Day 1, 2 and 3: Porto – Rimini
The first stage of our journey took us from our home town directly to Rimini, over 2300 km away. Quite a challenge to test the current condition of the true hero this adventure, which started at 20.40 pm, GMT.
I must say the first ours weren’t too promising. Unlike two years ago, the “deuch” failed the first real challenge of our journey: the ups of Marão. Always second gear, 40 km/h… rather painful and, above all, scary. Even afterwards, on flat ground, he could hardly go above 75-80 km/h. Any slight elevation, we would be back on 50-60km/h. Nevertheless, we made it till Spain, crossing the border at the sound of Marco Paulo, already a classic.
On the same pace, we made it till Zamora, where we had our first stop. While my companion was cooling down with bonnet up, I took one “bocadillo” and a coke. Half an our later, we were back on the road with the deuch gave his first signs of life. Till 5 am we kept on going on the fine average of 75km/h.
We made it till Peñafiel, somewhere between Valladolid and Sória, where we stopped and had some 4 hours of sleep. At 10 am we were back on the road and, for my disappointment, as well back on our earlier slow pace. We took almost the whole day cruising the deserted northwest part of Spain, getting hours behind schedule. By sunset we reached the highlight of the day: the Spanish Pyrenees. Breathtaking! After 24 hours under a burning sun, with a burning engine, I can’t put it in words how good it felt to have a bath on the cold water of the mountain river. As well, the mountain roads made the wild spirit of the “Deuch” alive, him having a flawless performance. But the his star didn’t shine for long: apparently, to enter his “home” France didn’t leave him too excited. The French Pyrenees were again a painful experience: dark, dark night, typical French mountain road, going up and down the hill to connect every single little village, with the deuch having a slow engine going up and loose breaks going down. As result, we got back to 40km/h average…
Out plan of making it till Rimini in 2 days seemed ruined for good and our hostel booking wasterd. But like always, the “Deuch” was still to shout out loud the last word. The plan was to remain on national roads and avoid tolls. But between the border and the Perpingnan he was given the chance to ride a two lanes road and I can only say something: he took the best out of it. Great pace, 80-90 km/h, again till 5 am, witch took us close till the “côte d’azur”. We were back on track! Over 1000 km in the second day, making our Sunday a smooth drive till our first destination: Rimini. About it, you will hear it from my Rimini Buddies: Helene, Julien and Andrea.
The first stage of our journey took us from our home town directly to Rimini, over 2300 km away. Quite a challenge to test the current condition of the true hero this adventure, which started at 20.40 pm, GMT.
I must say the first ours weren’t too promising. Unlike two years ago, the “deuch” failed the first real challenge of our journey: the ups of Marão. Always second gear, 40 km/h… rather painful and, above all, scary. Even afterwards, on flat ground, he could hardly go above 75-80 km/h. Any slight elevation, we would be back on 50-60km/h. Nevertheless, we made it till Spain, crossing the border at the sound of Marco Paulo, already a classic.
On the same pace, we made it till Zamora, where we had our first stop. While my companion was cooling down with bonnet up, I took one “bocadillo” and a coke. Half an our later, we were back on the road with the deuch gave his first signs of life. Till 5 am we kept on going on the fine average of 75km/h.
We made it till Peñafiel, somewhere between Valladolid and Sória, where we stopped and had some 4 hours of sleep. At 10 am we were back on the road and, for my disappointment, as well back on our earlier slow pace. We took almost the whole day cruising the deserted northwest part of Spain, getting hours behind schedule. By sunset we reached the highlight of the day: the Spanish Pyrenees. Breathtaking! After 24 hours under a burning sun, with a burning engine, I can’t put it in words how good it felt to have a bath on the cold water of the mountain river. As well, the mountain roads made the wild spirit of the “Deuch” alive, him having a flawless performance. But the his star didn’t shine for long: apparently, to enter his “home” France didn’t leave him too excited. The French Pyrenees were again a painful experience: dark, dark night, typical French mountain road, going up and down the hill to connect every single little village, with the deuch having a slow engine going up and loose breaks going down. As result, we got back to 40km/h average…
Out plan of making it till Rimini in 2 days seemed ruined for good and our hostel booking wasterd. But like always, the “Deuch” was still to shout out loud the last word. The plan was to remain on national roads and avoid tolls. But between the border and the Perpingnan he was given the chance to ride a two lanes road and I can only say something: he took the best out of it. Great pace, 80-90 km/h, again till 5 am, witch took us close till the “côte d’azur”. We were back on track! Over 1000 km in the second day, making our Sunday a smooth drive till our first destination: Rimini. About it, you will hear it from my Rimini Buddies: Helene, Julien and Andrea.
Ciao bambini, habiamo un belissima sera a Baia Imperiale. DJ Boy George in the mix!!!
| KILOMETRES (Total): | 2351km |
| KM SINCE LAST SPOT: | 2351km |
| GAS SPENT(Total): | 143.49l |
Click here to know all the details of my Legendary Companion
1 comment:
Acabei de experienciar a viagem...é uma sensação espantosa, incomparável com a vivência real da viagem.
A cada momento do relato, a vontade de comer palavras é quase irresistível. Já é motivo de conversa viva na tua antiga casa..a tal da Blvd Général Jacques ;)
Coragem pessoal, vocês estão em grande!!! :D
Um abraço,
João Thiago
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