Its definately a new angle on the twisted aluminium push bikes.This is a Sanglas 350
ARTESANIAS MINIBIKER
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
ARTESANIAS MINIBIKER
Its definately a new angle on the twisted aluminium push bikes.This is a Sanglas 350
ARTESANIAS MINIBIKER
Monday, August 20, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Valencia MotoGP Tickets to be Prizes at La Foia Motorcycle Week
Pole Position Travel have agreed to sponsor La Foia International Motorcycle Week by donating tickets for the Valencia round of the MotoGP in November.
We have tickets for the Purple Boxes Stand, Yellow MVA Stand and Red Stand. We also have Pole Position Polo and Tshirts as runner-up prizes.
Pole Position Travel - MotoGP Valencia
Pole Position Travel - MotoGP Valencia
Motorcycle Week 8 to 14 Oct '07 - Albergue Rural
We have managed to arrange a fantasitic deal for accommodation for La Foia International Motorcycle Week. The special price negotiated by Tour and Track to stay at this beautiful Albergue Rural is only 15 € per night! That is about 10 pounds per night.Take a look at the fantastic facilities on their web.
El Carrascalet
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
AC Farias Confirmed for 2 Shows in Castalla, Alicante 14 October 2007
AC Farias, former European and World Stunt Bike Champion has confirmed his appearance at La Foia International Motorcycle Week on Sunday 14th October 2007. He will be giving 2 shows during the day and this is an event no motorcyclist can afford to miss.
Contact Lol Duffy on (0034) 678 628 660 or e-mail him on lol@tourandtrack.com. You can also take alook at http://www.tourandtrack.com/ for details.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
La Vaca - Castalla, Alicante
The 11th to 14th of August see's La Vaca taking place in Castalla, Alicante. People call it a bull run but in fact it is a cow run but believe me these cow's are not like Daisy!
The entrance of all the Vaca's together takes place at midnight on Friday 10th. The whole event is a great excuse for people to get together and have a laugh.
There is a run at 7pm and Midnight each day.
The entrance of all the Vaca's together takes place at midnight on Friday 10th. The whole event is a great excuse for people to get together and have a laugh.
There is a run at 7pm and Midnight each day.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Steve and Lorna's New Gold Wing
Taken at the Algueña Races. All these Tour and Track Club members getting new bikes is making me jealous! But the old reliable Pan Euro waits in the background.Sunday, August 05, 2007
Toseland Moves to MotoGP
From The Official MotoGP Website
Do you think this is the right move? It seems to me that he may have been better to hold out for a factory ride and all the support that involves. Is there another option being held open for 2009 if he takes this ride or is it just that the Yamaha factory team wants the younger rider Lorenzo?
Do you think this is the right move? It seems to me that he may have been better to hold out for a factory ride and all the support that involves. Is there another option being held open for 2009 if he takes this ride or is it just that the Yamaha factory team wants the younger rider Lorenzo?
Friday, August 03, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Monovar 2007
by Will KempThis was a ´last minute´ notification from one of the T´n´T members and had a choice of two events over the week-end of 30/1st July. Saturdays event was held in Monovar bull-ring, the Plaza de Toros and had shops,drink,classic bike display,a well organised run around most of the streets of the town and not forgetting the GO-GO girls!!!also a live group playing mainly biker'ish songs in English.
Sundays event was in Alguena, both places near to Alicante, and was the XV11 Trofeo de Velocidad with 80cc, 125cc and classic classes. The racing apparently is a much smaller version of the T.T. where the racing takes place through the town and surrounding area. Unfortunately could only do one event so plumped for Saturday at Monovar.
This event was sponsored by at least 50+ firms and had streets closed to normal traffic. There were also 2 or 3 local police cars, a 4x4 with flashing roof lights from the 'proteccion civil' and an ambulance which followed the ride around the town. When we arrived, we had missed out on the free beer which was offered at the entrance and made our way into the bull ring. Quite an impressive sight, the 2 young ladies walking about with not a lot on!no, the stage and things. One was wearing a silverskirt about 6 inches wide.ooops getting carried away there!After a while of looking around it was time for more noise, there were 2 or
3 organisers with bull horns trying to get all the bikes in some sort of order and while this was going on there were a few bikes getting the nuts ripped out of them and then getting the kill switch on and off, making an almighty bang when the fuel ignited. How the engines kept going after that treatment is any bodies guess. (When I used to do it I usually had to rebuild the bl66dy engine.) There must have been about 2 hundred bikes, trikes, quads, scooters and Herbie the Volkswagen on the run and I think there was only one casualty when one bike tried to park at one of the stops,on the pavement. The bike didn`t want to get bumped up so went base over apex onto the road.
Went back to the bull ring and the bucking bronco was being set up and the band was doing a couple of numbers as a warm up. Not bad group either.
Stayed for another hour or so and made our way back to the house, another hour and a half journey. Again well worth the time going and the usual photos coming up.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Fontanars Motorbike Day 23.06.07
by Lucy Martin
After an early start, Diego and I set out on our ‘tod’ (where were you guys?) from the usual meeting point, the Jardín bar/restaurant in Castalla at 09.30.
We went from Castalla to Biar, through to La Cañada and then off to Benejama up through the mountains to Fontanars. We crossed with loads of cyclists but not many bikers (I was getting a bit worried at that stage!).
As you get to the top of the Fontanars valley there is beautiful view so we got a photo of that one!
Riding into Fontanars, we saw signs for ‘motos’, at which point we breathed a sigh of relief.
As we drew up to the area that had been set aside for the occasion, we saw 2 very long rows of motorbikes of all shapes and sizes.
We immediately enrolled and were given a t-shirt, a cap, a raffle ticket for various biking goodies (no Harleys I’m afraid) and a pass card for the ‘blue’ team. We also purchased breakfast and lunch tickets at the moderate price of 15€ a head and picked up our sandwich and drink and went to sit at the long trestle tables that had been (wisely) set up under the beech trees.
After a tasty Serrano ham sandwich and getting to know some of the locals who were delighted to have all the bikers there, we joined the blue team for a ride out around the ‘bodegas’ of the area.
The ride was lovely, it’s a really beautiful area and being a Saturday, there was hardly any traffic. We stopped at the first wine cellar only to find that the guy who was supposed to be showing us around had overslept the night before because he runs a café in the town and closed at 4 am (oh, the joys of mobile telephones!)! So we set off to the next one and had a guided tour which ended with the tasting of wines and cava.
The second bodega was equally interesting and at the third, we discovered even more things we didn’t know about wine producing and, guess what? Second bout of tasting! Just as well it was right next to the town!
This took us up to the magnificent paella that was prepared for 1,500 portions and enjoyed by all. To give you an idea of how big the pan is, see the crane needed to winch it up onto the lorry that carted it back to a town near Valencia!
Over a long lazy lunch we got to meet the health service staff who were covering the event and kindly let us take their photo. They wanted the ambulance in it so nobody was left out!
After a stroll around the town and a cup of coffee at a bar in the town, we headed our way back passing the Foncalent prison via Villena.
For those who wanted to stay on, there was entertainment until the early hours of the morning with a dance in the main square of the town.
Verdict: A thoroughly enjoyable day out and really friendly people running the event, well worth going to.
Go here for the rest of the photos.
After an early start, Diego and I set out on our ‘tod’ (where were you guys?) from the usual meeting point, the Jardín bar/restaurant in Castalla at 09.30.We went from Castalla to Biar, through to La Cañada and then off to Benejama up through the mountains to Fontanars. We crossed with loads of cyclists but not many bikers (I was getting a bit worried at that stage!).
As you get to the top of the Fontanars valley there is beautiful view so we got a photo of that one!
Riding into Fontanars, we saw signs for ‘motos’, at which point we breathed a sigh of relief.
As we drew up to the area that had been set aside for the occasion, we saw 2 very long rows of motorbikes of all shapes and sizes.
We immediately enrolled and were given a t-shirt, a cap, a raffle ticket for various biking goodies (no Harleys I’m afraid) and a pass card for the ‘blue’ team. We also purchased breakfast and lunch tickets at the moderate price of 15€ a head and picked up our sandwich and drink and went to sit at the long trestle tables that had been (wisely) set up under the beech trees.
After a tasty Serrano ham sandwich and getting to know some of the locals who were delighted to have all the bikers there, we joined the blue team for a ride out around the ‘bodegas’ of the area.The ride was lovely, it’s a really beautiful area and being a Saturday, there was hardly any traffic. We stopped at the first wine cellar only to find that the guy who was supposed to be showing us around had overslept the night before because he runs a café in the town and closed at 4 am (oh, the joys of mobile telephones!)! So we set off to the next one and had a guided tour which ended with the tasting of wines and cava.
The second bodega was equally interesting and at the third, we discovered even more things we didn’t know about wine producing and, guess what? Second bout of tasting! Just as well it was right next to the town!
This took us up to the magnificent paella that was prepared for 1,500 portions and enjoyed by all. To give you an idea of how big the pan is, see the crane needed to winch it up onto the lorry that carted it back to a town near Valencia!
Over a long lazy lunch we got to meet the health service staff who were covering the event and kindly let us take their photo. They wanted the ambulance in it so nobody was left out!
After a stroll around the town and a cup of coffee at a bar in the town, we headed our way back passing the Foncalent prison via Villena.For those who wanted to stay on, there was entertainment until the early hours of the morning with a dance in the main square of the town.
Verdict: A thoroughly enjoyable day out and really friendly people running the event, well worth going to.
Go here for the rest of the photos.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Qatar II Mega Event
Hello People,
Sensational! 2nd ''Megaevent'' in Katar
EXCLUSIVE OFFER, limited places
09 to 14 November 2007!
You have the unique chance to get one of the exclusive places for this event. It’s an amazing experience, which maybe you can realize only once in your life-time.
Experience the final race of the Endurance World Championship for motorbikes and then ride on one of the newest and safest race tracks in the world!!!
The first event in Qatar was a big success, the second will be even better!
- Return flights to Doha/Qatar
- 5 star luxury accommodation, Hotel Ritz-Carlton in Doha.
- Live at the Endurance World Championsship races
- Paddock Passes
- 4x4 Desert safari
- 2 full trackdays including race prepared Yamaha R6's
- Full support from the D'Antin technicians
- Full time professional support and guidance throughout the event.
- 2 days racing school (to book separately)
Interested?
Please click here for information ;
Infos Katar II (http://www.motopromex.de/Katar2/Katar2EN.htm)
Sporting Regards
Héctor Pérez & Karl Rehm
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Goldwing MP3?
