Scoots 2013. The road to Bansang

Status
Not open for further replies.
Looking forward to this thread! :bow Something I've always wanted to do.

Keep posting and keep your spirits up! :thumb2
 
Appreciation

I thought that now - just before the start of the main journey - it was an appropriate time to say our "thank yous".

Andy has had so many texts, e-mails and visits from friends and family wishing him well for the journey - it is not possible to thank everyone individually.

Also for the generous donations you have made - we are truly grateful - thank you very much to you all - you know who you are.

We hope the fundraising will continue throughout the journey and so we will let you all know how we have done at the end of the trip.:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap

However, there are people that we do want to single out for a mention and they are :-

Rob Morton of UKgSer and Bikeit for tyres and tubes
http://www.bikeit.co.uk/

Hedley Putnam for stadium seat/pillow.
http://www.putnams.co.uk/sitting/inflatable-stadium-seat

Bob for the seat bags.
http://www.bumbags4bikers.co.uk/

Julian and Barry for providing parts and help with preparing the bike.
http://www.bitza-bikes.co.uk/

Tony Clarke for providing oil for the trip and doing the MOT.
http://mot-testers.co.uk/garages/view/12571

Gavin McCaffery for a lovely new helmet
http://www.ls2helmets.com/uk/

Malcolm & Penny Hayes for the personal first aid kit.
http://www.tauntonmortgages.co.uk/

Roger Downey for the replacement mirror
http://rdowneymotorcycles.co.uk/

Marie Cruz and Graeme for their hospitality on Saturday night
http://www.casazalama.com/

Finally, Ellie Hayes for the magic flannel!

:101
 
The Journey Starts

They had a scenic journey from Santander to Casa Zalama - well the first bit was scenic but then the light started to go!

As anyone who has been the recipient of Marie Cruz's food will know that they had a lovely meal at Zalama last night - For those of you who like pictures of food - Andy has taken photos of the food apparantly and all plates were virtually licked clean. I am sure they would have all had a good nights sleep and after breakfast they set off at just about 9am for the ride to Madrid. This is a change from previous years as you now have to get Visas for Senegal. Where can you get these Visas? Answer - Madrid! Not only that but you have to go in person as each individual has to be thumb printed.

Marie Cruz and Graeme have sent me a couple of photos. I am not sure what has happened to the first one and I do not have my computer expert here to assist :confused:

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/LeavingZalama1_zps620e3d0e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/LeavingZalama1_zps620e3d0e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo LeavingZalama1_zps620e3d0e.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/LeavingZalama2_zps1708015f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/LeavingZalama2_zps1708015f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo LeavingZalama2_zps1708015f.jpg"/></a>

:101
 
Safe and Sound just outside Madrid

A good journey to Madrid via Burgos - great roads to Burgos but then motorway as it was the most direct route.

Arrived just north of Madrid at about 5pm so able to get the tents erected and cook dinner in daylight.

When I spoke with Andy they were just heading to the bar for a beer and then an early night. :sleep

Off into Madrid tomorrow to (hopefully) get their VISAS!
 
looking good so far Paula xxx
 
if you need any mechanical help before you leave Spain then there is a very helpful dealer in Algesiras. He is a custom Harley dealer about 400 yards down the road from the official BMW dealer on the main road. Just ask for Jesus, thats the boss's name.:)

Hope all goes well for you all.

Wish I was there with you.

Sid
 
They have got their VISAS but....................

The process was amazingly straight forward - it was one of the group that has caused the stress!

Having covered 53 miles of stunning mountain roads on Saturday to get to Casa Zalama and then 176 miles yesterday to be just north of Madrid - also a lovely journey - especially the bit to Burgos. Fed and watered and an "as well as can be expected" night in the tents, led to an early morning start into Madrid. A bit hairy - little bikes and a Pegero with a very heavy trailer all navigating rush hour in Madrid - not the best start to a Monday morning.

By 11.30am all the Visas are issued and they are ready for the trip heading to Algeciras. A huge bonus as they may now be able to get over into Morrocco on Wednesday instead of Thursday - WRONG!

There is one problem - one of the group (who will remain nameless) decided to go to see a friend in Madrid last night. He assured the others that he would be back at the camp site by 8am this morning for the trip into the city. 8am came and went - no sign of him and unable to make contact on his phone. :nenau

In the end I think they went on without him and when I spoke with Andy they had established where he was but that he had a flat tyre and flat battery on his phone/satnav. Of course he has no backup as spare wheels etc are in the truck.

Needless to say the group are not happy little bunnies as they are just sitting around waiting for this guy's friend to collect him and his bike and drive him to the Consulate. He will then have to wait in line as by now the Consulate is very busy.
:mcgun


I will update the story tonight when I get another call from Andy.......................
 
