The Manchester Honda

Owners Club 2013

Lake Vernwy - in all weathers

As you all know, we have had a heatwave for the last two weeks. It chose this weekend to break, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms to most parts. BUT…. Not to the MANHOC rideout - well, not much anyway. Now read on….

I did have some trepidation about todays ride. The forecast was OK, but that is usually a recipe for disaster. So, on with the waterproofs and head for Poplar 2000 to see who turned up. I arrived to find sunshine, 22 degrees heat and 5 bikes already there. By the time we left we had 15 bikes and 4 pillions, so I wasn’t the only one feeling optimistic.

The ride over to the lake was pretty good - apart from an orange McLaren which seemed intent on claiming ALL the road as his. But we soon slipped away from him and headed up some wide and narrow roads before arriving safely at the cafe by the dam. Lunch was consumed (you need to try the sausage and bacon sarnie) and we wandered around taking pictures (as you do when the scenery is as good as this). We did avoid 2 downpours when we were in the cafe so we knew it wasn’t all dry and nice.

Setting off, we headed over to Bala to fill up and then back over the moors of North Wales. We did eventually get caught in a downpour (I should have turned towards the blue sky apparently) and then stopped in a really nice pub (the Druids) for our afternoon drink and to try and find out what happened to Frank (he decided to go home for some reason). While we were there, the heavens opened and we watched in amazement as the ground turned to a river. It was about this time we realised we might be getting wet on the way home, but as it turned out, our route kept us away from most of the water until we got onto the M6.

We did have one interesting incident. Coming around a roundabout, Eddie got into a bit of bother and shot up the pavement. He nearly stopped in time, but the bike caught on the grass and over it went. A few minutes clearing the mud from the footpegs and a bumpstart by the masses and we were off again - no damage apart from pride.

Then, home and tea and to dry out a bit - my waterproofs aren’t……

Thanks to all who made it such a nice day out. Here’s a few pictures of the outing.