If the walls could talk!
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Just Ride.
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
84 Mile ride on Saturday.
Schenectady and back.
Along the way, these three machines have been sitting here for years.
Looks like they took off for lunch and just never came back.
Schenectady and back.
Along the way, these three machines have been sitting here for years.
Looks like they took off for lunch and just never came back.
When I ride around the country im amazed at all the metal that could be recycled, that has been laying in the fields and wooded lands.
There’s certainly a lot of aluminum along most of our roads!
safety reflectors!
French avant garde art...
The Wye Valley In Wales (And England).
The weather forecast for Sunday said 'Mostly sunny with occasional cloud cover. Temps in the 21c Range; but feeling warmer as no wind".
Right, I'm not wasting this day of fortune. Mrs C has buggered off to her sisters villa in Spain; and I ain't wasting this day mowing the freakin' lawns again!
I decide to explore the Wye Valley which is a very beautiful and picturesque area. The river has carved a mix of rocky cliff lined gorge, and sweeping fertile valley. Deeply wooded sides of ancient forest give way to lush green arable fields each side of the river. Its also has a dream road route I have used many times. The valley / river route starts in Chepstow and culminates in Monmouth The River Wye starts high up in the Welsh mountains, takes a short hop into England, decides it doesn't like it and heads back into Wales.
My focus is on the Wye Valley route (36 Miles), but I have a 20 Mile ride to Chepstow to start; and ends in Usk town (20 miles to get home).
Total ride about 76 Miles. I pull Taffy (XS650) out for this ride as I'm now confident the bike will be reliable.
Heading out of historical Chepstow on the B4293; it's a fast road that skirts past Chepstow Race course into St Arvans.
From here the road heads uphill though a number of tight 'S' bends, mostly blind corners. At the top we enter the Wye Valley proper, heading for Tintern and the famous Abbey. On the left are towering cliffs, to the right forestry obscures the river and gorge, with just glimpses of the river way below.
No time to look as the road demands full concentration.
Some quick miles further on and the landscape changes to a wider valley with lush green fields beyond the trees, to my right, heading down to the river.
All too soon we enter Tintern; so an obligatory stop at the world famous Tintern Abbey. I have written about this before when I stopped on The Brat bike (GS1200). Taffy has been running great, so I stop for a quick picture in front of the ancient monument building.
Piccy of The Brat for reference.
A few miles further on we come to Tintern Railway Station. Many moons ago during the Industrial Revolution a train line ran alongside the river to transport coal, people, livestock and goods between Monmouth and Chepstow.
Wide gauge trains no longer run here as the line was destroyed after the 'Beeching Act' when Parliament decided to abandon unprofitable lines. Old rolling stock carriages used for shelter.
A narrow gauge steam engine takes visitors on rides for a few miles along the old track line.
No time for a cuppa tea as I am enjoying the ride and the bike so much. Onward towards LLandogo a very nice village on the banks of the river.
The river is still tidal at this point, hence the shitty brown water, and was navigable from before the Roman occupation.
Lovely blue Triumph Spitfire in the second image.
I continue on towards Monmouth a few miles beyond LLandogo we cross the river Wye. The bridge, known as The Bigswier Bridge, is an attractive structure which was once a toll route. A fee was charged to cross way back when and the landowners filled their coffers. It was constructed in 1827 using stone pillars and cast iron spans.
Like a mini Ironbridge the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; check this out well worth a look:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/ironbridge-gorge
Just beyond the bridge the road to Monmouth is closed for repairs; so I take a detour up from the river to Clearwell.
The road is narrow and climbs for several miles until we break out onto the A466.
This is a village on the English side and has a castle of note; Clearwell Castle.
It a private estate and wedding venue for the well heeled people in society (not me).
The earliest Georgian Gothic Revival House constructed from 1727 by Thomas Wyndham / Roger Morris.
Sometimes the rabble of misfits below used it for sorcery and other debauchery.
Deep Purple if you were wondering.
Onward into Clearwell village; I pass through this pretty hamlet without stopping.
Carry on to Monmouth. The road wiggles its way back down a steep decent towards Redbrook and back to the river Wye below.
