Team club-moto at the “Plop Enduro”
Not being able to go to Europe for the early part of the year meant other fun events could be looked into …
We heard about this fun event and thought it would be an awesome thing to do.
S&D Armarda MCC organises the PLOP Enduro events as a “fun day on bikes that are not going to break the bank”.
“We aim the event at raising money for charity and good causes yet at the same time allowing access to top tracks for hours of fun filled riding”
They run the events a couple of times a year and we managed to secure a spot for the Mallory Park race on Saturday 24 April. The classic 8 hour endurance race on Honda C90s …
Two classes – C90, which is what you have to use. And “open” which allows up to 110cc.
Standard carb & tyre sizes.
We very quickly got a team of like-minded nutters together but one small problem – we didn’t actually have a C90! With 3 weeks to go until race day.
After Pete spent many hours/days frantically searching for a suitable bike we acquired one from Liverpool which was relayed down via Kettering to Hampshire for Pete to apply his skills transforming the bike into a race ready machine …
The bike had already done this event a couple of times so was already on it’s way to be the blistering machine we knew it could be. It actually had a “race tuned” engine which increased the standard 7HP to a staggering 9HP. Could we handle the extra power??
Pete spent many hours on the bike fitting rearsets, clip-ons, new pipe, steering damper, screen and a few other bits …
Meanwhile the rest of the team entered into a serious training regime of beer and watching YouTube videos of the event.
We were ready to take on all comers.
We were notified that we had been drawn P6 on the grid and there were 93 starters. No pressure then!
The “team” gathered at Mallory Park on the Friday night before, where tactics were discussed over BBQ and consuming more beers. The training continued.
We awoke from our tents to look out at the Mallory lake and stunning sunny day. Perfect.
The practice session was entertaining as 3 of us had never ridden the bike before heading off down pit lane. But after 3 laps each we were tuned and ready to rock.
The start went off in three waves (to minimise the carnage into Gerrards). We thought Pete should start as he’s the lightest and had spent all the time fettling the bike. Would seem a bit cruel if it blew up 3 laps in and he hadn’t raced it! Team spirt abounded.
Hilarious watching 93 C90s “scorch” past towards turn one.
And to be fair he did well with coming though at the end of lap 1 still in 6th place. We started to think about podiums. Somewhat prematurely, as the fast bikes in the second and third waves soon caught up… But the bike was still running! Things were looking hopeful.
We decided on stints of 35-45 minutes and Simon took over from Pete. The race settled into the usual endurance race rythym and Simon fared well on his first stint. I then took over and set out.
What a hoot! Brilliant fun with constant traffic and battles with similar speed bikes. Going into Gerrards flat out and staying flat out is weird…. 55 mph (ish!).
Andy then took over and appeared back in the pits after a couple of laps to inform us he’d lobbed it. Our first crash of the day! After knocking it back into shape he went out again with no issues.
Bizarrely, there was a one hour lunch stop at 1 o’clock! Bikes just stopped as they arrived at the grid. And we were on the front row! After a most relaxing lunch (very British), Simon headed off at the restart. And after 1 lap didn’t come back round. Mmm we thought, where could he be?
After about 10 minutes he appeared on foot (without bike) to inform us he’d run out of fuel. How did that happen??? – we had it all worked out, but didn’t allow for the spillage of fuel after Andy fell off. Oops.
After running to the bike with fuel off he went again.
All went well for the afternoon. Bike didn’t miss a beat. Although Pete managed to bin it (our second crash) but carried on and eventually we made it to the end. Hoorah!
Finished 23rd in class and 40th overall so not a bad first effort 😊
Great craic, met some great people and never stopped grinning. Cant wait for the next one!
Huge thanks to Jeremy for all his hard work and enthusiasm and of course to the organisers of a superb event.
We will be back!
The team ....
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At last, the potential relaxation of lockdown is in sight… and with spring just around the corner, we are sure everyone is as keen as us to get away on our bikes again when we can! – even if we might be a bit rusty …
Currently, from 17 May international travel should once again be allowed. Naturally, things may change but, thinking positively, we have been putting together our club-moto 2021 schedule with some short trips to complement our longer tours.
club-moto’s quick French tours can be at relatively short notice. The post-lockdown short trips last year were great fun and enjoyed by all! We will keep you updated on any revised tours and dates.
