The seasonal grey skies of the UK were driving us a little doolally so we decided on a short break in southern Spain. All good, air miles for the flights and fly/hire outfit sorted some weeks in advance, we waited and watched the long range forecast. Closer we got to flights, the worse the weather was looking…made the call to fly and take our chances.
Friday.
Overcast, mild temps around 12 degrees c, pretty familiar riding conditions so off we went.
Ride for the trip was a seasoned 1250, 42,000 kms. In good shape and felt solid and dependable, as it certainly proved to be over the coming days. As luck would have it the rain began to fall lightly soon after we rode out, and the tone was set for the day and the Saturday to come. The preset routes on the Satnav promised twisty hills and views, Nature had decided differently, at least as far as pre-planned routes go. Few miles down the road, first road closure of the trip, forcing a detour and the app based route offered no route recalc so it was follow your nose time.
With the route now in free form, we went with the flow and visited places along the way, Gibraltar, Medina Sidonia and made our way to the overnight stay, a simple but functional and comfortable hotel in Jerez. Rain assisted…
Saturday.
A character builder if ever there was. Storm Leonard was in full flow, many residents in towns and villages in southern Portugal and Spain were impacted by floods. We woke up to rain, and pretty powerful images of homes and streets flooded. We made the call to head straight to Ronda, just over two hours away, instead of the planned six hour planned route. A wise choice, that still ensured some pretty sloshed up boots and lower legs by the time we arrived wet and relieved at the hotel.
Some dramatic scenery and good riding roads, but given the conditions stopping for pics was not happening.
We got to our room barefoot and carrying some soaked gear, jerry-rigged some drying solutions for the boots and gloves, cranked up the heating went in search of food and then some rest.
Sunday.
Dry. Some sun to greet us. Hope abounds for a decent run. After partaking of the curious thing that is the Spanish hotel buffet breakfast, we were excited for dry weather and the chance for some great riding, but not before some sightseeing in Ronda.
The roads were dry and the twisties enjoyable for sure, for about 10kms and the first road closure courtesy of the hard working Guardia Civil. Lessons learnt from Friday, we plotted a route to the next waypoint and found the route where route from Frontera de la Cortez met the road we needed to be on. What incredible riding! Folded hill upon hill, view upon view.
After a crappy tourist trap lunch we found the road down to Marbella, cameras and average speed over distance tech didn’t diminish the enjoyment of a stunning descent past the expat Russian palaces and into Marbella. Straightforward motorway run towards Ojen, and a final burst of twist and runs before a return to base.
Smiling, happy and hungry, we enjoyed a superb curry, one of the best we’ve had, and rested for the night. Runway delay and a long drive home later we got home, happy for the experience, grateful to be dry, and reflective and hopeful for all the families affected by the floods.
Until next time.
Friday.
Overcast, mild temps around 12 degrees c, pretty familiar riding conditions so off we went.
Ride for the trip was a seasoned 1250, 42,000 kms. In good shape and felt solid and dependable, as it certainly proved to be over the coming days. As luck would have it the rain began to fall lightly soon after we rode out, and the tone was set for the day and the Saturday to come. The preset routes on the Satnav promised twisty hills and views, Nature had decided differently, at least as far as pre-planned routes go. Few miles down the road, first road closure of the trip, forcing a detour and the app based route offered no route recalc so it was follow your nose time.
With the route now in free form, we went with the flow and visited places along the way, Gibraltar, Medina Sidonia and made our way to the overnight stay, a simple but functional and comfortable hotel in Jerez. Rain assisted…
Saturday.
A character builder if ever there was. Storm Leonard was in full flow, many residents in towns and villages in southern Portugal and Spain were impacted by floods. We woke up to rain, and pretty powerful images of homes and streets flooded. We made the call to head straight to Ronda, just over two hours away, instead of the planned six hour planned route. A wise choice, that still ensured some pretty sloshed up boots and lower legs by the time we arrived wet and relieved at the hotel.
Some dramatic scenery and good riding roads, but given the conditions stopping for pics was not happening.
We got to our room barefoot and carrying some soaked gear, jerry-rigged some drying solutions for the boots and gloves, cranked up the heating went in search of food and then some rest.
Sunday.
Dry. Some sun to greet us. Hope abounds for a decent run. After partaking of the curious thing that is the Spanish hotel buffet breakfast, we were excited for dry weather and the chance for some great riding, but not before some sightseeing in Ronda.
The roads were dry and the twisties enjoyable for sure, for about 10kms and the first road closure courtesy of the hard working Guardia Civil. Lessons learnt from Friday, we plotted a route to the next waypoint and found the route where route from Frontera de la Cortez met the road we needed to be on. What incredible riding! Folded hill upon hill, view upon view.
After a crappy tourist trap lunch we found the road down to Marbella, cameras and average speed over distance tech didn’t diminish the enjoyment of a stunning descent past the expat Russian palaces and into Marbella. Straightforward motorway run towards Ojen, and a final burst of twist and runs before a return to base.
Smiling, happy and hungry, we enjoyed a superb curry, one of the best we’ve had, and rested for the night. Runway delay and a long drive home later we got home, happy for the experience, grateful to be dry, and reflective and hopeful for all the families affected by the floods.
Until next time.
