UK Force Ride Report

UK Force Ride 2011

Wow where to start.
Friday morning 9am I arrived at the site and met up with
Taffy, Arkley123, Husaferg, Mark2e0.
Plan for the day was an easy ride around getting back mid afternoon.
Weather forecast was for sporadic heavy showers, which given the fact that we were in North Wales, meant that there was a 99% chance of getting soaked. Once suited and booted we were off heading North towards Ruthin. All the trails were nice and dry
So the going was easy but it did create a dust problem for the following riders.


A nice long rutted byway


In the clearing at the end Fergus mentioned that he once disliked long steep downhills with a sharp turn at the bottom. I had to smile knowing what was coming up next.



My side stand snapped at this spot and with most others suffering similar problems. Opening and closing gates were more of an ordeal than usual during the weekend

Last one before lunch


Sure that all would enjoy a bite to eat at a café (very unusual for me as it is usually a sandwich at the fuel stop at most), I pulled in and ordered a meal. Marke2e0 was the only other to order a meal. The others were still full from their breakfast. Still I enjoyed it anyway.
By chance there was already a Berg parked outside. It was Tim's, a local rider who was out on his FE550 with his partner who was on a TTR250. I had not noticed it until I saw Tim sitting down in the café but Taffy had already given it a full service by the time he came in for a cuppa.
After lunch we were riding mainly in the Moel Famau national park. There were a few more walkers here but they were mostly good humoured. The threat of rain was starting to disappear. It is obvious that someone had misheard and God actually rides a Husaberg. He must do given the weather we had.











We topped up with fuel and ice and rode back to the campsite on a tarmac single track road going through Worlds End.
I’d barely got my helmet off when Taffy was stuffing a cold beer into my hand, well it would have been rude not to.

Here he is modelling


AndyC arrived during the evening, he was a bit under the weather but was hoping that a night of cider drinking would sort it out. Sledgehammer and his mate had also turned up on Supermotos ready to enjoy the roads in the area.
By now any doubts I had before the weekend were gone. Once again I was getting to spend a weekend with great people I had never met before doing what I love. Riding motorcycles and having the one nice cold beer in the evening.
More to follow.

Saturday morning saw Knobby and Cypher arrive.
We weren’t sure of numbers so Knobby had come to lead a second group. With only 8 in total we stayed as one.
Todays ride was taking us towards Snowdonia and some amazing trails and scenery
Near the start Mark came up with the second man drop off marking any turnings. This worked well for the rest of the day.
After a few rocky and dusty trails we were in need of some water to damp us down.






Knobby having a moment


Great weather again.








With it being so dry we all made it up a steep rocky climb that usually causes some problems.
I say all but Knobby and Andy certainly took their time. Andy looked very dusty on the one side.






Thankfully there was still some slippy rock climbs to be found.
Being first up I was the first to make a hash of it and stalled a couple of times.







On this one there was a tree across the route forcing us to stop and lose momentum. I had hoped to get a few action shots here but unfortunately they all made it up OK.



We stopped for lunch at a small shop that has in the past welcomed us even when we have been absolutely covered in mud from crossing bogs. Today we were almost decent, even if we did have to lean our bikes up against the neighbouring properties due to the lack of stands.
Again with the really clear weather the views were stunning. I should take time to set up the camera as the shots fail to show the features in the distance.






Next up was a tricky little gully that at one point has a narrow ridge with a 2ft drop off each side
I waited at the top but there was a bit of a delay so I went back to see




Andy photographing from the other route as James was struggling on some roots

When I turned back James’ rear wheel had slipped off the edge.
We hoisted it back up and got it going again.
Fergus on the high road


Andy on the low road





Naturally at the end of this section in the heat some were feeling a bit tired but the next lanes on the way back were open with plenty of opportunity to get air back into the lungs.



And some water to cool down






As we neared the camp some even had a mud bath, I was just to slow with the camera to catch it.


