Table of contents

• Motorcycle tour in Portugal Relaxed through the north
• Portugal lives slowing down
• Off-road driving – still legal almost everywhere
• Rain and sun
• More information about Portugal’s north
• Conclusion

Markus Jahn

28 pictures

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Fly to Porto with small luggage – and from there feel like a factory driver. Freeride Spirit founder João Roxo has been offering enduro fans just such a concept for years.

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For the first time now with tours on roadworthy adventure bikes through the Unesco World Heritage of the Alto Douro wine region.

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Climb almost alpine in the Serra da Freita, cruise comfortably on the Douro.

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If you start your journey towards Alto Douro from Porto, you can look forward to a fun rollercoaster ride.

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Take a break! Those who travel to the region in summer should also like strong heat.

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In the morning, shortly before the departure from Porto, João promised a wonderful first and a spectacular second day.

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New KTM Adventure motorcycles, brand new clothes, fresh off-road tires.

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Time for a break and a little chat. “I worked in Switzerland for twelve years, and I can also speak a little German,” explains Juan, who is supposed to be the group’s senior man, with a wink.

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Anyone who has ever been able to ride the beautiful corners of the Rhine or Moselle by motorcycle has a pretty good idea of ​​what the Douro looks like.

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You leave the Porto region much faster than you think, and wind your way up the almost empty streets into the heights of the Serra da Freita.

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A powerful river that searches its way through the rocks with all sorts of bends.

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The bustling Romans brought viticulture to this hot and dry region, at least in summer.

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Wide views, good asphalt and then the first off-road passages.

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Good wine-growing regions are defiant bulwarks against politics, confusion, wars or other useless things.

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Vine to vine and the wine-growing landscape that has been created over generations act like healing oases of relaxation.

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Breathe in history, but now stand firmly in your feet and stir up dust with the KTMs!

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If you drive along the steep slopes of the Douro, you will also learn a lot about the country and its people.

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The old terrain rule also applies here: oncoming traffic, cyclists, pedestrians – reduce your speed, say hello.

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For kilometers we screw our way up and down the Douro in the middle of the vineyards.

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Regardless of whether it is terrain or asphalt, the region inspires and decelerates.

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Sleeping Beauty? Not at all. The region doesn’t need a kiss to wake up!

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The clocks tick differently in Portugal. “Live and let live” is a basic attitude – also at work.

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A varied landscape game awaits travelers here.

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Living history, that is also what distinguishes Portugal.

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A train station from another time.

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Great motorcycle routes, little traffic, lots of space.

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Beautiful mosaic stones with many details decorate the train station in Pinhao.

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Our route at a glance.

to travel

Motorcycle tour in Portugal: relaxed through the north

Motorcycle tour in Portugal
Relaxed through the north

Fly to Porto with small luggage – and from there feel like a factory driver. Freeride Spirit founder João Roxo offers just such a concept. For the first time now with tours on roadworthy adventure bikes through the Alto Douro wine region.

Markus Jahn

08/08/2019

Do you want to take pictures? No problem! We’ll put everything away and watch you! “Hardly said, the three (actually) working gardening professionals act accordingly. Brushcutters, helmets, and rubber boots quickly disappear into their cars, then the three friendly landscapers park the vehicles too, so that we can completely free our way. Well, the normally stressed Central European wonders about such a relaxed work ethic. What is even more astonishing is that the terrain for the motorcycle photo ride is an idyllic Romanesque church from the twelfth century. “Always in a circle around the church! You can also zigzag through the garden! “, Encourage us the very cheerful scythe gods. No sooner said than done, plus lots of pictures in the box afterwards.

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Portugal lives slowing down

Time for a break and a little chat. “I worked in Switzerland for twelve years, and I can also speak a little German,” explains Juan with a wink, supposedly the head of the group. “Bayern Munich!” He snorts. Immediately everyone is on the Portuguese number one topic: football. However, tour organizer João has to turn the directly offered motivational beer from the regional brand Super Bock with charm, after all, there are still a lot of cornering kilometers on the program. And when João mentions curves, it actually means a lot of changes in direction.

Markus Jahn

But a break never hurts, so time for a brief look back and outlook. In the morning, shortly before the departure from Porto, João promised a wonderful first and a spectacular second day. The Portuguese, who is always so calm, soon turns out to be believed. Starting a slightly rainy day as a “works driver”: new ones KTM Adventure motorcycles, brand new clothes, fresh off-road tires. You leave the Porto region much faster than you thought and wind your way up the almost empty streets into the heights of the Serra da Freita. Wide views, good asphalt and then the first off-road passages.

Off-road driving – still legal almost everywhere

The planned tour is relatively easy to locate geographically. Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is located in the very north of the country. Because the Douro river flows into the sea here, all you need to do is look horizontally on the map in the direction of Spain. On the right the Douro river worm. The rough plan: first mill off the most beautiful corners of the region to the south, then north of the Unesco World Heritage Site Alto Douro. Not to be forgotten: The third largest river on the Iberian Peninsula starts as the “Duero” in Spain and only gurgles through Portugal as the “Douro” from the border and then flows off as a water dispenser in the Atlantic Ocean. Water is actually the topic today: the Douro as a destination for the evening, but currently thirsty because of the heat among the drivers. Chef João and tour guide Ricardo point vertically upwards with their index fingers, something is brewing in the sky. As always, Portuguese relaxed, but still warning you to leave.