Don Cutlers trike. Here is a prototype that is a bit different from the usual Goldwing trike.
OK so it’s a prototype but it’s bloody ugly!! Maybe somebody needs to copy the MP3 Scooter for Goldwings – at least it’ll still behave like a bike. If the idea catches on I want copyright.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Long Way Down
'This one started about half way round America, when we started talking about the next one. After we appeared on the Jonathan Ross show when Long Way Round finished, we went back to our offices and started pulling out maps and talking a bit about Africa. I don't think we necessarily thought the trip would happen, but here we are in John O' Groats!''It has been nice to start here, at John O' Groats. Making the effort to come up has been fantastic, well worth it.'
Long Way Down
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Expensive Insurance - Your Experience
After years of negotiating with a local insurance agent I thought that we were approaching an agreement on cheaper insurance for bikers and in some circumstances we have achieved this but it is still a fact that in comparison to UK insurance the cost of insuring a Spanish motorcycle in Spain is ridiculously high.
MAPFRE seems to be showing as the cheapest and best quality insurer on comparative web sites but Tour and Track has managed to consistently offer a cheaper and equally high quality insurance policy. It seems that if you negotiate you can get a better deal. It is also apparent that the combined buying power of a club is much more useful in achieving reductions in costs.
Another influencing factor over the cost of bike insurance is if you insure your car, house, life or whatever with the same broker and in these circumstances you can usually save enough in the cost of your other insurance policies to pay for your bike insurance. In Spain you need to think of the whole insurance package.
Now there are plenty of bikers hanging on to their UK registration to insure their bikes in the UK and despite the questionable legality of this who can blame them?
So what is your experience with insurance? Is the UK the cheapest for bikers insurance in Europe? Add your comments below.
MAPFRE seems to be showing as the cheapest and best quality insurer on comparative web sites but Tour and Track has managed to consistently offer a cheaper and equally high quality insurance policy. It seems that if you negotiate you can get a better deal. It is also apparent that the combined buying power of a club is much more useful in achieving reductions in costs.
Another influencing factor over the cost of bike insurance is if you insure your car, house, life or whatever with the same broker and in these circumstances you can usually save enough in the cost of your other insurance policies to pay for your bike insurance. In Spain you need to think of the whole insurance package.
Now there are plenty of bikers hanging on to their UK registration to insure their bikes in the UK and despite the questionable legality of this who can blame them?
So what is your experience with insurance? Is the UK the cheapest for bikers insurance in Europe? Add your comments below.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Founder Floundering
Not sure if I can cope with this blogging stuff. I have just got used to emails,
Give me a kickstart anyday, and you can't beat a magneto when you need good sparks in your plugs.
Give me a kickstart anyday, and you can't beat a magneto when you need good sparks in your plugs.
The June Second Sunday Ride Out
by Howard Martin
The ride was preceded by watching a vintage car and bike rally leave Castalla. This was an entertaining and spectacular event with adults crammed into Fiat 500s, side car combinations with all the family hanging on and even, what looked like, an old wartime German staff car.
Unfortunately the day started to be wet before we left. Several of the group persuaded Sue that although wet stuff was falling down it wasn't rain (Sue doesn't drive in the rain) and she could still go for a ride. With this settled we decided to visit Aigues but Bruce planned a separate route more suited to his quad. Having set off, the biking group promptly went to El Campello. This was because of a wrong turning and more of the wet stuff coming down. The stop in El Campello was at K'Joan & Milu's Moroccan bar (wrong time for belly dancing and too wet anyway). Unfortunately we had no means of communicating with Bruce who may still be trawling the bars in Aigues looking for wet and lost bikers.
Sue had a brilliant idea for the route back. The only trouble was that it was track-like and more normally commandeered by goats rather that bikes. However, there was very little traffic and the scenery was fantastic. It also meant that there were a few very honoured people that were able to witness a very rare sighting; dirt on Barry's bike!! Perhaps it was cruiser country as Alan and Pat seemed to enjoy.
So for the sorries...
Sorry to Bruce for loosing him again.
Sorry to Ivor and Barry for no speed and no distance
Sorry to Sue for the wet stuff
PS
Having recently gotten into the biking idea (if you can't beat em join em), I'm adding some "girls bike too" perspectives which affect the normal boys stuff of "lets put in a lot of mileage and hoon up the speed whenever we can!" Tracks have nice scenery and blossoms on the wayside which are pretty to see and smell wonderful, so at any given chance I do try to divert for blossom smelling. Market stopping is good too, but I think that might be pushing my luck. (Aigues has a Sunday one that I kept quiet about!!)
The ride was preceded by watching a vintage car and bike rally leave Castalla. This was an entertaining and spectacular event with adults crammed into Fiat 500s, side car combinations with all the family hanging on and even, what looked like, an old wartime German staff car.Unfortunately the day started to be wet before we left. Several of the group persuaded Sue that although wet stuff was falling down it wasn't rain (Sue doesn't drive in the rain) and she could still go for a ride. With this settled we decided to visit Aigues but Bruce planned a separate route more suited to his quad. Having set off, the biking group promptly went to El Campello. This was because of a wrong turning and more of the wet stuff coming down. The stop in El Campello was at K'Joan & Milu's Moroccan bar (wrong time for belly dancing and too wet anyway). Unfortunately we had no means of communicating with Bruce who may still be trawling the bars in Aigues looking for wet and lost bikers.
Sue had a brilliant idea for the route back. The only trouble was that it was track-like and more normally commandeered by goats rather that bikes. However, there was very little traffic and the scenery was fantastic. It also meant that there were a few very honoured people that were able to witness a very rare sighting; dirt on Barry's bike!! Perhaps it was cruiser country as Alan and Pat seemed to enjoy.
So for the sorries...
Sorry to Bruce for loosing him again.
Sorry to Ivor and Barry for no speed and no distance
Sorry to Sue for the wet stuff
PS
by Sue Martin
Having recently gotten into the biking idea (if you can't beat em join em), I'm adding some "girls bike too" perspectives which affect the normal boys stuff of "lets put in a lot of mileage and hoon up the speed whenever we can!" Tracks have nice scenery and blossoms on the wayside which are pretty to see and smell wonderful, so at any given chance I do try to divert for blossom smelling. Market stopping is good too, but I think that might be pushing my luck. (Aigues has a Sunday one that I kept quiet about!!)
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Join the Alforins Motorcycle Club at their Rally on Saturday 23rd of June.
Here is the timing of events. We have 7 people going up to now and the organizers tell me there are now 250 bikers booked in for the day.I NEED TO KNOW URGENTLY IF YOU ARE GOING SO THAT I CAN BOOK THE PLACES.
E-mail me at lol@tourandtrack.com
If you plan to stay overnight then bring a sleeping bag.
The details of the Fontanars dels Alforins Rally on Saturday 23-06-07 there is a motorcycle rally in Fontanars dels Alforins. It is 7 € with breakfast and 8 € with breakfast and dinner. Let me know if you are going so I can reserve the places. The planned events are:
- 09:30 – Inscripciones Regalo de la Peña - Sign in and Gift from the Club
- 10:00 - Almuerzo – Breakfast
- 11:30 - Ruta por las bodegas del pueblo - Ride out to local Bodegas
- All Day - Exposición y pruebas motos BMW - Exhibition and try outs of BMW bikes
- 15:00 - Paella gigante - Giant Paella
- Actividades varias y divertidas - Lots of entertaining activities
- 17:00 - Sorteo de los esponsors - Draw for sponsors gifts
- 17:30 - Feria gastronomica y Fin de fiesta - Gastronomic Fair (food) and end of fiesta
- 24:00 - Verbena - Evening village Fiesta
- QUE QUIERAN QUEDARSE A DORMIR TRAER SACO, TENEMOS ZONA CERRADA CON COLCHONETAS
- Those that want to stay overnight can stay in a local school on matresses – bring a sleeping bag.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
La Foia Classic Vehicle Rally
by Will Kemp
As Sunday 10th was the second Sunday of the month, T´n´T had another run organised for a start time of 0930. Just so happened that there was a Classic vehicle, well, cars and bikes, display followed by a nice shortish route run. This was to have left at 0830 so I was on the road by 0700 for the hour or so ride to Castalla.
It just has to be much the same as an organised do back in Scotland, the sky was full of heavy, wet looking clouds and the same thoughts, shall I go and get wet or put the feet up. I did the only thing that was right, went back to bed, no I didn´t!! Took a chance and went for it. I took the KKTriumph this time as the Honda gives me a sore back on longer journeys. Had enough petrol to get to the big town. 4 € worth filled the tank! On the way, it was a case of watching the clouds and also looking at the side of the road for our friends dog that went missing a few weeks ago. No ´deid dugs´and no wet stuff either!
The usual coffee and then the ride back. Slightly miscalculated the mileage, as I had to go on to reserve well before the big town. I had passed a few service stations on theway, but thought there was enough. Luckily enough, when the engine did stop, I was only a few hundred yards away from the garage and managed to coast most of the way. Then the red face part, pushing!!! 7 € worth this time, switched on to find no oil light or head lights, now what? It had 
Well they were ok when I started in the morning!! a little deflated here though. With them both pumped up, I finally made it up our mountain without any more problems, phew!
Again, a nice run there and back even with the wee troubles and worth it for the Classic show.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Live Timing MotoGP
Connect up to real time Practice results.
Live Timing MotoGP
Looks like they've changed the link so go to MotoGP Web and it's on the front page.
Live Timing MotoGP
Looks like they've changed the link so go to MotoGP Web and it's on the front page.
Want to be a Racer?
The Selection Events mark the first stage of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Program. They are open to all junior racing enthusiasts between 13 and 16 years of age.
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Friday, June 01, 2007
Diary of a Goldwinger Part 1 - Holland 2007
by Steve Faulkner
So what is a Treffen? Treffen is a German word meaning friendship and is used by Goldwingers all over the world for their rallies.
Lorna and I were involved with the Treffen committee in the UK; we would go to the Treffen site and help other volunteers to build the site ready for the weekend. This would include erecting marquees, bars toilets etc ready for the many Goldwingers who attend such meetings all over the world.
We decided to go to the Dutch Treffen as we had met some friends from the Goldwing Club (GB) whilst they were in Spain on holiday in early May.
We sold our Goldwing, trailer and all our camping equipment when we came to live in Spain 5 years ago, so rang the Dutch Goldwing Club for hotels in the Kronenberg area of Holland. We were told that all the hotels in the area were full; we were disappointed with this so emailed our friends to tell them we would not be going to Holland.
