OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
About to hit the road on a modest (but for me, slightly terrifying) 7 day tour around Wales on the GTS. Never done anything remotely like this before. I've started a blog and there are a couple of introductory posts - I'll do a day by day report when I'm back and post it all here, promise.

For now, wish me luck...

Hwyl fawr!

https://cottonbudmedia.blogspot.com/2018/03/
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@pigletpilot avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1878
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
 
Molto Verboso
@pigletpilot avatar
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1878
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
UTC quote
Awesome, I look forward to your report. Love the red scooter.
I can't see any harm in taking your first big adventure 2 hours from home, I suspect that may help keep you on the road. Good luck and have fun. Scooter emoticon Scooter emoticon Scooter emoticon 🛵🛵🛵
@tdrake avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2980
Location: Moscow, Idaho
 
Ossessionato
@tdrake avatar
2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2980
Location: Moscow, Idaho
UTC quote
Have a blast and bring on the pics! We drove around Wales for a week last summer and all I do is wish I were on two wheels...well, that and soak up the verdant beauty.
@mjrally avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
73 & 74 Rally, 76 ET3, 80 P200, 06 PX150, 61 Ser 2, 65 Silver Special, 90 V5N 50, 01 ET2, 2015 HD Road Glide Special
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Posts: 5073
Location: Oceanside, CA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@mjrally avatar
73 & 74 Rally, 76 ET3, 80 P200, 06 PX150, 61 Ser 2, 65 Silver Special, 90 V5N 50, 01 ET2, 2015 HD Road Glide Special
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5073
Location: Oceanside, CA
UTC quote
Congrats on taking the plunge. Take your time getting around and don't push yourself and your mileage too hard. Work up to longer and longer days. Last thing to remember is that everyone speaks the same language as you, cops don't need bribes and everyone takes cash! Razz emoticon Have fun buddy!
@virginian avatar
UTC

Hooked
'14 Vespa 946, '18 Yamaha Xmax
Joined: UTC
Posts: 369
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
 
Hooked
@virginian avatar
'14 Vespa 946, '18 Yamaha Xmax
Joined: UTC
Posts: 369
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
UTC quote
I'm looking forward towards your ride report!
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (on the bench) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 11929
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2007 LX150 2015 GTS (on the bench) 2017 BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 11929
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Sounds awesome.

Will be following. Scooter emoticon Scooter emoticon
@nzscoot avatar
UTC

Hooked
2009 Vespa GTS300 S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 253
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
 
Hooked
@nzscoot avatar
2009 Vespa GTS300 S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 253
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
UTC quote
Great stuff. Enjoy.
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Day One - The Potteries to The Wye Valley
Well I did it, and I'm home in one piece!

Full write up of the first day here. 6 more days to follow, but at this rate it may take a while...

https://midlifecrisisbyvespa.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/day-one-potteries-to-wye-valley.html
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@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3115
Location: Finland
 
Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3115
Location: Finland
UTC quote
Nice!

Looks like you had a good weather for the day one.
Great pictures, great landscape for scootering!
@ashbrook avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Vespa GTS Kymco AK550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3199
Location: London UK
 
Ossessionato
@ashbrook avatar
Vespa GTS Kymco AK550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3199
Location: London UK
UTC quote
Great write up and gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing, this could form the basis for a Donk tour of Wales!
@wimpy_kimpy avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa PX 150 E 1989, VBB2T 1965, Primavera 150 2014, Vespa PTS Malossi 1983, Vespa Sprint V 1975 , Vespa Excel 150 2002, Yamaha NMax 155 2023
Joined: UTC
Posts: 220
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
 
Hooked
@wimpy_kimpy avatar
Vespa PX 150 E 1989, VBB2T 1965, Primavera 150 2014, Vespa PTS Malossi 1983, Vespa Sprint V 1975 , Vespa Excel 150 2002, Yamaha NMax 155 2023
Joined: UTC
Posts: 220
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
UTC quote
Nice
Great picture and good adventure
@tdrake avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2980
Location: Moscow, Idaho
 
Ossessionato
@tdrake avatar
2006 GT200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2980
Location: Moscow, Idaho
UTC quote
Stunning shots of a beautiful region! Love the write-up, as well.

Sounds -- and looks -- like a perfect trip!
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Day Two - The Wye Valley to Blaengarw
Thanks for the nice feedback so far folks.

Some photos from day 2 - finally get over the border, across the Brecon Beacons, and down into The Valleys.

More photos and the write up can be found here:

https://midlifecrisisbyvespa.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/day-two-wye-valley-to-blaengawr.html
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@rjc1944 avatar
UTC

Hooked
Matt Black 2014 300GTS Super Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 319
Location: Perranporth, Cornwall, England
 
Hooked
@rjc1944 avatar
Matt Black 2014 300GTS Super Sport
Joined: UTC
Posts: 319
Location: Perranporth, Cornwall, England
UTC quote
Looks brilliant! Glad to see you're exploring the parts others don't reach......
@pigletpilot avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1878
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
 
Molto Verboso
@pigletpilot avatar
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1878
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
UTC quote
Great reports so far, loving your tale and the photos that go with them.
@virginian avatar
UTC

Hooked
'14 Vespa 946, '18 Yamaha Xmax
Joined: UTC
Posts: 369
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
 
Hooked
@virginian avatar
'14 Vespa 946, '18 Yamaha Xmax
Joined: UTC
Posts: 369
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
UTC quote
Well done and thanks for sharing!
@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3115
Location: Finland
 
Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3115
Location: Finland
UTC quote
Great report again!

