Well done for showing this, adventure bikes are big beasts, if you get in trouble you can get in a mess quickly, one of my biggest fears when riding alone 👍👍 Envy these guys who make it look easy.
Amazing scenery, superb roads, the tarmac looks as smooth as a billiard table. Your epic attempt at the pass is awe-inspiring. Can't wait for the next one
Wow, that’s one tough trail! When you turned around Richy you had the same problem that Gaz had, couldn’t get up enough speed to carry the day. Really showed the need for knobby tires. Can’t wait for the next installment. Cheers!
Just finished watching this! I thought the trip to Scotland in the snow and ice was bad but this was something else. As a new rider currently on a 125cc, I'm worried when a bit of wind hits the bike 😅 What was good to see was the experienced riders following their heads and saying that's enough
Great video, fantastic teamwork, just goes to show these big adventure bikes are just to heavy for off road, yeah if you had knobblys maybe easier, but still a ball ache to pick up, I did the Kielder Forest ride on a S1000XR fully laden, it was fun but never again, the thought of trashing a 14k and upwards bike just gets in ya head, thanks for sharing your experience though really enjoyed it, Wishing I'd not sold the CRF250L now 😂 looking forward to part 2.
What a nice ride🤗 those mountains are magnificent and you picked a beautiful day with the clouds covering the valley. That was a difficult TET track if you got down. 😮hope your okay.
Well done lads, for giving it a good go. Just seeing Richy walk up the hill could see how steep it was... would have frightened the living daylights out of me. With all the experience Richy has, it just shows how tough it is. Enjoyed watching 👍👍👍
Fair play to you guys for attempting that trail on those heavy bikes, and respect for those that decided that discretion was the better part of valour. The only dirt surface my GS sees is hotel car parks! Lowering tyre pressures might have helped a bit.
Bloody he'll... i went ton wales for the weekend as a little tour to get to grips with my new to me bike , we went up the gospel pass, my god this video gave me flashbacks, Friday on the way up with the rain and sheer amount of mud on the roads, pot holes I lost control and had to use the bank to stop.. the tyres got completely coked up with mud / clay this video made me on edge watching it haha.. I was literally crapping myself and totally snaked down the road, thank god for the bank that finally made me stop... this was a great video, but I for one can vouch for the confidence knock as the whole weekend it was playing tricks on my mind with ridding and just totally scared the crap out of me. Beautiful at the top just the wrong time of year to be the highest part of Wales!!!!
Riding big bikes off road takes big balls and big nerves cuz it can go very wrong very quickly. And it can catch the best of us out. For those that turned around, there’s nothing wrong in admitting when you’ve had enough. It’s all about bringing the bike and yourself home not ending up in hospital.
A trip down memory lane. I did this with some mates on GS' about 4 years ago. Got a bit further than on the video before turning back as we had a mate on an Aprilia 1200 Caponard 'Rallye' and he could not turn the TC off and couldn't get up the hill that all your lads were 'having fun' on. I do want to go back on mt GSA 1250 and conquer it one day 👍
@@RichyVida Thanks, I was beginning to think that it was a tad tricky for big adventure bikes? I ruled out the idea of attempting it on my Rocket 3GT 😬
Bloody hell Rich!! That pass is unbelievable. Hats off to the folks that enjoy that level of off-roading, way beyond my talents. Did my first bit of off-roading on my new 890 Adventure last week, glad (sorta) to find out the 890 is a piece of piss to lift up after laying her down. Can't wait for next week's episode now.
I was inspired to book a trip to the Picos just to do this very trail and I did it last week on my Tracer 700 road bike. Loved it. On my own too. It was a challenge but I loved it.
This is the reality of taking litre plus adventure bikes off road. Lots of spills, confidence crushed and no doubt glad to see tar again. I've tried it, I've come a cropper. This vid will be excellent in giving a reality check to many who have the dream but none of the skill set So far this year you've reminded me not to ride on snow and ice, now a reminder that I'm not a TET man.
Been up that trail on an off road bike about 15 year ago now it's no joke and the camera really doesn't do the thing justice. On big bikes like that you are screwed without momentum and knobbly tyres. No shame in turning round to fight another day.
What a beautiful place to ride!. The video isn't showing the severity of the incline, only the rear wheel spinning is giving us some perspective of what it must be like and on a 225 kilo + bike. it must be tough!.