Tony and Helen ride a magnificent yellow Goldwing outfit and tow a trailer tent, they assured us that it was not a problem and would bring an extra tent and camping equipment with them for us to use, so that solved that problem and our trip was back on.
Day 1
So with our 1800 Goldwing packed to the gunnels we set off on Monday 22nd of May bound for Kronenberg in the south of Holland.
The 1800 Goldwing can certainly eat up the miles and is very happy cruising at high speeds. It has cruise control but I don’t use it much as I like to feel in control of the bike. With intercom and music into your helmets and a very comfortable riding position you soon use up the tank full of fuel, and 300 k’s later we were pulling in for fuel and a welcome coffee.
So at the end of day one, we were in Perpignan, just over the Spanish border, we could have carried on but with a hotel pre-booked and a cold beer calling we called it a day. A great days travelling with about 7 hours on the bike and a good distance covered.
Day 2
The weather looked great so we set off after a continental breakfast (what no bacon?) and what the French call coffee. We were soon eating up the kilometres, our plan was to get to Nancy in France by mid afternoon, We were soon in Lyon and passing through the long fume filled tunnel, if you have rode through that one you will know it well, it must be the biggest health hazard of the journey. You can taste the fumes for ages after. We soon found that we were having a great days travelling and decided to get a bit further up and we ended the day in a very nice hotel in the centre of Metz very close to Luxembourg, we do try and get hotels in the centre of towns, this gives a chance for a bit of sight seeing and a better choice of eating out. Having never been to Metz we had a walk around and found a beautiful old town with cobbled streets and lovely old buildings.
Day 3
We were away without breakfast having decided to eat later, we stopped in Luxembourg at a motorway service area. The service area was packed with about 5 coaches of Dutch pensioners on their way home, we were soon engulfed by the oldies (bless ‘em) with many questions which we couldn’t understand but did our best, you do tend to get a lot of this when you ride a Goldwing as many people ask the normal questions. How fast does it go? What is the weight? And is it easy to ride?
With breakfast over we were soon into Belgium and out on the open motorway. We could not believe the amount of lorries on the road between northern France, Luxembourg and Belgium at times it was a bit frightening with so many of them around you. I drove HGV’s for 25 years but they seem a lot bigger now and the sheer numbers was amazing.
As we rode down the motorway heading for Holland the weather was quite chilly and we soon pulled over for extra clothing, it was quite misty, the motorway was very quiet and the cruise control came into good use, there is a severe lack of service stations along this motorway into Holland and when the fuel light came on I was thinking we may have to pull off to find fuel, but we managed to get to a service station.
The fuel prices here in Spain maybe on the up but at 1.51 € this was the most expensive yet. In Spain if I fill up when empty its approx 22 € in this one it was 31 € so quite a big difference.
That afternoon we arrived in a town in Holland called Venlo, very close to the Treffen site, as it was quite early we had a ride to Kronenberg to find out where the actual site was.
We never did find it as it was on the outskirts of a small village so rode back to our hotel via a trip up the road to ride into Germany. We were well in front of ourselves and very happy with our trip up having covered 2,350 kilometres in 17 hours riding time.
Day 4
As we couldn’t get onto the Treffen site until 12 noon we had a walk around Venlo and did a bit of shopping, one of the good things about shopping when on a loaded bike is you haven’t much room so had to keep the shopping down to a minimum. Anyway we would be buying at the Treffen so needed all the spare room. (Bless her)
So it was up to Kronenberg for the Treffen and meet up with our friends who had come overnight to the Hook of Holland on the ferry from Hull. This done we pitched our tents and got set up ready for the weekend. In Holland it seems to be more of a family occasion and I would think that maybe 50% of the bikes were outfits. I have never seen so many outfits at a Treffen.
Day’s 5 and 6
All in all there were approx 1200 Goldwings on site from all over Europe, bikes from UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland. Excellent on site facilities always help make the weekend, the toilets and showers were some of if not the best we have ever seen at a Treffen and with some great music on every night and great catering facilities all made an excellent weekend.
We rode into the local town of Sevenum a few times and all the locals enjoyed their town being invaded by the bikes.
Day 7
Due to my daughter arriving in Spain on the Tuesday we had to leave early and departed from the Treffen site on the Sunday morning, unfortunately it was raining very heavily, this rain continued for hours and it was not the best riding conditions, luckily the traffic was light and we managed 1140 k’s that day and arrived in the town of Nimes at approx 6 in the evening. What fantastic timing that was as it was the towns fiesta and after finding a small but expensive hotel we watched the bull running up the main street, once again it started to rain and we found a restaurant and had a very nice meal and back to the hotel for an early start in the morning.
Day 8
8 o’clock saw us leaving the hotel, we had not gone 2 k’s and it started to rain, only light rain and much to our relief we left it behind us and carried on in cool but dry conditions.
All went well until we got to Andorra and then we rode into very high winds, this reduced our speed down to approx 60 k’s an hour, caravans were stopping on the motorway, we followed a coach at one stage and the wind was lifting the back wheel off the road, we carried on for about 2 hours in this wind and at one stage I did consider pulling off and hoping it would die down, luckily we rode out of it and once again set off at a good cruising speed.
We arrived home on Monday evening at 7 o’clock, tired but we both enjoyed our weekend and both enjoyed riding our bike through 5 different countries, we covered 4535 k’s in approx 36 hours riding time, we spent 391 euros on fuel and spent 181 euros on tolls.
I think and hope that we avoided the many speed cameras en route (unlike the one at Albacete) and are now planning our next Treffen trip which should be the Italian in July.
In my opinion the Goldwing GL 1800 is the ultimate touring machine, I have owned a 1200, 1500s and now the 1800 and have covered many miles over the last 8 years and find them very comfortable and enjoyable, they are a heavy bike but very easy to ride. A lot of bikers seem to knock and ridicule them but don’t knock it until you have tried it.
Gold Wing Club Holland
So what is a Treffen? Treffen is a German word meaning friendship and is used by Goldwingers all over the world for their rallies.
Lorna and I were involved with the Treffen committee in the UK; we would go to the Treffen site and help other volunteers to build the site ready for the weekend. This would include erecting marquees, bars toilets etc ready for the many Goldwingers who attend such meetings all over the world.
We decided to go to the Dutch Treffen as we had met some friends from the Goldwing Club (GB) whilst they were in Spain on holiday in early May.
We sold our Goldwing, trailer and all our camping equipment when we came to live in Spain 5 years ago, so rang the Dutch Goldwing Club for hotels in the Kronenberg area of Holland. We were told that all the hotels in the area were full; we were disappointed with this so emailed our friends to tell them we would not be going to Holland.
Tony and Helen ride a magnificent yellow Goldwing outfit and tow a trailer tent, they assured us that it was not a problem and would bring an extra tent and camping equipment with them for us to use, so that solved that problem and our trip was back on.Day 1
So with our 1800 Goldwing packed to the gunnels we set off on Monday 22nd of May bound for Kronenberg in the south of Holland.
The 1800 Goldwing can certainly eat up the miles and is very happy cruising at high speeds. It has cruise control but I don’t use it much as I like to feel in control of the bike. With intercom and music into your helmets and a very comfortable riding position you soon use up the tank full of fuel, and 300 k’s later we were pulling in for fuel and a welcome coffee.
So at the end of day one, we were in Perpignan, just over the Spanish border, we could have carried on but with a hotel pre-booked and a cold beer calling we called it a day. A great days travelling with about 7 hours on the bike and a good distance covered.
Day 2
The weather looked great so we set off after a continental breakfast (what no bacon?) and what the French call coffee. We were soon eating up the kilometres, our plan was to get to Nancy in France by mid afternoon, We were soon in Lyon and passing through the long fume filled tunnel, if you have rode through that one you will know it well, it must be the biggest health hazard of the journey. You can taste the fumes for ages after. We soon found that we were having a great days travelling and decided to get a bit further up and we ended the day in a very nice hotel in the centre of Metz very close to Luxembourg, we do try and get hotels in the centre of towns, this gives a chance for a bit of sight seeing and a better choice of eating out. Having never been to Metz we had a walk around and found a beautiful old town with cobbled streets and lovely old buildings.
Day 3
We were away without breakfast having decided to eat later, we stopped in Luxembourg at a motorway service area. The service area was packed with about 5 coaches of Dutch pensioners on their way home, we were soon engulfed by the oldies (bless ‘em) with many questions which we couldn’t understand but did our best, you do tend to get a lot of this when you ride a Goldwing as many people ask the normal questions. How fast does it go? What is the weight? And is it easy to ride?
With breakfast over we were soon into Belgium and out on the open motorway. We could not believe the amount of lorries on the road between northern France, Luxembourg and Belgium at times it was a bit frightening with so many of them around you. I drove HGV’s for 25 years but they seem a lot bigger now and the sheer numbers was amazing.
As we rode down the motorway heading for Holland the weather was quite chilly and we soon pulled over for extra clothing, it was quite misty, the motorway was very quiet and the cruise control came into good use, there is a severe lack of service stations along this motorway into Holland and when the fuel light came on I was thinking we may have to pull off to find fuel, but we managed to get to a service station.
The fuel prices here in Spain maybe on the up but at 1.51 € this was the most expensive yet. In Spain if I fill up when empty its approx 22 € in this one it was 31 € so quite a big difference.
That afternoon we arrived in a town in Holland called Venlo, very close to the Treffen site, as it was quite early we had a ride to Kronenberg to find out where the actual site was.
We never did find it as it was on the outskirts of a small village so rode back to our hotel via a trip up the road to ride into Germany. We were well in front of ourselves and very happy with our trip up having covered 2,350 kilometres in 17 hours riding time.
Day 4
As we couldn’t get onto the Treffen site until 12 noon we had a walk around Venlo and did a bit of shopping, one of the good things about shopping when on a loaded bike is you haven’t much room so had to keep the shopping down to a minimum. Anyway we would be buying at the Treffen so needed all the spare room. (Bless her)
So it was up to Kronenberg for the Treffen and meet up with our friends who had come overnight to the Hook of Holland on the ferry from Hull. This done we pitched our tents and got set up ready for the weekend. In Holland it seems to be more of a family occasion and I would think that maybe 50% of the bikes were outfits. I have never seen so many outfits at a Treffen.
Day’s 5 and 6
All in all there were approx 1200 Goldwings on site from all over Europe, bikes from UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland. Excellent on site facilities always help make the weekend, the toilets and showers were some of if not the best we have ever seen at a Treffen and with some great music on every night and great catering facilities all made an excellent weekend.
