Here comes the sun
Off-road jaunts can take summer to the next level – as Andrew Dalton explains
Why should I go on an off-road adventure? »
You’ll see astonishing vistas few others see, go places you never thought ordinary mortals could, and – thanks to the Adventure Country Trails – do it all without needing much in the way of talent.
What’s the one adventure I really have to try? »
The Portuguese Adventure Country Trail (ACT), which is completely doable for a big adventure bike on off-road tyres with a rider who’s done a day at, say, BMW Off-Road Skills. Something like a GS is fine. I did it on my Husqvarna 701 because I was coming back on the more demanding Trans Europe Trail, but I’ve taken my Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro on way more demanding trails than the Portuguese ACT, and I’m definitely no off-road hero.
Though it isn’t technically demanding, the Portuguese ACT takes you through the most beautiful scenery you’re ever likely to come across. There are so many sections where it’s difficult to decide whether you want to zip along and enjoy the trail or just marvel at the beauty. Also, the trail is never far away from civilisation, so if things go wrong you’re always within 10 miles of a town or village.
The start of the ACT is a two-hour ride from Santander in northern Spain [there’s a ferry from Portsmouth]. Then you just ride for as long as you like, staying in good-value village hotels and B&Bs that you can book on the way with Airbnb or booking.com.
The one thing you need to get right is the tyres. The rule is to pick tyres for the worst conditions – and that means full knobblies because you might meet some mud, which is what will strand you on these trails.
I like Michelin Anakee Wilds – they’re a bit rattly on the road, but they’ll get bite in mud and throw it off when you need them to.
I’d bank on taking 10 days if you want to do the whole 780-mile ACT (65% is off-road). And unless you’re seriously handy, don’t attempt to take the Trans Europe Trail back on your big adventure bike – it’s tough!
Any adventure tips?
» Fit the right tyres. These are more important than the bike. Michelin Anakee Wilds are my faves. » Choose a bike you can pick up and get your feet down on. Don’t feel you need to splash out on anything fancy. For the Portuguese ACT, any adventure bike will do. » Know how to fix a puncture. Most adventure bikes have tubeless tyres, so they’re easy enough to fix with a plug. » Do a day at the Triumph, BMW, KTM or Yamaha off-road schools. You’ll learn so much useful stuff. Plus, everything you do in a wet, Welsh February will be 10 times harder than what you’ll get on the ACT.
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