Absolutely right bikes for the job, as you said, knobbly tyres would've been ideal but you go with what you have. Great show of honesty from the fella that was frightened to bring the bike back down. Great vid for showing how vulnerable any rider can be with regards being out of your comfort zone and showing real bike drops. Good stuff 👍👍👍👍
Exactly the pin rod the vid. Thanks for noticing! Gaz is more than capable (he smashed ToroAdventure a few months before this) but his panic here caused him to completely freeze. You’re the only one in the comments to understand the point of this edit, so thanks! 👍
@@RichyVida Reset and go again. He did the right thing. My wife Donna copped some bad comments when she dropped her bike a few times in Belgium and Luxembourg but end of the day what's point in documenting your rides if your only gonna show the highs because it's the lows that's make you honest and shows how true you are. Plus it's a laugh when all back at base with a beer. 👍👍👍
One of my biggest regrets was not filming any footage of my ride and stay in Espinama on the bike. Had planned to ride that road up to the top from the village but a huge storm came in so just wrapped up warm and hiked it lol, it was mental up there and glad I didnt risk the bike in the gale force conditions. But ever since I got back I just cannot wait to get back. Whilst trying to find my hostel had to do a U turn in Espinama, went into auto pilot and rode on the left, thankfully a car of Spanish came along side me screaming to get back lol. Just as another car was heading for me. It was my one lapse. Had been riding since Santander no problems. Really fell in love with the place tho. People were amazing too.
Awesome episode and I can see this is how it would pan out if I took a team up the mountains. What a view as well prior.. I really need to go here.. Can i come next time and keep Graeme company 🏴 😊
Wow I am so glad we didn’t take that route, we asked some walkers if we could go down the route and they told us no vehicles were allowed. It was bollocks but thank god they did! Hope everyone and the bikes were ok
I did something like that in Morocco. Choices. Either ride across a rock field in the Atlas foothills in the dark on a Sertao GS650. Or sleep in the desert in MX kit. Or descend a horrible, shale, steep goat trail with a massive drop. We went for the descent. One of my mates has never ridden off road since. All of us were crapping our pants and we stank of nervous sweat. Lesson learned. On terrain you don't know, don't blunder on. One of my old Directing Staff when I did my basic, a Falklands Veteran commando combat engineer gave me these wise words. Trust your instincts. Don't think too hard. If you feel it's going to shit, it is. And Foxtrot Oscar away.
Good eye opener to show just because you buy a Adventure bike dont mean you can go off road, the bike can only do so much, Ive done a little Enduro off roading on a EXC 450 and the skills you pick up are I think what you need if you want to do these sort of off road, plus you have the weight thing against you with the likes of GS's etc. Great video and on my bucket list to do.
Brilliant yet again! If it looks steep on camera it's twice as bad in real life ! Those who haven't experienced 220kg on marbles on a steep track like this can't imagine how difficult it is ! And that's before you drop the bike ! Keep smiling.
Hi Richy, what is the weather like in the Pyrenees near the end of September, planning to do a trip down through France, Spain, Andorra before coming back up through France back to Jersey, wild camping so wondering on the clothing and camping gear during the nights down there. Thanks
The Pyrenees and Picos are like any mountain range and the weather can change from day to day in any season. In August 2020 I headed down to the Pyrenees near Laruns for a few days at the last minute because the seven day was forecasting 18° and sunny for several days which would have been much better for the motorcycling and hill walking I wanted to do than the seasonal normal which would have been 10° warmer. Last June I had planned to go to the Picos after visiting the Bardenas Reales but the forecast for the Picos was so cold and wet I stayed further south before heading back through the Picos on my way home when the forecast although mixed was better. On the day I did the Sotres track it had been raining hard earlier in the day and the track down to Espinama at the southern end was wet and muddy. The weather in September can be fantastic but with bad luck it might be awful. At least you have the chance to head further south to search for warmer drier weather if things do look dodgy.
I actually think the most dangerous part of the vid was around 20.30 when you met what you thought was a St Bernard with some sheep. The dog was actually a Mastin Espanol, or Spanish Mastiff. They're bred to protect livestock from wolves and bears, are hugely powerful and can weigh upwards of 200lbs. You were wise to heed his warning barks as if he'd thought you were a real threat to his flock you could have been in serious trouble.
@@RichyVida Never done any off road so I think it's well beyond my ability and confidence level. Hoping to do the BMW Off Road Skills course one day so maybe after that.
Fair play to the lads having a go at that,but not on heavy,expensive bikes on road tyres.Could have ended badly with broken bikes or worse,bones !..Watch and enjoy all your vids but this episode had me worried.
I must admit though after doing it last week, that actual part going up is steeper in real life than it looks on video. I am so chuffed to have done and beaten the mighty Sotres to Espinama trail without falling off and on a road bike. 😊
I really thought there TKC 70 front would of been ok on roads like that. I think its time for me to change if im going to be doing more of this stuff. its a shame as they are a great tyre on the road and little gravel tracks. fair play to you all. is this TFT track becoming an annual thing now?
Richy "Hitchcock" Vida, please give us a nice relaxing video where we don't have to watch from behind the sofa. Knowing the big lad goes down just made it worse!!! Heheheheh. Looking forward to the next one! 🤪
Yeh and they’re more enjoyable ….and easy to pick up. I reckon a lot of people get big ‘adventure bikes’ because they fall for the ‘macho’ image that the marketeers are selling!