We rode into the local town of Sevenum a few times and all the locals enjoyed their town being invaded by the bikes.
Day 7
Due to my daughter arriving in Spain on the Tuesday we had to leave early and departed from the Treffen site on the Sunday morning, unfortunately it was raining very heavily, this rain continued for hours and it was not the best riding conditions, luckily the traffic was light and we managed 1140 k’s that day and arrived in the town of Nimes at approx 6 in the evening. What fantastic timing that was as it was the towns fiesta and after finding a small but expensive hotel we watched the bull running up the main street, once again it started to rain and we found a restaurant and had a very nice meal and back to the hotel for an early start in the morning.
Day 8
8 o’clock saw us leaving the hotel, we had not gone 2 k’s and it started to rain, only light rain and much to our relief we left it behind us and carried on in cool but dry conditions.
All went well until we got to Andorra and then we rode into very high winds, this reduced our speed down to approx 60 k’s an hour, caravans were stopping on the motorway, we followed a coach at one stage and the wind was lifting the back wheel off the road, we carried on for about 2 hours in this wind and at one stage I did consider pulling off and hoping it would die down, luckily we rode out of it and once again set off at a good cruising speed.
We arrived home on Monday evening at 7 o’clock, tired but we both enjoyed our weekend and both enjoyed riding our bike through 5 different countries, we covered 4535 k’s in approx 36 hours riding time, we spent 391 euros on fuel and spent 181 euros on tolls.
I think and hope that we avoided the many speed cameras en route (unlike the one at Albacete) and are now planning our next Treffen trip which should be the Italian in July.
In my opinion the Goldwing GL 1800 is the ultimate touring machine, I have owned a 1200, 1500s and now the 1800 and have covered many miles over the last 8 years and find them very comfortable and enjoyable, they are a heavy bike but very easy to ride. A lot of bikers seem to knock and ridicule them but don’t knock it until you have tried it.
Gold Wing Club Holland
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Roberts Harley
Robert is a more or less regular attender at the Tour and Track Club Second Sunday Ride Outs. This is his new Harley Davidson FLSTCI Heritage Softail Clasic. 72 and still going strong. Look out Italy as he's comming to visit you on the bike next week! 
Alcala del Jucar Ride Out
The May Second Sunday Ride Out has got to go down as a classic. It was our first all day Ride Out and we chose to visit Alcalá del Júcar, the spectacularly beautiful town carved in to the valley walls of the Júcar River.Is that Bruce on the road in the background?
12 bikes of varying power, ridden by 12 riders of varying skills, with 4 pillions, set of from the Meson El Jardin, in Castalla, led by me, Lol, in the direction of Biar, Villena, Yecla, Almansa and finally Alcalá del Júcar – or at least so I thought. Ray was to bring up the rear. Oh, I shouldn’t forget to mention Bruce who set of a short time before us on his 500 cc quad, map in hand – well not literally but you know what I mean.
On the autovia from Castalla, heading towards the Biar turn off, we came across another group of riders. Our group was mainly sports/tourers, theirs were mainly Harley style cruisers. I waited behind the other group to see if they would turn towards Biar which they did – uh-oh. As the other group was going relatively slowly and they were moving over to let us pass I took the opportunity to lead our group past them. What do you think happened next?
Well I came out the other side of Biar, heading towards Villena, with five bikes following behind. The other group of cruisers left Biar, heading towards Bocairente, the opposite direction, with 5 more bikes than they set off with! I won’t mention names but Ray was still bringing up the tail but this time for another group of bikers.
Suffice to say that we all eventually met up, after lot’s of phone calls, at Almansa where we added Will, from the Ayora Valley, to our group. The weather was great, fantastic roads, beautiful views and great food taken at a restaurant overlooking the town.
And Bruce on his quad? Apart from catching a glimpse of him leaving Yecla for Almansa we never saw him for the rest of the day. On Monday he told us that he had arrived in Alcalá about 20 minutes after us but never found the restaurant and spent most of his time looking in the bars for us. Good excuse Bruce.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on the 10th of June, 9:30 am, from the Meson El Jardin in Castalla. Come along and join us – you never know where you’ll end up.
Rally Organised by Penya Motera de Fontanars dels Alforins
Join the Alforins Motorcycle Club at their Rally on Saturday 23rd of June.
-Regalo de la Peña - Gift from the Club
-Almuerzo - Breakfast
-Ruta por las bodegas del pueblo - Ride out to local Bodegas
-Exposición y pruebas motos BMW - Exhibition and try outs of BMW bikes
-Paella gigante - Giant Paella
-Actividades varias y divertidas - Lots of entertaining activities
-Sorteo de los esponsors - Draw for sponsors gifts
-Feria gastronomica - Gastronomic Fair (food)
-Verbena - Evening village Fiesta
Penya Motera de Fontanars dels Alforins
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Tour and Track Club Classics Rally - 8th to 14th October 2007
The dates of the Tour and Track Club Classics Spanish Rally have now been confirmed as Monday 8th October 2007 until Sunday 14th October 2007. The format will be rides out every day in the quiet mountain roads to places with beautiful scenery and places of interest.
Each event will start and finish in the village of Castalla 15 miles from Alicante on the Costa Blanca. All the rides are very relaxed with no pressure the idea is you come and enjoy the sunshine in real Spain.
There are provisions for camping / caravanning/ flat rental/ hotels, the choice is yours.
For further details please contact Peter Dawson......Phone 0034 607434802 mobile. Or better still peter@vintage-motorcycle.co.uk.
Each event will start and finish in the village of Castalla 15 miles from Alicante on the Costa Blanca. All the rides are very relaxed with no pressure the idea is you come and enjoy the sunshine in real Spain.
There are provisions for camping / caravanning/ flat rental/ hotels, the choice is yours.
For further details please contact Peter Dawson......Phone 0034 607434802 mobile. Or better still peter@vintage-motorcycle.co.uk.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Las Vegas Ride Out - 06 March 2007 (2)
So we eventually got to the Hoover Dam and as spectacular a feat of engineering as it is, and it is very impressive, at the moment it looks like a giant building site as a very impressive bridge is being erected stretching across the valley high above the dam. We had travelled through Nevada and we now parked up in Arizona to view the dam and the lake, Lake Mead. The view of the lake from the dam is impressive enough but later on in the journey we got to see the enormity of this resevoir and to think about the people who built the dam.
This is from Fortune Magazine, September 1933:
"ARTHUR POWELL DAVIS is the chief unsung hero of Boulder Dam. The others are the men who sweat out their days, and many of their nights, in Black Canyon. The Boulder Dam worker of 1933 is a national type of some importance. He is a tough itinerant American--the "construction stiff." His average age is thirty-three. His average wage is sixty-eight cents an hour. He is taller and heavier than the average U. S. soldier, runs a greater risk of losing his life, and has passed a more drastic physical examination. He has been in most of the states of the Union and can find his Way in a dozen different kinds of unskilled and semi-skilled labor--a hoist in a Pennsylvania coal mine, a saw in Oregon, a shovel on a dozen road jobs. He has boiled a string of mules in Bluejacket, Oklahoma - followed a pipe line as it crept across a prairie, a few yards a day, toward a town invisible behind a hill range. He is inured to ceaseless, frightful heat--and fearful cold, too, for that matter. Four or five of him in an old car can always get to a row of lights on Saturday night and if some four-flusher cops his roll or his girl it may be a fight or a laugh-what's the difference? He has earned $10 a day roughnecking on top of 110-foot oil rigs, driven a steam shovel, been slashed in a dance-hall fight, thought a lot about getting married. He is sentimental, moody, and literate; he does not believe he will ever be anything better than what he is, and isn't trying, regardless of the schoolbooks, the adage to "make your spare time pay," and the example of Abe Lincoln. He leaves some money every week or so in Block Sixteen, Las Vegas (legalized prostitution), but has enough left to send a money order to somebody somewhere once a month. He shares the universal superstition of miners that if a woman ever walks into a tunnel where you are working you'd better get out quick because there's going to be a cave-in. He keeps washed. He smokes a pack of cigarettes a shift. When he travels, he rides freights. He knows how to live in jungles, but has never begged. The most he ever had in his life was $5,000 after the pipe-line job but he hung it on a wrong deal and lost it. He likes hunting better than baseball, horse racing better than either. He'll pick a grudge, or smell bad luck, mosey out and hit the road or the rails, but while he works he is inspired with a devil of loyalty, shrewdness, and skill. He wears Friendly Five shoes, and sleeps seven hours a day. He is the man, as much as General Superintendent Crowe and U. S. Engineer-in-Charge Young, who is putting up this dam faster than anyone thought it could possibly be done."
To be continued ....
To be continued ....
Feria de San Isidro - Castalla, Alicante, Spain
If you fancy a ride up to Castalla for the Medievil Fair then the weekend of 18, 19 and 20th of May is the time to do it.
If you do decide to come up on your bike then let me know and you can meet up with some of the Tour and Track Club.
BRP Can-Am Spyder
Well take a look at that for a trike. The spyder is designed to give a sort of motorcycling experience to those who chose not to ride a motorbike?It should be available in Spain/Europe in 2008 but check their web for details.
http://www.rotax.com/
Monday, April 30, 2007
Interphone Bluetooth
Saw this at the Mas Moto Madrid show last week and decided to try two of them as bike to bike communicators on the way back. We asked Carlos, on the Interphone stand, to charge them up ready for us leaving an hour later. The batteries weren't fully charged but we couldn't afford to wait any longer. The setting up was easy and we were off on our way back to Castalla. We were very impressed. It rained most of the way back and the Interphone didn't falter. The Interphone worked well between the two bikes and we manged to talk all the way to Albacete before Ray's battery ran out.
I later tested it with a bluetooth phone and it took less than a minute to set up and worked great.
If you want one - the recommended price is 175 € - then contact me at lol@tourandtrack.com and we will guarantee you a better deal - especially for Tour and Track Club members.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
International Fire-fighters Event
Tour and Track will be organising an international motorcycle event for fire-fighters from the UK and Spain later this year. The event is aimed at being fun motorcycling for all skills of motorcyclists with an edge of competition just to keep the wits sharp. The initial plans include at least 2 track days and 2 touring days with a Spain vs UK event.
If you are a fire-fighter or retired fire-fighter and you are interested in the event then contact Lol Duffy on (0034) 678 628 660 or lol@tourandtrack.com.
If you are a fire-fighter or retired fire-fighter and you are interested in the event then contact Lol Duffy on (0034) 678 628 660 or lol@tourandtrack.com.