That was it back to the camp site where taffy once again poured beer down my throat.
Rwhite147f another had turned up with his brand new 1 hour only on the clock FE450.
Knobby and Andy departed. Andy had been ill all day. Despite all the lozenges and pain killers he had had cold shivers all day. It was home to his bed for him.
Cypher stayed the evening having a beer and a meal at a local bar before heading for home.

Great report and pictures Eddie, looks like a fantastic mix of open and technical lanes.

Even more gutted i couldn't make it up now but definately the right choice as my back is still recovering from a gentle ride on friday morning to miss the wedding.

Look forward to seeing the others reports and pics.


Carl

Sunday morning arrived and I was glad that I had stuck to the plan of just the one beer the night before. Today the plan was to ride out as far as Lake Vyrnwy before heading back towards camp.
3 riders had left and one had joined so we were 6 riders for the day.
Rwhite147f on his 1 hour old 450FE
Having missed the opportunity so many times to capture the before photo of a bike I made sure this time.




The first trail of the day involved a flight of steps, easy enough but a strange obstacle for those not used to it.







I waited a while but ****** had said taffy had had a minor spill up the lane so I went back up to check he was OK.
Luckily Fergus had his Husaberg factory repair kit to hand. 2 blue and one yellow cable/zip tie and we were soon back on track.










Soon we were on the Wayfarer a long stoney track over a moor.















At the end of the section I checked my rear for a puncture but found play in the wheel bearings. I was sure that they would be ok but it still played on my mind down the long tarmac section on the mountain side.
Next up was one of my favourite lanes, riding down it is a hoot bouncing over rocks and steps in a narrow gully. Going up again is a challenge with momentum being important to keep going over some of the obstacles.
******’s FE had been supplied with road gearing by the dealer but with a bit of help from Mark he made it up.





Woops


Lunch and fuel was in sight.


No self service here




There was even plenty of walls to lean the stand less bikes against.


Lake Vyrnwy






This can be really slippy in the wet






Oh shi+












Oh Yes!



This river crossing is amazing. Less impressive due to the long dry spell we are having but still a good challenge.





I though ****** was going to be washed down stream


But he was just looking for the right spot to baptise his new baby




James set off at full steam and came close to clearing it on the pegs







The next few lanes were full of ruts, still a challenge in this dry weather.



















Here the track has sunk due to water damage


















Once again I missed a classic photo. Fergus found out that it did not pay to hang around too long on this lane otherwise someone would piss on you.


And that was it back to the site.
The brand new FE was now looking a bit better.




I quickly packed everything up, got changed and had a beer with the lads (I had already bought the tee shirt) before heading for home.
What a great weekend, thanks to all who made the effort to be there.

It looks like you guys had a great weekend!

My little group rode UP Heartbreak Hill (or, at least, tried to!):

[youtube:3nfbpka1]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ8xJ0koyu4[/youtube:3nfbpka1]

GregUK said:

My little group rode UP Heartbreak Hill (or, at least, tried to!):

Click to expand...

It will never be easier than it is at the moment with it being so dry there is loads of grip. I have even heard that KTM's are able to ride up it :twisted:

Great report Ed and some cracking photos from the weekends riding.

Gutted really I only made the Saturday ride...but i suppose there is always another time :mrgreen: Nevertheless it was great to ride a fantastic area in amazing weather with good lads. Here are a few pics I took on the Saturday ride out:

All crossing the corwin carwash I believe except for the one ktm ride who decided to paddle....I think the only pegs he uses are the ones his missus gives him for hanging the washing out....









The weather was stunning and made for some great views and riding....




This tricky little lane can cause a few problems but no real issues this time round















Just to prove the stands are not that bad....





The gully I felt would provide a few photo opportunities so I parked up and waved a few riders through....







The guy on the gate seemed a little strange so I just smiled and waved and headed on...