I don't think Kev's outfit has changed in the last few outings, I do like his trousers though!! The t-shirt is pretty epic too, instantly recognisable 😂
I cant think of a more ridiculous bike to do that pass on than a bmw gs. Oh sorry, i can, a VFR800! Very entertaining and hopefully a lesson to those that think they can go proper off roading on a 268 kg (plus luggage) bike designed for tarmac.
It’s ok to have a go and ok to know your limit’s. The limits here were the tyres not the riders I think. You really shouldn’t really be going up there alone on the BM regardless of tyres. I wouldn’t swop my CRF450 & Trackers anytime soon. Anyway, it was a good work-out eh? Bet you enjoyed your first beer that evening! 🍺😉👍
I love it, how people are suggesting that the route we did in Spain would be easier in the opposite direction. 🤔 I’ve Been Riding off-road for a long long time & Believe me , I’ve seen a lot more people fall of going downhill than I have seen going up!!! The Route would have Been an amazing accomplishment for those few that were a little les experienced than others, However the Route hadn’t had rain for months, so it was a lot Drier & looser than usual , it was a great effort from all the Guys & everyone went home Happy & unscathed . Amazing Trip 😎 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Mr English I’m talking from first hand experience of that very track. If you don’t like it tough it’s a fact. I could have just posted some sarcastic posts about posers on bikes they can’t handle failing on a route I’ve done on a far more road based bike but I decided to post some thing positive as I was worried that your amateur dramatics might put off others from attempting a very accessible track. If you don’t like the truth just ignore it, don’t you dare trying to play the superior one, after all we’ve seen your efforts. 😂😂😂
@@English-Motorcycle-Adventures I just had a look at your library! Ha ha, if that’s how you rate people you’re way on the way to winning the race to the bottom. Thank you so much for giving me such a laugh tonight. Big man English, what a joke!
@@5tevieb954 It’s an excuse not a reason. They weren’t committed and without momentum they were not going to manage it. Once the doubt crept in that was it. It’s billed as a difficult route but it’s not, it was beyond the VFRs but nothing to stop any of those bikes. There will have been family saloons parked just up the track from that point. It’s a good intermediate track accessible to most riders. As Mr Vida says elsewhere on this thread it’s no problem on any of those bikes. I really hope that this theatre doesn’t stop any riders from attempting a great accessible trail. And I repeat, it’s much easier in the other direction. Me English is wrong on that score too. Perhaps that’s why he’s a sheep not a leader.
@@davidmatthews3093 Enough with the personal digs. I had ridden the track the previous year '21 with Pete and Rich and I can tell you, because I was there both times, that it was incredibly more difficult in '22. The main reason being there had been very little rainfall and the trail surface was ripped up from traffic/weather and completely covered in loose stone like marbles, no grip, whereas last year it was only spotted with loose stone which made it much easier and enjoyable to ride, but still challenging. It was even difficult to walk on the surface it was that bad. The majority of bikes had either 80/20, 70/30 or 50/50 tyres on. Just to point out also the trail does get cleared down by machinery when needed to make it accessible for traffic to hotel / service locations etc There were no family saloons parked up the track as they would not have made it up that inclined section, we met one other vehicle a 4x4 which you see in the video - all we met after that were walkers and the same 4x4 on the way back down bringing people up to the hotel. I agree with you that momentum was key and unfortunately the few riders that stopped where they did had signed their fate and I was gutted I didn't get to complete it entirely this year. When I rode it last year it was really my first stab at off-roading so I was really looking forward to riding it again but took the decision not too after seeing the others struggle. It's an amazing route with stunningly beautiful views, I will conquer it next time.
Very brave on there. That’s like pindale if not worse. Don’t think I’d be able to do that. Well done. I’ve actually traded my africa twin in. After spending all that cash on it getting it ready for off road. I really do want to do this riding, but with the risk of total paralysation I’ve decided at least on the big bike not to do it. Very Brave Rich and the lads. Hey I’ve traded it in for the Rebel 1100dct. So hope to see you soon on a Breky run 👍👍👍😊
See the next part. Some folk don’t understand the idea of creating suspense “for the viewer”. The adventure bikes all did amazingly well.. as you’ll see.
Didn't I ask you to do gentler videos? And you said "check out Picos" 😅 I dropped my AT on adverse camber (on a road) and couldn't get it back up (it was the 2016 model, so the weight distribution was even worse than the current ones), they are PIGS to get back up compared to the GS aren't they?
