Quad bike ride, Boa Vista, Cape Verde 13/12/12

Quad Biking in Boa Vista, Cape Verde

Well the end of the year has arrived and I’ve been told I can’t carry any of my holidays over. So I find myself taking a quick look through the holiday catalogues. Somewhere hot is what I need but I don’t want, or have the time for, special injections and I don’t want to spend hours on a plane. My search leads me to a small group of islands just off the west coast of Africa.

 The Cape Verde islands used to be part of the Portuguese colonies, but they were handed back to Africa in the 70’s. They have only been a holiday destination for about the last 5 years and the last 2 on Boa Vista. They are unspoilt and undeveloped.

At our hotel our tour operator gave their normal talk of this and that and of what there is to do on the island. One of which was a quad biking trip. They did short excursions or a longer island trip. To my surprise not only did my wife want to go on the trip but she also wanted to do the longer of the two rides. I was excited and wanted my wife to ride her own quad but No! Sue just wanted to be a passenger.  Which was fine with me; we were going riding. We were advised to dress well and cover up this is because it would be dry and dusty. We were also advised to take something to cover our faces.

The morning arrived, our pick up was on time, the road to our destination was fun only half of the road is tarmac it then reverts to the old cobbled road, some of which has now been eroded away. They had just had the heaviest rains for years which had damaged one of the old bridges and completely washed away a new bridge, so we had to divert across country to the old bridge. Then there were the narrow winding streets through the town. It all added up to an exciting start to the day.

 

At our destination we signed our lives away, although they said they had insurance and were the tour operators recommended choice, the insurance they had was only third party. We were then fitted with a sort of helmet and then taken to the quads and given a quick briefing. We were now in the hands of our guides, we set off first through the town and then a building site where it looked like new hotels were being erected, we then hit the beach.

 

 

We were about halfway along the group the bike rode best on fresh sand if you try to follow the tracks of those in front the quad just wanted to rail along the tracks already cut into the sand. There was another reason why I rode just to one side or the other, and that was to avoid the dust being kicked up by those in front of me. I did however find it amusing why the rest just seem to follow the leader like sheep.

We left the beach and headed inland through a moon like landscape of rust red sand and rock the vegetation, where there was any was brown and dry. Little piles of rock where place here and there and also along the roadside, for what reason I do not know. We then came to the cobbled road for a short blast and where we could take in the view of the distant mountains and the extinct volcanos we then took a gravel track that lead the way to where we would take a break, grab a drink and buy some souvenirs.

 

Rested and refreshed we once again took to the quads, the track took us through the village along some more rocky sand scape where the land was cracked and dried out, old stone walls lay abandon and derelict we had a few little tricky climbs but all was good, and I was pleased I’d covered up as those who hadn’t were now covered in dust and sand.

 

 The track wound its way through the rocky landscape and led down to a beautiful white sandy beach with a lovely green blue turquoise sea, the ocean waves breaking gently onto the beach. We took a second break and for those who wanted a dip in the sea was on the cards.

 

We were now on the Santa Monica beach voted to be the fifth most beautiful beach in the world and some 15km in length. After a swim, paddle or whatever else took your fancy and some photos for the album we took to the saddle once more. I had somehow worked my way up through the group and was now directly behind the guide. A few struggled to get traction on the deep sand and we took a slow ride making sure everyone was keeping up.

 

 We then turned inland away from the beach into a desert of white sand. Sand that had blown over the sea from the Sahara Desert of main land Africa. It was just after this that we had some fun. The guide had realised that I must have ridden before and the pace quickened. We were heading up sand dunes and down again, sometimes having to turn sharply at the top to avoid a shear drop on the other side. As we raced across the dunes I had the bike drifting, sideways and almost on two wheels on some of the sharper turns Sue was hanging on tight Woo-Hooing as we raced our way over the sand. After about ten minutes the guide took a good look behind then suddenly we came to a stop.

 

I wondered why so took a look and then realised there was no one else there. We had lost everyone. Luckily we had a sweeper and our trackers weren’t hard to follow so over the next five minutes or so the others appeared one by one. Once we had regrouped we set off for a short ride to a beach where the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs and to visit a cave on the shores edge.

