Slideshow
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Castle
There are so many roads and byways in Spain. On Sunday morning, a gorgeous day in Madrid, I met up with my old biker buds Javivi and Jozeluy for a spin. I took them down a nice road through the olive groves out of Valdaracete and then we happened upon the ruins of an old castle.
These two guys are great, they have bikes that are more powerful but they drive with their heart and not their throttle hand.
Monday, April 22, 2013
A Black Classic Royal Enfield Bullet for a Day
While the Balita Roja, my traditional mount, was being re-shod (more on that later), Emilio Mazarías lent me one of his Royal Enfields to use. It was a new 500cc EFI classic, with a high spring-mounted bicycle type seat.
The ride was completely different from my Electra. The 18" wheels make the center of gravity feel lower, event though the seat rose me up considerably. The bike feels heavier but it also feels like the engine is solider. The gear rations must be different, too, so it sometimes makes the Electra feel more sluggish, and sometimes zippier.
I wasn't much pleased with the posture, where I felt my butt was scooted too far back; the heel and toe gear shift was a bit odd to me, too.
The cool factor of the classic is much higher, I have to admit.
All in all it was fun to try but I like mine better. Of course.
The ride was completely different from my Electra. The 18" wheels make the center of gravity feel lower, event though the seat rose me up considerably. The bike feels heavier but it also feels like the engine is solider. The gear rations must be different, too, so it sometimes makes the Electra feel more sluggish, and sometimes zippier.
I wasn't much pleased with the posture, where I felt my butt was scooted too far back; the heel and toe gear shift was a bit odd to me, too.
The cool factor of the classic is much higher, I have to admit.
All in all it was fun to try but I like mine better. Of course.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Windscreens for the Bullet
My Google+ buddy +Jim Bocko in Texas and lovely wife Juanetta were in Lubbock, Texas the other day test riding a bunch of bikes, including a Royal Enfield. He sent a photo of the bike and I was impressed by the windscreen, a very simple affair attached to the handlebars and front light.
I'm now itching for a windscreen like that one to fit onto my Bullet Electra (2011), which is similar to but slightly different from this Classic that Jim's on. Any ideas about where to purchase one?
I'm now itching for a windscreen like that one to fit onto my Bullet Electra (2011), which is similar to but slightly different from this Classic that Jim's on. Any ideas about where to purchase one?
Thursday, February 7, 2013
More of La Mancha
Back in the Dark Ages (before I got my A2 motorcycle license) I was riding a Kymco 125cc Agility City scooter. It was a real hoot, and a trooper through thick and thin. I put thousands of kilometers on it in a year and rode it all over, never had a problem. But I found that *real* motorcycle bikers didn't want to have anything to do with me. So I founded a subgroup at moterus.es called Por Madrid en 125cc.
Nobody joined.
Until I got my A2. sold off the Kymco for 800 euros and bought my trusty Balita Roja. Suddenly there were bunches of people coming out of the woodwork and wanting to go out for a ride.
Over the last two years I organize little and not-so-little outings with my biker friend Javivi, he on his BMW 650 GS. This weekend there were just four of us: Javiv and I, and Roberto on his 125cc Yamaha and Luis Miguel on his 125 cc Honda CBR.
We had a great ride through the south, into the depths of Castilla- La Mancha, to the town of Tembleque, to see its Plaza Mayor of carved wooden balconies.
Conveniently for all, it also happened to be time for the aperitivo, at a typical establishment nearby.
That tapita with the toothpicks is actually cabrita estofada a goat stew, really nice.
As we headed home, we happened on some windmills (the old kind, but you can see the new ones on the mountain ridge in the background).
Strong urge to burst out singing "Some Enchanted Evening", but we resisted.
The ride home went the other way around, through some nice roads.But those Castillian skies are the best.
Not bad for early February, I must say.
Nobody joined.
Until I got my A2. sold off the Kymco for 800 euros and bought my trusty Balita Roja. Suddenly there were bunches of people coming out of the woodwork and wanting to go out for a ride.
Over the last two years I organize little and not-so-little outings with my biker friend Javivi, he on his BMW 650 GS. This weekend there were just four of us: Javiv and I, and Roberto on his 125cc Yamaha and Luis Miguel on his 125 cc Honda CBR.