I often fish this stretch for Sewin (Sea Trout) and Salmon when I get a chance, Bloody expensive though! Yikes!!
I turn right onto the main road and cross the river again at Monmouth. Into the town I love; and its time for a stop and some refreshment.
The Punch House it will be today for a quick shandy and bag of nuts.
The pub sits on the town square where a statue is prominent of Charles Stewart Rolls, he of Rolls Royce cars.
His former mansion house, nearby, is now a very nice golfing establishment; for those who enjoy looking for balls in the rough so to speak!
I get approached by all manner of people asking about the bike; including the bar beer wenches!
From here I head back towards Usk via Raglan (Greatest castle in Wales); then another 20 Miles home from there.
All in I had a great ride on Taffy; and continue to fall in love with the bike. All the years and perseverance invested in sorting the bike have finally delivered me some wonderful rewards. Pure Joy.
The weather forecast for Sunday said 'Mostly sunny with occasional cloud cover. Temps in the 21c Range; but feeling warmer as no wind".
Right, I'm not wasting this day of fortune. Mrs C has buggered off to her sisters villa in Spain; and I ain't wasting this day mowing the freakin' lawns again!
I decide to explore the Wye Valley which is a very beautiful and picturesque area. The river has carved a mix of rocky cliff lined gorge, and sweeping fertile valley. Deeply wooded sides of ancient forest give way to lush green arable fields each side of the river. Its also has a dream road route I have used many times. The valley / river route starts in Chepstow and culminates in Monmouth The River Wye starts high up in the Welsh mountains, takes a short hop into England, decides it doesn't like it and heads back into Wales.
My focus is on the Wye Valley route (36 Miles), but I have a 20 Mile ride to Chepstow to start; and ends in Usk town (20 miles to get home).
Total ride about 76 Miles. I pull Taffy (XS650) out for this ride as I'm now confident the bike will be reliable.
Heading out of historical Chepstow on the B4293; it's a fast road that skirts past Chepstow Race course into St Arvans.
From here the road heads uphill though a number of tight 'S' bends, mostly blind corners. At the top we enter the Wye Valley proper, heading for Tintern and the famous Abbey. On the left are towering cliffs, to the right forestry obscures the river and gorge, with just glimpses of the river way below.
No time to look as the road demands full concentration.
Some quick miles further on and the landscape changes to a wider valley with lush green fields beyond the trees, to my right, heading down to the river.
All too soon we enter Tintern; so an obligatory stop at the world famous Tintern Abbey. I have written about this before when I stopped on The Brat bike (GS1200). Taffy has been running great, so I stop for a quick picture in front of the ancient monument building.
Piccy of The Brat for reference.
A few miles further on we come to Tintern Railway Station. Many moons ago during the Industrial Revolution a train line ran alongside the river to transport coal, people, livestock and goods between Monmouth and Chepstow.
Wide gauge trains no longer run here as the line was destroyed after the 'Beeching Act' when Parliament decided to abandon unprofitable lines. Old rolling stock carriages used for shelter.
A narrow gauge steam engine takes visitors on rides for a few miles along the old track line.
No time for a cuppa tea as I am enjoying the ride and the bike so much. Onward towards LLandogo a very nice village on the banks of the river.
The river is still tidal at this point, hence the shitty brown water, and was navigable from before the Roman occupation.
Lovely blue Triumph Spitfire in the second image.
I continue on towards Monmouth a few miles beyond LLandogo we cross the river Wye. The bridge, known as The Bigswier Bridge, is an attractive structure which was once a toll route. A fee was charged to cross way back when and the landowners filled their coffers. It was constructed in 1827 using stone pillars and cast iron spans.
Like a mini Ironbridge the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; check this out well worth a look:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/ironbridge-gorge
Just beyond the bridge the road to Monmouth is closed for repairs; so I take a detour up from the river to Clearwell.
The road is narrow and climbs for several miles until we break out onto the A466.
This is a village on the English side and has a castle of note; Clearwell Castle.
It a private estate and wedding venue for the well heeled people in society (not me).
