Anyone know this?

[guest7]

Can any of you give me directions to the John Ebbrell memorial bench near Talybont on Usk?

Mr Ebbrell was a very fine motorcycle journalist who helped bring about the TRF and also championed the Dragon Rally. When he died (reversed over by a truck!) a bench was placed near Talybont in his memory. I've never seen it but I thought it would be a good target for a day's ride.

GC

[guest7]

And talking of which, Mr Ebbrell did two fantastic articles in the Motor Cycle (Sept. '62) about riding through the famous Welsh passes on a 199cc James Captain sidecar outfit with his wife in the chair!

I thought I might recreate the route this spring. Basically the start was from the Hereford road, to Llanthony and over the Gospel Pass. Then it was on to Tregaron via a stretch of the Sarn Helen roman road. From Tregaron he headed north through Llanidloes and on to Dylife on the Macynthlleth mountain road. The pub he stayed at in Dylife is still there and does B&B so that seems like a good stop-over opportunity.

The second leg of his trip took him over Bwlch y Groes and the Sychnant pass, but I don't have the full details of that leg yet.

Of course if anyone fancies joining in then PM me and I will send scans of the articles

GC

[el vencejo]

By 'eck, just how long did it take him to ride the passes?
The little Captain must have needed a re-ring at least at the end of it !

An eccentric hero 

[guest7]

The little Captain must have needed a re-ring at least at the end of it !

Is 'The Little Captain' a euphemism for a part of Mrs Ebbrell's lower body? 

More seriously he was very pleased with how the little outfit handled the trip.

GC

[Steffan]

Sounds like it could be fun - send me the details GC....

Steffan

[el vencejo]

From a BSA website:
 "Aged 3 I emigrated from Ireland to the UK in a sidecar attached to a James Captain, also on board 2 adults and an older sibling."

GC: Which rings were tighter: the bike's at the top of a climb or the others downhilling through twisties.... marginal brakes etc... ?

[guest7]

I spoke to someone today who has seen the memorial, apparently you take a small road out of Talybont on Usk, follow it until you get to a gate, go through and follow the track for half a mile.

I think I have correctly marked the spot on THIS map

I might take a saunter up there next week.

GC

[guest7]

Sounds like it could be fun - send me the details GC....

Steffan

I picked up the copy of the second part of the article yesterday and I have scanned both parts. I will get these printed off and if anyone wants a copy let me know. It's not the most in-depth touring article you have ever read, but it is charming, especially if you are familiar with the roads.

One of my favourite bits is when he has to turf his wife out of the chair for the climb over Hirnant Pass, he says (less than gallantly) "I waited at the top for Eileen to trudge up the 1 in 4.9 gradient".
He probably had a fag whilst waiting and then told her off for being so slow  

A James Captain outfit, I ask you!

Cheers
GC

[guest7]

John and Eileen Ebbrell in flatter surroundings:



Of course we know that all the time she's thinking "Can't we ever stay in a fucking hotel? you twat!" 

GC

[Steve H]

I might take a saunter up there next week.

GC

Give me a shout I might join you

[Steffan]

Late spring, which gives me time to get my TS125 back together and running.

Steffan

You could email the scans - save postage

[Dave#22]

Hi #1, Can you send me a copy of the article, I may not be able to join you but it would make a nice weekend run with a stopover.......in a B&B......
 Posh & Becks of the Thumper Club indeed.
   Dave

[guest7]

Dave and Steffan, the scans don't make much sense electronically (two page layouts and all that) so I posted hard copies to you.

I'm guessing that between us we have already ridden all the roads mentioned, but it is a sweet little article.

GC

[guest7]

If anyone wants to see the article in PDF format, click HERE for a download.

The last two pages are supposed to be read side by side so you may need to flick between the on-line pages to make any sense of it (or print the pages out and read them as intended).
GC

[002]

Had a quick glance......will have a better look when I come back of Hols !
Looks really interesting....have fond memories of Watsonian Bambini Sidecar 

Would be interesting to take a canter on an outfit or a small bike to get an idea what it might have felt like travelling those roads in the '50s and 60's.

Jethro