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Getting To The Static
Ride Date 29 Sep 2025
By Ren Withnell
Well this is weird. Normally when we take a week off we're trying to maximise our time away. As such we'd normally be leaving Sharon's place on a Saturday morning and returning a week and a day later on Sunday afternoon. This time we're departing on a Monday morning after a regular weekend. I know there's nothing wrong with this and this is planned, but it feels weird. Adding to the weirdness is mother's ashes are in my top box.
This is the end of September, we are officially in Autumn now. While the air remains mild the skies are grey, we're pondering whether or not we'll need the waterproofs. I suppose if you have to ask in the UK then the answer is yes, put them on. There's not too much load on the bikes today, we don't need the camping kit with us just our clothes and toothbrushes.
There's a light shower along the motorway, waterproofs were the right choice. We follow a familiar route past The Old Stores Motorbike Cafe and along the A5104. At Corwen we take a brew break sitting outside Yum Yum's cafe as there's no further rain and it's mild. We detour and miss Bala by taking the pretty and twisty A4212 past Llyn Celyn, in comparison the A470 toward Dolgellau is arrow straight.
The Kwak and the scenery are equally beautiful at Llyn Celyn.
Fairbourne is a peculiar place - I think I like it but I'm not sure. It feels like it tried to be a seaside resort but failed because it's only close to the sea, not beside it. There's a train station along with a miniature railway, a shop and a chippy, and an eclectic mix of rather nice and somewhat shoddy bungalows... and seemingly sod all else! The shop has the supplies we require and we make a note of the chippy's opening hours.
Sunbeach Holiday Park just south of Llwyngwril presents itself as being smart and clean and well kept. It helps that at this time of year there's a thankful lack of screaming small people and weary parents. The reception lady is ready and organised and efficient, along with our keys I have various opening times of the pool and the tiny shop. I immediately forget the times but remember the keys to our van.
My bike is lowering the standards at Sunbeach already.
Hmmm. We're supposed to keep off the grass as its been wet but our static is not actually beside a tarmac lane, it's in the middle of 3. We park up on the lane and unload our gear into the caravan. Despite the location the static is in fact almost perfect, brand new in March according to the tag on the boiler and the still pristine carpets and cushions. Sharon deciphers how the heating works and soon the boiler is working hard as I make us a brew.
Food is cooked on the shiny cooker and consumed. I have 2 things on my mind though. First - we are booked on the Talyllyn train at 1030 tomorrow and I'm not sure of where to park. Secondly I'm not happy about leaving the bikes away from the static on the lane. I decide we can park the bikes on the tiny flagged area outside our door using the narrow flagged path. I decide we are going to pop into Tywyn just to check out the parking.
With Sharon's Kwakker on the flags and secured we both hop onto my 500 for the short ride to Tywyn. The Talyllyn has a car park, a big gravel area beside a playing field not far at all from the station. But - it's pay and display which is a pain for a bike with no windscreen and I'll be worried about security here. It's not Dodge City here, far from it, but I do worry.
Yep, That'll be fine just there I reckon.
The "regular" train station in town also has a car park. Smaller and tarmacked, there's more people about and there's a corner that cars can't use. There's also a railing I can cable the bike to. It's only 5 or 10 minutes walk to the Talyllyn station and it feels just that bit more right. We both check and double check for signs indicating "train users only" or "max 2 hrs" or "sod off bikers", we find none at all. Sorted.
Back at the static we have another brew and a walk to the beach. It is grey, it is cool, there's a bit of a breeze, and we're glad we have our coats on. We are still blessed with lovely views across the sea as the sun sets, just behind light clouds out to sea.
Some fabulously strange and wonderful formations out there tonight.
My bike and Sharon's bike are cabled together outside the door of the static which puts my mind at ease. Inside the static is warm and dry and comfortable. We catch Fred Dibnah holding up traffic with his traction engine on some random channel as we drink more tea and eat crisps. We're doing alright ain't we.
About as secure as I can get them. Sharon seems happy.
Advertise here - contact ren@bikesandtravels.com
The Excuse This Time Is 2 Deaths
They're off back to Wales. The reasons this time are unusual and some might say quite sad. Fear not, Ren's prudence will make a mockery out of respect.
Getting To The Static
There's the odd minor hiccup but the first day's ride to Llwyngwri (I have no idea how to say that...) is an easy one. Ren is struggling with parking.
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