October Blog

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

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

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.