I actually laughed aloud during the description of what happened at the Abergavenny car park Not that I laughed at you, but you just told the story so well!
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
RRider wrote:
I actually laughed aloud during the description of what happened at the Abergavenny car park
I must admit, it was so swift and accurate a dump that even I laughed a bit, in between tears. Hey - sh** happens!

Thanks for the feedback. This blogging thing is almost as much of a leap into the unknown as the ride!
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Day Four - Blaengarw to Tenby
Didn't post Day Three here as it was a rest day in The Valleys, although it is covered in the blog if you're interested.

Day Four involved a fair bit of riding though. More pictures (including some nice beaches) and my write up in the link.

https://midlifecrisisbyvespa.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/day-four-blaengarw-to-tenby.html

Cheers.
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OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Day Six - 168 miles from The South to The North on a 'moped'
This was the biggest ride of the trip.

As ever, a far too long write up here :

https://midlifecrisisbyvespa.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/day-six-tenby-to-llyn-peninsula.html

Cheers
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@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3115
Location: Finland
 
Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3115
Location: Finland
UTC quote
Great pics and interesting story again - it gives a different kind of depth to the places when you share your feelings and past events!
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Thanks RRider - it's a lot to read so I'm glad you like it. I suppose it wouldn't be a mid life crisis without a bit of reminiscence!
@virginian avatar
UTC

Hooked
'14 Vespa 946, '18 Yamaha Xmax
Joined: UTC
Posts: 369
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
 
Hooked
@virginian avatar
'14 Vespa 946, '18 Yamaha Xmax
Joined: UTC
Posts: 369
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
UTC quote
Clap emoticon

I've thoroughly enjoyed your ride report and many thanks for sharing!

Eric
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Day Seven
Thanks Virginian.

A little bit of riding on my penultimate day of the trip - and the search (on foot) for a fabled pub.

https://midlifecrisisbyvespa.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/day-seven-llyn-peninsula-and-ty-coch-inn.html
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@mjrally avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
73 & 74 Rally, 76 ET3, 80 P200, 06 PX150, 61 Ser 2, 65 Silver Special, 90 V5N 50, 01 ET2, 2015 HD Road Glide Special
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5073
Location: Oceanside, CA
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@mjrally avatar
73 & 74 Rally, 76 ET3, 80 P200, 06 PX150, 61 Ser 2, 65 Silver Special, 90 V5N 50, 01 ET2, 2015 HD Road Glide Special
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5073
Location: Oceanside, CA
UTC quote
Nice write up and pics so far! I've been following along intently. One day I'll come over see the country where my grandparents were from (surname Jones)
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3505
Location: Minneapolis USA
 
Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3505
Location: Minneapolis USA
UTC quote
Thanks for the Adventure
Really enjoyed your great photo work on this tour.

Bob Copeland
OP
@chug_norris avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
 
Enthusiast
@chug_norris avatar
2017 Vespa GTS300 Super Rosso Drago
Joined: UTC
Posts: 88
Location: Staffordshire/Cheshire Badlands, UK
UTC quote
Day Eight - Homeward Bound
Thanks for taking the time to read MJ & Bob, and anyone else who was interested/patient enough to read all 15,000 words.

Last day now up. Will post an appendix with a detailed breakdown of what I packed for the trip etc in due course.

https://midlifecrisisbyvespa.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/day-eight-bala-ponderosahome.html

Cheers all!

Ireland next year..?
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@pigletpilot avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1878
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
 
Molto Verboso
@pigletpilot avatar
Gina, 1965 Vespa 180SS, Bella,1968 Vespa 150 Super, Mia, 2017 Vespa Primavera 70th Anniversary 150ie, Gabriella, 2017 GTS300 ABS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1878
Location: Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, NZ
UTC quote
What a great record of an awesome ride. I have followed and enjoyed every moment that you have shared with us. It just proves that everyone's adventure is what they make it.
@attention avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2017 GTS300 Supersport (The Yella 'Un aka The Sting)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1914
Location: UK, EU
 
Molto Verboso
@attention avatar
2017 GTS300 Supersport (The Yella 'Un aka The Sting)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1914
Location: UK, EU
UTC quote
Loved following your journey and the pics are awesome!
@conchscooter avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2004 Vespa ET4, 2009 Vespa S150, Suzuki Burgman 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1793
Location: Florida Keys
 
Molto Verboso
@conchscooter avatar
2004 Vespa ET4, 2009 Vespa S150, Suzuki Burgman 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1793
Location: Florida Keys
UTC quote
I could not at first figure out how you could employ a whole week to ride around Wales, a principality the size of a large California County. You showed me how. Great fun, well told superb pictures. More please.
@nzscoot avatar
UTC

Hooked
2009 Vespa GTS300 S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 253
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
 
Hooked
@nzscoot avatar
2009 Vespa GTS300 S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 253
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
UTC quote
That was great. Thanks for sharing it.
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