Ricardo's Motorbike Blog: Ride to Faro Bike Rally July 2014 Sat July 12 to

Ride to Faro Bike Rally July 2014 Sat July 12 to

Friday July 11th

This is the update of the route from yesterday

Mileage: 216 Miles

From Cabuerniga take the CA 182 to La Herrmida then the N621 to Riano. Follow this road to Cistierna, then the N625 to Mansilla de las Mulas. Stop for dinner.

After dinner we continued on the N625 going through St. Maria del Paramo and Baneza before taking the LE 125 to Puebla de Sanabria on the Spanish Portuguese border . Though this was a demanding route everybody agreed the N 621 and the LE 125 were built for bikes and traffic free.

Saturday July 12

Things started badly , alcohol saved the day yesterday!! Can it do the same today ?

Too tired to venture into town we ate at the camp site in Puebla de Sanabria and had a reasonable nights sleep . With another longish day ahead we packed up reasonably early .Packed up I sat on my bike and it became obvious the rear shock had gone . As the other two had already left the camp site I had no option but to follow . On the rough road it was like a bucking bronco and it felt impossible to ride . On catching up with my buddies the vibes were" thank f**k its not not my bike , what are you going to do ". I was pretty devastated , lucky I had my buddies to offer advice and support !! I decided to ride . Can you ride a bike with no rear shock ? Yes as long as you avoid bumps !! Unfortunately we had to adjust the route and after taking the N103-7 into Portugal we took the faster and smoother road the IP4 and then the IP2 coming off at the N226 for our night in a hotel in Trancoso .

Mileage; 173 miles ( includes detour for petrol)

Other things that happened that day were :

Brian got to use his Sat Nav

Paul won the looking cool in £300 sunglasses competition

Brian came 2nd

I was last

Also a certain not to be named person traveled at 120 mph on the smooth and traffic free IP2 and claimed it was because cars were up his backside !!

Oh and Paul won the first game of blackjack .

Brian ignored my advice NOT to put his bike in the garage

Sunday July 13:

On the advice of the hotel owner we attended a 50 cc bike meet last night . We were invited on a rally with them today , decided to go , staying another night in the hotel . Here are the pics of a special day .

A knocking a 6 inch nail into a tree trunk competition

the barrel at the front is for wine .

Brian and Paul are here

The ones that didn't make it !!

Monday July 14:

Another hard day on the road

Peters Marinate Jerk Chicken

Paul is after one of these

Mileage; 139 miles

The route : Today was always planned as the easier day , with the majority of the route on motorway . From Trancoso we took the IP2 /E 802 towards Guarda , then the E80 motorway signposted Corvilha before joining the A23 to Castelo Branco and Portalegre. We left at junction 20 took the N18 through Vila Velha Rodao and Nisa to Alpalhao then the N246 to Marvao. Campsite Pomarinho is on the N246 as it heads towards Portalegre.

Vila Velha Rodao.

Find a spot with shade, at Pomarinho

Tuesday 15 th July

Arrived in Sagres 6 pm today , long hot day but great to be here . Total mileage from Rakewood 1267 Miles

Will be updating the route soon , not had time !! Bike is now fixed with a reconditioned shock. Paul and myself are off to the rally Friday , Brian is staying in Sagres .

The route Pomarinho to Sagres 256 miles

Leave the campsite and take the N246 to Portalegre, then the IP2 to Estremoz and then to Evora on the IP2/N18/E802.. Follow the same road to Beja. From Beja stay on the IP2 till it reaches the IC1 at Ourique.Take the IC1 in the direction of the Algarve leaving at Sao Marcos da Serra for Monchique on the N267. From Monchique take the N124 to Portimao till it reaches the A22. Join the A22 towards Lagos leaving at signs for Villa Do Bishpo. Then follow the N125 signposted Villa Do Bishpo and SAGRES.

Wednesday 15 th July and Thursday 16th July in Sagres