Modern Vespa

As is customary when I have a week off work I always make the effort to go on at least one long ride.

Today's trip was 350 KM around Welsh A and B roads and I've come to the conclusion that they have some lovely stretches of tarmac. Sadly these are less enjoyable when it spends half the day pissing it down with rain and they are covered in leaves and small streams.

My leather jacket isn't waterproof, and neither was the sweatshirt or t-shirt that I had on underneath.

When running low on fuel, the only petrol stations you will find are advertising unleaded at 85p a litre, because they went out of business at least five years ago, or charging £1.20 a litre because they are robbing gits!

Wales also has some stunning scenery, sadly I couldn't see half of it because of the rain.

When the weather forecast shows occasional light showers, they are lying.

My GTS did the whole trip without missing a beat despite me riding it increasingly hard as hypothermia set in and I hurtled home as fast as I could go. I didn't calculate the MPG exactly but a rough guesstimate based on how much I filled up was about 75MPG which is pretty good.

The chassis outperforms the engine, and it could definitely cope with a bit more power. A true 300cc engine would be enough to add about 10mph to the top and cruising speeds which would be nice - on some of the roads it was pegged open and only doing 60 up the hills, though as anyone has ridden in wales will know, they can be steep.

Did I mention that it rained?

Very nice countryside in your part of the planet.
You didn't say if it rained ot not though, I do know you get a little of the wet stuff over there.
Ride safe, half the people over there drive on the wrong side half the time and the other half can't drive when it rains.
Stay dry. 8)

I went to Wales from London earlier this summer. It is beautiful out there, but guess what... it was raining Rainy night was followed by a tropical day though, so not too bad.

Some pics from my journey:
http://tomasgriger.com/brecon-beacons-part-1/
http://tomasgriger.com/brecon-beacons-part-2/

Wow, lovely country and excellent photos, Harlekino!

*adds Wales to the list of places to visit and ride a scooter*

Note to self: bring rain gear.

You forgot to mention that it's compulsory for there to be a huge "ARAF" painted on the road every 100 metres

"But I was only going araf, Officer".

Doesn't always rain.

From the Pembrokeshire coast, in June

After Brecon Beacons, I also tried Snowdonia Park. And yes, it was raining But only occassionally though

Here's my report:
http://tomasgriger.com/snowdonia-riding-middleearth-day-2/

For those who have never been to Wales, especially those reading this in the US & Canada. "ARAF" is Welsh language for "SLOW", despite the fact that the Welsh all speak English and only a small percentage speak the native language they still insist on having all their road signs and markings in both Welsh and English.