Thanks again boys for an enjoyable days riding. Good to meet new people and get out riding my bike.

andyc

Thank's to Eddie and Andy for the pictures there great shots.
I had a great time riding with a great bunch of blokes, what more can you ask for, Now looking forward to my next trip to Llangollen :bounce3:

Great pics & write ups for a fantastic time out - will do my report at some point.
Andy - thought you got got a good shot of me trapped under the bike in the gully & then refusing to get up (or was it all a bit too sad!!).

Fantastic three days riding, apparently over 300 miles, and over all kinds of terrain. There really was something for everyone! There were also few of amazing outcomes;

1. Side stands are just dead wieght.
2. Old 'bergs are good 'bergs, the three older bikes had no problems over all that time and terrain.
3. Old 'bergs are not only lighter, but generally you pick them up less anyway :lol:
4. New 'bergs look much easier to clean and look after, no kick start and no need either!
5. Fuel effiency seems very similar between the bikes injected and carb'd
6. North Wales is friendly!
7. Rocks are better than ruts
8. All 'bergs are amphibious
9. One afternoon we were riding up some rock and shale only to meet some KTM riders going 'downhill' and that really summed it up, 'bergs are somehow just better!

Very big thanks to all who made the trip all that it could be, Arkeley 123 for all breakfasts, Mark for the weather, Andy for the shots, ****** for reminding us 'it's not what you have but how it is set up', Taffy for all the support, shirts and fiddling with everyones back end :lol: (happily this felt great afterwards) and in particular Ed for the routes, shots, patience and guidance.

If you really love your 'berg it would be cruel not to take it along to the next big dirty weekend!

Thanks again everyone, better get back to the cleaning.

Husaferg.

Well what a great UK's first Force ride. Could have benifited from a few more takers but those who came made it a really good experience; & how about the weather...North Wales - April - camping on a mountain - 5 days of brilliant sunshine with a good cool breeze to cool you down when riding (the nights were b#@@dy freezing though).
Anyway what can I say that hasn't already been said & great photos too.
Some said it was a bit dry, but for us less experienced riders it was a great break-in, setting us up perfectly for UK Force Ride 2013.
I'd like to say a special thanks to Eddie for leading all the trails (also Knobby for the offer - sorry about those vandles who snuck in & painted your bike orange) / Taffy for sponsoring the T shirts & all the technical advice / plus all the others who laughed & joked as I fell in ditch after ditch, before hauling my bike out & pushing onn up the rocky climbs.

As Fergus said, all the bikes were brilliant - my 501 02 started off the kick every time (hpwever, I take back everything I've previously said about e-starts though - must get mine sorted as kickstarting on a rocky incline is very tiresome).

Anyway;

Thursday night - Taffy explaining to Mark how best to position your hands on your hips...



Friday morning. Agood open air breakfast..



Taffy wasn't convinced...



View from campsite..



After that the next 3 days were just a blurr..










****** finds a very deep rut..




Not sure what Marks found...










Craig (sledgehammer) & his mate Mark kept the banner flying on the road..



Must say well done to Taffy who got a trapped nerve or something last week & could hardly walk but still managed the trails & did more than his share of gate opening & closing.

See you all next year.

Just moved Cyphers photo link to here from the UK force rid thread to keep it all in one place.


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/? ... c211d0b486

well this thread has settled very quickly and will soon be in the anus of history like everything else. So while my memory still holds a few snapshots of this great weekend I thought I'd put them down. :cheers:

On the Thursday James (arkley123) arrived at mine with a truck full of gear and th the 501 back in dirt trim for the first time in a very long time. MoT'd and taxed he was legal and was soon fitting my bike on the trailer. in the meantime I've been to have my back straightened for the second time in two days but am walking like I've had a labotomy. Fergus is held up but does get there much later and the lads go about loading everything.

I pack everything in about 10 minutes flat as I've been so busy and fill my car, James has rented a car for his wife so that he can have the 4 x 4 so that I can go on my own and stay in Wales for the extra day.

I then start getting calls and texts because despite the fact that the T-shirts have "29 April - 2 May 2011" on them the printers didn't realise which date I wanted them by and so they're not ready. A message to Craig (who does nights) and we're still none the wiser but later he says his mate is too tight to change directions to pick them up on the Friday.

later the company agree to drive 180 miles (360) to get them to the camp site on the Saturday.