Our short tours have a reduced cost compared to our ‘normal’ trips as our club-moto support van and tail rider are not included, although the usual high-quality roads, stops, and hotels are still very much part of the fun! (We may revise taking along our van subject to numbers.).
Covid-19: safety is paramount – current and relevant Covid protocols will be observed. Please note that all monies paid are fully refundable (inc. deposit) if a trip is postponed due to FCO travel restrictions (as per our T&Cs 2.3).
Stay safe and well and we look forward to seeing you on a club-moto tour this year.
Not long now until the MCN London Motorcycle Show
If you’re there, pop along and say hello on Stand A28 – Always friendly and love to chat about bikes 😊
www.club-moto.com
Come along and meet us at the MCN London Motorcycle Show 2020 at London Excel. Stand A28
We can promise coffee, tea, biscuits and chat about motorcycles!
Look forward to seeing you there....
So here we are heading into winter ..
Short days, manky weather and cold roads ...
Time to plan for next year's warm fun!
Several tours now available on our website ....
Have a look and join us next year for an awesome trip.
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 18
UK
Miles from Kettering 3157
Miles today 246
After a long crossing we finally arrived back in Plymouth...
Good fun on the ferry with various other bikers. Must've been 80+ on board!
Bit of a rough crossing overnight but bikes all stayed upright...
Marvelous to head out into the Plymouth rush hour.
Very tempted to turn around and head back to Spain!
However we ran back to Kettering ....
End of a great trip with sunshine all the way!
The weather gods have been on our side for this one.
Looking forward to the next trip.
Come and join us :)
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 17
Potes - Santander
Miles from Kettering 2911
Miles today 75
Today we packed up and headed off to Santander to sail home.
21 hour crossing to Plymouth. Time to relax, eat, drink and sleep.
Ferry full of British bikes, many of whom we had met in the Picos, so plenty of chat about bikes and roads - as usual :)
Goodbye Spain and thanks for the weather, scenery and magnificent roads .
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 16
Picos - Potes Triangle
Miles from Kettering 2836
Miles today 125
Today we decided to stay another night in Potes!!
Went and rode the "Potes Triangle* - 125 miles of bends, bends and more bends. Pleasant to ride without luggage for a change :)
This is a magnificent area with sublime roads and never ending breath-taking scenery. Biking perfection.
The inevitable deer stop again!
Bridge into Riano (N621)
And stunning roads :)
Traffic very light, although not surprisingly there are plenty of bikes about
We met a few random groups of British and Spanish bikes, all grinning as we were...
Tomorrow evening off to Santander for the ferry back to Plymouth.
Can hardly wait to get back on the UK roads .... :( :(
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 15
Leon - Potes
Miles from Kettering 2711
Miles today 128
Today we left Leon and headed up into the Picos.
Always a joy to ride up towards the mountains. The weather again glorious and the scenery enticing as the mountains get closer.
Joining the classic N621 we arrived in Riano for a coffee. As usual many bikes out on the road now and the ride up and over to Potes was amazing.
Met various other UK bikers en route, with an odd "spirited" ride with others. :)
Stopped in the usual "must do" spot of the deer and popped up the track to see the lesser seen bear...
Great ride down to Potes with a Belgian couple along the perfect bendy tarmac of the N621 until we arrived in Potes and our hotel for the evening.
Potes is a great town. Buzzing, full of life and bikes everywhere!
Not sure where to tomorrow yet ..... :)
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 14
Guarda - Leon
Miles from Kettering 2583
Miles today 273
Today the roads have been simply astonishing.
Exceptional in every way - quality tarmac, glorious weather and empty.
Heading NE from Guarda into the Douro valley on the amazing N221 from Pinhel towards Spain was breathtaking. We have travelled this road several times before but it still blows your mind :)
The scenery was just epic.
Heading into Spain we continued along awesome empty roads to Astorga with stunning open views and mountains in the distance, and finally to our hotel for the night in the lovely old city of Leon.
We enjoyed a well earned cold beer on the rooftop terrace before heading into the bustling squares for the evening.
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 13
Estoril - Guarda
Miles from Kettering 2310
Miles today 262
Following a great last night with the crew at Estoril we made a very early start at about 12.30 (bit tired !!) to head off North into Portugal.
Nice, if a little odd at first, to be back on the road again after the track.
