Faro 2008

[Blackadder]

We are off to Faro again next year leaving via the Euro Tunnel on the 6th of July If anyone decides to go and wants to meet up somewhere along the way, give us shout.
cheers Mark

[kiltbill]

Originally Posted by Blackadder

We are off to Faro again next year leaving via the Euro Tunnel on the 6th of July If anyone decides to go and wants to meet up somewhere along the way, give us shout.
cheers Mark

Having never been on this jaunt, just how expensive is it and what's the scoop?

Obviously a good event

[Trevor]

Have you considered using these, Cheap ferry tickets, online ferry booking - LD Lines , always handy to keep moving whilst asleep. It does not work out much dearer than the Tunnel if you book bikes and cabins early,and you save on fuel.

We will be here http://www.camping-rendezvous-moto.com/ on the 9th/10th July on our way home, the bridge at Millau is well worth a look at.

[Blackadder]

Hi Kiltbill we have been for the last 2 years and its been about £1300 for a 3 week trip

[Blackadder]

Hi Trevor we have booked the tunnel £72 rtn so we will have to go that way now, but thanks for the info might stay at that campsite on the way down cheers

[Charlieharley]

Thought I had Posted this! It may be of Interest.
Faro 2007

Well another year another Faro this time we made things a little different.
New route, change in accommodation, and duration. So here goes!

Days 1 & 2
We left on the evening of Friday the 13th. WTF The crossing was pretty routine although we were sharing the ship with some 65 bikes on the BSH run to the sun (Oh well)
On the crossing we kept a weathered eye out for whales but we only saw the Channel Islands, France or Spain. We have now crossed the Bay of Biscay a number of times and have been told how rough it can get,
Bol*&%Ks, It has been a mill pond every time.

Day 3
On arrival at the docks in Bilbao it was the normal cluster F*&K, with BSH bikes all over the place, we had already pre mapped the GPS so we slid through the shenanigans and headed south with a couple on a sports bike slotted in behind us. (After clearing the FUBAR of Bilbao the sports bike waved their goodbyes and soon disappeared into the distance (we were cruising at 75/80) at high speed. That first riding day we covered some 380 miles through the mountains and over the Northern Plains of Spain. The sun was shining, the roads were virtually empty and the beer was cold. So south we headed not a care in the world. Then it started? An electrical problem with my bike, the bike kept misfiring which shut down the EFI for a second then the bike restarted. (Had to put up with this for several days but fixed it eventually, will bore anyone interested later.) Then we arrived at Jota’s Bar in Trancoso, some food and cold beers. (No charge as we were on Harleys) This guy is beyond dought the most chilled out bar owner I have ever met. Did I mention the bar is themed out in JD & HD and that Jota rides a Harley? Well we left there happy and made our way over the last few miles to Bob’s and a shower a few quiet beers and a good night sleep. (Too much parting on the boat!)

Day 4
The next morning, guess what? The SUN was up before us and was in its full glory. Some breakfast, load the bikes and hit the road. We headed off West to Aveiro
And lunch with Bob’s architect before turning south and Coimbra where I insisted in wasting a couple of hours in the midday sun, repeatedly riding past an empty shop looking for a stealership that we had been to before, I wanted to hook up to the computer and sort out the problem with the electrics.
It turned out that the empty shop was where the stealership had been!
Head off south again towards Lisbon and then east for Evora on the old N roads and the campsite for the night. As we took some well-deserved shade and a cold beer we noticed a GNR (Police) patrol car taking a bit of interest in us. After circling us 3 or 4 times it stopped and the nice man approached and after explaining that we did not speak Portuguese he said “No problem mate I lived in London for 5 years and my question is, is your number plate legal in Scotland? Of course it is officer! And after a long chat about Chelsea and Nortons he was back in his car and off with a smile and a wave. The remainder of the day was uneventful until we reached the approach road / track it was something else and saw us undertake the first bit of off roading of the trip. The staff/owner was an A1 guy who could not do enough to look after us. Cold beer time!

Day 5
Yet another late start but as it was only a short jump down to Se’Bras we took our time and enjoyed the sun and empty roads. We arrived at the cassa de paddy in good time to see one of the best sunsets ever, do some shopping and have a couple of beers by the pool.

Day 6
Woke to the sounds of the gardener happily whistling his way through life but not as we know it Jim. After breakfast we went off too the shops for 5 days worth of supplies and a look at the town. Not much to it but we were only 7 miles from Faro and the beach. I then went off to fine the stealership and following the directions Bob had got from John and Martin found if without too much trouble. I pulled in just behind a group of 8 bikes from Gibraltar, of whom 4 bikes needed some work done. I waited patiently (Knowing the Portuguese way, Get pushy you get nowhere) as they finished the last bike; they then promptly closed for a 2-hour lunch break. Back to the house for some lunch then back to the shop early so as to be first in the door. 2 hours later with us all scratching our heads we had still not found the problem. Back to the house where me and Bob spent another 2 hours cleaning pushing and pulling wires checking fuses again and again, it was at this point I threatened to part exchange her for a Yamaha and guess what she has been running sweet since. Time for a cold one.

Day 7
Beach day at Albufiera. These are very nice, clean and not too busy. Just the place to Chillout in the sun, even better there are bars all along the front so not far for a refill. The food was also very good but a bit costly; then again we were on the Algarve!