Meantime our three vehicles travel in convey on a beautiful spring day without a cloud and I make a pitiful site as I can't walk each time I leave the car. we make good time and arrive at the Wern Isaf site which is a fully operational farm to be greated by Mark who's been there half an hour.

Tent knocked up just the three of us go for a Pizza and then back for a beer back at the tent. so that's 4 of us lets hope that there are more come in the morning.....

Day 1
We wake to be greeted by Ed who has just driven in and I set about getting the Gazebo up in my crippled ctate while James makes some bacon butties. Fergus in the meantime is regaling us in his 'andy pandy jim-jam' suit and a site he is too!

at about 9.30am we set off for what Andy describes as a 'lighter day' and that 'we'll be back at 2'. He takes us on some great runs but where I know not. James sits for everything and I can see he'll be shattered in an hour let alone 3 days so ask him to stand more. this is a first for him as he normally sits through pretty much everything but to his credit he got the hang of it really quickly!

Farmer's gates have to be opened with alacrity and as a rule Ed somehow holds his bike up while walking a metre in front of it to open the gate while the rest of us pull up the other side to close them. soon we have a smooth system and all share the burden evenly.

mid morning in what I take to be Ruthin I think we stop for fuel and then go 50 yards to a Cafe and I spot two bikes out the front. One turns out to be a Husaberg 550 in black with a clark tank, sat nav, steering damper and clean condition. the other is a little Yam TTX250 in a typical his and her's set up.

we soon get talking to the couple and it turns out he knew Ed and then something of the weekend.

after Ed and Andy have had a full brekkie we head off again and burn more calories as we take more beautiful green lanes. the view is truly stunning, breath taking in every direction.

Ed sets a fast pace wherever he goes and there is none of this queuing behind him as he is gone so quickly. I've ridden around Llangollen twice before and bar the last day I don't really recognise any of the routes. We encounter some hostile looks from a lot of people after lunch as they decide to take a walk after the royal wedding. they simply don't think we should be where they want to walk - simple as....

the riding can only be described by the photos but we have to attack loose rock, dust, deep ruts, dust, detritus, dust, streams, sheep, more dust, some mud holes still prevail and I work it out some of these ruts would be 4 feet deep in normal winter times.

for some weird reason I get tired and yet for the next two days I'll be fine. James is tired and after an off would be pleased of the end of the day. Ed keeps up a good pace. for James, the bike must be kick started every single time but at least Fergus has that button!

We load with fuel again and all the bikes are about equal on fuel bar Ed's which uses more today but not for the next two days so it can honestly be said that all these bikes are equal on fuel consumption.

mid-afternoon Mark and I swop machines - both are 2009 FE570s and I note that he has good valving but I prefer the stronger front springs. My forks have more "feel" initially but don't deflect, Andy's are the opposite and smooth over the pitter-patter but deflect harshly. Fergus is encouraged to try a much later 450 in Ed's 2008 450 while I let Ed try mine as the sweetener. Fergus finds that the later bike has a better set up, Ed says nothing! an "acquired taste" as it might be called!

On getting back to the camp we find that the T-shirts have been driven to us which is top stuff and I collect them from the office. A check around the bikes shows them to be tip-top but the Gazebo has blown over. we re-stake it but don't rope it....In my condition I couldn't and it's a decision I later regret....

we meet up with Andy and riding with us on the Saturday as well as Craig and his tight mate Mark who tell us that they want to BBQ today and not tomorrow - the other way round to us. on the Saturday they are to tell us that there is no BBQ at all so that plan goes out the window anyway! so 7 of us go down to the bridge hotel pub where Ned37 I believe once stayed and enjoy a meal fortified with alcohol, go on to a pub with a band and then retire back for more alcohol in the tent.