I can see why adventure bikes are so popular,😂 think I will stick with my trusty old DR 650 to take me where I want to go, maybe not so fast on the black top but so much easier on the dirt, and that is the hard bit. Just because adventure bikes are marketed as go anywhere bikes you need 2 vital components, one is proper tyres and two is a certain amount of ability to ride on loose packed gravel and rocks. Knobby tyres work a lot better on bitumen than road tyres work on dirt, so to err on the side of caution run more aggressive tyres, then at least you can get more adventurous. Now it seems there are shattered confidences all round, so I guess adventure riding is easier if you have a dirt bike background rather than just road riding, it is a whole different kettle of fish. Hang in there guys the reward at the end is so worth it but get some smaller bikes and practice, I am 63 and still prefer the dirt to the bitumen, not hard off road but just dirt roads, add in some gravel and rocks and it is a blast, even on my T7 with proper tyres I may add. 👍👍👍👍👍👍 I should add, Richy it would have been so much easier for you to have ridden back down to the others to get your momentum up for that loose steeper section rather than try to turn back around on the hill, 20/20 hindsight is a beautiful thing. 😂
There’s a difference between panic and good sense. Play safe and ride another day. You have my upmost respect
You all got skills. I wouldn’t dream of going off road on these big bikes. Well played to you all. Great video. 👍
Well done for showing this, adventure bikes are big beasts, if you get in trouble you can get in a mess quickly, one of my biggest fears when riding alone 👍👍
Envy these guys who make it look easy.
Amazing scenery, superb roads, the tarmac looks as smooth as a billiard table. Your epic attempt at the pass is awe-inspiring. Can't wait for the next one
omg just finished it! Damn that was tense!! That was a good old effort to turn it around on the gravel when you decided to carry on! Fair play Richy!!
Wow, that’s one tough trail! When you turned around Richy you had the same problem that Gaz had, couldn’t get up enough speed to carry the day. Really showed the need for knobby tires. Can’t wait for the next installment. Cheers!
Just finished watching this! I thought the trip to Scotland in the snow and ice was bad but this was something else. As a new rider currently on a 125cc, I'm worried when a bit of wind hits the bike 😅
What was good to see was the experienced riders following their heads and saying that's enough
Hope you and the big lad are all ok
Looked horrendous going up that hill well done for giving it a go
Another cracking video MR RV
Another cracking episode fellas,glad nobody was hurt and all the bikes were ok,👍
Ride Safe Mr B 😎🤘
Well done to all for trying and no shame in turning back. Also great that showed it.
Bloody hell Rich, that looked really tough. Fair play for showing how hard it can be on the big adventure bikes. Hope everyone was ok. Thank you👍
Great video, fantastic teamwork, just goes to show these big adventure bikes are just to heavy for off road, yeah if you had knobblys maybe easier, but still a ball ache to pick up, I did the Kielder Forest ride on a S1000XR fully laden, it was fun but never again, the thought of trashing a 14k and upwards bike just gets in ya head, thanks for sharing your experience though really enjoyed it, Wishing I'd not sold the CRF250L now 😂 looking forward to part 2.
Well done lads for being big enough to say enough is enough, I love the mystery of the clouds... amazing 😮❤
Stunning Martine! Simply stunning.
Certainly not “first” this week. Looked tough. I was tensing up just sat in my chair watching. Kudos to all for having the balls to give it a go! 👏👏👏
Great effort going up there without knobbly tyres richy 💪looking forward to the next one keep up the great vids👍
What a nice ride🤗 those mountains are magnificent and you picked a beautiful day with the clouds covering the valley.
That was a difficult TET track if you got down. 😮hope your okay.
Well done lads, for giving it a good go. Just seeing Richy walk up the hill could see how steep it was... would have frightened the living daylights out of me. With all the experience Richy has, it just shows how tough it is. Enjoyed watching 👍👍👍
Anything, l did the Picos with my Cb500x and i Didn’t havé à y big problems. There are simply too difficulté places. He’s not good
so simply😢
We had clear skies all the way to Tresviso (we were there the same time as you), amazing how the weather changes by the minute...
I mean, its all beautiful but 12 mins in and I'm in LOVE with that place!
It’s very special X
Watching the NC500 ridden in the winter left me gobsmacked; this just makes me bloody jealous. Thanks!
Fair play to you guys for attempting that trail on those heavy bikes, and respect for those that decided that discretion was the better part of valour. The only dirt surface my GS sees is hotel car parks! Lowering tyre pressures might have helped a bit.
Bloody he'll... i went ton wales for the weekend as a little tour to get to grips with my new to me bike , we went up the gospel pass, my god this video gave me flashbacks, Friday on the way up with the rain and sheer amount of mud on the roads, pot holes I lost control and had to use the bank to stop.. the tyres got completely coked up with mud / clay this video made me on edge watching it haha.. I was literally crapping myself and totally snaked down the road, thank god for the bank that finally made me stop... this was a great video, but I for one can vouch for the confidence knock as the whole weekend it was playing tricks on my mind with ridding and just totally scared the crap out of me. Beautiful at the top just the wrong time of year to be the highest part of Wales!!!!
Riding big bikes off road takes big balls and big nerves cuz it can go very wrong very quickly. And it can catch the best of us out. For those that turned around, there’s nothing wrong in admitting when you’ve had enough. It’s all about bringing the bike and yourself home not ending up in hospital.
