A former police motorcyclist has swapped escorting members of the royal family and heads of state to launch the UK’s only fully licensed and insured motorcycle and sidecar tours.

Sean Westlake from Aberystwyth is now sharing the 30 years’ experience gained as a Dyfed-Powys Police officer with customers who pay for unique full and half day tours of the stunning scenery and highways and byways of mid and north Wales.

His new business, Mid Wales Tours offers a choice of eight-hour and four-hour tours of Ceredigion, Powys and Gwynedd, but Sean is happy to arrange bespoke tours if customers have a specific request.

The tours, which are for two people – one in the sidecar and the other riding pillion – offer people a unique perspective of mid Wales, according to Sean.

Customers are equipped with radios and Sean provides a commentary as they travel around the countryside. Helmets and wet weather clothing can also be provided if required.

Sean said: “My tours allow customers to experience the mountains, lakes, scenery and highways and byways from a totally different perspective,” he said.

“They can smell, hear and see things that they wouldn’t if they were in an air-conditioned car. It’s all about the journey rather than the destination.

“I stop at lots of places for photo opportunities and travel along roads that most people wouldn’t go on. I love to show off our part of the world and, having spent 30 years as a police officer in mid Wales, I have plenty of stories to share with customers.

“I have always considered myself really lucky to have been paid and trained to the nth degree by the police to ride motorcycles and I know most of the backroads in mid and north-west Wales. I feel it would be a waste if I didn’t put this training and knowledge to good use now.”

Sean was stopped by the Covid-19 pandemic from launching his new business earlier.

He has invested a great deal of time and money on his new business venture which is based on a Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC and its Watsonian Squire sidecar.

Sean has been organising guided tours in the UK and Europe for fellow motorcyclists for 15 years.

He has been qualified to provide motorcycle training to test standard for almost 20 years and has been an examiner for the Institute of Advanced Motorists for 19 years.

He retired as a police traffic sergeant in 2012, having spent 25 years riding motorcycles to the highest advanced standard, including as a member of the VIP team that escorted members of the royal family and heads of state.