A Welcome in the Hillsides
Wales boasts some stunning countryside and Mick Payne investigates a new way to see it.
Obviously I don’t know how many readers are retired but I bet most will want to spend more time around their motorcycles when they do reach that stage of life. Sean Westlake spent most of his working life on two wheels, but he still maintains the enthusiasm to not only run tours in his local area, but also to embark on a new and unusual venture. Sean was a police motorcyclist in the DyfedPowys force and has, for some time, been a ‘go to’ man for many guided motorcycle tours of Mid Wales. His new project is to offer tours of his patch using a bike and sidecar.
Although his solo ride is a Suzuki V-Strom, Sean decided on a Triumph for his sidecar tug. This has been mated to a Watsonian by the Gloucestershire company.
Sean says: “I wanted a classic feel and it was best to get Watsonian to fit it to help with the local council (Ceredigion) and with getting my private hire licence.”
Private hire means that he has to be booked so no waving your brolly or bowler hat as he rides past and even shouting ‘Taxi’ or ‘Tacsi’ in Welsh isn’t going to work.
Sadly 2021 wasn’t a good year with Covid restrictions in force and he couldn’t really get under way until September, meaning several lost months. “Just got to take it on the chin,” Sean stoically comments. I’m sure we can all imagine the capital tied up in the outfit but I can’t even venture a guess as to what insurance must cost. The machine is a Triumph Scrambler XC1200 and the chair a GP large wheel version. Sean says: “I think it’s the first time such a vehicle has been licensed for private hire in the UK.” I recall BSA, and I’m sure others, building sidecar taxis just after the First World War, but I dare say licensing was a different matter a century ago!
Sean runs several themed tours from his base near Aberystwyth covering half or full days, priced from
£250 to £450. That’s for two people with all equipment, helmets, etc., included. Sean gives a running commentary over radios on the places to be seen; he is a qualified tour guide for the area, and, having ridden for the police, he knows the roads ‘less travelled.’ That’s even left to an appearance on ITV Cymru’s Coast and Country TV programme during which he converted the reporter to an avid sidecar passenger! Mid Wales is one of the UK’s least populated areas and another idea Sean has had is to run evening stargazing trips. Sean says: “We are right on the edge of a designated Dark
Sky area and a sidecar would make for a truly immersive experience”. He even provides blankets for the night tours! I can see the appeal of such a trip as I live in very rural Wales and my night skies can be amazing.
What Sean is doing can work in so many ways, from the person thinking of a sidecar outfit and wanting a taster for a potential passenger to a special occasion for a couple. “Many of my bookings so far have been celebrations of anniversaries and the like,” he adds. So, if you would like to take a trip, go to his very comprehensive website at www.midwalestours.co.uk and choose from the options available.
He can also be contacted on 07946 640709 or email sean@midwalestours.co.uk if you would like to experience the fantastic sights and sounds in this undiscovered part of the world from a unique perspective.
We would also like to add that Sean is one of the fantastic volunteers for Bloodbikes and we at OBM would like to thank him and all the other people who give up their time for this hugely valuable cause.