Top boxes on heavy tall bikes with road tyres are a no-no on lanes like that….unless you are very experienced. …glad no one was hurt 👍
Top boxes were empty and had 70/30 tyres on 👍
Fair play for trying it, definitely not worth risking life or your bikes. 🏍👍
Great video. Hope no one was hurt or bikes badly damaged. Just reaffirmed why I detest off road. 👍
Oh it opens up so much more in terms of experience and memories! Give it a go 👍
Well done Gary for admitting when you had enough .
Hope you are all OK. I did the tenere experience in Wales came off twice and it shock me up, but loved it takes some skill to ride on stuff like that.
A very challenging part of the trip, I would have turned around as well
A trip down memory lane. I did this with some mates on GS' about 4 years ago. Got a bit further than on the video before turning back as we had a mate on an Aprilia 1200 Caponard 'Rallye' and he could not turn the TC off and couldn't get up the hill that all your lads were 'having fun' on. I do want to go back on mt GSA 1250 and conquer it one day 👍
I feel knackered even just eatching that vid 😅. Jheez what a place though! 👌😍
I've seen quite a few videos of this route and was/am planning to do it but this certainly paints a proper picture of the difficulty of it, thanks! 👍🏼
You must, it’s totally stunning up there!
@@RichyVida Thanks, I was beginning to think that it was a tad tricky for big adventure bikes? I ruled out the idea of attempting it on my Rocket 3GT 😬
looking forward to having my first go at a none tarmac road, but it does look tough!
Bloody hell Rich!! That pass is unbelievable. Hats off to the folks that enjoy that level of off-roading, way beyond my talents.
Did my first bit of off-roading on my new 890 Adventure last week, glad (sorta) to find out the 890 is a piece of piss to lift up after laying her down.
Can't wait for next week's episode now.
I was inspired to book a trip to the Picos just to do this very trail and I did it last week on my Tracer 700 road bike. Loved it. On my own too. It was a challenge but I loved it.
This is the reality of taking litre plus adventure bikes off road. Lots of spills, confidence crushed and no doubt glad to see tar again.
I've tried it, I've come a cropper.
This vid will be excellent in giving a reality check to many who have the dream but none of the skill set
So far this year you've reminded me not to ride on snow and ice, now a reminder that I'm not a TET man.
Haha brilliant John! Wait for Pt2 👍
You do make very watchable footage mate. As they say better to try but fail than never to have challenged yourself 👍
Been up that trail on an off road bike about 15 year ago now it's no joke and the camera really doesn't do the thing justice. On big bikes like that you are screwed without momentum and knobbly tyres. No shame in turning round to fight another day.
12.30 time, that scenery is truly inspirational, thank you.
It really is. It gets me every single time I visit
What a beautiful place to ride!. The video isn't showing the severity of the incline, only the rear wheel spinning is giving us some perspective of what it must be like and on a 225 kilo + bike. it must be tough!.
sheesh,DRAMA indeed! big lump to pick up in those conditions rich!
Absolutely right bikes for the job, as you said, knobbly tyres would've been ideal but you go with what you have. Great show of honesty from the fella that was frightened to bring the bike back down. Great vid for showing how vulnerable any rider can be with regards being out of your comfort zone and showing real bike drops. Good stuff 👍👍👍👍
Exactly the pin rod the vid. Thanks for noticing!
Gaz is more than capable (he smashed ToroAdventure a few months before this) but his panic here caused him to completely freeze.
You’re the only one in the comments to understand the point of this edit, so thanks! 👍
@@RichyVida Reset and go again. He did the right thing. My wife Donna copped some bad comments when she dropped her bike a few times in Belgium and Luxembourg but end of the day what's point in documenting your rides if your only gonna show the highs because it's the lows that's make you honest and shows how true you are. Plus it's a laugh when all back at base with a beer. 👍👍👍
One of my biggest regrets was not filming any footage of my ride and stay in Espinama on the bike. Had planned to ride that road up to the top from the village but a huge storm came in so just wrapped up warm and hiked it lol, it was mental up there and glad I didnt risk the bike in the gale force conditions. But ever since I got back I just cannot wait to get back. Whilst trying to find my hostel had to do a U turn in Espinama, went into auto pilot and rode on the left, thankfully a car of Spanish came along side me screaming to get back lol. Just as another car was heading for me. It was my one lapse. Had been riding since Santander no problems. Really fell in love with the place tho. People were amazing too.
Richy momentum is your friend.....I have an ATdct just give it max beans and it just loves the uphill ,
Good one, looking tough 😮👍cheers Manxman 🇮🇲
Mega 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Awesome episode and I can see this is how it would pan out if I took a team up the mountains. What a view as well prior.. I really need to go here.. Can i come next time and keep Graeme company 🏴 😊
Most welcome, mate 👍
@@RichyVida have a chat at ww23👍
Wow I am so glad we didn’t take that route, we asked some walkers if we could go down the route and they told us no vehicles were allowed. It was bollocks but thank god they did! Hope everyone and the bikes were ok
Them are big bikes and super scrabbly conditions... Things get very tough very quickly once out of breath and low on energy.
