XTreme

Nothing changes then? North Wales was always the worst though when that imbecile was Chief Constable! Don't know if he's still there. I remember him saying....."Doing 1mph over the limit is just as bad as sticking a knife in somebody". As for weather here..... http://www.webspain.net/pics/bliz1.jpg

Well I do.....even if none of it's been in Wales for the past 8 years! http://www.webspain.net/faz/faz133.jpg http://www.webspain.net/faz/faz98.jpg What's happening back there these days?

Been here since 2005 and never been anywhere. The problem is my job (web developer/web host) so the the shop never closes. Having said that......Catalunya is 660kms, Jerez is 510kms......so they're too far anyway. Valencia is around 320kms so if I ever went to a big circuit that would be the one.

Once you get off the main thoroughfare there's some fantastic roads and great places to visit Ian!

Photos taken here can be deceptive though.......I can put up pics in December and January with bright blue skies.....and it looks like tropical conditions. But the reality is actually very different.....take a look at this from early this year..... http://www.webspain.net/faz/faz6.jpg .....the temperature then was 4 degrees, then you've got the wind chill factor being in a high exposed location! It was bloody nobbling.......I had to go home after about half an hour!

About an hour to get to Negratin..... http://www.webspain.net/149/faz114.jpg Water was high today.... http://www.webspain.net/149/149a.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149b.jpg A few Kayaks are always there..... http://www.webspain.net/149/149c.jpg Even trees are submerged..... http://www.webspain.net/149/149d.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149e.jpg On the move again...... http://www.webspain.net/149/faz115.jpg ......to the other side of the lake...... http://www.webspain.net/149/149f.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/faz117.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149g.jpg Then headed north crossing into the Jaen province at Pozo Alcon...... http://www.webspain.net/149/faz118.jpg Roads empty as usual...... http://www.webspain.net/149/faz119.jpg .....with the occasional Spanish biker.....usually on a cruiser! Cruisers are the thing here more than any other genre! http://www.webspain.net/149/149h.jpg We're now up in the mountains...... http://www.webspain.net/149/149i.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149j.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/faz120.jpg .....and as per usual.....the roads turn to shit! http://www.webspain.net/149/faz121.jpg Onto the lakes at Castril...... http://www.webspain.net/149/149k.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149l.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/faz122.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149m.jpg Back towards Huescar..... http://www.webspain.net/149/faz123.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149n.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/faz125.jpg http://www.webspain.net/149/149o.jpg .....onto the final approach into the town! http://www.webspain.net/149/faz126.jpg I was out for about 3 hours.....did around 100 miles on empty roads.....and only used 10 Euros of fuel! Roughly 55mpg......can't fault that! Damn.....it's hard going here!

Just doing today's ride report now.....lovely day here! But I do know how you guys feel....I did the Winters from 1971-2005 back there.....so I've paid my dues! Thank god I escaped!

Rain was forecast for later today.....so instead of getting out early to avoid the heat, it's getting out early to avoid the rain! http://www.webspain.net/orc/faz108.jpg Went through Orce..... http://www.webspain.net/orc/orc2.jpg http://www.webspain.net/orc/orc1.jpg ....then onto some nice open roads.... http://www.webspain.net/orc/faz109.jpg http://www.webspain.net/orc/faz110.jpg Recently fitted handlebar risers and Grip Puppies.....both make a hell of a difference to general comfort! http://www.webspain.net/orc/faz111.jpg Plenty of wide open spaces...... http://www.webspain.net/orc/orc3.jpg Then the roads get a bit rough... http://www.webspain.net/orc/faz112.jpg And you eventually end up in Galera! http://www.webspain.net/orc/orc4.jpg http://www.webspain.net/orc/orc5.jpg http://www.webspain.net/orc/faz113.jpg Bit disappointed I didn't run into a nice young chica who's into riding as I did recently..... http://www.webspain.net/pics/uu.jpg ....but you can't have everything. And her horse had a bad dose of the shits as well.....so it ain't perfect here!

Well I've been riding since 1971 and they ain't got me yet!

Bear in mind I did my test in October 1971.....when things weren't so restrictive, so I'd already had a couple of scooters, and a BSA Bantam before passing. But the first bike I bought above the learner limit of 250cc was in January 1972 and it was a 1966 Triumph 3TA 350.....ex Welsh Water Board! Reg was CEJ 714D.