Spanish Trail Riding

[KTM Gordo]

I'm not long back after three very enjoyable days trail riding in the Costa del Sol.

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The company I went with was Redtread [1] which is run by an English couple, Ian and Sally. Their property is in the village of Competa, and has mini apartments for the guests, plus a bar, swimming pool and satellite TV (which came in handy for watching the Moto GP).

Their 'bikes are a mix of Suzuki DRZ400Es and CCMs, but owing to engine problems, the CCMs were all off the road (in a garage sense) so we were all issued with Suzukis - each displaying the rider's name on the front mudguard. It's the first time I've ridden a DRZ, and it felt very similar to my DR350S - even down to the dodgy gearbox with spare neutrals.

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On day one, the three of us who were there for the full tour (three days, four nights) were joined by three Geordies who were rather full of themselves. Normally day one involves a trip to a motocross "track" near the coast to get used to the 'bikes, and allow Ian to do some tuition for those who need it. But because of the day riders, we headed for the hills.

Most the tracks are stony, gravely and/or sandy (in varying quantities), and that was a new experience for me. It also means the ground is very hard. DAMHIKIJKOK! The only serious 'off' was when Ian was demonstrating cornering technique on his Gas Gas and got it a bit wrong. Oops!

The scenery is superb - especially when you live in the fens without much in the way of hills never mind mountains.

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Lunch is included in the cost of the tour, and we stopped at a different café/restaurant every day. That combined with an evening meal in a different Competa restaurant every evening means I ate far too much...

Day two took us to the track, and Ian attempted to teach me the correct cornering technique. Oh dear, what a mess! It was so bad I did consider selling the KTM on my return to the UK :-\ Eventually he got on my 'bike and steered while I clung on [2]. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally managed to get the hang of it. Just. Well, sort of.

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My problem was my speed. Too much of it. And too many gear changes. And not hanging off enough. And not getting my elbows up. And... well, you get the idea [3]

The one positive comment was "good recovery" as I missed the corner and stopped just before I hit a tree By lunch time I was just about getting the hang of it, according to Ian, but it still didn't quite hang together in my mind.

Back on the trail in the afternoon we tried some steep ascents and descents ready for our assault on the highest peak the following day. Somehow I managed to keep it together, not fall off, and decided not to sell the KTM after all. I think I just need more practice.

Day three was a trip toward Granada, and through a valley known locally as The Valley of Hell. Not sure why; I quite enjoyed it. One of the 'bikes sprang a leak in a coolant hose. Being quite high up, it was a bit on the chilly side, and the scenery reminded me of Dartmoor. At the end of the valley we had a long ride along a fast, loosely surfaced road. I've no idea how fast we were going (no instruments on the 'bike) but it suddenly struck me that I was going fast on a very rough road on a 'bike, and there's no way I would have been able to do that on a road 'bike.

https://images2.fotopic.net/?iid=yj086e&outx=400&quality=70

On the way out from Redtread Towers (officially Monte Pino Apartments) I just didn't feel quite at home on the 'bike - and sure enough I fell off on the first lane of the day, and smashed one of the handguards. To add to the general irritation of the crash, I'd just gone through a ford and was wet. With dust and sand all over me, I couldn't even deny I'd been off...

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The lunch stop was near a dam with a very deep gorge on the other side of it, with serious overhangs and very cuboid-shaped rocks. Swordfish steak and chips - lovely (probably not caught in the reservoir though!)

From there it was back up the valley, and a trip to the top of the highest peak in the area where I'm told there are excellent views across to the Atlas Mountains. Shame the cloud was low, and we couldn't see much. Maybe next time...

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A recurring theme for me over the previous days had been my propensity to end up leaning against embankments. Those of you who've ridden lanes etc. with me will know I do this from time to time. By day three the others were having a sweep stake to see how many I was going to visit during the day... And I won with my guess of none!

On the way down from the summit we took a trail referred to as the Corkscrew, and it lived up to its name. And I fell off again, somehow failing to break the clutch lever that had been left unprotected after the morning's off. Phew! From the bottom of the lane it was a short road-ride back to base, and well deserved beer.

It may only have been three days, but it felt a lot longer than that, and sitting in Malaga airport waiting for my delayed flight home I couldn't believe that only four days earlier I was sat at Gatwick on the way out.

Would I go again? Yes. Would I recommend it to others? Yes.

There are some tours coming up that are going to be lead by British Dakar competitor Mick Extance, so he should have plenty to teach even the more experienced off road rider.

It's not a cheap holiday by any means, but it is very professionally organised and I'll certainly be going back as soon as funds allow. I'm also keen to have more tuition on how to ride, as knowing the proper way of doing things has to be better than just taking a run at it and hoping for the best.

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If you're going to the NEC then you can meet Ian and Sally as they'll be there, but near the Suzuki stand and not in the touring and holidays section.

More photos can be found here.

[1] www.redtread.com
[2] I hate riding pillion - especially when sat in front of the rider
[3] Despite riding for a few years, I've never had any tuition, so that's a lot of bad habits to unlearn
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Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[quacker_boy]

Any pics then?
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wizzzard wrote: Imagine God just stopping by, tidying your front room up and then quietly letting himself out again. Statisticly more likely to happen than Korn being on here.

[KTM Gordo]

[Dan 4RR]

Eekk... the person in the 4th picture certainly got owned!!!

[KTM Gordo]

[Chr!S]

Bookmarked.

Looks like the perfect present to ask for, for my 21st.