Hey nice video from a fellow Africa Twin guy in SoCal!!
I did something like that in Morocco. Choices. Either ride across a rock field in the Atlas foothills in the dark on a Sertao GS650. Or sleep in the desert in MX kit. Or descend a horrible, shale, steep goat trail with a massive drop. We went for the descent. One of my mates has never ridden off road since. All of us were crapping our pants and we stank of nervous sweat. Lesson learned. On terrain you don't know, don't blunder on. One of my old Directing Staff when I did my basic, a Falklands Veteran commando combat engineer gave me these wise words. Trust your instincts. Don't think too hard. If you feel it's going to shit, it is. And Foxtrot Oscar away.
The view, your right, strange when you see it for yourself it does look like a photo, like it can't be real 😂
I have the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and I need the same horn like you got on your Africa Twin, impressive!
Denali Soundbomb! It’s mega!
Good eye opener to show just because you buy a Adventure bike dont mean you can go off road, the bike can only do so much, Ive done a little Enduro off roading on a EXC 450 and the skills you pick up are I think what you need if you want to do these sort of off road, plus you have the weight thing against you with the likes of GS's etc. Great video and on my bucket list to do.
I can highly recommend it. Did some Spanish TET last year, 1st trip away at 61 years daft. Epic fun on my 690, I'll be back asap.
Brilliant yet again! If it looks steep on camera it's twice as bad in real life ! Those who haven't experienced 220kg on marbles on a steep track like this can't imagine how difficult it is ! And that's before you drop the bike ! Keep smiling.
Yeah exactly. If camera makes it look steep (which they never do), then it IS steep! Top notch 👍
Great reply!
Those views there in Tresviso are not entirely painful to the eyes. I envy you guys!
Stunning!
I did he route over the top on my CB500X in June.
Rich Can’t leave her there for a week lol 😮😉👍great video
Good video. I heard it is better to do the opposite sense from Espinama to Sortes. Will maybe try it this summer.
You should! Yeah give it a go. Done it many times over the years and it’s just fabulous up there!
Just found ur channel richy bloody awsome stuff
Thanks! A very warm welcome to ya!
Brave bastards all of you balls of steel for giving it a go. I struggle getting down/up a kerb LOL.
I reckon after a day of good training , you'd have all flown through that. Although the camera never does the road justice. All's well that ends well.
Did that pass on my 1250 with alloy luggage on. Never again. Don’t know how I didn’t drop it
Hi Richy, what is the weather like in the Pyrenees near the end of September, planning to do a trip down through France, Spain, Andorra before coming back up through France back to Jersey, wild camping so wondering on the clothing and camping gear during the nights down there. Thanks
Can defo drop cold up in the mountains, but weather should still be lovely.
The Pyrenees and Picos are like any mountain range and the weather can change from day to day in any season. In August 2020 I headed down to the Pyrenees near Laruns for a few days at the last minute because the seven day was forecasting 18° and sunny for several days which would have been much better for the motorcycling and hill walking I wanted to do than the seasonal normal which would have been 10° warmer. Last June I had planned to go to the Picos after visiting the Bardenas Reales but the forecast for the Picos was so cold and wet I stayed further south before heading back through the Picos on my way home when the forecast although mixed was better. On the day I did the Sotres track it had been raining hard earlier in the day and the track down to Espinama at the southern end was wet and muddy. The weather in September can be fantastic but with bad luck it might be awful. At least you have the chance to head further south to search for warmer drier weather if things do look dodgy.
@@davidmatthews3093 thanks David, that is some great insight
That's a job for a CRF250 or a borrowed bike, there's no danger I'd be taking an AT or a GS of mine up there. Fair play to the lads for having a bash.
Would lower tyre pressure help on that stuff. great video Richy......
I believe you can get ‘pinch punctures’ if ya do that, according to the experts lol
I actually think the most dangerous part of the vid was around 20.30 when you met what you thought was a St Bernard with some sheep. The dog was actually a Mastin Espanol, or Spanish Mastiff. They're bred to protect livestock from wolves and bears, are hugely powerful and can weigh upwards of 200lbs. You were wise to heed his warning barks as if he'd thought you were a real threat to his flock you could have been in serious trouble.
Wowzers! Thanks for this. Yes, he was certainly protecting them, and he told us so, too! Great to see
When we visited the Bear 2yrs ago, there was 2 dogs asleep amongst the goats. Took no notice of us, just looked at us and went back to snoozing.
@@uonlyliveonce good to know since I'm planning to visit rhe bear in June. Will be giving Richy's mountain track a miss though. 😀
Aah you should defo give it a go! It’s spectacular up there!
@@RichyVida Never done any off road so I think it's well beyond my ability and confidence level. Hoping to do the BMW Off Road Skills course one day so maybe after that.
