jueves, 8 de marzo de 2007
XX Concentración Nacional Madrid 2004
THE BMW CLUB OF SPAIN RALLY TO MADRID 2004
1.
The night of 1st November I slept like a lord. Not surprising, in the past 72 hours I had travelled 1000 miles in a most lordly progress from Barcelona to Madrid and back, taking in trips to the old historic city of Toledo and the vast palace of El Escorial.
I travelled by courtesy of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Spain and our good friend Francisco. I was riding pillion, ir de paquete,with one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe. The occasion was their National Rally, a number of which are held each year taking in different venues each time. It was a tremendous thrill setting off from Barcelona and kitted out extremely well by Francisco. Once clear of the city Friday afternoon traffic we were able to wind up to a more optimistic speed and my thoughts went back to the British bikes of my colleagues hace muchos años. Matchless, Norton Dominator and Vincent Black Shadow. I never stretched to ownership of such super machines, more a modest Ariel 250. But I was a keen pillion rider.
Friday 29th October which had not had a promising weather forecast was very warm in Barcelona and remained beautiful for our journey. By the time we had reached Lerida , we had settled down comfortably for the 400 mile run, to the capital of Spain.What great good fortune that at last I was on a trip to historic Spain. After 25 years of having the use of a secondary house near El Vendrell, Tarragona for short summer vacations the only experience of the interior was to bring over our household effects from Bilbao when we chose to become permanent residents four years ago. We have a metre length of books on Spain but this weekend was to be my initiation in actually seeing the sights and places of historic legend. Bypassing Zarragoza for the sixth time in four years one glanced down to the famous landmark of it’s cathedral and quietly promised to visit that city very soon. But onwards to Madrid in rather more rapid mode than Don Quixote could ever imagine when he passed by. Though quite subservient to Francisco up front, neither did I feel at our momentum that I was a Sancho. Eventually we passed Alcala with claims to be the birthplace of Cervantes, and sped on to Madrid via Guadalajara. A well chosen four star hotel had been selected with among the usual immaculate facilities, an underground garage on two levels in which a great many of the very expensive motorbikes could be garaged safely. Later on our first evening we went to supper and then retired to our rooms after, in my case, reaching our rendezvous after a most satisfactory journey.
Saturday came and after breakfast we boarded two tourist buses and were taken on a guided tour of Madrid. The weather wasn’t at it’s best and many of the buildings of renown were under the veils of being redecorated. However cameras had a field day and everyone appeared to be in holiday mood. Happily midday the sun came through, we returned to our hotel and immediately mustered on our bikes, in the street, for the Club drive to Toledo. How brilliant the rally then became! Some 50 machines in impeccable condition and some 70 members mounted up, leading off through the city heading for possibly the finest attraction in the whole of Spain. We had a magnificent drive of some 45 miles and following a ‘comfort stop’ and the usual ‘photocall’ we arrived at our destination the Hostel Cardenal. This impressive and well known restaurant and hotel enjoys the most sensational view of the ancient city of Toledo from a high position across the River Tagos.
A most welcome copa de vino was on offer after parking up and then we strode out on a look round the city as much as time would permit. This visit could only be an introduction for the first-time viewer, a brief taste. For there is so much to see, digest and film of course. People of more mature years will be delighted that some of the strain of climbing the heights of the city is now relieved by a very well-designed series of escalators that do reduce some of the formidable climbs. In my opinion the Cathedral is the premier attraction though the whole city is just one showcase. Undistinguished though is the ubiquitous ’Mcdonalds’ in the main square.
2.
Lunch at the Hostal Cardinal was easily the gastronomic highlight of the weekend. Plate followed plate until with so much excellent wine one ceased to count. Each round table laid for ten covers displayed fifty glasses for the drinks. The presentation and quality of each dish was excellent. In English literature at this point one would read ‘we left the place with heavy hearts’. I think that when we left the place it was with some other portion of the anatomy that was feeling a trifle heavy! On our departure, no worse for wear, we were escorted by a pair of BMW mounted policemen through several villages for some time. They appeared to be enjoying the ride as much as we all were. Had they enjoyed a good lunch too? We went back to our hotel. That evening we were ‘out on the town’ by taxi to savour the specialities of one of the cities fish restaurants. As a private party of some dozen we were not to be disappointed by the cuisine, and as earlier in the day, the plates kept coming and coming with mas vino not far behind! In a single day two gourmet fiestas.
On Sunday we made an early start at 9.30 for the Club drive to El Escorial. We did have the benefit of the extra hour provided by the change of the clock to winter routine. Our destination, a palace of 2673 windows, built by Philip ll, one-time and short-time King of England, and known by several to be the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Our road took us up 3,500 feet into the Sierra Guadarrama and we enjoyed again a very satisfactory lunch on route. The higher we went obviously the colder it became and eventually we were not only in quite a heavy mist but also snow. A police car with it’s flashing blue lights then mustered us at a convenient parking place for a few minutes and then kindly escorted us down to lower levels and clear of the many weekend car owners out for a jolly Sunday drive. On the drive we could see in the distance the 150metre high cross in the Valle de los Caidos erected by Franco. And so we returned to Madrid and our hotel to recover, freshen up for the Club’s closing event. This was supper at the El Molino de los Porches. The Club was celebrating it’s tenth anniversary. A special cake decorated with ten candles was ceremoniously lit and extinguished in the time –honoured way and shared out. Speeches were made .Special medals were presented to long-serving members and officers of the Club.