The earliest Georgian Gothic Revival House constructed from 1727 by Thomas Wyndham / Roger Morris.
Sometimes the rabble of misfits below used it for sorcery and other debauchery.
Deep Purple if you were wondering.
Onward into Clearwell village; I pass through this pretty hamlet without stopping.
Carry on to Monmouth. The road wiggles its way back down a steep decent towards Redbrook and back to the river Wye below.
I often fish this stretch for Sewin (Sea Trout) and Salmon when I get a chance, Bloody expensive though! Yikes!!
I turn right onto the main road and cross the river again at Monmouth. Into the town I love; and its time for a stop and some refreshment.
The Punch House it will be today for a quick shandy and bag of nuts.
The pub sits on the town square where a statue is prominent of Charles Stewart Rolls, he of Rolls Royce cars.
His former mansion house, nearby, is now a very nice golfing establishment; for those who enjoy looking for balls in the rough so to speak!
I get approached by all manner of people asking about the bike; including the bar beer wenches!
From here I head back towards Usk via Raglan (Greatest castle in Wales); then another 20 Miles home from there.
All in I had a great ride on Taffy; and continue to fall in love with the bike. All the years and perseverance invested in sorting the bike have finally delivered me some wonderful rewards. Pure Joy.
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LOVE your travelogs and exquisite scenery!
All in I had a great ride on Taffy; and continue to fall in love with the bike. All the years and perseverance invested in sorting the bike have finally delivered me some wonderful rewards. Pure Joy.
Wonderful travelogue Adam! Great photos too! You live in such a beautiful part of the world……makes me wish I was there!
Of all things I couldn't help but notice the scaffolding, how the British love their "Tube and Cupplah" That was my attempt at typing in an accent. During my apprenticeship we had to take a course on tube and clamp scaffold systems and the narrator was British so those of us that were there always referred to it that way (with a bad accent). There is a town in Oregon called Monmouth and I thought it was a dry town but I just read that they ended it's prohibition in 2002. So much for my fun fact. Is this the season premier of Adam travels the Welsh countryside because I've been waiting for more of these?The Wye Valley In Wales (And England).
The weather forecast for Sunday said 'Mostly sunny with occasional cloud cover. Temps in the 21c Range; but feeling warmer as no wind".
Right, I'm not wasting this day of fortune. Mrs C has buggered off to her sisters villa in Spain; and I ain't wasting this day mowing the freakin' lawns again!
I decide to explore the Wye Valley which is a very beautiful and picturesque area. The river has carved a mix of rocky cliff lined gorge, and sweeping fertile valley. Deeply wooded sides of ancient forest give way to lush green arable fields each side of the river. Its also has a dream road route I have used many times. The valley / river route starts in Chepstow and culminates in Monmouth The River Wye starts high up in the Welsh mountains, takes a short hop into England, decides it doesn't like it and heads back into Wales.
My focus is on the Wye Valley route (36 Miles), but I have a 20 Mile ride to Chepstow to start; and ends in Usk town (20 miles to get home).
Total ride about 76 Miles. I pull Taffy (XS650) out for this ride as I'm now confident the bike will be reliable.
View attachment 372788
Heading out of historical Chepstow on the B4293; it's a fast road that skirts past Chepstow Race course into St Arvans.
From here the road heads uphill though a number of tight 'S' bends, mostly blind corners. At the top we enter the Wye Valley proper, heading for Tintern and the famous Abbey. On the left are towering cliffs, to the right forestry obscures the river and gorge, with just glimpses of the river way below.
No time to look as the road demands full concentration.
Some quick miles further on and the landscape changes to a wider valley with lush green fields beyond the trees, to my right, heading down to the river.
All too soon we enter Tintern; so an obligatory stop at the world famous Tintern Abbey. I have written about this before when I stopped on The Brat bike (GS1200). Taffy has been running great, so I stop for a quick picture in front of the ancient monument building.
View attachment 372789 View attachment 372809
Piccy of The Brat for reference.