Fair play to the lads having a go at that,but not on heavy,expensive bikes on road tyres.Could have ended badly with broken bikes or worse,bones !..Watch and enjoy all your vids but this episode had me worried.
Good! That’s my job done then! Pt 2 incoming 👍
Stunning ride with awesome scenary.Pity some of the guys did not push on.19" front wheels don't help either.Cheers.
Pt2 incoming 👍
I must admit though after doing it last week, that actual part going up is steeper in real life than it looks on video. I am so chuffed to have done and beaten the mighty Sotres to Espinama trail without falling off and on a road bike. 😊
Great job, Bill!
I really thought there TKC 70 front would of been ok on roads like that. I think its time for me to change if im going to be doing more of this stuff. its a shame as they are a great tyre on the road and little gravel tracks. fair play to you all. is this TFT track becoming an annual thing now?
Yes, defo!
Should of let some air of the tyres to get better traction... never less like always exciting vid rich .
I seem to remember you guys breezing this last time? Had conditions changed? Or is it all about the tyres?
Yea breezed it. As we did this time. Just a couple of hiccups. You’ll see 👍
Richy "Hitchcock" Vida, please give us a nice relaxing video where we don't have to watch from behind the sofa. Knowing the big lad goes down just made it worse!!! Heheheheh. Looking forward to the next one! 🤪
Haha brilliant! I’ll make you a nice relaxing one soon, for sure! 👍
And thanks for the “cinematic” nod. My exact intentions! So thank you.
Looks easier to carry on up rather than going down again.. Adventure bike riders... 😉 time for sports tourers!! #gaslight
Yea defo easier to keep on carrying on, Chops! No problem at all 👍
Scary stuff.
That little calf would be right at home on the ranch 😂😂😂❤xxx
Haha
I find the problem with the AT its to high of the ground and its hard to get your feet down;-(
😮💩 gravel part be tooo tough for me. 🤓😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦 beautiful area
Adventure bikes are just marketing name, you can have an adventure on any bike, a 250 road bike will go nearly any where.
Yeh and they’re more enjoyable ….and easy to pick up. I reckon a lot of people get big ‘adventure bikes’ because they fall for the ‘macho’ image that the marketeers are selling!
This is dramatic to say the least. Another brilliant episode Richy
Exactly as intended so thank you 👍
Is this the off road section of the Picos trip in Sept?
Yep
I don't think Kev's outfit has changed in the last few outings, I do like his trousers though!! The t-shirt is pretty epic too, instantly recognisable 😂
I cant think of a more ridiculous bike to do that pass on than a bmw gs. Oh sorry, i can, a VFR800! Very entertaining and hopefully a lesson to those that think they can go proper off roading on a 268 kg (plus luggage) bike designed for tarmac.
Tough going with road tyres
Casey Stoner quote to Rossi springs to mind 😂
harsh 😅
🤷♂️
@@RichyVida “Obviously your ambition outweighed your talent”
I think it would be better to do it in the reverse direction .. Espinama to Sotres. Most of us from Spain we do that direction.
It’s ok to have a go and ok to know your limit’s. The limits here were the tyres not the riders I think. You really shouldn’t really be going up there alone on the BM regardless of tyres. I wouldn’t swop my CRF450 & Trackers anytime soon. Anyway, it was a good work-out eh? Bet you enjoyed your first beer that evening! 🍺😉👍
Certainly did, Steve!
what type of tyres did you guys used ?
I had the TKC-70 on. Road based “adventure” tyre. But really not suitable for this kind of terrain. Knobblies all the way.
Big heavy bikes, road riders in the main, poor decision!!
Not at all. You’ll see.
You can off road, a number of them can’t. You’re leading a tour, so lead it!!
I love it, how people are suggesting that the route we did in Spain would be easier in the opposite direction. 🤔
I’ve Been Riding off-road for a long long time & Believe me , I’ve seen a lot more people fall of going downhill than I have seen going up!!!
The Route would have Been an amazing accomplishment for those few that were a little les experienced than others, However the Route hadn’t had rain for months, so it was a lot Drier & looser than usual , it was a great effort from all the Guys & everyone went home Happy & unscathed .
Amazing Trip 😎
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Mr English I’m talking from first hand experience of that very track. If you don’t like it tough it’s a fact. I could have just posted some sarcastic posts about posers on bikes they can’t handle failing on a route I’ve done on a far more road based bike but I decided to post some thing positive as I was worried that your amateur dramatics might put off others from attempting a very accessible track. If you don’t like the truth just ignore it, don’t you dare trying to play the superior one, after all we’ve seen your efforts. 😂😂😂
@@English-Motorcycle-Adventures I just had a look at your library! Ha ha, if that’s how you rate people you’re way on the way to winning the race to the bottom. Thank you so much for giving me such a laugh tonight. Big man English, what a joke!
Thanks for explaining why the conditions were tougher this year Pete. It was confusing why it looked so easy last year.