Tour and Track Club Classics
From Sunday 30th September 2007 until Sunday 7th October 2007 the Tour and Track Club Classics section will be holding a rally in the Foia de Castalla northwest of Alicante, Spain. The full details will be released soon so keep checking on the web.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Peter Dawson to Ride in TT
Club President Peter Dawson will be taking part in the Isle of Man TT this year as part of the centenary celebrations. The bike Peter will be riding is the 1911 TT Matchless pictured left.In the words of Peter, "This is the bike I will be riding in the re-enactment of the first TT in the Isle of Man. Although the first TT was held in 1907 they are allowing bikes of the general era as there are not enough of the 1907 bikes left.
There is no gearbox or clutch - when the engine stops the bike stops. It is rated at 3.5 hp which equates to 500 cc. as far as I know this was made for the TT for the year 1911 and is the only one left. The brakes leave something to be desired but luckily all the bikes will be going the same way."
There was a rumour that Peter was at the first TT. Good Luck Peter.
The re-enactment is on 28th May at 10am. Send your messages of support to Peter at pdengine@fsbdial.co.uk
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Mas Moto Madrid - Motorcycle Show
Feria de MadridDoes anyone know much about this as the publicity on the web site seems poor.
BMW K 1200 R Sport - Try Your Spanish
Web Page
BMW completa la gama K 1200 con la nueva R Sport, la versión semicarenada que se sitúa entre la deportividad de la R naked y la comodidad de la versión S, aunque su precio, de 15.750 euros, es superior a las dos versiones anteriores. Mantiene el mismo motor de cuatro cilindros en línea y 163 cv, y un chasis heredado de la versión desnuda. BMW la ha diseñado para disfrutar de largos recorridos.
Esta K 1200 R Sport, que ya deslumbró en el Salón de Intermot, cuenta con un semicarenado fijo, en el que se inserta un faro idéntico al que monta su hermana la S, que es la nota discordante de este modelo. Esta diseñado para proteger el pecho y los hombros del viento y la lluvia durante la conducción, permitiendo que el usuario tenga una postura erguida.BMW ha rebajado su altura con el fin de incrementar el equilibrio sobre el asfalto. Además, es cuatro kilos más pesada que el modelo K 1200 R y siete menos que la K 1200 S. Respecto a la imagen externa, se ofrece en color azul y aluminio, ambas con sillín negro.
El motor es el mismo que el resto de la gama K1200, tetracilíndrico de 1.157 cc que entrega una potencia de 163 CV, que cuenta con una caja de cambios de seis marchas integrada en cuerpo del motor.
La K 1200 R Sport destaca por su amplio catálogo de equipamiento opcional, como el sistema ABS integral, al igual que la suspensión de regulación electrónica ESA, que permite, mediante un botón, ajustar la amortiguación y suspensión trasera haciéndola más dura, según las necesidades de la conducción.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Las Vegas Ride Out - 06 March 2007
So we arrived in Las Vegas the day before after a series of plane journeys that seemed to last for ever. We were knackered but determined to make the most of it, we being Fina, Liz, Octavio and me.Liz had arranged to hire a couple of BMW's from a dealer 'BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas' on South Tenaya Way. Remember that road name!
After lots of form filling, helmet trying, bike inspecting and just plain gossiping we took possession of the two bikes in the picture. Are Germans all tall and do they have strange shaped arses because I've got to say that the 1200 GT that I rode had one of the highest most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat on and Octavio could hardly reach the floor on either of them. Liz and Fina said that their seats were very comfortable.
Our original plan was to go to Red Rock Canyon, to the west of Las Vegas, but Troy, from the BMW dealers suggested we go to the Valley of Fire State Park and the Hoover Dam. He said it was a comfortable ride and we should easily be back by 5pm. We left the dealers heading off in what I thought was the right direction but when we came back past the dealers on the Interstate I knew that something wasn't going to plan. Anyway, after lots of shouting at each other Liz and I finally headed the bikes towards the Hoover Dam.
To be continued ....
Route Planning
Found this great site for planning routes using Google maps created by Eugene, a biker from the USA. It takes no time at all to register and you will love its' ease of use.
GroupRider.com
GroupRider.com
Places to Stay
If you have any places to suggest post a comment to this article.
I would recommend the Caseta Nova which is in the countryside between Castalla and Ibi in the Foia de Castalla, Alicante. The Caseta Nova is a converted farmhouse which offers stylish rooms at reasonable prices. The restaurant is also very good with friendly staff.
Bike Stay - International listing of biker friendly accommodation.
MotoMania Column
Article apeared in Look For It/Buscalo - April 2007
Welcome to the first edition of Tour and Tracks’ MotoMania column in Look For It/Buscalo. As you can see from the up and coming events there is plenty to do for motorcycle enthusiasts this month.
Second Sunday Ride Out
In March we rode from Castalla, through Biar, Villena and Pinoso until we stopped for a break and almuerza in Alguenya. It was a really nice day for a ride along these pleasant country roads. It was also the first day Ray had the chance to attend a Ride Out on his newly purchased Triumph Trophy 1200.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on 8th April at 9:30am from Meson El Jardin, Castalla. The 13th of May Ride Out will be an all day event with lunch in Alcalá del Júcar – famous for its caves.
MotoGP
The first round of the MotoGP in Qatar was won by the Australian Casey Stoner on a Ducati with Valentino Rossi coming in second on a Yamaha and Dani Pedrosa third on a Honda. At the time of going to press we are preparing to visit the first European round in Jerez
According to the official MotoGP wesite http://www.motogp.com/ “the strong pre-season form and historic pedigree of five-time World Champion Valentino Rossi have led the bookmakers to name him favourite for the 2007 MotoGP championship, ahead of current title-holder Nicky Hayden.
Entering the 800cc era, Hayden's Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa has been widely tipped to push Rossi hardest in 2007, as the clear second favourite to win the title, with bwin.com offering odds of 15/4 on the Spanish rider. Pedrosa was in sparkling form in tests at the end of last season and topped the timesheets again on day three of the Official Test, demonstrating just how good he might be this season.
After his third place finish last season it is perhaps fitting that Loris Capirossi is third favourite to claim the title with many bookmakers, and there are odds of between 6/1 and 10/1 widely available to the punter.
World SuperBikes
The next round of the World SuperBikes competition takes place on April 1st at the Donington track in the UK. It should be well attended as James Toseland from Sheffield on his Honda is leading the competition after the first 4 races.
VentureOne
This is the VentureOne now being developed in the USA with the support of BMW and based on the Carver original. It will do over 100 mph and 100 mpg. The body tilts like a motorcycle while
the rear wheels stay planted on the ground. Motorcycle style riding with car style comfort and protection?
Welcome to the first edition of Tour and Tracks’ MotoMania column in Look For It/Buscalo. As you can see from the up and coming events there is plenty to do for motorcycle enthusiasts this month.
Second Sunday Ride Out
In March we rode from Castalla, through Biar, Villena and Pinoso until we stopped for a break and almuerza in Alguenya. It was a really nice day for a ride along these pleasant country roads. It was also the first day Ray had the chance to attend a Ride Out on his newly purchased Triumph Trophy 1200.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on 8th April at 9:30am from Meson El Jardin, Castalla. The 13th of May Ride Out will be an all day event with lunch in Alcalá del Júcar – famous for its caves.
MotoGP
The first round of the MotoGP in Qatar was won by the Australian Casey Stoner on a Ducati with Valentino Rossi coming in second on a Yamaha and Dani Pedrosa third on a Honda. At the time of going to press we are preparing to visit the first European round in Jerez
According to the official MotoGP wesite http://www.motogp.com/ “the strong pre-season form and historic pedigree of five-time World Champion Valentino Rossi have led the bookmakers to name him favourite for the 2007 MotoGP championship, ahead of current title-holder Nicky Hayden.
Entering the 800cc era, Hayden's Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa has been widely tipped to push Rossi hardest in 2007, as the clear second favourite to win the title, with bwin.com offering odds of 15/4 on the Spanish rider. Pedrosa was in sparkling form in tests at the end of last season and topped the timesheets again on day three of the Official Test, demonstrating just how good he might be this season.
After his third place finish last season it is perhaps fitting that Loris Capirossi is third favourite to claim the title with many bookmakers, and there are odds of between 6/1 and 10/1 widely available to the punter.
World SuperBikes
The next round of the World SuperBikes competition takes place on April 1st at the Donington track in the UK. It should be well attended as James Toseland from Sheffield on his Honda is leading the competition after the first 4 races.VentureOne
This is the VentureOne now being developed in the USA with the support of BMW and based on the Carver original. It will do over 100 mph and 100 mpg. The body tilts like a motorcycle while
the rear wheels stay planted on the ground. Motorcycle style riding with car style comfort and protection?
MotoMania Column
Article apeared in the Inland Trader - April 2007
Welcome to the April edition of Tour and Tracks’ MotoMania column.
Second Sunday Ride Out
In March we rode from Castalla, through Biar, Villena and Pinoso until we stopped for a break and almuerza in Alguenya. It was a really nice day for a ride along these pleasant country roads. It was also the first day Ray had the chance to attend a Ride Out on his newly purchased Triumph Trophy 1200.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on 8th April at 9:30am from Meson El Jardin, Castalla. The 13th of May Ride Out will be an all day event with lunch in Alcalá del Júcar – famous for its caves.
Jerez MotoGP!
We were lucky enough to be at the Jerez MotoGP to see two very exciting competitions in the 125cc and 250cc catagories as well as the 800cc.
In the 125cc race Talmacsi lead largely unchallenged until Derbi's Lukas Pesek caught the Hungarian in the closing stages. The pair then played a game of cat-and-mouse as they reeled off the remaining laps, before fighting for real as the last lap began. Talmacsi successfully defended the lead until Pesek barged past through the stadium section and the Czech rider looked to have victory in the bag as he led out of the last corner but Talmacsi got a cleaner exit and claimed his first non-KTM victory by just 0.014secs at the line. (source crash.net).
The British rider, Bradley Smith, finished last after being crashed in to while in 8th position.
The 250cc race saw a four-man lead group of Dovizioso, Lorenzo, Barbera and reigning 125cc world champion Alvaro Bautista formed on lap 8 of 26, just as fifth-placed Alex de Angelis got within sight of the frontrunners. The 'fast four' continued to exchange blows, with home star Bautista leading for the first time on lap 12, before 'Dovi' retook command four laps later. A distraught Barbera low-sided out of contention soon after and - with de Angelis still only within watching distance - Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Bautista were left to settle the podium order over the final ten laps. That trio - two Spaniards and an Italian, two Aprilias and a Honda - fought
thrilling, literally swapping positions at almost every turn, before a wide line by second-placed Bautista, with three laps to go, delayed both he and Dovizioso - allowing leader Lorenzo vital breathing room. (source crash.net).