Markus Jahn

Anyone who has ever been able to ride a motorcycle around the beautiful corners of the Rhine or Moselle has a pretty good idea of ​​what the Douro looks like. Logically with clearly southern European accents. A powerful river that searches its way through the rocks with all sorts of bends. Vine to vine and the wine-growing landscape that has been created over generations act like healing oases of relaxation. Sure, the bustling Romans brought viticulture to this hot and dry region, at least in summer. Good wine-growing regions are defiant bulwarks against politics, confusion, wars or other useless things. Because wine brings work – and gives consolation to its connoisseurs. Today the legendary Port wine region goes to great lengths to greet motorcycle guests. In front of the pitch black sky, lightning flashes like in techno fever, thunderstorms echo through the river valley. The pouring rain forms an opaque water curtain. But even under these extremely adverse conditions, there is driving fun in this grandiose landscape. The rear cylinder of the KTM Adventure warms the bottom, and the splendid curve swing the mind. Off to the wine tasting!

Rain and sun

Day two offers a contrasting weather program: blazing blue skies, calm Douro, glistening in the morning sun, on which tourist ships chug, motorcyclists who are just looking forward to an active day. Over breakfast in Pinhão, João talks about the adventurous times of port wine. Because in the past, courageous boatmen brought the wine produced here by barge for storage downstream to Porto. Since the Douro has not only calm waters but also treacherous rapids, countless stories have been entwined with lost boats, barrels and some human tragedies. Breathe in history, but still stand firmly in your pegs and stir up dust with the KTMs! For kilometers we screw our way up and down the Douro in the middle of the vineyards. Legal and fascinating. Every now and then a farmer waves off the tractor. The old terrain rule also applies here: oncoming traffic, cyclists, pedestrians – reduce your speed, say hello. Presumably João only has to explain this to his guests – he always acts that way anyway. Regardless of whether it is terrain or asphalt, the region inspires and decelerates. Even if João sometimes pulls hard on the shower – just as requested.

Markus Jahn

Muito obrigado, Alto Douro! Time to say goodbye to the Douro and to stick a lot of curve points in the imaginary adventure book on the way back to Porto. The KTMs arrive at their home port of Porto late in the evening. The big city with its tradition and liveliness is a real gem. We park our machines directly in front of the hotel. After work with a view of the fascinating metal arch bridge Ponte Luís I. The idyll is perfect until a German couple is nagging about the parked motorbikes. But a recipe for relaxation that has been tried and tested in Portugal also helps: simply ignore stress and anger with a smile.

More information about Portugal’s north

The provider: Freeride Spirit founder João Roxo, an enduro pro in his motor sport days, appreciates the impeccable appearance. This is how his concept of a complete package came about, initially for sport enduro riders according to the motto: Organize your journey to Porto yourself – from then on we will take care of it! Including: shuttle service, motorcycle, clothing, accommodation, routes, service. Tour operator Freeride Spirit is now transferring what has proven itself in light off-road fun to the adventure segment with larger travel enduros. Perfectionist Roxo worked extensively on his best routes along the Douro in order to filter out the most beautiful adventure routes for both on- and off-road riders.

Tours: Options for tours between two to six days. Offroad on request – and based on experience. It is possible to start alone or as a group. All points, sights and restaurants along the route are on the navigation system. Optionally complete with tour guide. If you want, you can get dizzy on the various routes: from the old Roman road to the top paved road with very wide arches. It never gets boring, because in addition to the sheer driving pleasure, the view is brilliant. Motorways are taboo. Good this way!

Motorcycles: Current models from the KTM fleet. Among other things, there is a choice of Adventure 1090 or 1290, including case and top case. Tires depending on the tour profile, i.e. off-road tires – or suitable road tires.

Rental equipment: Schuberth helmets, Rev’it clothing, headsets for communication, raincoats. But gimmicks such as GoPro cameras can also be booked.

Markus Jahn

Overnight stays: Only four or five star hotels. Very well-kept houses with charm, often historical buildings and in a top location.

Getting there: There are many flight connections to Porto, including low-cost airlines from Germany directly to the destination area. Prices: from around 100 euros.

Best travel time: Does a recommendation even work when it comes to weather? Well, theoretically you can do the tours all year round. But the favorites are spring and autumn.

Country and people: At the moment, experts on the Iberian Peninsula put it this way: Portugal is the better Spain. Friendliness everywhere, good infrastructure, and the relaxed attitude towards life is always worth a trip there anyway.

Price and performance: With the exception of lunch, fuel and travel, everything is included in the package. After arriving at the airport, the customer is taken care of. For example, an “all-inclusive” tour lasting five days costs 1,995 euros for the driver and 998 euros for the passenger. Information and bookings at www.freeridespirit.pt. A similar full range, but with BMW instead of KTM models can also be found at: www.bmwendurocamp.com.

Conclusion

The supposed disadvantage – a huge advantage: A long way from Central Europe, the region in northern Portugal is anything but overcrowded. A real corner for connoisseurs.

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