Here's the final instalment of Neil's motorcycle trip to Spain - did they make it? Read on to find out!
This time it was the firing which was off, but not in the same way as earlier (in this rather long day). I pulled alongside Sam and asked how far to our stop – oh dear. The next 90kms were pretty awful, but we eventually arrived at our destination with my bike backfiring like mad down the narrow streets. It was really bad as the bike limped to a standstill.
"Looks like we will have to reset the points again tomorrow if I have any left" I said.
Normally my head would go through future scenarios at this point which would not be positive. But something had changed, we had made it so far on a Guzzi that I was actually getting fond of. We were at a caff, had a nice flat to stay in and a table full of Tapas in front of us. The moment was magical, we'd sort the bike out in the morning.
Clear Blue Skies
It helped that each day brought clear blue skies and temperatures in the thirties.
In the morning the tank was off again and the points were re-set after an early breakfast of tomato tostados and coffee. My bike fired up on two and sounded great. I think it wanted to get to Granada as much as me now.
We had 400kms to go.
We picked a route and knocked off 150 kms of motorway.
Then we turned off the motorway into a deserted town for a spot of lunch. We agreed our next turn location, and promptly lost each other as we left the village. There were two ways back onto the motorway...
Two Roads, One Destination
We had each taken a different exit from the town, rejoined the motorway separately and continued South towards La Carolina, where we planned to turn off and do the last leg on A roads. I stopped at the first fuel station in La Carolina and checked my phone. The battery was flat and I semi panicked. By the time I had bought a charger, plug etc from the Service station, Sam rolled up. Phew.
We had a zero beer, filled up and headed off once more.
The next 100kms or so was a fantastic deserted A road to Guadahortuna. The scenery was exclusively made up of olive groves and very beautiful. It was well hot but both bikes were blasting along effortlessly. I was reminded of the special sound when two 90 degree V twins are alongside each in harmony. This was why I came along and with the breakdowns a thing of the past, I was in a place of motorcycle serenity.
We stopped briefly in Guardahortuna to check the map, luckily we were on a hill because when we came to leave my starter clicked on the solenoid. Never mind we only had another 100 kms to Granada now.
By Some Miracle I Stayed On
The bike bump started and I almost came off when I turned on the scorching cobbles and the back end stepped out. By some miracle I stayed on and off we went. I had meant to zip up my lovely Goldtop leather but it was Scorchio out there. We just had to turn right at the next town and then Granada was only 50 odd kms away.
I got a bit carried away at the thought of actually making it to our destination, there was nothing to worry about. I was motoring now and lost track of Sam. After a while something felt a bit different, I patted my inside breast pocket and the the lump that had been my phone was not there.
My undone jacket had been flowing horizontally as I travelled along, and phone must have fallen out of my pocket. I had an instant cold sweat in 35 degree heat. Driving Licence, Bank Card, Credit Card and not to mention my Freedom Pass and phone. It all went through my head in the next ten minutes as I retraced my route.
Then, there he was again, my savior Sam... he who had sorted my points twice!
“Your phone flew out at 100mph"
It had bounced and separated from its case, Sam saw it go, stopped, rang it and heard it ringing in the long grass. Another lesson learned, I couldn't believe my good fortune.
Finally, in the early evening, after all our adventures, we arrived at Sam's place in the Albacin, with its magnificent view of the Alhambra Palace.
We had made it!
Words can't express how happy I was, I couldn't have done it without my friend that's for sure, and I had a new bond with my old Guzzi.
After a couple of beautifully relaxing days I parked the bike in my American friend Charles' chicken coup, disconnected the battery and flew back to Heathrow.
It's either Morocco or Mandello del Lario next for these two old boys, we will decide in the Spring.
What a fun and inspiring adventure! Nice to hear about motorcyclists out there travelling and enjoying themselves and solving their inevitable problems with resilience. Looking forward to hearing about their next trip!
Have you made any nice motorcycle trips this year – if so we'd love to hear where you went at:
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