I had been hoping to have my Moto Guzzi 500 restoration finished in 2024 and thought it would be fun to go to one of the Owner's Club rallies. Obviously, life intervened and the restoration wasn't finished, but I was assured that I wouldn't be barred if I turned up on an "inferior marque"! (As it happened, there were probably a dozen or more "inferior marques" there, so I felt ok.)
So packed with camping gear, off I headed on the sturdy GPZ.
I took the less straightforward but infinitely more picturesque route through Snowdonia and across the Llanberris Pass; surely one of my favourite roads I have ridden. Paul and I did it on the Snowdonia 360 last year and I was eager to do it again. It didn't disappoint.
Coming into Aberaeron after a few hours, the weather was perfect, with clear skies and no wind.
The rally was based at Aberaeron Rugby Club, with all of the tents arranged around the perimeter of the pitch and use of all the clubhouse facilities, which were great.
I pitched in one of the quieter areas, because I am very anti-social! I soon had a beer cracked open and tea on - my standard spaghetti carbonara.
In the evening, there was an interesting talk by a guy that runs guided tours through Spain and Portugal. Not a bad job. Then there was a band on, which I stayed to listen to for a bit but then hit the sack.
Next morning there were some organised rides on, but I'm not really a great fan of riding in a group, so I headed off to explore by myself. I went down the coast to New Quay (not Newquay in Cornwall!) and had a coffee, then headed off to a museum that had been recommended, grandly called the Internal Fire Museum of Power. Apparently, the largest collection of working engines in Wales.
They also had a small display of classic motorbikes, including quite a few unusual and interesting bikes there and a lovely guy curating it, with whom I spent a very pleasant half hour discussing bikes we'd owned! It sounds very geeky, and was, but proved to be an interesting way to spend a couple of hours. I also stopped there for a bite to eat to try and support them a bit. I love places like that which are run by really keen volunteers; completely unpretentious.
I got back mid-afternoon and then took a walk down into Aberaeron, which was fairly lively as the weather was so nice.
I went up to the clubhouse for a bite to eat and a couple of pints before retiring to the tent to watch the most beautiful sunset over the bay. A lovely way to end things.
Next morning I had a leisurely breakfast before packing my stuff away and heading for home. I took the more direct route this time, which was still a lovely ride, just without the spectacular Snowdonia scenery.
What a lovely weekend! I have it pencilled in again for next year - hopefully this time I'll be on the Guzzi!
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