After five races without a win, Valentino Rossi's longest losing streak since 2000 came to an end in Sunday's Spanish Grand Premio. Rossi returned to the top step of the podium for the first time since Sepang last year by leading all 27-laps at Jerez - the predicted challenge of pole sitter Dani Pedrosa never materialising. The Spaniard clung to Rossi for the first half of the race, but thereafter the Italian's Fiat Yamaha broke clear for a confident victory. Colin Edwards came in third getting both Yamahas on the podium.
Mow the lawn in style!
Up and Comming Events:
· 01-04-07 World SuperBikes Donington UK
· 06-04-07 Track Day Rijeka Croatia
· 06/07-04-07 Track Day Valencia Spain
· 06/07-04-07 Track Day Guadix Spain
· 06-04-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 08-04-07 TnT Club Second Sunday Ride Out Castalla Spain
· 08/09-04-07 Track Day Guadix Spain
· 08/09-04-07 Track Day Valencia Spain
· 09-04-07 Track Day Rijeka Croatia
· 09/15-04-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 15-04-07 Red Bull MotoGP Academy Catalunya Spain
· 15-04-07 World SuperBikes Valencia Spain
· 20-04-07 Track Day Dijon France
· 20/28-04-07 Classic Bike Exhibition Biar Spain
· 22-04-07 MotoGP - Race Day Istanbul Turkey
· 25-04-07 Track Day Catalunya Spain
· 28/29-04-07 Denia Rally/Classic Racing Denia Spain
· 29-04-07 World SuperBikes Assen Netherlands
· 29-04-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 30-04-07 Red Bull MotoGP Academy Albacete Spain
· 05/06-05-07 Track Day Almeria Spain
· 06-05-07 MotoGP - Race Day Shanghai China
· 07-05-07 Track Day Almeria Spain
· 07-05-07 Track Day Cartagena Spain
· 11-05-07 Track Day Misano Italy
· 12-05-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 13-05-07 TnT Club Second Sunday Ride Out Castalla Spain
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Lol (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
http://www.tourandtrack.com/
lol@tourandtrack.com
Welcome to the April edition of Tour and Tracks’ MotoMania column.
Second Sunday Ride Out
In March we rode from Castalla, through Biar, Villena and Pinoso until we stopped for a break and almuerza in Alguenya. It was a really nice day for a ride along these pleasant country roads. It was also the first day Ray had the chance to attend a Ride Out on his newly purchased Triumph Trophy 1200.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on 8th April at 9:30am from Meson El Jardin, Castalla. The 13th of May Ride Out will be an all day event with lunch in Alcalá del Júcar – famous for its caves.
Jerez MotoGP!
We were lucky enough to be at the Jerez MotoGP to see two very exciting competitions in the 125cc and 250cc catagories as well as the 800cc.In the 125cc race Talmacsi lead largely unchallenged until Derbi's Lukas Pesek caught the Hungarian in the closing stages. The pair then played a game of cat-and-mouse as they reeled off the remaining laps, before fighting for real as the last lap began. Talmacsi successfully defended the lead until Pesek barged past through the stadium section and the Czech rider looked to have victory in the bag as he led out of the last corner but Talmacsi got a cleaner exit and claimed his first non-KTM victory by just 0.014secs at the line. (source crash.net).
The British rider, Bradley Smith, finished last after being crashed in to while in 8th position.
The 250cc race saw a four-man lead group of Dovizioso, Lorenzo, Barbera and reigning 125cc world champion Alvaro Bautista formed on lap 8 of 26, just as fifth-placed Alex de Angelis got within sight of the frontrunners. The 'fast four' continued to exchange blows, with home star Bautista leading for the first time on lap 12, before 'Dovi' retook command four laps later. A distraught Barbera low-sided out of contention soon after and - with de Angelis still only within watching distance - Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Bautista were left to settle the podium order over the final ten laps. That trio - two Spaniards and an Italian, two Aprilias and a Honda - fought
thrilling, literally swapping positions at almost every turn, before a wide line by second-placed Bautista, with three laps to go, delayed both he and Dovizioso - allowing leader Lorenzo vital breathing room. (source crash.net).After five races without a win, Valentino Rossi's longest losing streak since 2000 came to an end in Sunday's Spanish Grand Premio. Rossi returned to the top step of the podium for the first time since Sepang last year by leading all 27-laps at Jerez - the predicted challenge of pole sitter Dani Pedrosa never materialising. The Spaniard clung to Rossi for the first half of the race, but thereafter the Italian's Fiat Yamaha broke clear for a confident victory. Colin Edwards came in third getting both Yamahas on the podium.
Mow the lawn in style!
Up and Comming Events:· 01-04-07 World SuperBikes Donington UK
· 06-04-07 Track Day Rijeka Croatia
· 06/07-04-07 Track Day Valencia Spain
· 06/07-04-07 Track Day Guadix Spain
· 06-04-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 08-04-07 TnT Club Second Sunday Ride Out Castalla Spain
· 08/09-04-07 Track Day Guadix Spain
· 08/09-04-07 Track Day Valencia Spain
· 09-04-07 Track Day Rijeka Croatia
· 09/15-04-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 15-04-07 Red Bull MotoGP Academy Catalunya Spain
· 15-04-07 World SuperBikes Valencia Spain
· 20-04-07 Track Day Dijon France
· 20/28-04-07 Classic Bike Exhibition Biar Spain
· 22-04-07 MotoGP - Race Day Istanbul Turkey
· 25-04-07 Track Day Catalunya Spain
· 28/29-04-07 Denia Rally/Classic Racing Denia Spain
· 29-04-07 World SuperBikes Assen Netherlands
· 29-04-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 30-04-07 Red Bull MotoGP Academy Albacete Spain
· 05/06-05-07 Track Day Almeria Spain
· 06-05-07 MotoGP - Race Day Shanghai China
· 07-05-07 Track Day Almeria Spain
· 07-05-07 Track Day Cartagena Spain
· 11-05-07 Track Day Misano Italy
· 12-05-07 Track Day Jerez Spain
· 13-05-07 TnT Club Second Sunday Ride Out Castalla Spain
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Lol (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
http://www.tourandtrack.com/
lol@tourandtrack.com
Friday, March 02, 2007
MotoMania Column
Article appeared in the Inland Trader - March 2007
Welcome to the March edition of Tour and Tracks’ MotoMania column. As you can see from the up and coming events there is plenty to do for motorcycle enthusiasts this month and throughout the year.
Second Sunday Ride Out
In February we rode down to the classic bike market in Alicante and then on to Santa Pola via the strangest route ever. We got to see some areas of Alicante that we didn’t know existed and weren’t planning on visiting if it hadn’t been for the questionable navigating skills of Derek (I’m not lost) Candy on his GoldWing fitted with GPS!
The classic bike market was fascinating as there were bikes that were wrecks and the finished restored item as well as stalls selling what seemed like junk but what appeared to the bike restorer as gold. One item that caught everyone’s eye was the 50cc moped with a woven wicker sidecar.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on 11th March at 9:30am from Meson El Jardin, Castalla.
At last!
The Spanish minister for transport has realised that Spain has more motorbike riders than any where else in Europe. He has finally accepted the new European ruling on motorcycling (act No looflirpa01042007) and has decided to pilot it here in the Valencia region. What is the new ruling I here you ask?
On the first Sunday of April 2007, between the hours of 8.00 am until 12.00 noon all main roads can only be used by motorcycles. No cars, buses or Lorries will be able to use the roads. The police have been notified and will impose a 300 € fine to any offenders. The only exception is in a life or death emergency where an ambulance can be used. Minor injuries will have to wait until after 12.00 noon. The minister hopes it will be a huge success and is hoping to bring his own bike down to the region to enjoy the experience with the rest of the motorbike community.
Will all readers please make sure they know what day the first Sunday falls on!
Young Riders
According to http://www.dailymotos.com/ the weekend of 17th and 18th February the circuit of Can Padró, Barcelona, hosted an event involving more than 50 girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 12, who were there to try one of the motos that will dispute the Catalan class of Promovelocidad in its respective categories: the PromoRACC 50 and PromoRACC70.
The organisers decided to suspend the track events due to the rain and safety considerations. In spite of the bad weather, the young riders didn't leave empty handed as they took advantage of the occasion to be try the official equipment of each rider for the 2007 season as well as the bikes. The smile on the face of the children was the best gift for their parents and the organisers.
MotoGP
March sees the start of the MotoGP in Qatar and the first European round in Jerez on 25th March. We have booked the hotel and the tickets for the weekend so if you need tickets get in touch soon – they are selling out quickly. Who do you think will win this year?
Kit Makes Scooter Fly!
What next … Pigs? It’s the ultimate way to beat traffic jams. Just take off and fly over them. The Flite Bike kit transforms a Honda Reflex scooter into a flying motorcycle. The kit includes a custom Flite Bike airframe, ram-air powered parachute canopy wing and a 65-hp Rotax 582 liqiuid-cooled 2-cycle aircraft engine with a 4-blade composite prop. The company claims the rig represents “the world’s first roadable powered parachute.”
Up and Comming Events:
· 4th March – World Superbikes, Phillip Island, Australia.
· 4th March – Tavernes Valldigna – Ximo: 654 354 618
· 10th March – MotoGP, Qatar.
· 11th March – Second Sunday Ride Out, El Jardin, Castalla.
· 17th and 18th March – World Superbike Tests, Valencia.
· 17th and 18th March – Benicarló – Floren: 627 253 243
· 17th and 18th March – Catalan Motorcycling Championship – Catalunya.
· 24th March – Ducatti Twin Challenge, Cartagena.
· 25th March – MotoGP, Jerez, Spain.
· 31st March – MAC 90 The Race, Cartagena.
· 31st March and 1st April – Motorcycling Championship of Castilla La Mancha, Albacete.
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Lol (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
http://www.tourandtrack.com/lol@tourandtrack.com
Welcome to the March edition of Tour and Tracks’ MotoMania column. As you can see from the up and coming events there is plenty to do for motorcycle enthusiasts this month and throughout the year.