Thank you Sid

Sid

I have texted the info about the Harley Dealer to Andy - it would be a miracle if this Jesus chap (pardon the pun!) had a
C90 for sale - they are still on the look out for a replacement bike for Peter.

Thank you very much
 
Thanks for posting this Paula, I'm following it with interest :)

Sid's right about Jesus and, fingers crossed, he may be able to find an engine for the guys. He speaks good English too which is a bonuss.

Fun to see the 'group dynamics' have kicked in already..........just wait for everybody to get to know eachother better ;)

Andres
 
Oooohh...!

...This brings back memories (is it really (nearly) six years since we did it??)

Please keep up the blog one and all, I think I got to Senegambia before I found a cyber cafe to post.



I couldn't run to a smart phone back then...:augie

CoGS
 
They now all have Visas for Senegal

I guess all is well that ends well - the lost rider did finally turn up needing not only a replacement tube but a new trye - his was apparantly almost worn out. What was Dennis saying right from the start about "Preparing your bike"??!! I will resist the urge to climb on my soap box.......

They were on the road by soon after 1pm and today they have covered 160 miles in perfect weather. They had to use the motorway to get clear of Madrid but after Toledo they were travelling on the N401.

They travelled through a 900 metre tunnel and emerged to wall to wall Olive Trees interspersed with Grape Vines - Andy's description of the scenery was "stunning".

They are now (as I type) setting up their tents and cooking station in a camp site just south of Cuidad Real. :camping

Forgot to mention the problem with the tents last night - it seems that Dennis had bought 4 new tents to replace broken ones and packed them in the truck assuming all was well. When they came to use them for the first time they discovered one man tents instead of two man. :blast

Too late to return them to wherever they had been purchased so they had to make do - it was a bit of a squash especially for young Chris who is very tall. :eek:

Anyway all is well now as they found a Decathlon in Toledo and were able to buy 2 man tents. So they should all have a better night tonight. Vegetable Curry on the menu tonight (last night was 5 bean chilli). I know the meals will be good as I have been the Guinea Pig whilst Andy has been trying out all these meals made using tins and packets. So good in fact that I have squirrelled some away in the freezer here for me while I am here being Billy No Mates!

There was Wi Fi last night but they were not allowed to have the password - maybe the campsite owner will be a bit more generous tonight - if so we will get some photographs.

They have a long day tomorrow if they are to make it to Alcadesa ready to cross from Algeciras on Wednesday. So fingers crossed for a good nights sleep followed by an uneventful day.

:101
 
Spotted

I was waiting at santander to board the ferry on saturday evening when a load of tossers came of the boat on c90's !!!

:bow
 
Arrived just outside Ronda - not the Welsh one!

220 miles today, N420 towards Seville and Cordoba, A309 and A307 to take them just outside Ronda. It was fairly cold when they set off this morning and they have encountered some rain today. They travelled over a mountain range and although it was windy and very misty - it was still very beautiful. Andy specifically mentioned a place called Montilla - paricularly picturesque and when I googled it I discovered that the pale dry light wine of Montilla gives its name to the sherry known as Amontillado. :beerjug:

I am crossing my fingers as I type this - the little cubs are going well. Two are using a bit of oil and so need to be monitored plus two are close to needing new chains as they have been tightened just about as far as they can be, but otherwise they are all holding up well so far. Of course the hardest part of the journey is yet to come..............:moped:

They are staying in a Hotel tonight - so a good sleep in a warm bed I am sure will be very welcome. There is also a retaurant next door and so the chef has a night off.

Still hoping Andy may find WiFi so he can share some photos.

:101
 
I am crossing my fingers as I type this - the little cubs are going well.
Still hoping Andy may find WiFi so he can share some photos.

:101

Paula, whatever comes through from them, just take it as it comes and chill, seriously :)

You will (as first contact) hear some stress coming through the messages......that's all good (and FFS keep reporting even that, it makes us smile :D) but even if it appears to go pear shaped, it is all part of the journey, and Mr Humbug will come back safely to you :)

He won't ever be the same Humbug as before, if he's given himself over to it properly, but the new improved Humbug will (in the long term) be the better for it.

Enjoy the trip for him as we are reading your enjoyment of it, and don't worry, seriously, he'll be fine :comfort
 
Hello all,

I'm typing this after a great Spanish meal and a really hot shower. A nice bottle of red is going to help me sleep well I think!

We're heading for Algeciras tomorrow. It's only 70 odd miles so we'll have a rest day whilst Peter goes hunting for a bike. We'll take the time to do an oil change and have a look at Steve's cam chain tensioner to see if it's stuck as his (new) camchain is rattling quite a bit?

I can't seem to get pictures uploaded to Photbucket but have emailed a few to Paula to put up.

Thanks for all your messages and support.
 
Thank you to Fannum

Thanks for the kind words, Fannum, I am not unduly worried yet - this is the easy bit of the trip. I think I worry for the little 90s as much as for the riders. Peter, as you know had already lost his bike before even getting on the boat - that must be so disappointing - after such a long build up. Andy says that our "Chubby" feels great and is going well - long may that continue.