A good start with Day 1 and already the ride is IMHO an assured success. Ed didn't need his sat nav too much and I only recall overshooting two junctions in the three days. the leadership was almost flawless and the riding just challenging enough for James and the rest of us. If it had been wet - different story but why should riding in Wales always have to be tough hey?

regards

Taffy

I've just come across a photo by Tim from outside the cafe of Friday

looking at those photos Ed i see I have the body of 70 year old methinks!

anyway DAY2

the day started badly. after 20 minutes of trying to put a sock on, Fergus mothered me and fitted them just like the good old days....
this started badly for me - now it got worse. the first action was to get on the bike and go around the tent between the table and the gas cooker. I rode like a tart and fell over crushing Fergus's Kelly stove bowl. what a bloody tart! I bent James' cooker a bit and above all that I had to ask someone to pick the bike up. how useless was I?

now we had a good sized crew aboard we headed off on the Betws-y-coed day, it was a fair lick to and our longest day at 116 miles. we did some gullies and stuff that saw us all scrabbling for grip and the riding went between arid and bone dry to rivers and streams: it had the lot.

we did have chuckloe early in the day though when our great leader - Ed - decided not once but twice to slow as the lights went to amber before red and just zip through leaving us leaderless! did he do this the once? no!!! twice in five minutes! questions were asked about his leadership skills...before he dutifully regained his composure and headed us off down the 'dead-end' road opposite the right for Ruthin and down to a stream crossing.

this I gather would normally claim lives and I was disappointed to see James navigate it with ease, I felt like a vulture denied! James went on to find most things easy till later in the day when it all got a bit much, superb effort though I thought!

we stopped for sarnies in I think Dolwydellan before moving on to a view I remembered so well, the back road into Ysputy Ifan, My aunts home village. turned out that two days later when I met my cousin Elda, she had remarked to her friend: "who are those cheeky buggers coming over there!"....

soon we went around capel garmon (pub now closed and all property values in the village are halved) and on to penmachno my dad's home village and on around Betws and on towards Trevor and Llanwrust.

the views were breath taking and the there was one particular ride for what seemed like miles down a bolder strewn lane that I don't thin we would have got up in the wet. I remember at the bottom that I faced the wrong way up the lane. Noddy and Mark waited for me to turn around but I did nothing for 2 minutes while I waved at a car to come by before I turned.

the sun glistened against the windscreen and I couldn't see in so for 2 minutes there was a stand off between me and a parked car with nobody in it....

as the day went on we set a faster and faster pace and even the tarmac roads were taken 'on the edge'. everyone mucked in opening and closing gates and we often had moments to 'stand and stare'. sometimes with the stress of work and being so busy you just need to STOP. on my own I think I'd have slept under a few trees!

we stopped for a team photo overlooking I think the snowdonia valley, a view i'd never seen before and then we were off again.

when we got back to the camp site my gazebo had blown over and was mashed up but in seconds I had the booze out and Ed and I were waxing lyrical! by now the cider was getting warmer but it found a home.

again the Husabergs ran faultlessly and especially Fergus and James on the older ones. at this point I mentioned that:

at Force Ride 1 (usa) we had one stator go south on day one
FR2 nothing go wrong
FR3 nothing went wrong
on the aussie FR I believe nothing went wrong and so ours was to be the same....

Husaberg reliability!

FR T-shirts were purchased and dished out and after we'd said 'adios' to Cypher, Mark and Nobby we said hello to ****** and his immaculate machine. we didn't give it long to be like that!

we went for meal again to the same pub only this time on our own upstairs and then went for a beer to a nice pub by the river - a great setting but we were feeling a mixture of elation and tiredness that you always feel on these trips. hammering the body during the day, eating differently, booze and lack of sleep under canvass take their toll on you. In my case my back was killing me but I endured...

Day 3
and so the last day. We set off around Llangollen and the first rides were nice and easy till I decided to take up the 'napoleon' position again!