After clearing the busy Lisbon area on the motorway we headed up into the open countryside and windy roads through Portugal ending up in our hotel near Guarda for the evening.
club-moto run to Estoril .... days 10, 11 & 12
Estoril
Miles from Kettering 2048
Miles today 258 (circuit)
Early start on Monday to head to the circuit.
Swap tyres, strip the bike down ready for track use..
And.... ready :)
Three days on the awesome Estoril track.
Many thanks to John & Alistair of Bahnstromer Mororrad for the track pictures.
Great times, great company.
And of course work carries on .... nice office though :)
And even one of our Kuberg electric bikes was out on holiday :)
Last day swap bike back for road use
and head to our hotel for the last night party.
Looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow ...
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 9
Estoril
Miles from Kettering 1790
Miles today none at all :)
Chill day - food on beach, wine and sun...
Marishka delighted to be NOT in leathers ...
Great to meet up with friends all here for the circuit.
Estoril circuit tomorrow ...
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 8
Jarandilla de la Vera - Estoril
Miles from Kettering 1790
Miles today 319
After a fantastic breakfast we set off earlier today for the final run into Portugal and our destination of Estoril on the coast near Lisbon.
Once again the weather remained perfect (certainly been very fortunate to date on this trip!) and the roads just kept giving.....
We crossed into Portugal on deserted perfect bendy roads with 200 miles to go...
Winding our way over the gorgeous landscape the UK seemed a distant memory ...
Long run today so we pushed on, arriving at our hotel in Estoril at about 4.30 and met with friends who had flown out. Couple of cold beers by the pool and checked in to our hotel for the next 5 nights. Not a bad view from the balcony :)
After travelling from the coast of Northern France to Estoril coast it was nice to see the sea again!
Time to relax... Marishka happy to not have to put leathers on for a few days!
Estoril circuit for 3 days on track starts Monday.... The crew are gathering, although we have heard there is an issue with French ATC today (Sunday) so may be some delays to todays arrivals ... :)
Now time for a chill day ..
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 7
Segovia - Jarandilla de la Vera
Miles from Kettering 1471
Miles today 184
Woke up this morning to another glorious day.
View from the hotel garden on a balloon over "Walt Disney's castle"
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Setting off through the cobbled streets of Segovia we soon wound our way up the mountain to stop for a coffee at 1900m in a ski resort! Bit odd as the temperature was already heading for 30C :)
Today our route took us along consistently awesome empty roads through the mountains. Biking nirvana. Just like having your own personal track through spectacular scenery ....
The weather remained stunning apart from a "slightly" concerning period seeing lightning and heavy clouds over the mountains we were heading up into. However all stayed fine for us and the temperature hit 37C on our run in to our hotel for the evening. Tad hot in leathers!! The cold beer in the fantastic Parador was very welcome.
Beautiful hotel in a very Spanish town. And of course the bike had pole position for parking :)
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 6
Siguenza - Segovia
Miles from Kettering 1287
Miles today 178
Late start - admin to catch up on before leaving...
Lovely evening in Siguenza. Stunning place.
Another very hot day and some wide open top quality roads and country with virtually no traffic.
How we miss England!
Arrived late afternoon in the world heritage city of Segovia.
Lovely hotel with gardens providing a view of the countryside outside the old walls. And with a view of the castle that inspired Walt Disney.
Sitting in Plaza Mayor having another cold beer ....
(is there a theme? :) )
Looking forward to tomorrow when we head up to the mountains continuing our route to Estoril ...
And the forecast is .... HOT :) bring it on .....
club-moto run to Estoril .... day 5
Day 5 - Sos del Rey-Siguenza
Miles from Kettering 1109
Miles today 229
Set off in glorious weather. The scenery spectacular.
Something special about the Spanish light on the hills :)
Some awesome roads to begin with followed by some long straight parts mixed with undulating hills and sweeping bends..
This is after all the flat bit of Spain. But empty empty roads with huge distant views.
Now in a lovely hotel in the old town of Siguenza.
Once again with a well earned cold beer after a hot day in leathers! :)
Day 4 - Pyrenees
We always love this bit - heading up into the mountains and down into Spain.
And today was spectacular. The roads through France were perfect as we headed South. The weather was kind - mid to late 20s and dry!