We had a great ride through the south, into the depths of Castilla- La Mancha, to the town of Tembleque, to see its Plaza Mayor of carved wooden balconies.
Conveniently for all, it also happened to be time for the aperitivo, at a typical establishment nearby.
That tapita with the toothpicks is actually cabrita estofada a goat stew, really nice.
As we headed home, we happened on some windmills (the old kind, but you can see the new ones on the mountain ridge in the background).
 |
| Roberto, talking to a local farmer who said the mills are still working. |
Strong urge to burst out singing "Some Enchanted Evening", but we resisted.
The ride home went the other way around, through some nice roads.But those Castillian skies are the best.
Not bad for early February, I must say.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
MIgas in Pastrana
It was a last-minute idea to ride off this morning the three of us usual suspects on our Royal Enfields from Madrid to Pastrana. Javier Ortíz had never been there before so that had to be corrected.
Pastrana's not far, about 130 km to the east of Madrid, inside the province of Guadalajara in Castilla-La Mancha. It's also a monumentally historic medieval town with the palace of the Mendoças, where the Princess of Evoli was kept under house arrest by Phillip IV for years until her death of old age.
I got to the customary meeting point first. Hard to believe but true.
Then came Pedro Gómez on his black classic:
And last but not least, Javier Ortíz on his equally black classic.
After a quick coffee and a not-so-quick discourse on crooked politicians, we took to the roads and had a leisurely ride through the fields. The new garlic crop was poking its head up in the fields amid the olive trees and vineyards. The winds were a bit brisk, 25-45 kph, but the Royal Enfields have big wheels and low centers of gravity to keep them stable despite their light weight (175kg).
Pastrana:
As we pulled into town a group of about 8 moteros on Kawas and Suzikis and things like that was driving in as well and they came over to stare at the bikes. As usual, someone had to ask The Question that makes Pedro go ballistic: "They break down a lot, don't they".
We explained that no, they new ones don't break down much, and most problems can be fixed with a socket wrench in about 5 minutes. They admitted their bikes were a little more complicated than that.
A stroll through the town, and into one of the dozens of bars/taverns in town, for some migas manchegas. This is a plate of bread crumb chunks seared in hot olive oil with garlic, almost stir fried, with diced up meats like chorizo, panceta, magro de cerdo (pork meat), add a dash of paprika, then serve with a fried egg on top and a handful of fresh red grapes. That cold sweet grape contrasts with the meaty garlicky bread, mmmm!
The ride back was equally pleasant. Every time I go out for a ride with these two gents I realize that our style is the same, the way we enjoy our bikes and the countryside, is the same...There's a lot of trust. I'd ride with them to the ends of the earth, smiling all the way.
Pastrana's not far, about 130 km to the east of Madrid, inside the province of Guadalajara in Castilla-La Mancha. It's also a monumentally historic medieval town with the palace of the Mendoças, where the Princess of Evoli was kept under house arrest by Phillip IV for years until her death of old age.
I got to the customary meeting point first. Hard to believe but true.
Then came Pedro Gómez on his black classic:
And last but not least, Javier Ortíz on his equally black classic.
After a quick coffee and a not-so-quick discourse on crooked politicians, we took to the roads and had a leisurely ride through the fields. The new garlic crop was poking its head up in the fields amid the olive trees and vineyards. The winds were a bit brisk, 25-45 kph, but the Royal Enfields have big wheels and low centers of gravity to keep them stable despite their light weight (175kg).
Pastrana:
As we pulled into town a group of about 8 moteros on Kawas and Suzikis and things like that was driving in as well and they came over to stare at the bikes. As usual, someone had to ask The Question that makes Pedro go ballistic: "They break down a lot, don't they".
We explained that no, they new ones don't break down much, and most problems can be fixed with a socket wrench in about 5 minutes. They admitted their bikes were a little more complicated than that.
A stroll through the town, and into one of the dozens of bars/taverns in town, for some migas manchegas. This is a plate of bread crumb chunks seared in hot olive oil with garlic, almost stir fried, with diced up meats like chorizo, panceta, magro de cerdo (pork meat), add a dash of paprika, then serve with a fried egg on top and a handful of fresh red grapes. That cold sweet grape contrasts with the meaty garlicky bread, mmmm!
