At times it seemed literally flying. Since my last post I,ve been flying down high trails, dodging wind-farm blades on high mountain tops and then back to the time machine to enjoy the delights of the N75 Auto-route through the central massive area.   (clicky make piccys bigger as usual)

This is one of the best FAST roads I,ve ever been on, for over 100 miles it averages an altitude of just under 1000 metes, that's as high as the peak of Snowdon. The curves are fast, endless and sweeping, memories of blasting this area on numerous motorbike trips come flooding back as you play drift into the armco lined descents using both lanes, even in the van its a blast. I met the nutter Nick, who I,m now staying with on these very roads over 20 years ago, as we crossed paths, raced with and stopped for a biere to share our love of two wheels and speed. People who just blast south on the Auto-route de Soliel by Lyon and never do this route are missing a superb treat, and even better its totally free.

Part of this magnificent road now includes the impressive Millau bridge, a stunning piece of British designed super structure, that really does fly you above the deep valley below.

Now I,m in the Le mans area with my Petrol head mate rediscovering mud on some local trails, still superbly sunny (which I here is what your enjoying too) just cooler, looks like ill survive 3 weeks without seeing a drop of rain, wahoo,

For most of you haven't met Nick, he,s a Brit who just loved the French ability to let you go out and hurt yourself if you want too, and the wide open spaces here of course and just stayed. He,s stuck to his petrol head roots and got into French moto Rally racing, which is basically racing street motorcycles on CLOSED local roads and then laps of circuits, all over France.

He,s done this with great success over the years as a complete shoestring effort, on some severely under performing kit, and his trophys make our mtb ones look like they were free in a cracker.But last year managed to blag a Works ride on a Benelli with full backup and tyre, helmet and leather sponsorship, superb and not bad for a fellow old git. This was for an event called the DarkDog tour of France. Think of the Tour de france on motorcycles, racing on closed roads stages over 10 days, with special stages at nights, on Race tracks, and up Alpine hill climbs on amazingly narrow roads, then having to ride the miles between them with a few hundred other fast nutters. Only the French could pull this off, and I,m well jealous. And they even used his picture on the cover of the DVD they produced afterwards, rider 007, schplendid Miss Moneypenny shaken but not crashed

The bike is a Benelli TNT 1100 Triple with loads of special goodies on it, unfortunately they have taken it back off him, but is awaiting the arrival of a fire breathing Buell for 2008 fun.

Hey Nige don,t you think he would make a great article for MCN, and a great excuse for those boys (not that they need much) to blast over to France.

Ah well homeward bound soon, realty beckons, see you all soon.

Sat here in Portman outside the bar with a grande Cerveca going down nicely. its 5pm local time and mike the barman has wireless internet which i'm gladly using. The phone posts worked well, and look forward to using them from the Transwales hey Troy.

Did my first 100 miler of the year on monday, i think, I've lost all track off the days already. first case of comedy cycling tan too, Oh well. i loveeee my litespeed, did 18mph avg solo which is no way all my doing this bike is so much fun on the wicked fast hairpin descents. saw some sights whilst riding, 3 girls singing in a quite rocky valley x-factor  stylee at the top of their voices, they didnt heart the stealth approach of me, so a stopped and listened and they nearly died when i burst into applause. loads of mad dogs about, had to do some serious sprinting  when i met two pups on the road in a remote area, the mother gave chase big style, what is it with me and dogs lately, beginning to think i smell of anniseed.  also saw white legged roadies with big camelbacks...........Oh no that was me, sorry. To pacify Clare who's worried i will get mashed or killed, I'm carrying loads of junk, passport, first aid and contact details where ever i go, alaong with all the usual camera and phone, food crap.

Saw tons of club riders, about 30 of them all going the other way at about 2pm, does nobody work round here. Also saw a solo UK girlie going the other way, in full Trek mtb gear, resisted the big urge to turn round and go after her though. could tell she was a brit, infact we are easy to spot as we have our skin on show, its 18 degs and full Shorcio sun, yet the Spannish riders have full winter riding gear on. They point and stare at us brits, they think we are mad.

Yesterday did another 60 miles down to another coastal spot called mazzaron, down the fastst road i've ever been on. me and jason Crombie hit 61 mph there a few years ago, only managed 53 on my own after getting baulked by a car.

today i'm chilling a bit, did some local mountainbiking, found some great trails in wooded coastal area called Casablance which is sooooo dry and dusty.

Got carried away in the local bar witha brit lad called terry who does photography last night, late one and a few nightcap Jd's at 2am, well it is a holiday.

Right.....heres and offer for you, check out ryan air for flights to Murcia, book one and text me and I'll pick you up at the airport, a few days of sun and fun, go on live dangerously.

Sierra Espunna for some big mther ferker hills tomorrow.  Congratulations to Nige and Sarah on the birth of their baby girl too.  

    

Hit glentress and Inerleithan and went down on the gears almost immediately before our backs blew up.

Did a superb coastal track (over 100K but we did 20 miles) some awesome singletrack and play areas, steep bits and beach rock rides, well recomended.

Then a munroe ride, 5 hours of epic outdoors, all these rides in sun and no mud, the bikes are actually cleaner than when we left.

 

 

Now in Avimore with way too many 29'er singlespeeders and Facial hair, Canadians and Americans all round. Quite a few pros here too on there way to Fort Bill, Travis Brown is here so guess he will win.