Aberdare run. Review and pics

Well in the end only TT07 and I from the forum could make it, but we still had a grand day out. We were joined by a few other mates too: A chap from my work rolled up on his beautiful RSV. It sounded glorious and my neighbours were so impressed at 08:30 on Sunday morning that they had to close their windows, they could take it no more…opps. Oh well at least when TT07 turned up on his GSXR1000 they couldn’t quite hear the RSV so much above his pipes…! My Fazer 1000 on a standard zorst didn’t get a look in!

Any way we peeled off and hooked up with two others, Goffy on a 04 Blade and Jason on 03 SV650. TT07 had programmed his sat nav with the shortest route so we took the A465 via Hereford on the way down, skirting the bottom edge of the Brecon Beacons as we approached Aberdare. It wasn’t a classic ride, but it was just good to be out there; the five bikes neatly line astern as we made down through Wales. TT led the line and the group held together well.

Once in Aberdare we parked up in the secured area specially for bikes in a local school with a donation going to charity. You could leave your kit there too, again for a small charitable fee. From there it was a short walk up to the ‘circuit’…well I say circuit when they call it Aberdare park they don’t mean like Mallory Park, they mean more like Hyde Park! The track is entirely within the local park which boasts a small lake, neatly manicured flower beds and even a fountain! We met up with another couple friends who had ridden up seperately on a pair of BMWs, so all together the group numbered 7 now.

The track itself is a tight, narrow and twisty affair just about a mile long, and tree lined for most of its length. The lap record is less than 40s! The 6 or 8 lap races come thick and fast and you can get really close to the action. It is an amazing, almost surreal place to watch racing. Bikes flashing past flower beds only a few feet from you and then when you turn around to see neatly mown grass covering the infield and a childrens play area! The place was pretty busy but not packed and it was possible to move around the circuit freely and check out the action from each of the corners in turn. The star rider on the day was William Dunlop…yes he does come from that legendary bloodline…fitting really as the whole event had a mini TT feel to it.

Anyway a few pics:

The secure bike park

On the grid ready for the off

The trees that lined the circuit were covered with straw bales..secured with packing tape!!Ekkk!!

In some races the conventional racers were joined by the crazy Super-moto boys…

TT07 enjoyed his huge burger…luckily for me the ‘light-salad’ van was next door…

The Super-moto races were very leary…feet down on bends, three abreast into corners, wheelies, clipping bails!

One of this group battling into the hair-pin is in his 70s! Hope for us all yet then!

The track is tight and twisty and with some real changes in elevation as shown here as they exit the hairpin

Neat flower beds…

I was trying to get a picture of the car…

Thats more like it…

The motley crew

600s are the biggest bikes around the circuit. Knee down on grass…excellent

You do get really close to the action!

Fountain, flowerbeds, railings, mature trees,neat grass…racer with his knee down!


William Dunlop in action…the family DNA is clear!

Well after a series of 20+ cracking races we headed home happy. We took the rather more senic and fun A470 over the Brecon Beacons on the way back. A brilliant piece of road, but you do need to keep a sharp eye out for the plod! From there it was onto the A4112 towards Leominster where the pace gradually cranked up a few notches…great fun as we headed home!

The famous-five having a rest halt. A470 and the brecon beacons in the background

The bikes

Stunning views

All in a brilliant day out, cracking riding over 180 miles, superb racing in a unique setting and with good company…as the Terminator might say

“I’ll be back…”

https://www.aberdare-park-road-races.co.uk/index.html