On the Monday, 1st November we expressed farewells and Hasta Luegos to many friends and four of us on two bikes headed for Barcelona and our homes. For me it had been the trip of a lifetime. I had enjoyed the journey so much and the hospitality of the Club immensely. The acceptance of an Englishman to their Rally, the kindness I received from officers and members of the Club was fantastic. The organisation and the gastronomic visits were excellent. Finally, my very grateful thanks to Francisco without whom it would not have been possible.
Muchas gracias
Trevor Lintott
La Bisbal del Penedes
8 de noviembre de 2004
1.
The night of 1st November I slept like a lord. Not surprising, in the past 72 hours I had travelled 1000 miles in a most lordly progress from Barcelona to Madrid and back, taking in trips to the old historic city of Toledo and the vast palace of El Escorial.
I travelled by courtesy of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Spain and our good friend Francisco. I was riding pillion, ir de paquete,with one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe. The occasion was their National Rally, a number of which are held each year taking in different venues each time. It was a tremendous thrill setting off from Barcelona and kitted out extremely well by Francisco. Once clear of the city Friday afternoon traffic we were able to wind up to a more optimistic speed and my thoughts went back to the British bikes of my colleagues hace muchos años. Matchless, Norton Dominator and Vincent Black Shadow. I never stretched to ownership of such super machines, more a modest Ariel 250. But I was a keen pillion rider.
Friday 29th October which had not had a promising weather forecast was very warm in Barcelona and remained beautiful for our journey. By the time we had reached Lerida , we had settled down comfortably for the 400 mile run, to the capital of Spain.What great good fortune that at last I was on a trip to historic Spain. After 25 years of having the use of a secondary house near El Vendrell, Tarragona for short summer vacations the only experience of the interior was to bring over our household effects from Bilbao when we chose to become permanent residents four years ago. We have a metre length of books on Spain but this weekend was to be my initiation in actually seeing the sights and places of historic legend. Bypassing Zarragoza for the sixth time in four years one glanced down to the famous landmark of it’s cathedral and quietly promised to visit that city very soon. But onwards to Madrid in rather more rapid mode than Don Quixote could ever imagine when he passed by. Though quite subservient to Francisco up front, neither did I feel at our momentum that I was a Sancho. Eventually we passed Alcala with claims to be the birthplace of Cervantes, and sped on to Madrid via Guadalajara. A well chosen four star hotel had been selected with among the usual immaculate facilities, an underground garage on two levels in which a great many of the very expensive motorbikes could be garaged safely. Later on our first evening we went to supper and then retired to our rooms after, in my case, reaching our rendezvous after a most satisfactory journey.
Saturday came and after breakfast we boarded two tourist buses and were taken on a guided tour of Madrid. The weather wasn’t at it’s best and many of the buildings of renown were under the veils of being redecorated. However cameras had a field day and everyone appeared to be in holiday mood. Happily midday the sun came through, we returned to our hotel and immediately mustered on our bikes, in the street, for the Club drive to Toledo. How brilliant the rally then became! Some 50 machines in impeccable condition and some 70 members mounted up, leading off through the city heading for possibly the finest attraction in the whole of Spain. We had a magnificent drive of some 45 miles and following a ‘comfort stop’ and the usual ‘photocall’ we arrived at our destination the Hostel Cardenal. This impressive and well known restaurant and hotel enjoys the most sensational view of the ancient city of Toledo from a high position across the River Tagos.
A most welcome copa de vino was on offer after parking up and then we strode out on a look round the city as much as time would permit. This visit could only be an introduction for the first-time viewer, a brief taste. For there is so much to see, digest and film of course. People of more mature years will be delighted that some of the strain of climbing the heights of the city is now relieved by a very well-designed series of escalators that do reduce some of the formidable climbs. In my opinion the Cathedral is the premier attraction though the whole city is just one showcase. Undistinguished though is the ubiquitous ’Mcdonalds’ in the main square.
2.
Lunch at the Hostal Cardinal was easily the gastronomic highlight of the weekend. Plate followed plate until with so much excellent wine one ceased to count. Each round table laid for ten covers displayed fifty glasses for the drinks. The presentation and quality of each dish was excellent. In English literature at this point one would read ‘we left the place with heavy hearts’. I think that when we left the place it was with some other portion of the anatomy that was feeling a trifle heavy! On our departure, no worse for wear, we were escorted by a pair of BMW mounted policemen through several villages for some time. They appeared to be enjoying the ride as much as we all were. Had they enjoyed a good lunch too? We went back to our hotel. That evening we were ‘out on the town’ by taxi to savour the specialities of one of the cities fish restaurants. As a private party of some dozen we were not to be disappointed by the cuisine, and as earlier in the day, the plates kept coming and coming with mas vino not far behind! In a single day two gourmet fiestas.