I have a habit of riding with my thighs against the bars leaning over the front. I did it on day 4 of FR1 when out with the canooks and BANG! i went down hard and this was no different, i peeled into a corner to soon and, unable to open the throttle and my front wheel unable to climb from the track onto the middle I went down and took Andy with me. much embarrassed by this I had even managed to twist Andy's ankle while luckily it was my bike that took all the damage. once again i'd tried to be gentle and it didn't work.

using three tie-wraps we kept the lid on the brake fluid container and even though the rear light was blitzed it was onwards and upwards. the heat was again getting up and the lanes were good. suddenly ****** seemed to be in trouble as his tall gearing and the new bike started to take a toll on him. in some sections he was forced to ride quicker than the eye can see which would have been fine but for him being pooped out by it all.

the team gathered around and got him going but all too often his little legs were flailing at mid air and the next thing was he was over and under the bike etc.

later, we found another great stream crossing and then on to a really old fashioned fuel station with Cafe. as a small boy I had to serve fuel everyday from 3.30-8pm everyday and this was a big reminder to me of those days...the end glass and the vein spinning, the clunking of the levers and the chugging of the belts inside. Wow! how weird did that feel!

I thought I was going to be flaked out but infact the first day had been the hardest, I was on form as each day went on.

we got back to the campsite and all versed how great the day! how great the weekend! Ed and I cracked a beer again....Ed got away as did Andy and ****** and that left just Craig and Mark with their SMs and we the band of three. we went for a "ruby murray" later on and tried a beer or two in ******'s riverside pub again. then a few back at the campsite.

on the Monday we packed our stuff away and all left together. I went off to see the family and found what I hope is a dog for myself in a few weeks time.

thanks again to Fergus for getting that great tent known as 'the slug' and james for taking the bike there and back. also thanks to all of you that came and made it a great weekend. most of all, a huge thank you to Ed and the brilliant rides he took us on. I can't think how it could have been betterd.

it was mainly dry and grippy and as I said it the timer: why should green laning always be about 'tough; hardship; exhaustion. and putting faces to names and getting to know their real characters is always a real bonus.

I think in our small country there is a case for doing this again next year and THEN after that going to one every two years as per USA.

regards

Taffy

I don't suppose coronaberg visits here anymore but if anyone knows him and wants to pass on that photo of me at the top in the duallies shirt I'd appreciate it. he gave it to me and asked me to send a photo of it to him 'from the other side of the world'

give Geoff my regards too.....

Ed could you email me a copy of all the photos please and also anyone else who cares too please?

regards

Taffy

Taffy said:

I went down and took Andy with me. much embarrassed by this I had even managed to twist Andy's ankle while luckily it was my bike that took all the damage.

Click to expand...

Taffy said:

and putting faces to names and getting to know their real characters is always a real bonus.

Click to expand...

Great write up as always Taf....it's Mark Taffy - Mark whose leg you ran over.

Andy was the Irish chap who laughed so hard when I got trapped under my bike day 2 he was too ill to ride Sunday.

Taffy said:

Ed could you email me a copy of all the photos please and also anyone else who cares too please?

regards
Taffy

Click to expand...

It would take ages to send all the photos by e mail
Here s a link to the photobucket album with all of the photos I took. Best viewed as a slide show,
http://s689.photobucket.com/albums/vv25 ... rg%202011/

If anyone wants the full fat version of any of the photos just PM me your e mail address and which ones you want. The JPG no. is shown when you highlight the thumbnail.

Once again what a great weekend.
I must admit that I really was not sure what to expect on the Friday morning but right from the off it felt right.
Well done Taffy on getting through the 3 days with a really back back. That must have taken some grit.

I've certainly bonded a bit more with my Berg now and am starting to understand what a special bike they are. :bounce:

looked a great ride out there lads shame i never saw this,hopefully another one goes ahead would be there in a shot

well we DO have another small ride coming up to the Brecon Beacons and we'd like to see you there. James is real steady, and we have a newbie. I'm Mustard but I do like to fall off and maime at least half the following riders - I do it dead proper!

look here; viewtopic.php?f=36&t=14994&p=125688#p125688

regards

Taffy