Spanish TET - Motril to Malaga 300KM

 

It's 5am the following day as I attempt to write this, weary and bleary eyed, from the airport.  I've somehow lost my trainers in the past 1000km so I'm stood in my motocross boots in the bright lights awaiting security checks. I imagine few people travel in such footwear as my glamorous garb is attracting a few looks. 

Anyhoo, i set off a little later than usual yesterday as I'd done the lion's share of the miles already. 

The weather forecast suggested there was a 95% chance of rain so I donned my waterproofs.  As you might expect it didn't rain at all and I spent the day cocooned in my layers like a sweaty ham sandwich. 

The TET section from Motril is road based, giving way to trails after about 30km that lead through a national park. The park makes spectacular viewing and must be a great place to own a house in which to unwind. ...perhaps when those lottery numbers land. 

I saw much wildlife on this day, huge stag deer, wild goats, domestic sheep and swift squirrels, most of it crossing the road as opposed to dead next to it. It made a nice change,  but it's difficult to capture when youre braking to avoid them. 

There are signs along the paths, I assume suggesting that you should not venture off said path into the nature reserve.  For any wheeled vehicle leaving the path is a technical impossibly, I hope the photo below captures the literal sea of rocks that make up the land here. It resembles the fallout from an explosion, a massive jumble of impenetrable debris, mile after mile.

The next three photos are from the highest point in the reservation. It's clearly a tourist hotspot at some points, but today I was its only visitor and had the top of the world to myself. 

Windy, but awe inspiring. 

Descending into the lower land the TET follows the main road for periods. However, rather than ride on the dual carriageway many have a service road or, as below, a service track, alongside. Like a motorway for dirt bikes. Very thoughtful, thanks Spain!

If you ever wondered where your olives come from, the answers below. Mile after mile of orchard.

Harvesting them was a labour intensive affair.  Mats were laid under the bushes (below) and then a person with a stick would hit the bush repeatedly and with vigour. On only one occasion did I see a tractor with a mechanical appendage shaking the tree. Even in that case with a 'Transformers' arm helping,  still two men were beating the living crap out of the bush.  I'll savour Olives in future understanding the manual energy put into the harvest.

Below, a dirt bikers paradise, hills covered with tracks like someone threw spaghetti at them and thought 'that'll do'.

I did meet and interesting fellow along the way. As I neared a petrol station, Thomas, the chap below waved and removed his helmet so I pulled up for a chat.  At 28 he's already travelled the world on a XT600. He'd been at home for a while after returning before 'wanting to get out again', in his own words. As we met he'd left Germany six months ago on the TET and was making his way to South Africa when the borders open.  In those months he'd used a hotel twice, preferring to wild camp. 

His bike is a 90's Honda XR600 with a hand built toolbox/belly pan and pannier rack. What's incredible to note is how little he is carrying. Two small panniers contain his camp, kitchen, clothes, spares and food. On the opposite side he also carried a small stash of firewood for tonight's camp. 

Most people you see in pictures doing similar look like they're moving house with a bike.  

I asked about loneliness and how he copes with the solitude. Apparently he attempts to meet with people about once a week through a travelers website, often find finding a sofa to surf on for a night. 

He said he'd never met a person traveling the TET before, and I'd never met a world traveler doing the journey, so a first for us both.  Fortunately as I pulled up, he immediately noted I'd lost a bolt from my front axel. I remember tightening them at home without locktite and thinking I should use some. I replaced it with a spare and used locktite this time. 

We rode together for a few kilometres before parting company. I'll look him up on Instagram as he gave me sticker with his name on it. 

Reaching my final destination for this trip I found Barrie and the Adventure Truck  near the town of Coin at a four star golf resort.  I immediately lowered the tone by stripping to change and sorting my kit outside the reception.  I bet the hotels love it when pikey Dan comes to visit.  Jason asked if I also camped in the car park when he saw the photo! 

...and here we are the night before the airport attired exactly as I'd travel.  Face burnt, clothes dusty,  boots on, smelling fresh and looking sharp. 

Big thanks to Barrie for making all this possible!