Por Madrid en Moto – ride to Jarama Race track

This sunny Sunday we were more than 120 bikes gathering at the bar Los Barriletes for registration.

Registration and time to admire bikes, one of my favourite activities passing time
Registration and time to admire bikes, one of my favourite activities passing time

The route was short today because it was followed by activities at the race track. We rode one of my favourite roads, between Colmenar Viejo and Guadalix de la Sierra and later I was introduced to some small but very scenic roads passing on the inside of El Molar towards San Augustin, the view was fantastic – all the way to Madrid and the four towers. No photos, sorry, it’s all exclusive to my memory 🙂

At the race track we had a barbecue, it was only meat but since I had my own bananas it wasn’t a problem. It was very interesting seeing the track and I was amazed noticing that scooters also join in on the track days. I don’t think that would happen in Sweden, we tend to see scooters as something else than motorcycles but maybe that will change also up north.

The scooters racing together with the race bikes
The scooters racing together with the race bikes

I have really enjoyed these rides – rutas, that I have taken part in. Very good work of the organisation Muevete por Madrid en Moto. If you’re in the Madrid area check out their website for info about the next activity!

Asociación Muévete por Madrid en Moto

At Jarama, unfortunately I could not stay until the end of the day when all bikers were invited to do an honorary lap.

1a Matinal Circuito del Jarama

The route - short but sweet
The route - short but sweet

The Return Journey

So now this summer’s biker event is planned. As presented before, I will spend 5 days riding up to Switzerland, visiting the H. R. Giger bar and arriving at the WIMA rally site hopefully in good time for a drink, setting up the tent and arriving to dinner. But, as often stated in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (a masterpiece among books, by Douglas Adams) and what I highly sympathise with, time is relative. I often get lost in time, especially when riding.

Trailer to the WIMA rally

After the rally I ride to La Grande Chaume and spend two nights there recovering. I found this place two years ago and keep going back.

La Grande Chaume B&B
La Grande Chaume B&B

After this I ride to the south of France for a stay in a castle-hostel outside Carcassonne before riding to Andorra. Hopefully, I will arrive early enough to have time for some shopping, I could do with new riding trousers. Then what remains of the tour is a couple of hours in the mountains and then going home.


Ver A very expected journey – the return home en un mapa más grande

No new countries this year and nothing spectacular, apart from sleeping 5 nights in a tent… which I am nervous about. I need to check out mattress and sleeping bag to see that I have good enough stuff. That will go on the to-do-list. All-in-all I spend 14 days with my bike, not much really. I don’t have time for any detours but have to keep to the direct route. I’m happy to be going, thought I wouldn’t manage this year. But my wise fiancé told me I had to go, he thinks that I will be miserable if I don’t. He is probably right.

Being one in a hundred – Ruta de Mariscos

I’m a lone rider, you who follow me know this. But today I rode in a group of a hundred bikes, and I didn’t know a single person.

The route: Ruta de marisco - "Las Cascaras de Gamba"
The route: Ruta de marisco - "Las Cascaras de Gamba"

Now and then I make an effort to socialise with other people and this semed to be a good opportunity. The activity was hosted by Muevete por Madrid en Moto and cost 13 euros. This included not only the ride but also a three course lunch, it seemed too good to be true, but it was.

The ride was heavily organised with strict rules to follow, very much like any other parade, but this was longer than so. We rode for about two hours, first on the highway and then on precious roads in the countryside to Arganda del Rey where we had our first stop at a festival.

The festival, "Fiesta de Abril en Arganda del rey"
The festival, "Fiesta de Abril en Arganda del rey"

After a snack we continued on smaller roads to Fuenlabrada where we had a magnificent lunch. It is awfully difficult to get good photos of lots of bikes, I wished I had had a GoPro because the view from the back of the group was awesome, the line of bikes continued into the horizon. I did take good pictures of the food though 🙂

Starter: mejillones, calamares, langostinos, yummy scrumy
Starter: mejillones, calamares, langostinos, yummy scrummy
Main course: Paella
Main course: Paella

I was very lucky and found a seat next to some really nice bikers who rode a Honda CBR, Kawasaki Versys and I think it was a Honda Transalp… of course I forgot to ask their names.

My friends for dinner
My friends for dinner

After the ride and all the food I was ready for siesta. Fortunately there was icecream followed by two cups of coffee to save my return home.

If I did this every Sunday my Spanish would be a lot better!