As Sunday last was so hot we decided on and evening ride on Tuesday. Unfortunately we had a few last minute drop-outs. Three bikes made it to Orba petrol station Jeff on his scooter, Nobby and Giselle on his Suzuki and Colin. It was a lovely evening and not too hot by 8pm. After a brief discussion we decided to head for Gasolinera on the coast road for a beer.
I suggested to Jeff that we follow him so that he could set the pace. That was the last we saw of him until we reached Gasolinera. That 180cc scooter of his really flies. We headed through Alcalali and Jalon and then through Lliber and on to Benissa. We went along the twisty road through Pedremala and down to the coast road and then along to Gasolinera. We had a couple of drinks there and put the world to rights.
As it started to get dark we decided to head for home just before 10pm and we continued along the coast road to Calpe and then up to the N332 and then back to Benissa and down to Jalon. We all went out separate ways from Alcalali to home.
It was a nice 35 mile ride and the temperature was not bad at all. Definitely the right time to go riding. We may do something similar next week please consider coming it really was not bad at all.
The bikes at Gasolinera
We had an unusual day today picking up people en-route. Colin and Ken met with two of Colin’s friends (Wilf & Pete) on their Harley’s at Orba petrol station and headed off through Tormos and Sagra through the back roads of Pego and met with MAD in Adsubia. We then had a nice ride up through the Vall de Galinera and into Planes where we met up with Robin. MAD decided to give Don’s back a rest and to stay in Planes for coffee and then head back home.
After Pete refueled we headed off for Albaida up through Muro del Alcoy and onto the N340, there are some major roadworks going on as the N340 joins the A7, we went on to a lovely new section of motorway standard road up into Albaida. We arrived at about 11am and had a look at the parked bikes and some of the scenery. Unlike last time there were only two small stands with T shirts for sale and fewer bikes which was a bit of a shame. Just as we settled for coffee the rideout set off and rather than rush our coffees we decided to finish them at leisure and then wander around the remaining bikes and look at the stalls. Once the rideout started everything closed down, including the archery that Pete was going to have a go at.
As a result we decided to leave and took Robin up on his offer of a cold drink (and so Ken could get some cash from him). So we headed off to Robin’s village, we saw plenty of stock for a ‘road kill’ cafe if there was one in the area en route. We invaded Helen’s peaceful afternoon and had a cold drink and some Key Lime pie on their terrace (highly recommended, thanks Helen). We left Robin and Helen and Robin kindly showed us the way out of the village and onto the CV 60.
We had a long straight blast down the CV60 all the way into Gandia where we decided to pop down to the beach at the Grau for another cold drink as the temperature was nudging 30 in the shade. Whilst we were settled there Pete and Wilf popped off to the shops to buy Spain T shirts and flags for the World Cup final as they were celebrating / watching in Alcalali later. We left Gandia and had a straight blast home down the N332. Getting home about 3pm and straight into our respective pools to cool off.
Nice ride and route, it was a little warm though.
It was Don’s first time back out with the group and he got a very warm welcome when we meet at the Monte Pego gas station today.
In the group today Aad & Mieke, MAD, June, Pete the Scoot and Siggi & Bella. As the weather looked a little unsettled we decided on an easy ride.
Down the N332 towards Javea, then Benitachell before heading down to Moraira for a coffee stop on the front. Plenty of space to park today for the 5 vehicles. We then followed the coast road to Calpe. At the junction with the N332 we saw loads of bikes at the old Road King but decided not to stop. Shortly after joining the 332 we passed 2 Guardia on bikes. Siggi was in the lead at the right speed but soon disappeared. Then we saw one of the Guardia tearing past us on his bike. We thought he was in hot pursuit of Siggi but it turns out he was after a car!!
A second stop at Allelujah bar in Jalon for a chat and then home to beat the rain. Luckily apart from a few spots we stayed dry. We saw quite a few bikes on the road today also all chancing the weather.
Perhaps the rain (and the water leak) was confined to Orba today! No photos this time.
Seven of us (June, Nobby, Ken, Pete the Scoot, Jeff, Colin and a friend of his John) all met at Bio Oil on the N332 at 10am. We had a gentle ride up the N332 to Oliva. As we approached the town there was a sign post directing all the bikes to the right and then in typical Spanish fashion the signs disappeared. Colin took us round a circuitous route to the main square where we parked up with all the other bikes.
We wandered around looking at the bikes and Colin found another Brit on a Valkyrie. We also bumped in to Annette, it was nice to see her again after all these weeks. There didn’t seem to be as many bikes as in previous years and there were only 3 T shirt stalls this year and no one selling leather gear. There were, however, the usual Brazilian dancers.
The ride out started at 11.30 (only Colin and John went on it the rest electing to stay in Oliva) and took us all around the town as usual and then down to the beach. Here Colin found a Valkyrie Rune ridden by a Spaniard and his son. At the beach there were the usual ‘give aways’ of hats and T shirts by the Brazilian girls followed by the strip show. Following last years complaints it was only topless this year.
The sky started getting dark and there was the odd flash of lightening and there was a light patch of sky to the south so Colin and John decided to head for home. Just as we left Oliva it started to rain for about 2km and then it stopped. Then as we got to El Verger the heavens opened and we got a little wet by the time we got home.
A good day at what in my opinion is one of the best matinals.
An update: Rumour has it that June fell in love with a Blue Kawasaki VN900 that was for sale. I wonder if we will see her on it shortly?
Well I turned up at the Pedreguer Shell station at 0945 and found that I was “Nobby No Mates” as no one else wanted to come out to play.
I went to the Javea Matinal and met up with a few other non BOPA friends there. There were about 400 bikes which is down on previous years but I suspect that this was due to the other 2 competing Matinals today. The ride started on time at 11.30 and went up through part of the Old Town and up to the Cabo San Antonio lighthouse and then stopped at a bar on the lighthouse road for a midway break and a beer. We then returned to Javea and road around all of the Old Town and then down along the inner coast road to Cabo Blanco, along the seafront through the Arenal and then into the port and then round to the trawler roundabout and back to the start.
I stopped and listened to some of the music there and headed home when I saw the clouds getting darker inland. It was a good day, not too hot and a nice ride and I got home without getting wet.