@@5tevieb954 It’s an excuse not a reason. They weren’t committed and without momentum they were not going to manage it. Once the doubt crept in that was it. It’s billed as a difficult route but it’s not, it was beyond the VFRs but nothing to stop any of those bikes. There will have been family saloons parked just up the track from that point. It’s a good intermediate track accessible to most riders. As Mr Vida says elsewhere on this thread it’s no problem on any of those bikes. I really hope that this theatre doesn’t stop any riders from attempting a great accessible trail. And I repeat, it’s much easier in the other direction. Me English is wrong on that score too. Perhaps that’s why he’s a sheep not a leader.
@@davidmatthews3093 Enough with the personal digs. I had ridden the track the previous year '21 with Pete and Rich and I can tell you, because I was there both times, that it was incredibly more difficult in '22. The main reason being there had been very little rainfall and the trail surface was ripped up from traffic/weather and completely covered in loose stone like marbles, no grip, whereas last year it was only spotted with loose stone which made it much easier and enjoyable to ride, but still challenging. It was even difficult to walk on the surface it was that bad. The majority of bikes had either 80/20, 70/30 or 50/50 tyres on. Just to point out also the trail does get cleared down by machinery when needed to make it accessible for traffic to hotel / service locations etc
There were no family saloons parked up the track as they would not have made it up that inclined section, we met one other vehicle a 4x4 which you see in the video - all we met after that were walkers and the same 4x4 on the way back down bringing people up to the hotel.
I agree with you that momentum was key and unfortunately the few riders that stopped where they did had signed their fate and I was gutted I didn't get to complete it entirely this year. When I rode it last year it was really my first stab at off-roading so I was really looking forward to riding it again but took the decision not too after seeing the others struggle.
It's an amazing route with stunningly beautiful views, I will conquer it next time.
The sad thing is that the trail only gets easier from the point you turned around. It's a lot harder going down back the way you came.
First time I rode that trail I was on a KLX650 with stock tyres... next time I rode a KLX250 with enduro tyres....
I’d love to do it on a lighter bike, for sure. I’ve got the new Transalp coming soon, maybe take that beauty up it!
Oooops not one to do on your own I think. You did better on the VFR. Happy trails
Very brave on there. That’s like pindale if not worse.
Don’t think I’d be able to do that.
Well done.
I’ve actually traded my africa twin in. After spending all that cash on it getting it ready for off road.
I really do want to do this riding, but with the risk of total paralysation I’ve decided at least on the big bike not to do it.
Very Brave Rich and the lads.
Hey I’ve traded it in for the Rebel 1100dct.
So hope to see you soon on a Breky run 👍👍👍😊
Wow! Interested to see how ya get on with the Rebel 👍
@@RichyVida you can borrow it for a demo ride.
Not for six months though 😂
Or I’ll sing to you in another message 😂
@@RichyVida ps. I am going to give Mick Extance a go 4th May is booked 👍
Adventure bikes ! 😂😂😂😂
See the next part. Some folk don’t understand the idea of creating suspense “for the viewer”. The adventure bikes all did amazingly well.. as you’ll see.
As the owner of an Identical African twin. I couldn’t watch the very end when she listed and went down. It was almost Pearl Harboresque
Didn't I ask you to do gentler videos? And you said "check out Picos" 😅 I dropped my AT on adverse camber (on a road) and couldn't get it back up (it was the 2016 model, so the weight distribution was even worse than the current ones), they are PIGS to get back up compared to the GS aren't they?
A Honda CRF300 would have made it look easy......AND it's easy to pick up, being so light.
I can see why adventure bikes are so popular,😂 think I will stick with my trusty old DR 650 to take me where I want to go, maybe not so fast on the black top but so much easier on the dirt, and that is the hard bit.
Just because adventure bikes are marketed as go anywhere bikes you need 2 vital components, one is proper tyres and two is a certain amount of ability to ride on loose packed gravel and rocks.
Knobby tyres work a lot better on bitumen than road tyres work on dirt, so to err on the side of caution run more aggressive tyres, then at least you can get more adventurous.
Now it seems there are shattered confidences all round, so I guess adventure riding is easier if you have a dirt bike background rather than just road riding, it is a whole different kettle of fish.
Hang in there guys the reward at the end is so worth it but get some smaller bikes and practice, I am 63 and still prefer the dirt to the bitumen, not hard off road but just dirt roads, add in some gravel and rocks and it is a blast, even on my T7 with proper tyres I may add.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
I should add, Richy it would have been so much easier for you to have ridden back down to the others to get your momentum up for that loose steeper section rather than try to turn back around on the hill, 20/20 hindsight is a beautiful thing. 😂
No issues here! You’ll see on next one 👍
This only goes to show you that marketing for selling these bikes and reality are two totally different things
No, not really. Confidence is a huge factor. You’ll see on Pt2 👍
The Picos never fails stunning that Tet trail look really hard yikes no fur me