ACT Portugal 04

 Out of the valleys and into the clouds, today we climbed.  

Following an excellent breakfast at our private hotel we crossed the river and immediately Jason's bike sprung a water leak. 

Below, Jason hiding his belly as Sarah got the camera out. 

Fortunately Jason brought liquid steel which we applied to the radiator next to the road and moved on. 

Jason went to a garage, Sarah and I continued north and Barrie left the hotel last. We didn't see each other again until the evening. 

Below, the town of Belver sporting a huge castle on a hill. The castle used to house much of Portugals wealth and was used to defend against Muslim Invasion into Christian lands. 

We left the TET today and used a route from 'Adventue Country Tracks' (ACT).   The TET just clings to the border, where ACT comes in land via areas of natural beauty. 

Dirt highways in the sky. Sarah dwarfed by the collosal wind turbines.  The land was dry and the wind so still that huge dust clouds would severely obscure the track for the rear rider. 

We practiced riding in each others wake, practically in our blind spots, just to avoid the impenetrable and dangerous clouds. 

Whilst Jason followed Barrie, the track completely obscured, the front slipped and he had his first 'off' of the trip. He caught the whole thing on camera, nothing damaged, not even ego and he was good to go. 

The route was fantastic and quite challenging on small bikes. 

It's supposed to be 'big adventure bike friendly' and whilst some is, some, at least in my opinion, is more than I'd like to tackle on my Africa Twin. 

The ride today is 150 miles, a marathon stage for a beginner like Sarah and I had my doubts we'd make it.  Still got time to smile though! So far so good.   Look at the size difference! Am I traveling with my daughter or a hobbit? 

...and time to pose with a Belgian traveller that Sarah described as 'very handsome' 🤔

Above, 1800meters up and no crash barriers. 

Jeremy Clarkson and his cohorts would love the road we traveled..

Reaching Manteigas after nine hours of traveling I can only describe the day as epic. Sarah managed every inch of the route. 

Barrie came out to meet us and got goose bumps when Sarah described what she had achieved. Jason, who'd made up time by skipping sections, had to fend of some choice comments about cheating. 😉 It's not a race, it's an adventure ride. 

A rusty house? 

150 miles today. Hotel Berne being our destination in the mountain town of Manteigas.  They even opened the small garage they use as a store room for us.