rear racks fitted immediately on the new bike was probably an unconscious reflection of some latent wanderlust. Rarely using any of the machines I've owned for anything other than the daily 20 minute commute, the thought of going a bit further afield, and on a (for me) loose schedule seemed really appealing. More and more time was being spent on Google Maps planning hypothetical voyages, and window shopping for gear that would enable me to live semi comfortably for a few days.

After an admission of these 'tendencies' at the dinner table one evening, my very understanding wife and our two high school kids graciously gave me a pass for a week of the 2018 Easter holidays. But where should I go? For a while I seriously considered going over to Ireland, as I have some good friends there and would love to see more of the country. I was a bit worried about the ferry though - I don't have great sea legs. Plus the extra distance would mean more time in the saddle and less time recouperating between rides. So a little more realistically, I started to look at Wales. Being half Welsh but living all my life in England (and not far from the border, either), I'm often ashamed at how little of God's Country I've actually seen. So a tour of Wales (with a bit of Shropshire and Herefordshire to start) taking in three National Parks, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and some of the country's most stunning beaches (including one containing the 'third best beach bar on the planet', no less) sounded perfect. 

Being honest, the fact that I could be home in a couple of hours if it all went titsabilly was a key player in the choice too... despite convincing myself of a romantic yearning for travel, truth be told I'm a bit of a home bird really. A typical Cancerian, if you believe in any of that stuff. Luckily us Cancerians are also notoriously cynical, so I don't.

So here I am, with a week to go before the trip. Hotels booked, satnav purchased, favours from friends & family called in, and long term weather forecast being obsessed over. At the end of the coldest, longest, snowiest winter for years, and with this season's third 'Beast From the East' apparently on the way, will the weather prove to be my downfall? Is it wise to head to a place called 'Snowdonia' with snow forecast..?

I've got a week to change my mind...

(Click here for the next part...)

© Rich Lane 2018