Anyone know this?

[Steffan]

GC,
thanks for scan - off-line for a week now but I will get in touch when back in Cardiff the week after and perhaps I can pop over and we can discuss further - many familiar roads there.

2Ts rule!!

Steff

[Dave#22]

Hi #1, copy arrived today, will read it thoroughly tonight and plot the route, I've done all the passes, but only the Gospel & Sychnant heading south.
I would start at Llanthony and head north........it would make a nice weekend run on my new classic looking bike.
Looks like I owe you a couple of drinks for your effort.
See you soon
 Dave

[Richard]

Brilliant read Mr Carrick.  I think that we have done most if not all the passes but to do them over a weekend on low powered machinery would be a splendid tribute.

Richard

[Furry John]

Hi Gc,

Mol and I took a trip up along the road on your map today, never been up here before, superb views of the Beacons. The Tee junction at the end of the road seems to lead off into a private house, not welcoming to visitors, and continue as atrack for about 1/2 mile, there is nothing up that way. On the junction is a grand table and chairs in Old Red Sandstone, could be the memorial? Here are a few of the photos I took this afternoon, well worth a visit.


http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/IMG_0769.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/IMG_0766.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/IMG_0763.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/IMG_0762.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/IMG_0774.jpg

Furry

[guest7]

Great pictures John, cheers for posting them.

As for the Ebrell memorial, I got my info from Dick Jones (a Cardiff bike mechanic) so perhaps you can compare notes when you see him.

GC

[guest7]

...to do them over a weekend on low powered machinery...

I've never owned any other type of motorcycle 

GC

[Richard]

Me neither now I think of it.  65 bhp was as good as it ever got.

23 for a while now.

Richard

[guest868]

Hey GC, a quick Googlesesh from your description gives THIS ROUTE but I'm not sure about where Sarn Helen fits in? It would seem to be too Southerly to be a good way to go, unless the original route was from Hay down to Llanvi-Cruc, then across and up?

[guest564]

I believe that Sarn Helen is a byway or BOAT, you probably should check with the local highways authority to make sure that it is open.

[guest7]

Hey GC, a quick Googlesesh from your description gives THIS ROUTE but I'm not sure about where Sarn Helen fits in?

I had doubts about that too, I will take a good map down to my mechanic mate who retraced the route some years ago and compare notes. My thoughts are that Ebbrell just stayed on the Ffarmers road.

GC

[guest868]

Keep us posted if you don't mind? I've done parts of that, but not all. Would be a good little run out for a day.

[Steffan]

I believe that Sarn Helen is a byway or BOAT, you probably should check with the local highways authority to make sure that it is open.

No its not. I have been over it in two feet of snow. The road is made.
He is missing one or two I can think of too.
If you started at Llantony then Sarn Helen the route north is pretty self evident.

Steff

[Furry John]

 Quote "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. "

Hi, I have had a talk to "Trickie Dickie", the Honda mechanic GC mentions earlier, the bench is beyond where GC has it marked on his map, past the end of the tarmac section and on 1/4 mile up to a gate, 150 yards after the gate is a large horizontal board on a wooden base with a brass plaque on it with a memorial to John Ebbrell, further on down this track is a cairn memorial to another TRF founder.

Furry

[guest7]

Thanks for confirming that John. I'd go there this weekend if I had a bloody bike! 

Even for me it's getting close to the wire for a Dragon ride. It all hinges on how Gareth's CB250rs does at the mechanics (the self same Tricky Dicky). If it gets its output shaft seal replaced and it can all go back together in time then he will be using that and I will ride his DR650. If not I'm without wheels 

I also want to do that Ebrell Passes ride soonish and I've got another blinding weekend ride mapped out.

GC

[Furry John]

Hi,

Been up on the DR today, lovely ride in the sun amazingly. I have found the seat with it's plaque, further on than expected along the top road GC shows, it's at the junction of the old dramway line to Tal y Bont and the top road on Tor yr Foel. Some photos from today.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080033.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080034.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080035.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080036.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080037.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080038.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080039.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn177/bmwr75/P2080041.jpg


The inscription on the plaque reads:

In memory of John Ebbrell
(Trail Rider)
Who sometimes passed this way
Remembered by friends


Furry