On Sunday we made an early start at 9.30 for the Club drive to El Escorial. We did have the benefit of the extra hour provided by the change of the clock to winter routine. Our destination, a palace of 2673 windows, built by Philip ll, one-time and short-time King of England, and known by several to be the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Our road took us up 3,500 feet into the Sierra Guadarrama and we enjoyed again a very satisfactory lunch on route. The higher we went obviously the colder it became and eventually we were not only in quite a heavy mist but also snow. A police car with it’s flashing blue lights then mustered us at a convenient parking place for a few minutes and then kindly escorted us down to lower levels and clear of the many weekend car owners out for a jolly Sunday drive. On the drive we could see in the distance the 150metre high cross in the Valle de los Caidos erected by Franco. And so we returned to Madrid and our hotel to recover, freshen up for the Club’s closing event. This was supper at the El Molino de los Porches. The Club was celebrating it’s tenth anniversary. A special cake decorated with ten candles was ceremoniously lit and extinguished in the time –honoured way and shared out. Speeches were made .Special medals were presented to long-serving members and officers of the Club.
On the Monday, 1st November we expressed farewells and Hasta Luegos to many friends and four of us on two bikes headed for Barcelona and our homes. For me it had been the trip of a lifetime. I had enjoyed the journey so much and the hospitality of the Club immensely. The acceptance of an Englishman to their Rally, the kindness I received from officers and members of the Club was fantastic. The organisation and the gastronomic visits were excellent. Finally, my very grateful thanks to Francisco without whom it would not have been possible.
Muchas gracias
Trevor Lintott
La Bisbal del Penedes
8 de noviembre de 2004
II Encuentro BMWRIDERS 2004
Días 17,18 y 19 de septiembre del 2004
Hora y punto de encuentro:
Todas las actividades se desarrollan el sábado día 18, nuestro club estará presente desde la tarde del viernes 17 hasta la mañana del domingo 19
Todas las actividades se desarrollan el sábado día 18, nuestro club estará presente desde la tarde del viernes 17 hasta la mañana del domingo 19
Actividades especiales de nuestro Club
Sábado a las 11:00 h Los Dos Nogueras, Road Líder: Jerónimo Alonso
Sábado a las 11:15 h Paseo Moto Cultural, Road Líder: Paco Jodar
Sábado rutas sin guía, interesantes rutas paisajísticas para realizar en pequeños grupos, los detalles en el documento RUTAS
Road Líder: Carlos Sánchez del Cueto
Ruta I Bosc del Gedar
Ruta II Circuito circular por carreteras locales
Ruta III Saut deth Pish carretera y pista forestal
Ruta IV Ladera Tuca de Betren, pista forestal
Ruta V Museo etnográfico de Vilamós
Sábado a las 11:00 h Los Dos Nogueras, Road Líder: Jerónimo Alonso
Sábado a las 11:15 h Paseo Moto Cultural, Road Líder: Paco Jodar
Sábado rutas sin guía, interesantes rutas paisajísticas para realizar en pequeños grupos, los detalles en el documento RUTAS
Road Líder: Carlos Sánchez del Cueto
Ruta I Bosc del Gedar
Ruta II Circuito circular por carreteras locales
Ruta III Saut deth Pish carretera y pista forestal
Ruta IV Ladera Tuca de Betren, pista forestal
Ruta V Museo etnográfico de Vilamós
Con La Moto bajo las estrellas
Sábado 17 de julio de 2004
Hora y punto de salida: 19:30 Plaça Francesc Macià - Barcelona, Cafetería Sandor
Reagrupamiento: 20:15h en Cafetería Punt de Trobada en la Plaza de la Iglesia en Llinars del Vallés
Hora y punto de salida: 19:30 Plaça Francesc Macià - Barcelona, Cafetería Sandor
Reagrupamiento: 20:15h en Cafetería Punt de Trobada en la Plaza de la Iglesia en Llinars del Vallés
Recorrido: Barcelona, Granollers, Llinars, Montseny, Seva, Sant Juliá de Vilatorta, Sta. María de Corcó, Olot. 165 km.
Cena:
Restaurante La Deu
Carretera de La Deu, s/n
Olot (Girona) a las 22:00 h.
Restaurante La Deu
Carretera de La Deu, s/n
Olot (Girona) a las 22:00 h.
Notas del Web Master:
Esto es lo último en innovación, una salida nocturna para combatir los calores de julio. Además de disfrutar del frescor de la noche, de una interesante ruta a rueda del Road Líder y de una agradable cena con los socios, está prevista una visión del estrellado cielo desde el Turó de l'Home.
Que no se les ocurrirá a los Roads Líderes.
Esto es lo último en innovación, una salida nocturna para combatir los calores de julio. Además de disfrutar del frescor de la noche, de una interesante ruta a rueda del Road Líder y de una agradable cena con los socios, está prevista una visión del estrellado cielo desde el Turó de l'Home.
Que no se les ocurrirá a los Roads Líderes.
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