Offroad from north to south Portugal

[Timolgra]

Following an offroad trip in Morocco it was a quick service, new tyres and try to pack enough gear onto my rallye bike for two weeks offroading and camping through Portugal.

A quick trial run in Wales and this was all the luggage I needed or 'could' carry, I also tried to pad the seat a little for the haul back.
Spares etc. are carried in the belly pan with tools in the seat and I think we're just about ready.

We were to be 12 bikes but a big KTM broke down on the way to the ferry, his mate stayed with him so we we were 10.
here's some of the crew.

Being a bit of a short-arse Timpo was unable to ride the bigger bikes

So used his (for now) trusty XR600

Our route from north east to south west Portugal was to be around 80% plus off road. The start point was Puebla de Sanabria but on the way we couldn't resist a foray into the hills.

Just to get us into the swing of things.

A big lardy GS was always going to be a handful on trickier sections though it was in good hands with Jason.

Load any bike up with camping gear etc. and become fun/challenging at times.

The bottom of here was very steep with a small gully to jump/fall into.

So, to our start point and rendevoux camp site and meet up with the rest of the group.
"C'mon Rick, get the dinner on"

That's the way mate, just don't splash any on my bike.

 

[Timolgra]

This was my first visit to Portugal and I only new I was going a few day before leaving and wasn't sure what to expect.
What I found were generally very friendly, relaxed people and beautiful lush countryside.

But the Belgians, although very good riders perhaps don't have any streams to practice on.
Here's a husband and wife fallout....1st Crazy Ivan, almost

And Rose, his missus

great views everywhere

Dust was a real problem at times with such a large group

Most of the route was great GS country though there were a few technical sections and further south sand would be the biggest enemy of them.

Same tree, different bike and rider, this time it's Timpo.

This ride and the Portuguese countryside made me realise I've spent too much time in Morocco.
No hassle from locals, well apart from having a shotgun pointed at you, more of which later, was a great relief.

Riding through Eucalyptus and Pine forests, the smell of orange groves and lavender was wonderful at this time of year (May), it was also a welcome relief from our own increasing stench.

New friendships were made, some were lost.

But the riding was always fantastic, often hard and fast. (Photo nicked from ADVrider)

 

[Trippy]

What a brilliant holiday you lucky devil, good pics

 

[Timolgra]

It was difficult to be discreet wild camping with such a large group

See what I mean

But it was a lovely evening

At the end of a long hot day

Time for a cuppa and get the food on

As the sun set, Rick broke out a bottle of Portuguese wine which Timpo and I helped with.

 

[Timolgra]

Each day blurred into one long ride, sometimes tricky, hot and dusty but always pretty.

The Africa Twin did everything a GS could, and he rode it from Guernsey

Mind you I think I'd rather be on this than an Africa Twin

Sometimes the surface was hardpack with a scattering of small ballbearing size stones which was great fun uphill, not so downhill

After around 10 miles of very fast track I round the corner to find this

At camp, danny refashioned the broken GS1200 bash plate, they head into town and find some new rubber mounts

More great tracks and views

Time to stock up on food and water

Blue rinses some dust off

A lovely country, I could live there, this was later reinforced as Rick and I were in a cafe and a gorgeous woman smiled at us/me then again later as she passed by in her Jeep and she was gone...as they do..

 

[darkhorse]

Looks like a fantastic trip Tim

 

[Timolgra]

We're following a route by GPS

 

[Garry H]

Excellent report Tim....Looks like a great trip

Will have to put it on my list of things to do

 

[Timolgra]

Following the GPS route by our 'leader' we pass through a fastened gate marked PRIVADO now my Portuguese isn't up to much but had a good idea what it meant.

After a tricky ride across ploughed and harrowed land and a rocky descent we're merrily riding along the track when we're confronted by a pickup truck, more disconcerting was the old guy in it who, without hesitation jumped out with a shotgun pointing straight at us gesticulating in Portuguese "Get orf my feckin land".
We beat a hasty and humble retreat only to take a wrong turn

An air of panic and a swift U turn got us back onto our route, with our tail between our legs we all flew up the tricky entrance without a second thought, left the gate open in our haste and pissed off pronto

 

[snoopy]

I'm enjoying this keep it coming.

Was this an Adventure Rider organised trip?

 

[KTMmartin]

Looks fantastic! Any chance of publishing the GPS track log?

 

[Aidan1150]

A great ride report Tim, keep it coming.

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

New friendships were made, some were lost.

What happened... did you start a fight over your camping spot

 

[Trippy]

Nice photos and a reasonable write up but their a bit old hat.
We've been spoilt whilst you've been away and expect video diaries now

 

[Timolgra]

Another day in perfect riding conditions

Miles of colour and smells heightening the senses

Miles of nothing, miles of everything

For some of us, it's what motorcycles were invented for, what we do, who we are

The rare sight of Timpo dropping a bike is always worth a photo no matter the quality

RickA

One for the 1200 fans here

And the much more capable KTM

Rick's 640 KTM, possibly one of the perfect bikes for a trip like this

But it doesn't really matter what you ride...just so long as your riding

But the fact that the 1200ADV and Africa Twin struggled at times says a lot...ultimate adventure bikes? Perhaps not.

 

[Timolgra]

There must be tens of thousands of miles of tracks in this lovely country, the landscape always captures your imagination.

Many of the tracks must be very old.
Who built them, where were they going, who else is using them???
Questions that remain unanswered in your helmet but keep your mind ticking over.

Further south and deep sand added a new dimension, more difficult on the bigger bikes without a handful of throttle

Rose keeps on the gas

No words necessary

 

[Timolgra]

Ongoing issues came to a head which will not be discussed here so RickA and I head off alone.
Free from the restrictions of a big group and with our own agenda we press on with rapid progress.

Rick A's photo

 

[Timpo]

That report show and sums it up nicely for me Tim.
An enchanting country, absolutely ful with 'old' trails, now going nowhere, but once would of been alive with farm produce traffic and labourers.
I will be going back, soon!

Timpo.

 

[Timolgra]

We reach the coast and ride through the sand....it's only a matter of time I suppose and the bikes too heavy to pick up before Rick gets his camera out

 

[DavidHale]

Excellent stuff Tim - it looks cathartic.

Now, the perfect bike? Ricks' 640 or your Dakar?