Second Sunday Ride Out
In February we rode down to the classic bike market in Alicante and then on to Santa Pola via the strangest route ever. We got to see some areas of Alicante that we didn’t know existed and weren’t planning on visiting if it hadn’t been for the questionable navigating skills of Derek (I’m not lost) Candy on his GoldWing fitted with GPS!
The classic bike market was fascinating as there were bikes that were wrecks and the finished restored item as well as stalls selling what seemed like junk but what appeared to the bike restorer as gold. One item that caught everyone’s eye was the 50cc moped with a woven wicker sidecar.
The next Second Sunday Ride Out is on 11th March at 9:30am from Meson El Jardin, Castalla.
At last!
The Spanish minister for transport has realised that Spain has more motorbike riders than any where else in Europe. He has finally accepted the new European ruling on motorcycling (act No looflirpa01042007) and has decided to pilot it here in the Valencia region. What is the new ruling I here you ask?
On the first Sunday of April 2007, between the hours of 8.00 am until 12.00 noon all main roads can only be used by motorcycles. No cars, buses or Lorries will be able to use the roads. The police have been notified and will impose a 300 € fine to any offenders. The only exception is in a life or death emergency where an ambulance can be used. Minor injuries will have to wait until after 12.00 noon. The minister hopes it will be a huge success and is hoping to bring his own bike down to the region to enjoy the experience with the rest of the motorbike community.
Will all readers please make sure they know what day the first Sunday falls on!
Young Riders
According to http://www.dailymotos.com/ the weekend of 17th and 18th February the circuit of Can Padró, Barcelona, hosted an event involving more than 50 girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 12, who were there to try one of the motos that will dispute the Catalan class of Promovelocidad in its respective categories: the PromoRACC 50 and PromoRACC70.The organisers decided to suspend the track events due to the rain and safety considerations. In spite of the bad weather, the young riders didn't leave empty handed as they took advantage of the occasion to be try the official equipment of each rider for the 2007 season as well as the bikes. The smile on the face of the children was the best gift for their parents and the organisers.
MotoGP
March sees the start of the MotoGP in Qatar and the first European round in Jerez on 25th March. We have booked the hotel and the tickets for the weekend so if you need tickets get in touch soon – they are selling out quickly. Who do you think will win this year?
Kit Makes Scooter Fly!
What next … Pigs? It’s the ultimate way to beat traffic jams. Just take off and fly over them. The Flite Bike kit transforms a Honda Reflex scooter into a flying motorcycle. The kit includes a custom Flite Bike airframe, ram-air powered parachute canopy wing and a 65-hp Rotax 582 liqiuid-cooled 2-cycle aircraft engine with a 4-blade composite prop. The company claims the rig represents “the world’s first roadable powered parachute.”
Up and Comming Events:
· 4th March – World Superbikes, Phillip Island, Australia.
· 4th March – Tavernes Valldigna – Ximo: 654 354 618
· 10th March – MotoGP, Qatar.
· 11th March – Second Sunday Ride Out, El Jardin, Castalla.
· 17th and 18th March – World Superbike Tests, Valencia.
· 17th and 18th March – Benicarló – Floren: 627 253 243
· 17th and 18th March – Catalan Motorcycling Championship – Catalunya.
· 24th March – Ducatti Twin Challenge, Cartagena.
· 25th March – MotoGP, Jerez, Spain.
· 31st March – MAC 90 The Race, Cartagena.
· 31st March and 1st April – Motorcycling Championship of Castilla La Mancha, Albacete.
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Lol (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
http://www.tourandtrack.com/lol@tourandtrack.com
Friday, February 02, 2007
MotoMania Column
Article appeared in The Inland Magazine - February 2007
Thank you to all those that got in touch and joined us on the last Ride Out after reading the MotoMania column in The Inland Magazine. At the time of writing the weather is fantastic for bikers, more like spring than mid winter.
Second Sunday
The Second Sunday Ride Out – that is the second Sunday of every month – that we organised for 14th January was the best yet with about 30 bikes in attendance. I say about 30 bikes because I didn’t get chance to count them, or take photo’s, as we were too busy admiring the many and varied bikes that turned up.
The star of that Sunday has got to be the Ducati 1098 which is the first bought in Spain and what a work of art it is. We didn’t get the Spanish owners name but Tour and Track are happy to be associated with the mechanic that supplied the bike, and many of the other bikes out that Sunday.
Meet up at Meson El Jardin in Castalla on 11th February. Don’t worry if your bike isn’t the latest or the fastest, we have 125 cc’s up to 1800’s.
Cars
Tom Herman, in a letter to January’s Bike magazine, wrote of his experience on returning to bike riding at the age of 50 after a gap of about 20 years. Tom’s comment, that will strike home to thousands of bike riders is, “So much has changed but two things remain the same: first, car drivers don’t look backwards, or sideways and only occasionally forwards; second, the excitement and sense of release of being on a bike, whether in the middle of London or the middle of nowhere, is unbeatable.”
Unguided Missiles
For a motorcyclist, at least one that goes out on public roads, cars represent unguided missiles that are very often occupied by a being that is unable to see or hear most of the world around them and in most cases are incapable of thinking that a motorcycle may be near them.
Car drivers who own motorcycles, or have ridden motorcycles in the past, tend to be better drivers because they realise that there may be other vehicles on the road apart from the metal cocoons that they are surrounded by and feel indestructible in.
Just take a minute to think about the last time you were in a traffic jam. Did you give the slightest thought to the idea that although you are stuck if you moved to one side slightly then all those motorcyclists, who equally have a right to be on the road, might be able to continue on their journey? It is not their fault you chose the car as your form of transport and you should not be resentful of them.
Unthinking Government
And what about the killer crash barriers? Spain seems to have been overwhelmed by the spontaneous growth of crash barriers in most cases in places where they serve no purpose apart from enriching the crash barrier suppliers.
While the idea seems to have started off as a good one like most of these things it is now an excuse for the government being seen to do more about safety without thinking through all of the consequences on installing spine snappers, er, sorry, crash barriers.
Up and Coming Events
Club Meeting - Due to popular demand there will be a TnT club meeting/breakfast on the 4th Sunday of every month at the El Jardin. The first one will be on 28th Jan 2007 at 9:30 am.
3 and 4 February - Track Riding Courses CARTAGENA
11 February – 5th Classic Bike Market Pla de la Vallonga Industrial Estate ALICANTE
3 and 4 March - Track Riding Courses ALMERÍA
31 March – 1st MAC90 The Race CARTAGENA
March 25th - MotoGP Jerez de la Frontera. If you want to go let us know soon as we have reserved a small number of entry tickets and hotel rooms.
See you next month.
Ray French (687 206 908)
Lol Duffy (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
NEXT MONTH: Let the GP’s and Touring begin!
Thank you to all those that got in touch and joined us on the last Ride Out after reading the MotoMania column in The Inland Magazine. At the time of writing the weather is fantastic for bikers, more like spring than mid winter.
Second Sunday
The Second Sunday Ride Out – that is the second Sunday of every month – that we organised for 14th January was the best yet with about 30 bikes in attendance. I say about 30 bikes because I didn’t get chance to count them, or take photo’s, as we were too busy admiring the many and varied bikes that turned up.
The star of that Sunday has got to be the Ducati 1098 which is the first bought in Spain and what a work of art it is. We didn’t get the Spanish owners name but Tour and Track are happy to be associated with the mechanic that supplied the bike, and many of the other bikes out that Sunday.
Meet up at Meson El Jardin in Castalla on 11th February. Don’t worry if your bike isn’t the latest or the fastest, we have 125 cc’s up to 1800’s.
Cars
Tom Herman, in a letter to January’s Bike magazine, wrote of his experience on returning to bike riding at the age of 50 after a gap of about 20 years. Tom’s comment, that will strike home to thousands of bike riders is, “So much has changed but two things remain the same: first, car drivers don’t look backwards, or sideways and only occasionally forwards; second, the excitement and sense of release of being on a bike, whether in the middle of London or the middle of nowhere, is unbeatable.”
Unguided Missiles
For a motorcyclist, at least one that goes out on public roads, cars represent unguided missiles that are very often occupied by a being that is unable to see or hear most of the world around them and in most cases are incapable of thinking that a motorcycle may be near them.
Car drivers who own motorcycles, or have ridden motorcycles in the past, tend to be better drivers because they realise that there may be other vehicles on the road apart from the metal cocoons that they are surrounded by and feel indestructible in.
Just take a minute to think about the last time you were in a traffic jam. Did you give the slightest thought to the idea that although you are stuck if you moved to one side slightly then all those motorcyclists, who equally have a right to be on the road, might be able to continue on their journey? It is not their fault you chose the car as your form of transport and you should not be resentful of them.
Unthinking Government
And what about the killer crash barriers? Spain seems to have been overwhelmed by the spontaneous growth of crash barriers in most cases in places where they serve no purpose apart from enriching the crash barrier suppliers.
While the idea seems to have started off as a good one like most of these things it is now an excuse for the government being seen to do more about safety without thinking through all of the consequences on installing spine snappers, er, sorry, crash barriers.
Up and Coming Events
Club Meeting - Due to popular demand there will be a TnT club meeting/breakfast on the 4th Sunday of every month at the El Jardin. The first one will be on 28th Jan 2007 at 9:30 am.
3 and 4 February - Track Riding Courses CARTAGENA
11 February – 5th Classic Bike Market Pla de la Vallonga Industrial Estate ALICANTE
3 and 4 March - Track Riding Courses ALMERÍA
31 March – 1st MAC90 The Race CARTAGENA
March 25th - MotoGP Jerez de la Frontera. If you want to go let us know soon as we have reserved a small number of entry tickets and hotel rooms.
See you next month.
Ray French (687 206 908)
Lol Duffy (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
NEXT MONTH: Let the GP’s and Touring begin!
MotoMania Column
Article appeared in the Inland Trader - February 2007
Welcome to the MotoMania column in the Inland Trader compiled by members of the Tour and Track International Motorcycle Club.
Second Sunday
Our Second Sunday Ride Out – that is the Second Sunday of every month – which we organised for 14th January was the best yet with about 30 bikes in attendance. I say about 30 bikes because I didn’t get chance to count them, or take photo’s, as we were too busy admiring the many and varied bikes that turned up.
The star of that Sunday has got to be the Ducati 1098 which is the first bought in Spain and what a work of art it is. We didn’t get the Spanish owners name but Tour and Track are happy to be associated with the mechanic that supplied the bike and many of the other bikes out that Sunday.
Meet up at Meson El Jardin in Castalla at 9 am on 11th February if you want to join us on the next Second Sunday Ride Out. Don’t worry if your bike isn’t the latest or the fastest, we have 125 cc’s up to 1800’s.