Day 8
Today we rode over to Monte Gordo to visit the Harley Bar and catch up with John and Martin a couple of lads from Sheffield who had the year before sold up in the UK and with their respective girlfriends moved down and set up shop. MG is a very nice seaside location, which is used by the Portuguese as their place in the sun?? On the way back the IP1 was flowing fast and full of bikes all making their way to Faro for the rally. Along the way an old heritage adopted us and sat on our tail for about 20 miles, we were more than happy to pull him along at 95/100. It was when we pulled off for Se Bras that I noticed that he was still with us, so I pulled over and had a quick chat, pointing him in the right direction for the rally and said adios. When we got back to the villa Bob and Liz Headed off to the Rally, Karol and Me had some relaxed pool time and watched yet another fantastic sunset.

Day 9
Beach day at St Raphael, yet another great beach location just passed Albufiera. Got back in time to have some food and jump in a cab down to the rally, mainly, as Jo Cocker was the main band and credit where credit is due he was on the ball. Reminder of how small the world is when we bumped into Nigel from Kent. Reality check its 4 o’clock! Time to head home and catch some sleep

Day 10
It was time to say farewell to Liz who had to fly back to the UK, yes that little devil called Work. We then loaded the bikes and set off for Sagres, no not the beer but the town of the same name, which is located at the SW, tip of Portugal. Well what can I say? We knew as we approached that we had made a mistake. The first view of the town said it all. Power station, wind farm, brewery and high cliffs. The campsite was on a wind swept savannah, atop the cliffs (Nice views), which looked as inviting and popular as NF meeting in Bradford. Change of plan! Turned the bikes around and headed for a campsite we had used in the past. Eventually found said campsite in Armacao de pera. Good site if a little dusty stayed here for four nights. The local beach and town are very good and there is always something happening. Days 11, 12, 13, and 14

See next page

[Charlieharley]

Day 15
Packed, loaded and hit the road. As we had deviated from our original route we picked another camp site just north of Lisbon, at Peniche Wind surfers paradise but not for us and as we had not been riding for a few days we decided to push on to yet another known camp site at Figueira da foz. We decided to spend a few days here as it was within an hour of some ex pats we wanted to catch up with. More beach time, cold beers and fine food. Everything is a little cheaper here as we are now over half way up the country.
Days 16, 17, 18, On the Beach local rideouts: wink:

Day 19
A sedate ride back to Aveiro for a return meeting with Antonio and a spot of lunch, then of up into the hinterland the road from Aveiro to Trancoso is a dream, it is a dual carriageway most of the time but its long sweeping bends, ever ascending with fantastic views on both sides just make it a bikers paradise. Stop off for a few beers and a pizza at Jotas in Trancoso then back too Bobs for the night.

Day 20
Today we had planned to ride back into Spain via Villa Formoso. Once into Spain we were heading for Tordesillas via Salamanca. The roads are fantastic good to see our EU tax dollars going to good use! When we arrived at Tordesillas it was still only early afternoon so we decided to crack on to yet another known campsite within easy striking distance of the ferry port. Arrived at site after 1800 hrs and it was full, S%£t! Ok so we headed off to another site that we had used got there late set up tents COLD beer.

Day 21
Got up at a leisurely pace, no rush as we were only 20 miles from the docks and did not need too be there until 1230 hrs. Set the GPS to a pre-recorded route after asking if the route was pinged on the ferry port or on Bilbao. Open roads, sunshine and Good Company. Passed where we should have got off the auto via GPS said we were still on the right track. Centre of Bilbao and the GPS says we are here. WELL WE ARE NOT! And we only have 30 mins to get to the boat. Bob says he has found the Port on the GPS and to follow him. I can see the boat from where we are but it is on the other side of the river, still on we go on the wrong side 20 mins to go and come to a swing type bridge but Bob rides straight by. What’s up? He points out that it is for pedestrians only. I ask why there are cars queuing so we turn around I making use of a one way street with nothing on it (I was only going one way Officer) and we got back too the bridge just mist it. The return trip took about 5 mins but it could have been 5 hours. 15 mins to go. As we crossed Bob told me to take the second right and he would catch me up. This done we were in a 30 KPH with 7 Mins to go, so we shot down this stretch at a very sensible speed and covered the last 4 miles with a couple of mins to spare. On to the boat drop off our bags and head for the bar! Good trip road captain.

Day 22/23
The crossing was uneventful a few beers something to eat a movie and bed. Arrived back inn the UK at 1600 hrs only just an hour to ride and we would be back indoors. The End. Not quite. Five full loads of washing including the tent and sleeping bags. Will wash the bike tomorrow. 2345 hrs Rob the dog calls to ask if I’m coming out to play at Bisley. Will go to Bisley in the morning Saturday the 4th Aug. Will wash and service the bike another day.

The End

[Charlieharley]

Hi
Again forgot too say that BSH is a reasonable way too go at around £600 per bike but this covers the return crossing Portsmouth / Bilbao all campsites, entry to the rally, a support truck (if you use their preplanned routes), a goody bag BBQ and the list goes on. As an organised run itis still a bit of a cluster Fcuk but can be fun.
I have used them in the past, I say used because we did our own thing once in Spain and turned up at the campsites as and when.
I have read that they are already taking bookings for 2008 so if this appeals best get a move on.

[Chris L]

Originally Posted by Blackadder

we have been for the last 2 years and its been about £1300 for a 3 week trip

Yeah but we aint all as rich as you are we ?

[Blackadder]

Stop going on strike then!!!!!!!