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Easy Home And Epilogue
Ride Date 3 Oct 2025
By Ren Withnell
Time to go home. Dagnammit. It's going to be a short report this. Pack up, load the bikes, and ride the 91 miles back to Sharon's place.
The only item of note is the petrol station at - ahem - Llanuwchllyn. This is located at the southern end of Llyn Tegid (colloquially Bala Lake), it's a small remote petrol station come convenience store. You'd normally expect this kind of place to be charging maybe 3-5 pence per litre above the average. Today for reasons unknown they're charging 3-5 pence below the average. We fill up.
Other than that once we've passed through Bala the bikes can ride themselves home.
Take me home bike.
Epilogue
Obviously it's been an unusual trip for myself and to some degree for Sharon too. At 53 (almost 54) I've never been tasked with disposing of "cremains" before (lucky me). It is not a pleasurable task, but don't be thinking I'm traumatised by the experience either. We're all unique individuals - some will find it terribly upsetting, some very sombre, some will be simply sad, heck some might find it all terribly funny!
Doesn't half dry your hands out these ashes.
Me? A little sad, at times a little funny, overall though I'd say it's an "odd" experience. As stated at the start of the story I do not believe my mother was in those ashes. Those ashes are the remains of a body, not a persona and a lifetime of experiences nor a sense of humour or a spirit of adventure. It's more a courtesy to her memories to treat them with a hint of dignity and to place them according to her living wishes.
Anyhow the task is complete - although how still remains a mystery of course. Our static was lovely and almost brand new, the site was fine, Wales is always wonderful, and we've had a rather good time. I'm glad I was brave enough to ride across Barmouth Bridge too and I have not received a summons in the post (yet).
Wales. Hmmmmm.
I do like Wales a lot - but - I believe I'm actually beginning to under-rate it because I live close enough to it to get there often. It's said familiarity breeds contempt - I've no contempt for Wales but I rather do take it for granted these days.
How can you take this for granted?
Bear with me - there's a point. Are you familiar with "The Ikea Effect"? The idea is because you have to put the furniture together yourself you have "invested" not only the cost but your own personal time, effort, and energy into the furniture. As such you value the furniture more - perhaps even more than if you'd had it delivered preassembled.
Because it's a long ride to The Highlands the time, effort, and energy I put into merely getting there causes me to appreciate them more than Snowdonia? It's not only a long way to The Picos but the ferry costs a fortune too - is that why Riano felt so perfect when I was there? I moan about living in the gritty grimy bits of north west England - but there's some lovely countryside hereabouts if only I took the time to notice once again.
No matter how you philosophise it - Riano was particularly wonderful.
The point is it's easy to undervalue a place because it's easy to get there. Anyhow - I'd best get organising another trip before the post holiday blues kicks in. The only cure for the post holiday blues is to book another trip.
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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.
Choo Choos And The Yorkie Disaster
Today is mostly steam powered with a little motorcycling to one side. Sharon experiences another personal loss, a terrible tragedy.
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Our brave and heroic editor is bravely and heroically doing something many many riders have easily done before. There's also a lot of reminiscing, oh and some chips.
Mooching Around The Mach Loop
The Dynamic Muppets take on the Mach Loop! OK, it's far less impressive than it sounds. There's some countryside, a cafe, and all the things you'd expect.
Easy Home And Epilogue
An easy ride home today - and a few notes from Ren regarding ashes, Wales and... The Ikea Effect? Maybe Ren needs (another) holiday.
Reader's Comments
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nice words Ed. Well done fella.
I'd take Riano over Wales. Then ride south to Portugal.
But where to this year....who knows? Hopefully somewhere without scorpions and mossies.
Upt.
03/03/2026 11:06:55 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I have also been through those feelings of places not being enough of an adventure when they are in easy reach. However I have now reached another chapter in life where I appreciate wherever I ride, even just a few miles from home.
Wales is always a great ride, and not too far away from my base.
Upt, I am not yet planning where to ride this year, I am just planning to ride.
03/03/2026 14:29:27 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I suppose the trials and tribulations I go through with my bikes are what you call the "Ikea effect" although rather more taxing. Re ashes: those of both my parents are still at the undertakers (as far as I know) after 10 and 15 years respectively. Neither I, my brother nor sister see much point in doing anything with them. The people have long gone and photos and memories seem more evocative. Maybe it's just us hard hearted folk.
Like Rod my distances are much reduced these days but am looking forward to firing up the outfit which should be a couple of weeks after I get the painted body and mudguard back.
03/03/2026 14:58:31 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Come on Upt', sort yaself out. It's already meteorologically spring and it'll be officially spring in a couple of weeks. You really ought to have made the decision, booked the ferry or chunnel, and be working on some kind of loose itinerary. Let me see - sunshine and warm but no mossies or scorpions. You're screwed, you can't have everything. Bogger seemed to appreciate Poland, what about Poland? Bit too close to Ukraine? Croatia? Sharon and I are away for a couple of weeks in summer - you could spend a week in Horwich learning how to live like a scumbag in my place?
You have told me before ROD - but whereabouts are you?
Ian - I dunno man - I'd have wanted to put that rig together and put a few miles on it before I got it all painted up and looking lovely. Surely there'll be creases to iron out, things to change, adjustments to be made and heaven forbid you don't want to bump it while you're relearning how to combo?
I might have a few things to say about getting older and doing less miles. There may be a post about that soon enough.
03/03/2026 20:38:16 UTC
Bogger said :-
I'm getting the miles in whilst I'm still able to.
Thursday I'm of to Brixham, Devon, on the Majesty for four days. Then three weeks after I'm off up to Scotland.
In May I'm off to Portugal on the Super Cub, then in June I'm off to Corsica. And possibly a couple of trips to Wales.
Bogger
03/03/2026 22:03:35 UTC
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