 

 

 

This was the last stop of the day. We again rode along the beach then up over a bank and along the rugged rocky coastal path watching the waves breaking over the volcanic sea shore below. We hit some more dunes but this time at a more steady pace, them some more beach work, and around what was the islands main industrial pottery site which now is nothing more than a few stone walls and a large brick chimney

 

 

 

Then something happened that doesn’t happen that often in Cape Verde as we were heading back across the final few miles black clouds headed straight toward us then it happened. IT RAINED.  The dust that had settled on us was now being washed in and off, the rain on my glasses formed droplets then dried out leaving blobs of condensed dust over the lenses. The rain only lasted a few minutes and was gone as quickly as it came, the last part of the ride saw our clothes dry and we arrived back safe and sound if a little bit dirty. We had had a brilliant day’s ride and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and the looks we got as we re-entered the hotel were themselves priceless.

Tony's new ride December 2012

Tony’s first ride on his 300exc

My good friend Tony has recently purchased a new, to him, KTM 300exc.

He has had it for a few weeks now, but has had to do some work on it for the MOT.

Finally it’s on the road and he is keen to ride, I however am going on holiday in 4 days so I’m a little tentative about going out.  All I need is to fall off and break something, then I can wave goodbye to my hard earned break.  Something like this can always play on your mind and can cause you to have accidents where normally you wouldn’t, because you’re being over cautious.

For the time of year the temperature has been very mild.  It is overcast and the roads are wet.  We met at my house then headed off to fuel up before the ride.  This also gives me an opportunity to look at a couple of lanes and to check the river height.  It’s been a very wet winter so far and our first lane includes a good river crossing.

As we enter the first lane Tony takes the lead as I wanted to do some filming.  The trees are bare, the branches are shadow black against a grey sky, only the ivy that climbs up the hawthorn trees is green.

 

The lane has not been used for a while and an orange/brown carpet of leaves line our route.  The river crossing goes well and is lower than I expect but I do manage to stall climbing the bank at the exit.  The last part of the lane is again an autumn coloured carpet of leaves and there are a few windblown branches to contend with, but a quick blip of the throttle soon dispenses with them.

The second lane saw the beginning of me making silly mistakes; the lane is long and most of it is grass covered but the ground is soft and deceptively slippery.  Most of the lane saw me travelling sideways, with the feeling that I should take up speedway.  Then the inevitable happened. I hit a piece of path edging.  I didn’t blip the throttle and the front wheel railed along the wet slipper wooden edging the bike deciding to go in a total different direction to the one I was travelling in.  Back on the bike I finished the lane, but I again stalled on a bank that finishes the lane.  I had to stop anyway because I had to straighten the handlebars and hand guards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next byway was a new lane to me.  I had never ridden it before, the grip was good and although straight forward it was enjoyable. Large oak trees lined the way; there were a couple of unexpected sharp turns but that just added to the enjoyment.

 

The byways and lanes to follow were a good mixture of good solid grip or as slippery as an eel in baby oil.  On one lane, after negotiating rain washed ruts and dead branches lying across the way, I hit a deep puddle hard and soaked myself. This was not good as the temperature had dropped. We decided to stop for a while and I tried to dry my gloves on the engine.

We’d by now done a good few lanes but I had made some silly mistakes and was really feeling that I was pushing my luck.  This combined with the fact that I was now damp from the puddle soaking and the wind chill factor was making me feel uncomfortably cold. The route we had taken had circled around and we were quite close to home, so I decided to cut my losses and with great reluctance finish the ride.

 

Home was reached with no more problems, I was happy I went, but even more pleased and relieved I had gotten home safely.

Big trailie ride november 2012

Big Trailie ride

I once had an idea, but did nothing about it. But now I try to make that step. Someone once said to me, “in life there are two types of people, talkers and doers, only you can decide which of these you are.”

I like my lane riding, and I like to go out at least once a week. I hadn’t been out for a while so decided to plan a ride out. But instead of putting the ride onto my normal forum or texting my usual riding buddies, clad with their enduro style bikes I decided to throw something new up.

One of the things that got me into riding was watching a programme called “The long way round” then followed by “The long way down”. However in my short 3 years of off road riding, I can only once recall one rider using a big trailie adventurer type of bike.

So my idea was to put this ride out onto a normal bike forum offering all those with that type of bike a chance to take theirs off the tarmac and onto the dirt. The lanes I had chosen were easy lanes that had in the recent past been graded.