The ride back was equally pleasant. Every time I go out for a ride with these two gents I realize that our style is the same, the way we enjoy our bikes and the countryside, is the same...There's a lot of trust. I'd ride with them to the ends of the earth, smiling all the way.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Rev'it Winter Gloves: warm hands, cold heart?
The cold hands, warm heart had gone too far. Besides, my original gloves ("Best" brand) I bought 4 years ago for my Kymco scooter were getting rather pungent inside.
Not good. So I scoured the net (i.e., I googled "winter motorcycle gloves") and pondered the possibilities.
After much soul-searching and doubt, I decided NOT to get heated grips for my Enfield. Even though they could be a 50€ solution, I still think my Balita Roja's whole electric system is a little too shaky to put up with that kind of hanky-panky.
So I watched the product comparison video at the Revzilla website.
Aside from gaping shamelessly at that guy's biceps, I saw there were differences in gloves I should be paying attention to.
I figured they'd be cheaper in the States, so when Javi and I were in Philadelphia visiting my brother for the New Year, it seemed like a good idea. Lo! and Behold! It turns out Revzilla is actually based on Philly and has a showroom there. SO off we went.
No, Anthony the Biceps was not on duty, but a nice biker chick sales girl patiently showed my their whole arsenal of hand shoes, as the Germans call gloves.
The Alaska model by Rev'it seem top of the line, and have features I like a lot: protections on the back and side, reflective bits, full gauntlet with two velcro straps, one up at the wrist to really seal it tight.
The down side was the price. I paid $189 plus tax, which was about 155€ in total. But I found out when I got back to Madrid that they are available here for 129€, tax included.
Gonna have to do more comparative shopping awareness classes or something.
Not good. So I scoured the net (i.e., I googled "winter motorcycle gloves") and pondered the possibilities.
After much soul-searching and doubt, I decided NOT to get heated grips for my Enfield. Even though they could be a 50€ solution, I still think my Balita Roja's whole electric system is a little too shaky to put up with that kind of hanky-panky.
So I watched the product comparison video at the Revzilla website.
Aside from gaping shamelessly at that guy's biceps, I saw there were differences in gloves I should be paying attention to.
I figured they'd be cheaper in the States, so when Javi and I were in Philadelphia visiting my brother for the New Year, it seemed like a good idea. Lo! and Behold! It turns out Revzilla is actually based on Philly and has a showroom there. SO off we went.
No, Anthony the Biceps was not on duty, but a nice biker chick sales girl patiently showed my their whole arsenal of hand shoes, as the Germans call gloves.
The Alaska model by Rev'it seem top of the line, and have features I like a lot: protections on the back and side, reflective bits, full gauntlet with two velcro straps, one up at the wrist to really seal it tight.
The down side was the price. I paid $189 plus tax, which was about 155€ in total. But I found out when I got back to Madrid that they are available here for 129€, tax included.
Gonna have to do more comparative shopping awareness classes or something.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Biryani at Benagli restaurant in Madrid
No bike post today. My office mates and I went into Lavapiés neighborhood in Madrid because Grant had spotted a new Bengali restaurant that looked pretty authentic. We had high hopes for getting some authentically spicy food, but got a bland rice dish instead.
Run by a Bengali family (the wife seated us and was in the kitchen a bit, her son served the table later) We (and the one other diner who arrived later) had the only dish on offer today, a beef biryani. We had a veg samosa-type thing for starters (I can't recall the name) and water, since there is no beer or wine there. No alcohol may be virtuous practice for a devout family business, but it may be hard to convince the madrileños of that.
The locale was frankly a dive, which was actually good. It reminded me of places far away. The food was ok but I expected more flavor, color, and spice. See for yourself:
Run by a Bengali family (the wife seated us and was in the kitchen a bit, her son served the table later) We (and the one other diner who arrived later) had the only dish on offer today, a beef biryani. We had a veg samosa-type thing for starters (I can't recall the name) and water, since there is no beer or wine there. No alcohol may be virtuous practice for a devout family business, but it may be hard to convince the madrileños of that.
The locale was frankly a dive, which was actually good. It reminded me of places far away. The food was ok but I expected more flavor, color, and spice. See for yourself:
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