Riding around the world... on an inappropriate bike!
Discussion
Someone forgot their PH password so…
Day 7 - Miles/KM TBC
A terribly uncomfortable sleep despite a beautiful setting didn't set us up well for the day. Lying in trying and failing to will ourselves onto the bikes only meant one thing... the cloud that loomed over us was physical as well as figurative.
Rain drops started gently and then became heavier thwarting our idea of packing away a dry tent.
We set off on the first trail of the day to get off the hillside we'd called home for a night and began our day.
The rain sadly stayed with us giving us little reminders that it could always be worse and making us more grateful when the sun did shine upon us.
I don't know what they make roads from in Spain but they are absolute gems in many places and even take on their appearance. Some roads with the sun at certain angles glisten as though millions of diamonds have been sprinkled throughout their surface.
We gently twisted and turned out way roughly south, stopping in a couple of small towns, once for some food supplies and once to grab a coffee and a pastry. After our coffee we returned to our bikes to see a small crowd had formed, all onlookers admiring our bikes from varying distances. A quick exchange with them and I think we scared them off, perhaps we needed a shower more than we thought!
We were aiming to visit an area that was well recommended to us, Bardenas Reales. Its origins date back some 56 million years so Google tells me.
It's a beautiful landscape with tons of trails for riding and we barely scratched the surface. Having done more research since stopping it really makes me want to go back! Maybe even a detour again on this trip... let's see!
We arrived at our hotel/Air bnb for the night and were finally granted access, lost in translation they believed we were cyclists not bikers but that didn't stop them allowing us to securely park our bikes... in what is definitely the usual breakfast room! A first but perhaps not a last.
Our bikes have been locked away for the night and even we can't have access to them, not that it matters as it appears we are the only visitors here.
It's a small town, Vera de Moncayo. Let's see if it comes alive at 12 though I suspect not...
Day 7 - Miles/KM TBC
A terribly uncomfortable sleep despite a beautiful setting didn't set us up well for the day. Lying in trying and failing to will ourselves onto the bikes only meant one thing... the cloud that loomed over us was physical as well as figurative.
Rain drops started gently and then became heavier thwarting our idea of packing away a dry tent.
We set off on the first trail of the day to get off the hillside we'd called home for a night and began our day.
The rain sadly stayed with us giving us little reminders that it could always be worse and making us more grateful when the sun did shine upon us.
I don't know what they make roads from in Spain but they are absolute gems in many places and even take on their appearance. Some roads with the sun at certain angles glisten as though millions of diamonds have been sprinkled throughout their surface.
We gently twisted and turned out way roughly south, stopping in a couple of small towns, once for some food supplies and once to grab a coffee and a pastry. After our coffee we returned to our bikes to see a small crowd had formed, all onlookers admiring our bikes from varying distances. A quick exchange with them and I think we scared them off, perhaps we needed a shower more than we thought!
We were aiming to visit an area that was well recommended to us, Bardenas Reales. Its origins date back some 56 million years so Google tells me.
It's a beautiful landscape with tons of trails for riding and we barely scratched the surface. Having done more research since stopping it really makes me want to go back! Maybe even a detour again on this trip... let's see!
We arrived at our hotel/Air bnb for the night and were finally granted access, lost in translation they believed we were cyclists not bikers but that didn't stop them allowing us to securely park our bikes... in what is definitely the usual breakfast room! A first but perhaps not a last.
Our bikes have been locked away for the night and even we can't have access to them, not that it matters as it appears we are the only visitors here.
It's a small town, Vera de Moncayo. Let's see if it comes alive at 12 though I suspect not...
Got time finally to sort my password!
We managed to hitch a lift most of the way through France (dropped at Poitiers train station) and with two trains and a lift the other end we were back in Eyment on the 28th.
We managed to fit the replacement engine, test it and get underway during the next day.
I won't post all of the updates as the text and photos are massive but here is one of Lauren and I on the 30th just prior to crossing the Pyrenees via Canfranc (beautiful part of the world)
We're currently on the south coast, near Almeria taking a well earned rest day, Total mileage so far is around 1700, both bikes still performing well
Highlights (or low lights?) include getting cold, twisty roads, staying in a Frenchman's garden, sleeping next to a beach, beautiful sunsets, incredible sunrises and surviving locking the front end up on a wet downhill approach to a roundabout
Longer write ups are on Instagram and Facebook for those interested in a longer read. Currently starting the edit for the first video covering the inital few days in France
Search I Like Motorbikes on Facebook & YouTube or ilike_motorbikes on Instagram
time for dos cervezas por favor!