As for him coming home a different Humbug - I am not so sure about that as I am rather fond of the one who left here on Friday!!!!

And, yes, I will report it as it is - warts and all. You will all share the lows and the highs with me.

:101
 
Picture Time

Andy has sent several e-mails with photos attached. I have tried to pick a few to give a "flavour" of the trip so far!This first photo is back in Somerset - the truck all set to go.

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/Backupathome_zps747394df.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/Backupathome_zps747394df.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Backupathome_zps747394df.jpg"/></a>

On the way to Zalama -
<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/005Custom_zps53c73265.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/005Custom_zps53c73265.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 005Custom_zps53c73265.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/TheRoadtoZalama2_zpsb0751662.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/TheRoadtoZalama2_zpsb0751662.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo TheRoadtoZalama2_zpsb0751662.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/TheRoadtoZalama5_zps215e1497.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/TheRoadtoZalama5_zps215e1497.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo TheRoadtoZalama5_zps215e1497.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/008Custom_zps1b24292e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/008Custom_zps1b24292e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 008Custom_zps1b24292e.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/JD010Custom_zps17818bca.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/JD010Custom_zps17818bca.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo JD010Custom_zps17818bca.jpg"/></a>

At Zalama
<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/JD011Custom_zps2ab02dc7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/JD011Custom_zps2ab02dc7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo JD011Custom_zps2ab02dc7.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/Zalama_zps1e4a4a1b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/Zalama_zps1e4a4a1b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Zalama_zps1e4a4a1b.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/011Custom_zps077a47bd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/011Custom_zps077a47bd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 011Custom_zps077a47bd.jpg"/></a>

And now the food, starters and main course are fine but the desert was eaten before anyone thought about a photo - Andy's words were " took photos of the starter and main course but forgot the pud. It was so scrummy I only remembered to take it after I'd eaten it and all the other plates were empty too".<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/ZalamaStarter_zps3d139d24.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/ZalamaStarter_zps3d139d24.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ZalamaStarter_zps3d139d24.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/ZalamaMainCourse_zps5694acd1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/ZalamaMainCourse_zps5694acd1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ZalamaMainCourse_zps5694acd1.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/016Custom_zps64462f9a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/016Custom_zps64462f9a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 016Custom_zps64462f9a.jpg"/></a>

Day 2 - Zalama to just North of Madrid via Burgos. You see this T Rex as you approach Burgos.<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/028Custom_zpsacee8a7f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/028Custom_zpsacee8a7f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 028Custom_zpsacee8a7f.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/GoingtoMadrid3_zpsc5565295.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/GoingtoMadrid3_zpsc5565295.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo GoingtoMadrid3_zpsc5565295.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/GoingtoMadrid2_zpse3fd279c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/GoingtoMadrid2_zpse3fd279c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo GoingtoMadrid2_zpse3fd279c.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/030Custom_zps7145cab1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/030Custom_zps7145cab1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 030Custom_zps7145cab1.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/026Custom_zps30e293b8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/026Custom_zps30e293b8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 026Custom_zps30e293b8.jpg"/></a>

And at the end of a long hard day what you need is "Red with Lumps" aka 5 Bean Chilli<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/Day2RedWithLumps_zps1cecf609.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/Day2RedWithLumps_zps1cecf609.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Day2RedWithLumps_zps1cecf609.jpg"/></a>

Day 3 and 4 Madrid to Cuidad Real and onwards to a place unknown (just South of Ronda).
<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/017Custom_zpsbf3fdc7a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/017Custom_zpsbf3fdc7a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 017Custom_zpsbf3fdc7a.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/019Custom_zpsae27a7dd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/019Custom_zpsae27a7dd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 019Custom_zpsae27a7dd.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/018Custom_zpse7f2f5d0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/018Custom_zpse7f2f5d0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 018Custom_zpse7f2f5d0.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/015Custom_zps2b642816.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/015Custom_zps2b642816.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 015Custom_zps2b642816.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/013Custom_zps0e4ee863.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/013Custom_zps0e4ee863.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 013Custom_zps0e4ee863.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/007Custom_zps24da896e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/007Custom_zps24da896e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 007Custom_zps24da896e.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/010Custom_zps4d6af504.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/010Custom_zps4d6af504.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 010Custom_zps4d6af504.jpg"/></a>

And finally - everyone needs a Teddy Bear<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/022Custom_zps87053927.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/022Custom_zps87053927.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 022Custom_zps87053927.jpg"/></a>

or in Andy's case several
<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia/023Custom_zps47516dbf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia/023Custom_zps47516dbf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 023Custom_zps47516dbf.jpg"/></a>

:101
 
Status
Not open for further replies.


Back
Top Bottom