Motomania by Ray French

This article appeared in The Inland Magazine - December 2006

300 plus days of sun, fantastic and often un-cluttered roads and some of the best racing circuits in the World and what does that add up to? It adds up to a fantastic place to live and ride for motorcyclists.

Spain is without doubt one of the best places in the world to own and ride a motorcycle and the TnT (Tour and Track) Motorcycle Club have set out to make it even better by bringing together as many local and visiting motorcyclists as we can muster on the second Sunday of every month to “Ride Out” in the beautiful countryside of Spain. The club welcomes anyone with a motorbike be it Custom, Sports, Tourers, Trial or whatever.

On a glorious Sunday 8th October we organised two separate routes for off-roaders and tourers. Meeting up at Meson El Jardin Restaurant in Castalla the six off-roaders left for their mountain trek starting at the back of Onil and riding on past Ibi and round to Tibi before returning home, all via high mountain tracks. The report back is that it was challenging and breathtaking in more ways than one.

The seven tourers took a more sedate route up to the winding mountain pass, Carrasqueta, which leads down to Jijona. The views from the top of the pass are spectacular and you can see miles of mountains and down to the shimmering Mediterranean sea. Just before reaching Jijona we took the road for Torremanzanas and headed along great twisting roads up to Benifallim, Penaguila and stopping at Benasau to meet up with 50 more motorcyclists for almuerza (brunch).

Some of us went for the full special which set you up for the rest of the day while those with lunch dates or for health reasons stuck to the toast. The service was friendly and efficient and the food delicious.

The route back to Castalla took in Benilloba and then back down to the autovia and home. Both groups had a great morning out and have agreed to come back on the 12th of November for Tour and Tracks “SECOND SUNDAY RIDE OUT”.

Note: Between the time of writing this article and the time of publishing we have been on the 12th November 2nd Second Sunday Ride Out to Pinoso and an impromptu Ride Out on 19th November because those attending on the 12th enjoyed it so much. The 19th of November was a round trip to Agres with a stop of for almuerza in Bocairent and saw an equal number of Spanish and British riders. The next Second Sunday Ride Out will be on 10th December. At the 2 November events there were a number of classic bikes and we are due to visit the owners collections over the next few months.

TnT Club has been formed by Tour and Track SL which is a company, based in Castalla, offering everything motorcycle. Among the many services that we offer are:

· Guided motorcycle tours from half days to two week holidays.
· Track day training on racing circuits for everyone from beginners to experts.
· Motorcycle clothing.
· Motorcycle accessories and spares including GPS.
· New and used motorcycles at great prices. We can find the bike of your choice.
· Motorcycle hire – fancy a day or a week on a Harley?
· Motorcycle maintenance.
· Moto GP and Superbike tickets, transport and accommodation.
· Corporate/Club incentive days at locations including the Cheste Circuit in Valencia.

For more details of the Second Sunday Ride Out take a look at our web http://www.tourandtrack.com/ or call Ray on 687 206 908.