A bright but blustery morning for today’s ride out to Llangollen. 14 bikes and 18 Hatters were making the trip, including new members Keith, Mitch and Jack, Darren brought Jane with him as a “guest” (could she be another new Hatter soon?).

With Trev leading the way it was onto the M60, M56 and onto the A556. From there we joined the A49, which features in the bmf “The Best Rides” motorcycle atlas as one of the 300 best roads in Britain, sweeping bends and undulations – fantastic. A stop at Raven café for the usual ciggy, brew and stretch (not necessarily in the order) and a close examination of 2 Pints Pete’s bouncing muffler, then off again, passing signs for Wem, (is something happening there later this year?) along more country roads before joining the A5, tree lined and with the smell of wild garlic in the air, entering Llangollen at about 1 o’clock. Parking up in the town centre, Trev gave us 2 hours to explore. Shops, canal boat rides, steam trains, river walks or cafes – plenty to go at. Back in the car park we admired 2 Pints’ custom fix for that bouncing muffler, not exactly what I would call factory H-D parts (see photos), before heading for home with a stop for fuel just outside Llangollen and another stop at Chester services for the usual.

Thanks Trev and all the marshals (Ratty, Malc, 2 Pints, Arthur and Paul) for getting us all out and back safely and also to everyone else on the ride, see you all again next time.

Ross