During the week he’s an office stationery salesman but on a track day he’s a knee down racer.
Moto GP
Spain is the only country in the world to host more than one Moto GP competition. In fact Spain hosts three rounds of the Moto GP. This year the highest category of riders are changing from riding 990 cc bikes to 800 cc in what was supposed to be a move to increase safety and reduce speeds. In testing the 800 cc bikes, at the Valencian circuit, Dani Pedrosa has already beaten his times on the 990 Honda.
2007 looks as though it will be a very close competition and therefore very entertaining viewing. Tour and Track will be at a number of the events in Spain and Portugal. If you are interested in attending and sampling the brilliant atmosphere of these events get in touch.
Up and Coming Events
Club Meeting - Due to popular demand there will be a TnT club meeting/breakfast on the 4th Sunday of every month at the El Jardin, Castalla. The first one will be on 28th Jan 2007 at 9:30 am.
3 and 4 February - Track Riding Courses CARTAGENA
11 February – SECOND SUNDAY RIDE OUT
11 February – 5th Classic Bike Market Pla de la Vallonga Industrial Estate ALICANTE
24 to 28 February – Tour MOROCCO!! Call for details.
3 and 4 March - Track Riding Courses ALMERÍA
31 March – 1st MAC90 The Race CARTAGENA
March 25th - MotoGP Jerez de la Frontera. If you want to go let us know soon as we have reserved a small number of entry tickets and hotel rooms.
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Lol (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
http://www.tourandtrack.com/
lol@tourandtrack.com
NEXT MONTH: Let the GP’s and Touring begin!
Welcome to the MotoMania column in the Inland Trader compiled by members of the Tour and Track International Motorcycle Club.
Second SundayOur Second Sunday Ride Out – that is the Second Sunday of every month – which we organised for 14th January was the best yet with about 30 bikes in attendance. I say about 30 bikes because I didn’t get chance to count them, or take photo’s, as we were too busy admiring the many and varied bikes that turned up.
The star of that Sunday has got to be the Ducati 1098 which is the first bought in Spain and what a work of art it is. We didn’t get the Spanish owners name but Tour and Track are happy to be associated with the mechanic that supplied the bike and many of the other bikes out that Sunday.
Meet up at Meson El Jardin in Castalla at 9 am on 11th February if you want to join us on the next Second Sunday Ride Out. Don’t worry if your bike isn’t the latest or the fastest, we have 125 cc’s up to 1800’s.
During the week he’s an office stationery salesman but on a track day he’s a knee down racer.Moto GP
Spain is the only country in the world to host more than one Moto GP competition. In fact Spain hosts three rounds of the Moto GP. This year the highest category of riders are changing from riding 990 cc bikes to 800 cc in what was supposed to be a move to increase safety and reduce speeds. In testing the 800 cc bikes, at the Valencian circuit, Dani Pedrosa has already beaten his times on the 990 Honda.
2007 looks as though it will be a very close competition and therefore very entertaining viewing. Tour and Track will be at a number of the events in Spain and Portugal. If you are interested in attending and sampling the brilliant atmosphere of these events get in touch.
Up and Coming Events
Club Meeting - Due to popular demand there will be a TnT club meeting/breakfast on the 4th Sunday of every month at the El Jardin, Castalla. The first one will be on 28th Jan 2007 at 9:30 am.
3 and 4 February - Track Riding Courses CARTAGENA
11 February – SECOND SUNDAY RIDE OUT
11 February – 5th Classic Bike Market Pla de la Vallonga Industrial Estate ALICANTE
24 to 28 February – Tour MOROCCO!! Call for details.
3 and 4 March - Track Riding Courses ALMERÍA
31 March – 1st MAC90 The Race CARTAGENA
March 25th - MotoGP Jerez de la Frontera. If you want to go let us know soon as we have reserved a small number of entry tickets and hotel rooms.
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Lol (678 628 660)
Tour and Track SL
http://www.tourandtrack.com/
lol@tourandtrack.com
NEXT MONTH: Let the GP’s and Touring begin!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
MotoMania Column
This article appeared in The Inland Magazine - January 2007
Welcome to the ‘MotoMania’ column and welcome to 2007 which looks like being a good year for motorcycling.
The Tour and Track Motorcycle Club go’s from strength to strength with the Second Sunday Ride Outs becoming more popular each month. In December we rode out to Jativa and enjoyed some great riding, fantastic scenery and a mighty fine breakfast. For January we are planning a warmer coastal route. Meet up at Meson El Jardin in Castalla on 14th January.
Moto GP
Spain is the only country in the world to host more than one Moto GP competition. In fact Spain hosts three rounds of the Moto GP. This year the highest category of riders are changing from riding 990 cc bikes to 800 cc in what was supposed to be a move to increase safety and reduce speeds. In testing the 800 cc bikes, at the Valencian circuit, Dani Pedrosa has already beaten his times on the 990 Honda.
2007 looks as though it will be a very close competition and therefore very entertaining viewing. Tour and Track will be at a number of the events in Spain and Portugal. If you are interested in attending and sampling the brilliant atmosphere of these events get in touch.
So This Old Lady Decides She Wants To Buy My ST1300
Sumarised from Forty Years On Two Wheels Blog by Doug Klassen.
A 62 year old woman who is only about 5'5" tall and 125lb? Normally I would think that it was a bad idea to match up a gray haired lady with a 600lb ST but money's money, right?
In this case the bike went to my friend Gail who has just finished rolling up 200,000 miles on her 2000 Honda ST1100. Yup, that's 200,000 miles in 6 years. She does like to ride and I can tell you she's no slouch in the twisties either. Gail is proof that you're not old until you decide you are; you young (anyone under 50) whippersnappers remember that.By the way, I rode Gail's ST1100 a few weeks ago and with 202,000 miles on the odometer it still runs like well oiled sewing machine. I have to be honest and say the ST1100, even with mega miles on it, is probably 98% of what the next generation ST1300 is. If ever a bike was a testament to top notch Honda engines the ST series V4 is it.
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Tour and Track SL
NEXT MONTH: Thoughts on car drivers and motorbikes.
Welcome to the ‘MotoMania’ column and welcome to 2007 which looks like being a good year for motorcycling.The Tour and Track Motorcycle Club go’s from strength to strength with the Second Sunday Ride Outs becoming more popular each month. In December we rode out to Jativa and enjoyed some great riding, fantastic scenery and a mighty fine breakfast. For January we are planning a warmer coastal route. Meet up at Meson El Jardin in Castalla on 14th January.
Moto GP
Spain is the only country in the world to host more than one Moto GP competition. In fact Spain hosts three rounds of the Moto GP. This year the highest category of riders are changing from riding 990 cc bikes to 800 cc in what was supposed to be a move to increase safety and reduce speeds. In testing the 800 cc bikes, at the Valencian circuit, Dani Pedrosa has already beaten his times on the 990 Honda.
2007 looks as though it will be a very close competition and therefore very entertaining viewing. Tour and Track will be at a number of the events in Spain and Portugal. If you are interested in attending and sampling the brilliant atmosphere of these events get in touch.
So This Old Lady Decides She Wants To Buy My ST1300
Sumarised from Forty Years On Two Wheels Blog by Doug Klassen.
A 62 year old woman who is only about 5'5" tall and 125lb? Normally I would think that it was a bad idea to match up a gray haired lady with a 600lb ST but money's money, right?
In this case the bike went to my friend Gail who has just finished rolling up 200,000 miles on her 2000 Honda ST1100. Yup, that's 200,000 miles in 6 years. She does like to ride and I can tell you she's no slouch in the twisties either. Gail is proof that you're not old until you decide you are; you young (anyone under 50) whippersnappers remember that.By the way, I rode Gail's ST1100 a few weeks ago and with 202,000 miles on the odometer it still runs like well oiled sewing machine. I have to be honest and say the ST1100, even with mega miles on it, is probably 98% of what the next generation ST1300 is. If ever a bike was a testament to top notch Honda engines the ST series V4 is it.
See you next month.
Ray (687 206 908)
Tour and Track SL
NEXT MONTH: Thoughts on car drivers and motorbikes.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Twas The Ride Before Christmas
12 bikes and 14 bikers set off from Castalla for Jativa on Sunday 10th December. We arrived at Bocairent for breakfast and the temperature had soared to 1º!!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Emigration - 31 December 1988
Emigrating with my Pan European to Spain. Waved goodbye to Liz, my wife, Rosie, my daughter and Rita and Reg, Liz's Mam and Dad heading off for a new life in Castalla near Alicante in Spain. Liz and Rosie were flying down a couple of days later - no sense of adventure or wish to suffer hypothermia. Set off from Southport in the sunshine and reached the motorway in cloud. It didn't rain until I reached Oxford and the weather was reasonable considering the time of year.
I only made one stop on the journey down to Portsmouth and that was at a mind numbing motorway service station - god knows where, they all seem the same. Arrived early at the Brittany Ferries terminal and got talking to Nick, from Wigan, who was taking his Yamaha FZR400 to sell to his mate in Villajoyosa, that's one hell of a journey on a bike with a tiny sports seat. Nick has a 3 year old son but has recently split up with his girlfriend and is feeling down and hence he is making this trip to see his mate and take his mind off things.
Next.... 24 hours on the Ferry from Hell.
I only made one stop on the journey down to Portsmouth and that was at a mind numbing motorway service station - god knows where, they all seem the same. Arrived early at the Brittany Ferries terminal and got talking to Nick, from Wigan, who was taking his Yamaha FZR400 to sell to his mate in Villajoyosa, that's one hell of a journey on a bike with a tiny sports seat. Nick has a 3 year old son but has recently split up with his girlfriend and is feeling down and hence he is making this trip to see his mate and take his mind off things.
Next.... 24 hours on the Ferry from Hell.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Agres Round Trip - 19 Nov 2006
8 of the 10 bikes out for the morning run. My Pan European is blocking out the beautiful Morini 3 1/2.TnT Club Page on GroupRider
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The First 2nd Sunday Ride Out??
Thirteen people turned up for Octobers Ride Out with 6 going of on trail bikes in to the mountains and 7 taking a road route. For the road riders it was a great morning with plenty of twisties and panoramic views with a break for brunch at Benasau.
The trailies took a route around the mountains surrounding the 'Foia de Castalla' and reported back on a very tiring, exciting and beautiful tour.
The Second Second Sunday Ride Out takes place on Sunday 12th November - Come along and you'll be welcome.
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