We managed to hitch a lift most of the way through France (dropped at Poitiers train station) and with two trains and a lift the other end we were back in Eyment on the 28th.
We managed to fit the replacement engine, test it and get underway during the next day.
I won't post all of the updates as the text and photos are massive but here is one of Lauren and I on the 30th just prior to crossing the Pyrenees via Canfranc (beautiful part of the world)
We're currently on the south coast, near Almeria taking a well earned rest day, Total mileage so far is around 1700, both bikes still performing well
Highlights (or low lights?) include getting cold, twisty roads, staying in a Frenchman's garden, sleeping next to a beach, beautiful sunsets, incredible sunrises and surviving locking the front end up on a wet downhill approach to a roundabout
Longer write ups are on Instagram and Facebook for those interested in a longer read. Currently starting the edit for the first video covering the inital few days in France
Search I Like Motorbikes on Facebook & YouTube or ilike_motorbikes on Instagram
time for dos cervezas por favor!
Soft Top said:
Is it me, perspective or actually the truth that someone’s bike is carrying more stuff than the other’s 
Just saying!
Haha well spotted! My bike is carrying a bit of extra equipment and it's relatively deliberate Just saying!
Lauren has a lot less experience biking than I do and particularly off road so trying to give her the best chance of enjoying her time as possible. Maybe when we are a few thousand miles in I can start sneaking stuff off my bike onto hers!
Tomorrow we plan to go to Morocco! Currently sheltering from the crazy heavy rain down here in Algeciras trying to catch up with admin before we head into the African continent
I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some anxiety but it's all part of the adventure and the excitement outweighs it
What a fabulous adventure on what look like completely inappropriate bikes 
which I hope will turn out to be THE most appropriate bikes 
I guess you're already in Morocco by now so this might come too late but watch out for speed traps. The police there are red hot and will fine you on the spot (cash). Things might have changed of course because it's been 20+ years since I was last there.
Good luck with the whole journey and have fun
which I hope will turn out to be THE most appropriate bikes I guess you're already in Morocco by now so this might come too late but watch out for speed traps. The police there are red hot and will fine you on the spot (cash). Things might have changed of course because it's been 20+ years since I was last there.
Good luck with the whole journey and have fun
Ilikemotorbikes said:
Soft Top said:
Is it me, perspective or actually the truth that someone’s bike is carrying more stuff than the other’s
Just saying!
Haha well spotted! My bike is carrying a bit of extra equipment and it's relatively deliberate Just saying!
Lauren has a lot less experience biking than I do and particularly off road so trying to give her the best chance of enjoying her time as possible. Maybe when we are a few thousand miles in I can start sneaking stuff off my bike onto hers!
Tomorrow we plan to go to Morocco! Currently sheltering from the crazy heavy rain down here in Algeciras trying to catch up with admin before we head into the African continent
I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some anxiety but it's all part of the adventure and the excitement outweighs it
Well well well... its been a while!
So much happens in a single day on the road it's hard to then summarise.
Here's a few things that have happened since. Delayed because Lauren's bike felt like a brick in a washing machine. Turned out to be slightly loose engine mounting bolts (must have vibrated slightly loose over time since fitting her engine) plus the exhaust was blowing as the M8 thread in the head had been slightly stripped for the exhaust mount.
Met a nice man who helped us sort it out in Agadir and paid for the repair and wouldn't accept anything else then changed money on the black market with his help
Stopped at checkpoints and saw my first submachine gun slung round a chaps neck while the main man told us someone was dead.
Got to the Moroccan border and held for a few hours as they had double entered my bike on the system so it showed I had two vehicles!
Ag rhe Mauritania border it was easy despite the reports we'd had saying otherwise, the fixers here are bloody persistent!
Also met an American guy at the Mauritanian border who gave us a load of anti-malarial tablets as he rode his Ghanian registered 200cc Chinese bike to Spain so no longer needed them
Should be in Senegal by Tuesday/Wednesday
A few random shots of Morocco
So much happens in a single day on the road it's hard to then summarise.
Here's a few things that have happened since. Delayed because Lauren's bike felt like a brick in a washing machine. Turned out to be slightly loose engine mounting bolts (must have vibrated slightly loose over time since fitting her engine) plus the exhaust was blowing as the M8 thread in the head had been slightly stripped for the exhaust mount.
Met a nice man who helped us sort it out in Agadir and paid for the repair and wouldn't accept anything else then changed money on the black market with his help
Stopped at checkpoints and saw my first submachine gun slung round a chaps neck while the main man told us someone was dead.
