Between Hills and Valleys

[PerfectStranger]

What I did yesterday...

Left home around 11 o'clock, arrived at 21:45 (around 200 kms each way).
Went up North and center of the country, to my folks hometown (Cardigos, Mação) for some offroad riding on the AT.
Here's a few pics

(Click to enlarge)
On the way up, Vasco da Gama bridge (exiting Lisbon)

Constância, Praia do Ribatejo... lots of sand, didn't go there, I was riding alone... and with road tires



Abrantes, Aquapolis, South Bank


On the track. Back as a kid and young man, I used to come these parts with my folks to tender the olive trees... I miss those days.



That's where we're going... up!

One of the few creeks crossings... this one has a small pontoon.

But this one here hasn't... But is was not hard. Actually, the ford crossings were the easiest of all things...


What an incompetet!!! I let the front wheel slide on a few loose rocks... and the bike weight did the rest. Just had to slowly put it down.
Waited for half-hour for help, because I'd still be there trying to raise the bike on my own
The bike suffered no damage, just a few minor scratches to the side Givi bar and the handle weight.


After this, came another ford-crossing:

More hard tracks...


Phew! Almost at the end...



To check the tracks on Google Earth: Between Hills and Valleys - Google Earth LOG

Cheers

[j]

These pictures are great, you're making us all jealous her in Wales and UK.

[PerfectStranger]

Thank you for your words.

[StumpyFingers]

Brilliant photos.

[PHILinFRANCE]

Nice one PS
Maybe try and get down your way this summer i,ll keep you posted
Phil

[PerfectStranger]

Nice one PS
Maybe try and get down your way this summer i,ll keep you posted
Phil

If you do, drop me a PM. If I can find the time (between daywork and part-time musician), I'll ride with you around that circuit and let you in some of the local food

Au revoir

[veodoble]

What an incompetet!!! I let the front wheel slide on a few loose rocks... and the bike weight did the rest. Just had to slowly put it down.
Waited for half-hour for help, because I'd still be there trying to raise the bike on my own
The bike suffered no damage, just a few minor scratches to the side Givi bar and the handle weight.

mmm, I reckon that riding alone in the woods and being unable to pick up your bike isn't a safe idea. What if nobody went along your track? Some of the pics you posted show amazing trails with little sign of use, so dropping 250 kilos of AT and not being able to pick her up....

Somebody taught me a way to pick the bike up again, instead of facing her, turn your back and raise her. This way you won't hurt your spine! Africas are way too heavy for most mortals!

Obrigado por las fotos (no se si está bien escrito!

Salud!

[PerfectStranger]

Hola!

I did that, I faced the bike with my back but to no avail... the bike was just sliding on the loose ground...

I had a mobile phone and was not too far from help, half an hour walking and 5 minutes on a car

Nevertheless I also think it's not a good idea to ride alone on those tracks...

Will be getting back there on May 3rd with a few friends this time...

Gracias por tus comentarios

[veodoble]

Ah, so you tried it but didn't succeed. Well, I ride a Transalp and I'm 185 cm tall, so with that combination I think I wouldn't have problems on tarmac, but as you point, I may have in dirt.

I want to ride around that area between Portugal and Spain.

Cheers!

[Dee Duble Yuh]

(Thinks...) Venue for the National Meet one year?!?