Its Friday and Im going catch some freedom, I get the bike out, fuel and check the tyre pressures, its 27C and Im headed North first on the the IC1, pick it up at Guia. branch off at Tunes for a quick coffee at one of my favourite rural cafes, Cafe Dos Matos.
Back on road after a quick conversation with Charlie, its a bit one sided, he doesn’t say much after Ola and then he goes shy! The Ic1 this morning is beautiful, rolling curves and not much in the way of traffic, I meet two HOGS coming South and we give a big wave that feels like we are are Hi Fiving each other, they were cruising!
Turn off at Santana De Sierra heading West on the EM503. Stop to take pictures on the bridges across Santa Clara, I take it easy on this road as its a bit worse for wear and broken in parts plus its pretty windy. Passing a sign for The Swan Night Club, I wonder if thats why the road is so over used, strange place for a “club’ this is real the middle of nowhere in the Alentejo!
Arrive in Sao Martinho Das Amoreiras Onward to Odimera and jointhe N120 South to Aljezur, the roads full of surfers and caravaners, but still a great cruise, 1330 arrive in Lagos in 34C, stop at Lazy Jacks in the marina for a bacon butte and a smoothie, park up next to a customised Yamaha that turns out to be the ride of the security guard from the marina. he informs me that he did all the custom metal work on his bike except the paint job.
After lunch, heading East along the 125 back towards home, the road was pretty full as is usual on the busiest week on the year in the Algarve and as I cruise for home, passing the traffic, I think that if they had seen what I had seen today, they would very envious.
150 Miles and One Beautiful Day.
Friday 16th August 2013
Its been a week since the last ride, and my mind is turning to the next, 29th August, thinking about a ride across Monchique to Vila Nova de Milfontes on the west coast in the Alentejo for lunch. then down to Sagres for sunset?
Friday 30th August. Ride Out
We met up in Loule and took the N396 up through Querenca to Cortelha, this road never ceases to amaze me, especially on a sunny misty morning, its like our very own mouton road with tall pine trees windy bends, a beautiful road. We stop for a quick coffee in Cortelha.
Back track a little down the N2 and pick up the N124 over to Alcoutim for a stop at there beach and lunch.
After we took the M507 north out of the town and joy of joys, the road was newly laid and was a treat as the road winds up the hill with great views of Alcoutim and the Rio Guadiana, picking up the N2 south to Loule in Almdovar.
WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2013
Dawn T -30 mins – Push bike out of the drive and press the start button in nervous anticipation, try to get away quick so as not to wake the whole house hold. Air temperature was a cool 22C, and it was finally comfortable to wear on the leather jacket.
Dawn T 0 mins – First coffee at the meet point in Loule.
After Dawn – Take the road to Tavira, sun was in our faces as we wound through the curves on the way to the coast.
AD 2 hours – Arrive at the boarder in Real de San Antonio, take the 09:15 Ferry across to Ayamonte. Air temperature 26C! head through Lepe and cruise through El Rompido and Punta Umbria looking for a ferry across to Mazagon, which doesn’t exist, so head up to cross into Huelva.
AD 5 hours – Pick up the A5000 and cruise up to Niebla for lunch at Braseria Las Almenas just outside the ancient city wall.
AD 6 hours – En route to the northern border crossing at Pomaroa, the country side was covered in shades of yellow, dried by the summer sun, miles and miles of Sun flowers all sun burned with there heads hanging, they looked like they had just had there energy switched off and were sad that the Autumn was around the corner, not yet though as the air temperature must have been 33C and stifling, as we rode through miles of smooth empty roads, and sleepy villages, it soon came apparent that there were not to many fuel stations around, which was particularly concerning as my light had just lit up! As we rolled over hill after hill, thoughts of how I could get a fuel delivery in this wilderness was interrupted by, the sight of our lead rider punching the air as he disappeared over the crest of a hill in the distance, “he better not be listening to rock music or something!” But sure enough as the crest of the hill rolled beneath my wheels the Oasis came into sight.
AD 8 hours – Sitting under a tree in Mertola, drinking a cool bottle of water and and ice-cream, before heading South down the IC27 and turning right onto he N124, It crossed my mind on how good all these roads have been, all smooth and and in great condition compared to some of the busier roads on the south coast.
AD 10 hours – Finally ride into the local village and climb off to a cool beer and Piri Piri Chicken, 300.7 miles, 10 hours, wonderful weather and great company! Praise the Lord!
Two Wheels Algarve 
Couldn’t wait till the 29th, so we did it today, 260Km, Ourique, Milafontes, Lunch, Aljezur and home, brilliant day.