The monthly news report from Trailblazers Spain from the man himself!!

October Blog

2011-10-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

At last its arrived ….. THE RAIN 22^nd October. We haven’t had any since the end of April.

The dust was becoming a bit of a problem to say the least. One day later the sun is shining and the rain plus the sun has made for perfect riding conditions.

I have finally made my mind up re the new bikes. I am going to include , over the coming months, 4 x KTM, exc 300 2 strokes . The reason for this is I am not convinced that fuel injected 4 strokes are a good idea i.e. if the battery goes or a wire comes of you are absolutely snookered in the middle of nowhere. Also if f I was still living in the UK it’s the bike I would personally have. So it doesn’t make sense not to have them here. I will continue to have KTM 530, 450s 250s and Suzuki drz 400e 4 strokes. Plus some smaller track only bikes.

Since last month,s newsletter I have had many emails and phone calls regarding English number plates on bikes here in spain. Quite simply there are three off road motorcycle operators here in Southern Spain using UK registered bikes. It is easy to check this on web sites because all Spanish registration plates are white background with black text. They are breaking the law. You cannot obtain the permission to run this type of business on anything but a Spanish plated bike.There is no exception to this law. If you live here and have a non Spanish registered bike, you can use the vehicle for 6 months and then you need to put it onto Spanish Plates. If you are here visiting on holiday (for less than 6 months) makes sure you have your correct documents as you would in the UK and there is no problem with this whatsoever. The same applies in Morocco. For those of you going there with your own bikes make sure you have your V5 and all other relevant documentation as they will turn you away at the port of entry if you haven’t. Hope this has cleared up the Vehicle Registration laws.

Autumn Blog

2011-09-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

I didn’t realize it has been so long since I wrote my last blog. How time flies when you are having fun. It will soon be Christmas.

The summer has been very interesting with a lot of varied riding with groups of people from the Middle East who come to Spain in the Summer because its cooler oh yes 40 degrees here and they think its cooler! Also had several groups of women. Some experienced and some having a go on the training track for the very first time.

There have been a few riding restrictions in the parque natural due to the intense heat and fire risk but this is about to be lifted. I have been riding further afield finding new trails not in the parque so available to ride all year round. This is something I really enjoy doing.

Liz and I have a meeting this month with the team we are working with on our Enfield Safari September 2011. talking through the itinerary and logistics. Will update you further next month with new photos.

Morocco

is full for Autumn 2010.

Thank you to the guys who have been able to transfer to Spring 2011.

So back to school for the kids and for all you big kids get booking with Trailblazers…. its play time.

Graham

January 2011

2011-01-29T07:27:00.001-08:00

The start of the new year took me to Morocco planning and working on some new routes. We have some new tours planned for beginners to off roading from Marrakech to Essaouira. They are 2/3 day rides operating in the months of December and January only. All bikes have gps fitted. I particularly found the heavily wooded forests on the outskirts of Essaouira interesting riding.

Back in Spain we have been very lucky with the weather and not had to ride in any rain or get the thermals out.Had a good day out this week with ex Paris Dakar competitor Bob Coerse from Holland. When he comes next time if he thinks I am hanging about for him all day again he has another think coming??!!.

On a down side the Spanish Authorities have decided you cannot work with English registered vehicles for any period of time. I don’t think this is correct but I am not in a position to take them to the European courts. We are now running with all Spanish registered bikes.

Looking forward to meeting and riding with new customers this year and catching up with our many returning customers.

September 2010

2010-09-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

I didn’t realize it has been so long since I wrote my last blog. How time flies when you are having fun. It will soon be Christmas.
The summer has been very interesting with a lot of varied riding with groups of people from the Middle East who come to Spain in the Summer because its cooler oh yes 40 degrees here and they think its cooler! Also had several groups of women. Some experienced and some having a go on the training track for the very first time.
There have been a few riding restrictions in the parque natural due to the intense heat and fire risk but this is about to be lifted. I have been riding further afield finding new trails not in the parque so available to ride all year round. This is something I really enjoy doing.
Liz and I have a meeting this month with the team we are working with on our Enfield Safari September 2011. talking through the itinerary and logistics. Will update you further next month with new photos.
Morocco is full for Autumn 2010. Thank you to the guys who have been able to transfer to Spring 2011.
So back to school for the kids and for all you big kids get booking with Trailblazers…. its play time.

June 2010

2010-06-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

My new Fox riding gear has arrived. As you can see I am still taking myself far too seriously.

We have had some interesting groups recently. Craig and the boys (the Manx TT riders). They never change.
Several father son group. One in particular Graham and Alex. Graham obviously has great foresight with England playing so badly against German y in the World Cup he has already planned the next battle with his own Spitfire.

Thank you to Maurice and Greg who made the long journey from Cananda to ride with us. We had a great time and enjoyed your fantastic company. Look forward to seeing the dvd you have made.

In July we will be marshalling for the second year running the Al Andalus Ultra Trail.
www.alandalus-ut.com.

I am pleasantly surprised at the huge interest we have received for the India tour in 2011. Although this is not on off road bikes we are looking forward to riding the Royal Enfields. As it is an awful long time ago I rode this type of bike.

Back next month with more Traiblazing ……..

May2010

2010-05-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

Himalayan Tour Northern India
Well Liz has finally got me to commit to the India tour September 2011. I have to say how refreshing it is to be working with such positive people Simone an d Alistair in planning this new venture to the Himalayas, Northern India. As you can appreciate we have been approached by many people regarding new tours, charities etc. We are very confident and excited to have nailed our flag to this mast to be able to offer you an experience of a life time at an extremely competitive price.