Got to the Moroccan border and held for a few hours as they had double entered my bike on the system so it showed I had two vehicles!
Ag rhe Mauritania border it was easy despite the reports we'd had saying otherwise, the fixers here are bloody persistent!
Also met an American guy at the Mauritanian border who gave us a load of anti-malarial tablets as he rode his Ghanian registered 200cc Chinese bike to Spain so no longer needed them
Should be in Senegal by Tuesday/Wednesday
A few random shots of Morocco
Just a few photos from the last few days.
We entered Senegalat St Louis, stayed at the infamous Zebrabar for 3 nights and then stayed a few days in Dakar to get our bikes serviced
Down to the Gambia for a few nights and stayed with a local village in the Alkalo (head of village) spare room! Met some fantastic people and now back in Senegal at Ziguinchor and about to head to Guinea-Bissau... or we will if I ever manage to process Lauren's E visa application for Guinea!
Wild fire in Gambia
Children crowd around as we adjusted the chain in the shade. A couple of cheeky lads tried to rev the nuts off the bike, it was very funny
Alkalo back left behind me and then some of the local villagers where we stayed
Outside a fabulous cafe, Guava moto cafe. Run by a family from Manchester who moved to the Gambia 10 years ago
We entered Senegalat St Louis, stayed at the infamous Zebrabar for 3 nights and then stayed a few days in Dakar to get our bikes serviced
Down to the Gambia for a few nights and stayed with a local village in the Alkalo (head of village) spare room! Met some fantastic people and now back in Senegal at Ziguinchor and about to head to Guinea-Bissau... or we will if I ever manage to process Lauren's E visa application for Guinea!
Wild fire in Gambia
Children crowd around as we adjusted the chain in the shade. A couple of cheeky lads tried to rev the nuts off the bike, it was very funny
Alkalo back left behind me and then some of the local villagers where we stayed
Outside a fabulous cafe, Guava moto cafe. Run by a family from Manchester who moved to the Gambia 10 years ago
TheInternet said:
This looks great. How many miles a day are you doing? What's your cruising speed on good roads?
It varies - some days only 60 miles and our biggest day I think was 340ish In Europe and some parts of Morocco we'd cruise at 60mph if the wind was behind us but generally anywhere between 45-55mph is typical. Now we're deeper into Africa 40mph feels comfortable on a good section of road but it often turns into not good road very quickly (at least in Guinea-Bissau) and even doing 20mph is a challenge!
Minor update - I've been in Guinea for just over a week now. Thnakfully got our Liberian visa sorted (including a slightly dubious "express" fee) and today we're hoping to tick off the Ivory Coast visa all being well and then we can head on to Sierra Leone!
SL will be the 7th African country on our trip and 9th country overall! Bonkers!
People of Guinea have been incredibly friendly so far. Everyone wants to stop, chat, wave or admire our bikes. Random chance meetings in the street over the last two days have led us to have the contact details of a helicopter pilot from South Africa who allegedly knows lots of important people along our West African route, a gentleman part of a M/C club here who found us accomodation and helped sort some problems, a Liberian Police Officer who's details we took down in case of issues at the border and another gent who's old history teacher is the Sierra Leone Ambassdor here and again has contacts at Gunea/SL border.
People are bloody brilliant!
Also thankfully managed to get the first YT vid out of the trip as well yesterday an it seems to be well received. Now just need to get the rest from France to Guinea edited...only about 1tb of footage to clear through! Wish me luck
Vid here - https://youtu.be/uPdOAN1zg9A?si=wJMRIqPqEPxHuQxk
Not sure if it'll get deleted or not - happy Weds folks
SL will be the 7th African country on our trip and 9th country overall! Bonkers!
People of Guinea have been incredibly friendly so far. Everyone wants to stop, chat, wave or admire our bikes. Random chance meetings in the street over the last two days have led us to have the contact details of a helicopter pilot from South Africa who allegedly knows lots of important people along our West African route, a gentleman part of a M/C club here who found us accomodation and helped sort some problems, a Liberian Police Officer who's details we took down in case of issues at the border and another gent who's old history teacher is the Sierra Leone Ambassdor here and again has contacts at Gunea/SL border.
People are bloody brilliant!
Also thankfully managed to get the first YT vid out of the trip as well yesterday an it seems to be well received. Now just need to get the rest from France to Guinea edited...only about 1tb of footage to clear through! Wish me luck
Vid here - https://youtu.be/uPdOAN1zg9A?si=wJMRIqPqEPxHuQxk
Not sure if it'll get deleted or not - happy Weds folks
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