In the beginning there was a lot of interest but as the time came only one decided to pick up the gauntlet. I didn’t mind this for a couple of reason, the first being that it would be easier to judge the pace and secondly we wouldn’t lose anyone.

The morning of the ride arrived and to say it was cold was an understatement. The frost was heavy and the white lacy blanket covered everything. It had been quite mild and wet up until a few days before so the cold was a little unexpected.

 

Once kitted up I set off, but I wasn’t even half way to the start point and my hands where frozen, the cold wind came through my visor cutting into my cheeks and face, my eyes crying. I couldn’t pull the visor right down because as I breathed out it would fog up. I thought to myself, I must be mad. I arrived at the start point frozen, my hands had no feeling my companion for the day was already waiting. I fuelled up paid then spent a while introducing myself while trying to warm my hands on the exhaust.

Road riding always makes me cold, as you just sit there, once on the lanes I knew I’d be fine. With some feeling now returned to my fingers we set off. Luckily the first lane was only a short ride away. Gavin took the lead on the first lane so I could assess the pace and his riding ability. At the end of the lane I gave him a little advice on what I considered he needed to do to help and improve his riding. However the thing about advice is you can only do it if you feel comfortable, I’ve been given advice and I will try to adhere to it but as soon as I’m out of my comfort zone I resort back to what I consider safe. The ride continued, I would lead the road ride to the next lane then Gavin would take the lead on the lanes. Only on the lanes with multiple junctions where it would be easy to get lost did I lead.

 

We had set a nice steady pace and the lanes had kept off the chill, we had now travelled about a third of what I had planned for the day. We’d had a few wobbles but no offs so I decided to take a quick stop for fuel and a hot drink and a bite to eat. As we ate and chatted Gavin was pleased with the ride which was good to hear. That would be another problem with a large group ride keeping everyone happy.

 

Once we were all fuelled up and rested we set off, there was a bit of road work to start with then we came to the first lane for the second part trip this was a slight climb nothing serious and I’ve done it a lot of times, but I had underestimated how wet and slippery things had gotten.

Looking back on the ride so far the under wheel conditions had been very varied, in the open the ground was frosted hard, like set concrete, the bike would get cross rutted or tram along the ruts, once into the woods where the tree’s had kept the frost away the ground was wet and slippery.

 

As I lead the way up the hill I started slipping and sliding the front wheel mounted the lanes bank and I thought I was going to get high sided off the bike, but I managed to get it under control and finished the assent to the end of the lane. At the top I waited then waited a little longer. After a short while and with no sign of Gavin I decided to carefully make my way back down to check everything was ok. As I rounded the top corner Gavin appeared signalling everything was ok. However it soon became apparent he’d had an off as the whole of his right hand side was covered in mud. I checked he was ok we had a chuckle then carried on our way.

 

The next problem we encountered was a fallen tree. The way was blocked not only by the tree but by the farmer’s vehicle. The farmer came out a little disgruntled saying we could not pass and that we’d have to find another way around and moaned about people driving in his field. We had a chat then he kindly allowed us to pass using his field as a detour. It was just after this I lost Gavin. How I don’t really know. I had gotten to a staggered four way junction and taken the right turn. I waited where I believed I could be seen. After a while I tracked back to the junction and could see Gavin had gone straight ahead. I followed the tracks and found him at the end of a very rutted section manhandling his bike. Once again reunited we continued on our way.

 

 

We were now about two thirds around my planned route and I waited at the end of the lane. Gavin pulled up confessed he had had enough and although he had really enjoyed the ride he was now physically exhausted. I said that it was a shame as I had planned a river crossing, but that I would now take him to the nearest route home. The river crossing seem to spark something inside off him, we agreed that I would take him the quickest way to the ford which involved one further lane then take him to the motorway so he could make his way home.

With the last lane dispensed of we arrived at the ford. I gave Gavin some tips and then showed him how to cross, he set off but hadn’t given the bike enough gas and came to a stop mid river, I had to chuckle. He set off again and completed the crossing. This particular ford is a double crossing one is the original river the other runs to the mill. We went to the second crossing I again showed him the way to go and this time he crossed perfectly. Now to get him home, the only thing was we had to re-cross the rivers. He again made the crossing without incident. I then got him to the motorway we shock hands and went our separate ways.

 

 

Gavin later got in touch with me, thanking me for a great day’s ride and to inform me his gore-tex boots worked perfectly as they lost none of the river water they’d taken in, all the way home.