A few miles further on we come to Tintern Railway Station. Many moons ago during the Industrial Revolution a train line ran alongside the river to transport coal, people, livestock and goods between Monmouth and Chepstow.
View attachment 372793 View attachment 372794
View attachment 372795 View attachment 372796
Wide gauge trains no longer run here as the line was destroyed after the 'Beeching Act' when Parliament decided to abandon unprofitable lines. Old rolling stock carriages used for shelter.
A narrow gauge steam engine takes visitors on rides for a few miles along the old track line.
No time for a cuppa tea as I am enjoying the ride and the bike so much. Onward towards LLandogo a very nice village on the banks of the river.
The river is still tidal at this point, hence the shitty brown water, and was navigable from before the Roman occupation.
View attachment 372790 View attachment 372791
Lovely blue Triumph Spitfire in the second image.
I continue on towards Monmouth a few miles beyond LLandogo we cross the river Wye. The bridge, known as The Bigswier Bridge, is an attractive structure which was once a toll route. A fee was charged to cross way back when and the landowners filled their coffers. It was constructed in 1827 using stone pillars and cast iron spans.
View attachment 372792
View attachment 372797 View attachment 372798
View attachment 372799View attachment 372800
Like a mini Ironbridge the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; check this out well worth a look:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/ironbridge-gorge
Just beyond the bridge the road to Monmouth is closed for repairs; so I take a detour up from the river to Clearwell.
The road is narrow and climbs for several miles until we break out onto the A466.
This is a village on the English side and has a castle of note; Clearwell Castle.
It a private estate and wedding venue for the well heeled people in society (not me).
The earliest Georgian Gothic Revival House constructed from 1727 by Thomas Wyndham / Roger Morris.
View attachment 372801 View attachment 372802
Sometimes the rabble of misfits below used it for sorcery and other debauchery.
View attachment 372803
Deep Purple if you were wondering.
Onward into Clearwell village; I pass through this pretty hamlet without stopping.
View attachment 372804 View attachment 372805
Carry on to Monmouth. The road wiggles its way back down a steep decent towards Redbrook and back to the river Wye below.
I often fish this stretch for Sewin (Sea Trout) and Salmon when I get a chance, Bloody expensive though! Yikes!!
I turn right onto the main road and cross the river again at Monmouth. Into the town I love; and its time for a stop and some refreshment.
The Punch House it will be today for a quick shandy and bag of nuts.
View attachment 372807 View attachment 372808
The pub sits on the town square where a statue is prominent of Charles Stewart Rolls, he of Rolls Royce cars.
His former mansion house, nearby, is now a very nice golfing establishment; for those who enjoy looking for balls in the rough so to speak!
I get approached by all manner of people asking about the bike; including the bar beer wenches!
From here I head back towards Usk via Raglan (Greatest castle in Wales); then another 20 Miles home from there.
All in I had a great ride on Taffy; and continue to fall in love with the bike. All the years and perseverance invested in sorting the bike have finally delivered me some wonderful rewards. Pure Joy.
Thanks JR, the scaffolding is there during restoration of the maintenance shed.
I enjoy writing up my rides, and try to make them historical and interesting (hopefully not boring).
More to come as time allows. Working for Triumph Motorcycles takes up much much time.
Thanks Bob, I appreciate the beauty of my surroundings. I have to travel about 10 miles to get into the countryside. Once there its wonderful. Today the smell of honeysuckle and wild roses was everywhere as I rode along; I felt blessed to be riding in this magnificent environment. It makes me feel so small and privileged in this big country.Wonderful travelogue Adam! Great photos too! You live in such a beautiful part of the world……makes me wish I was there!
Nice countryside!
toomuchstuff
XS650 Enthusiast
2fer today:
After yesterday's fresh front tire
Dave Gess and I went out driftless Buelling for lunch at Logan's Heros, a bar/ cafe I've mentioned before.
Then heard a polite cough as I put the Buell away and Butterscotch guided me on a sunset Baraboo Bluffs ride.
Quite the contrast tween those two. The 1B upright seating is more comfortable but that endless torque and "lets do the next corner faster" handling of the Buell makes a guy willing to put up with a little lower back and wrist pain, speed limits be damned, eh?