Spain
The new Yamaha TTR250 bike arrived to test. It’s a goer and more on the way. TTR250 a great smaller bike for those of who are vertically challenged. WR450s still top of the bill with more to come to Spain later this year in time for the Autumn.
Still testing the tyre gel. We haven’t had a puncture so it seems to be working.

Morocco
The end of our Spring season and a big thank you to all of you who rode with us. We hope you have fantastic memories. Morocco is an experience I am sure you will never forget.
Of late we have received many enquiries from inexperienced novice riders wanting to take part in the Morrocan tours. I go to great lengths to explain that Morocco is not for beginners. I am aware that there are other tour operators opening up in Morocco offering tours for novices (inexperienced) riders. Morocco is not the place to be learning to ride off road. It is a beautiful country offering fantastic riding but in my eight years of experience IT IS NOT for beginners. If it goes wrong it goes wrong big time. There is little medical assistance, air ambulances etc. The terrain is unforgiving and will catch you out. Why waste all that money and precious holiday days. if you are a beginner Spain is the best placein the world for learning to ride off road and its just 2 hours 30mins away from the UK.

Experienced riders see you soon in Morocco
Newcomers a warm welcome awaits you in Spain.

And finally CHRIS WHITFIELD’S stag party
In one word: ROY
Spain just wasn’t ready for you !!!
Liz and I wish the new Mr and Mrs Whitfield a fantastic wedding day, good luck, good health and happiness always.

Back next month with more Traiblazing ……..

April 2010

2010-04-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

April 2010

It’s been a hectic time for Trailblazers hence the blog is a Little late.

As mentioned in my last blog I am looking at the Yamaha WR250R. Although I think this bike is a great bike its no lower in height than a WR250F. I have decided to buy a Yamaha TTR250 to test. The main criteria for us is the seat height. It will be for those customers who find the bigger Enduro bikes too tall. The bike will be here beginning of May and I will report back.

The base at Competa has had a complete overhaul no thanks to me!! It has been totally racked boxed and labeled up. I now have plastic boxes for everything and can’t find a bloody thing ……. but Liz knows where it all is!!

We have found a lovely new hotel for our overnight stop over tours www.elventorro.net. It has its own Arab baths and massage facilities. Just the ticket after a hard day in the saddle.

MOROCCO

We have our new Salam Maroc tour which takes in the Atlas Mountains, Sahara dunes and beaches of Essasouria near Agadir. Already 2010 dates are nearly full and we have had to turn customers away. We are now taking bookings for April 2011. We only have limited numbers and two short seasons due to the extreme weather ,so when they are full they are full. We cannot extend or add more bikes.

For those of you who have not been able to come due to the Volcano Ash firstly blame the Cod War, then the Banks, and now the Ash. I´m not going to Iceland for my holiday that’s for sure.

I´ll be back soon with more info.

Regards, Graham.

January 2010

2010-02-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

JANUARY 2010 After all these years of wasting money on helmet cams, camcorders, phone cameras etc. at last IT HAS ARRIVED. The perfect helmet camera THE TACHYON XC. Due to my reluctance to buy this product Alan Pumfrey of ASP Trading Ltd got on the plane and came here to demonstrate. Check out YOUTUBE link Trailblazer spain Tachyon camera also on our web soon. The quality is fantastic and it is totally idiot proof. Now you know why I am so impressed because even I can use it with no problem. December and January has been a very busy time for me and Liz I have been riding much further afield learning the trails for our new 2010 overnight stopover (in different villages) tours. This has not helped due to the rain damage that we have had in the mountains. The UK has had the snow and we have had the much needed rain. The Junta (Park Rangers) have assured me that all the damaged trails will be repaired so the good news is we have found lots of new trails too. Over the last couple of weeks we have several female riders, new to off road and I have been amazed at their technical ability in such a short time. I just wish some of the guys would take a leaf out of the girls book and listen from time to time!! I am testing some new Australian gear including neck braces and glove hand protecting disposal inserts. Will let you know how I get on next month.

Graham

December 2009

2010-01-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my first attempt at blogging! For

someone who doesn’t know his mouse from his

elbow bear with me, then again I have a wife called

Liz and a very understanding web man Mark.

After two weeks of the NEC bike show and very sore

feet I was glad to be back in the saddle, however Liz

didn’t tell me I would be riding up in Murcia with Lee

with a group of Paris Dakar Veterans.

Great time was had by all and I have now swopped

my sore feet for psychiatric therapy. Thanks Mike

and friends for great riding. And Liz your Christmas present has gone out of the window.

It was great to meet so many customers and friends at the NEC Bike show this year. I thank you all

very much for the fond memories and support you have given me over the years, long may it

continue.

On a more serious note, I met many new potential

clients who told me of bad experiences with other trail

riding companies. They were reluctant to come riding in

Spain again. The main complaint being the poor

standard of bikes and riding gear. Bikes and equipment

not fit for purpose. When I asked why they had chosen

them in the first place they said on the face of it they

were a little cheaper … enough said.

Anyway its almost Christmas weekend and its Dougie´

turn in Marbella for the serious hard work He has the

enduro dudes and I have the novice group and partners

on the track. Or is this another of Liz´s wind ups? Don’t think so cos she is busy making the mince pies and Christmas cake.
All the best to you all.

Graham