 

Motorcycle Live N.E.C. Birmingham 2012

 

No riding this week. But this time of year brings an annual outing for my brother and myself.

Ever since passing my test the two of us have been to the N.E.C bike show. But this year would be different as my son and a friend from work would be joining us.

My brother volunteered to drive in fact he drives every year as it’s usually too cold and wet for us to take the bikes. Also you can’t buy any amount of gear and get it home if you take the bikes. It’s a simple route M1 then M6 easy enough. However this time as we were merrily trundling up the motorway he nearly shot passed the turning. Aren’t we supposed to be over there? I said to him as the sign boards loomed up. I don’t know, he said. I’m sure we are, I replied. So we made the turn and got there safe and sound. I wonder where we would have ended up otherwise.

The funny thing about the bike show for me is I always go with a long list of things I would like, but never actually buy anything.

 But I do enjoy looking at what’s new in the world of bikes, and hearing what people have to say.

Some of the overheard comments go from the sublime to the ridiculous, and I do wonder if people think before they say things.

One of the funniest things I overheard was between two chaps looking and discussing the purchase of a BMW S 1000 RR. They had obviously done their homework and seemed to know everything there was to know about the bike, so what you may ask is funny about that. Well it became funny when they started to discuss how BMW had shaved ounces off of here and there making the bike pounds lighter and more compact. This would have made good sense, but these guy’s where over 6 foot tall and must have weighed 18 stone plus.

Or the short guys/gals that were looking at and sitting on the supported adventure bikes, but who’s feet were clearly well detached from terra firma.

The show was as always good, but I had gone with the intention of getting a new trials helmet and some boots. Last year there were a few stall that had these items but this year I was unlucky. There were a few motocross helmets and boots but these are not what I wanted.

The show is a tempting place and my brother can home with a shopping list of bikes and a mortgage for a new garage. His list included one of each of the manufactures top sports bikes, and quite bizarrely a Harley Davidson V-Rod. I really can’t see the similarity. But then variety is the spice of life

My son Martin has now, for the time being, decided he would like to take his bike test and treat himself to a bike next year. We will see.

 

My work friend has also decided to take his bike test. He also tried out some bikes preferring the unfaired bikes as they resembled a normal bike, and the fact he is sat more upright, like riding a push bike.

 

Me, I still love my Triumph and have no want to change, but if I to could build a larger garage and money was no object then may be a new dirt bike and a nice MV Agusta Brutale and of cause a Porsche for my lovely wife.

 

I would recommend going to the show, not only do you get to see the new and current bikes from most off the manufactures (who’s ever there). But you get to see custom hand built bikes and vintage bikes too.

 

You can buy all sorts of add-ons and usually there are decent discounts on clothes and helmets and it’s always worth a haggle to make a good deal even better, I’ve also noted walking away can help clench a deal.

 

Sunday 18^th Nash Mills

 A couple of days after my last visit I’m back at Nash Mills.  This time I was with a couple of friends.

 The day was mild but wet, and the grip had become somewhat compromised.

 Playing follow my leader is a good way to practice especially if they are better than you.  You can watch how they tackle obstacles and try to apply their techniques.  Although it doesn’t always work.

 My riding skills hadn’t improved much since Wednesday, but after an hour things were starting to click into place.  I had looked at some photos I’d taken whilst riding on Wednesday and noticed that I was leaning too far back.  This effectively gets the front wheel up but doesn’t add traction to the back wheel, traction that’s needed to get the bike up and over things.   It’s funny how a little thing can make a big difference. A slight adjustment to my body position and I was once again getting over the obstacles I had found impossible to get over only three days ago.

 Today was a short ride, and was dependant on others being there to be able to ride; it’s a rule of the club.  It was however a very productive day and I was once again pleased with my riding.

 As the day went on the under wheel conditions got worse as the ground became churned up, but this in turn improved my riding skills.

 I tried some new obstacles with mixed results. As the day progressed mud and water began to get spread onto the rocks and logs, and for me there’s a time when that fun and learning can become pushed.

 When I attempted to hop over a log, the rear wheel slipped sideways off the edge I managed to save the inevitable fall but it could have easily ended with a face plant at best or a broken ankle and/or wrist.

I decided enough was enough, I’d had a great morning and my skills and confidence had come on leaps and bounds.  I’m looking forward to next time, and hope it won’t be long.