As ever the Pyrenees were amazing. The routes we use over the mountains are challenging and rewarding. Bend after bend surrounded by breathtaking scenery :)
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Ultimately heading down to Pamplona and then out into Spain. The views are always magnificent and again didnt fail to impress.
France is empty, but Spain is REALLY empty.
Beautiful place to ride.. Stunning roads.
Hotel for the night in a very old medieval town on top of a hill.
Narrow windy streets and captivating architecture.
Into mid Spain tomorrow .... :)
Day 3 - Argenton - South France
Another amazing day riding through rural France. We largely stay on the D roads and avoid motorways and major trunk roads. And this never fails to reward with stunning empty roads through the country.
300 odd miles today, with a quick stop off north of Angouleme for lunch with a friend (thanks Justin :) )
Yet again was very hot, so a welcome cold beer at our chateau for the evening.
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Absolutely stunning place in the middle of nowehere. Great food and another late night chatting to a Belgian couple - oddly enough bikers too!
The late nights always seem to have a theme.
Pyrenees and Spain tomorrow .... oh yes :)
Day 2 - Caen - Argenton
Off ferry this morning by 7am. Bit early after our late night with our German friend but tiredness soon forgotten as we head off along the superb D roads across rural France.
300 miles later arriving at our hotel in Argenton-sur-Creuse. Lovely town that we have stayed in many times. Our hostess Caroline as welcoming as ever in her lovely (very) French manor hotel.
Been hot today - 35C at times - so a cold beer, leathers off and a dip in the pool most welcome....
OK... we're on our way to Estoril, Portugal.
Day one: Ferry from Portsmouth to Caen.
Met some German biker and ended up drinking whiskey and talking bikes untill far too late.
Good night .... zzzzzz
Off tomorrow for a bit of a ride to Estoril ...
Marishka and myself tidying up a few bits and heading for 3 days on track. Ferry tomorrow night to Caen, and then onwards and south. Updates to follow ... :)
Fancy a trip with a touch of adventure to Spain or Portugal?
club-moto motorcycle tours will be at Earl's Barton Classic Car and Bike Meet on Thursday 7 August. We run tours to track days and Spanish MotoGPs. We also create bespoke tours: just tell us where you want to go and leave the rest to us.
Come and have a chat with us - we’re super friendly!
https://www.facebook.com/events/380045482595233/
Come and meet us at Cassington Bike Night!
club-moto and our Kuberg electric motorcycles will be at Cassington Bike Night on Monday 24 June. Cassington is near Oxford: www.cassingtonbikenight.wordpress.com
A free-to-enter event, Cassington Bike Night attracts thousands of modern and classic motorcycles together with their riders (modern and classic!), lots of food options and a beer tent on the village green.
See our Kuberg electric motorcycles in the flesh, find out more about club-moto motorcycle tours… or just come have a chat about motorbikes – it’s what we do best
See you there!
As well as running European motorcycle tours, we are happy to offer these fantastic, innovative Kuberg motorcycles from our dealership in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Please visit our website for lots more info, we'll be setting up a Kuberg Facebook page very soon!
If you want a trip with a touch of adventure and to ride your bike like it was meant to be ridden, you’ve found it!
Over the years we have covered tens of thousands of miles in Europe and decided to take the plunge and set up club-moto to share our wonderful experiences and passion for riding abroad with like-minded bikers.
After a couple of years of detailed research of roads, hotels and lunch stops, we have now launched our new club-moto website offering: trips to pre-booked track days; trips to the Spainish MotoGPs; and bespoke tours into France, Spain and Portugal.
The primary element is always the roads: with perfect tarmac that twist and turn, sweeping bends and amazing scenery. Motorways are barely touched. We search out and test roads that are both rewarding and challenging, roads that could have been designed specifically for motorbikes!
High quality hotels ‘with a difference’ are carefully selected to provide you with the means to relax, eat, drink and reflect on the day’s ride with the other tour members while knowing that your motorbike is secure.
Fully guided tours will be offered with a ‘corner marking system’ being used to ensure that no one gets lost and all can ride at their own pace. Luggage will be carried in our support van. We would welcome any comments/feedback on the club-moto website. Pillions are more than welcome on these trips.
Details of upcoming trips will be provided very soon. If you’re interested then please get in touch – we’re very welcoming and friendly!
A tough day at the office, perfecting one of the routes for the upcoming French trips. St Malo - Argentan Sur Creuse.