What great Wisconsin summer day, mid 70's sunshine.
Hope y'all can make the time to get out and enjoy your summer roads!
After yesterday's fresh front tire
Dave Gess and I went out driftless Buelling for lunch at Logan's Heros, a bar/ cafe I've mentioned before.
Then heard a polite cough as I put the Buell away and Butterscotch guided me on a sunset Baraboo Bluffs ride.
Quite the contrast tween those two. The 1B upright seating is more comfortable but that endless torque and "lets do the next corner faster" handling of the Buell makes a guy willing to put up with a little lower back and wrist pain, speed limits be damned, eh?
What great Wisconsin summer day, mid 70's sunshine.
Hope y'all can make the time to get out and enjoy your summer roads!
@Mailman you rang?
Open the hood step in and kickstart what could be more convenient? It also had electric start.
More of the story; about 30 miles from here is a Microcar museum.
And whadda yah know it was open today. Was going to take Madness but Allison want to go so we toodled down on the DN01 ( a very nice two up bike, great suspension.)
The museum only opens a few Sundays a year. It's free with a donation jar, ALL proceeds go to the local town government who disperses them to nearby charities and non profits. The owner greeted us, explained how it came to be, offered to answer any questions and said (in spite of signs) open and close doors, hoods, take pics, get in them, Enjoy!
The focus was small utility transportation in post WWII Europe.
We spent a fun hour or two wandering around. Two buildings with two floors of displays each one had been a blacksmith, harness shop, the other a fire house then town hall. The couple had lived and collected in Illinois but as things go they ran out of room and Mazomanie happened to have a couple of buildings that needed to be put back to use.
Lots of pics. Most vehicles were German and the gal had a noticeable accent.
The car outside was only "not for street use" car, came from a carnival down south.
The first building was mostly micro cars. As things go, several other collections of related items, lots of posters, magazines and books relating to the collection.
Open the hood step in and kickstart what could be more convenient? It also had electric start.
More of the story; about 30 miles from here is a Microcar museum.
And whadda yah know it was open today. Was going to take Madness but Allison want to go so we toodled down on the DN01 ( a very nice two up bike, great suspension.)
The museum only opens a few Sundays a year. It's free with a donation jar, ALL proceeds go to the local town government who disperses them to nearby charities and non profits. The owner greeted us, explained how it came to be, offered to answer any questions and said (in spite of signs) open and close doors, hoods, take pics, get in them, Enjoy!
The focus was small utility transportation in post WWII Europe.
We spent a fun hour or two wandering around. Two buildings with two floors of displays each one had been a blacksmith, harness shop, the other a fire house then town hall. The couple had lived and collected in Illinois but as things go they ran out of room and Mazomanie happened to have a couple of buildings that needed to be put back to use.
Lots of pics. Most vehicles were German and the gal had a noticeable accent.
The car outside was only "not for street use" car, came from a carnival down south.
The first building was mostly micro cars. As things go, several other collections of related items, lots of posters, magazines and books relating to the collection.
Attachments
The owner
http://www.midwestmicrocarmuseum.com/
Building #2 was more mopeds scooters and small motorcycles.
A cushman Eagle, one of these was my first "motorcycle"
A plans built plywood three wheeler. The front tips forward for entry.
Just the patent drawing on this one.
We said our goodbys and headed back to Baraboo.
http://www.midwestmicrocarmuseum.com/
Building #2 was more mopeds scooters and small motorcycles.
A cushman Eagle, one of these was my first "motorcycle"
A plans built plywood three wheeler. The front tips forward for entry.
Just the patent drawing on this one.
We said our goodbys and headed back to Baraboo.
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Open the hood step in and kickstart what could be more convenient? It also had electric start.
More of the story; about 30 miles from here is a Microcar museum.
Ha! How fun is that! You know I saw that kick start lever and thought ( surely that can’t be how you
start this thing
). What a cool little museum, thanks for the photos.
Yes I remember my mother telling my older sister to stay away from those hoodlums that road those Cushman Eagles. As I remember she didn't.
