My first subscriber ride out... Portugal really is perfect for motorcycling

I was lucky enough to be invited out on a ride to be shown the best roads of the Algarve, starting out at Silves (I now know it's pronounced 'Sill-vss' not 'Sil-vez') we went out to the Buddhist Stupa and north before crossing back out west and eventually ending up back in Monchique. Overall a fantastic ride and I would like to thank Jez for taking time out to show me the ropes.
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[@jedw9983]

My goodness me, that's my Fantic Caballero! Sean it was a pleasure to meet you, and l had a fabulous day too. Thanks for taking the time to meet one of your subscribers!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

You're the star of the show here Jez! Very much appreciate your guidance round these roads. I will have to go out with you again when I get back to Portugal. That wind turbine single track road was the stuff dreams are made of! I'm going to say Silves correctly next time too 😂

[@luddite6239]

A much needed antidote to a typical cold, drizzly UK bank holiday week!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Wr are back in that now, so changeable the weather is!

[@markfortin8286]

I keep saying it, but I’m blown away by Portugal. What an amazing place! I really like the look of that Caballero with the Flat Track set up. It’s a shame we don’t have them in the US. I suppose I shall just have to go to Portugal and ride one! Thank you Jez and Sean, this was a fantastic video.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Mark. I was most certainly blown away both by the roads and Jezs kindness in showing me around on his day off. Not a viewers favourite on the channel these type of videos but really worth uploading even for me to revisit the roads some time in the future. I imagine by November I would have forgotten the route! I originally was drawn towards the Cabellero Rally versions but having seen Jez's bike and how he handled it the flat track is more appealing... 👌

[@danielmcneil3004]

Hey Sean. Perfect roads and weather for the kind of riding I like. Portugal seems to check a lot of the boxes. Thanks for taking us along and to Jez for his “local knowledge”. I enjoyed watching the ride almost as much as you actually being there. Cheers and ride safe, Dan. ✌️🏍🇨🇦

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you Dan, Really enjoyed that ride. Great bikes, roads and company. Was a very good day! Portugal is now probably number 1 on the list. Sean

[@vwcaddy4296]

Bikers of Worcestershire is a very nice FB group. There's a regular bunch of us who have met on there, mostly older guys, we ride to the speed limits and a bit lower when we have 125s with us. We're often on the A44, feel free to give us a shout when you're back in the UK

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks VWcaddy, I appreciate that. I'll look up the group... Sean

[@LordTarbicus9497]

💯 agree , I’m a slow rider so I ride solo. Plus I need regular pins and needles in hands stop !

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

The boys on sport bikes are proper fast up and down the A44, I remember one saying a slow day was 80mph... 😮. I trundle...

[@LumpyCarbs]

Are you sure that’s not the vibration from your v twin?

[@LordTarbicus9497]

@@LumpyCarbs definitely the arthritis

[@simonchilli2088]

What a star Jez is! No doubt yude have found those roads but what a great heads up about riding in Portugal and where to be careful.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Brilliant guy. I probably wouldn't have found these little roads without him. There's no shortage of potential routes on the map, but we hit the jackpot!

[@larrywade9041]

Nice scenic video Sean. Now that's what i'm talking about!! Thanks! Have a good day! Cheers!! Illinois, USA

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Not a bad day that one. Really enjoyed it and bear in mind that I was out for 6hrs or so, most of the footage had to be cut and it was all great visuals! Thanks Larry.

[@ianhalliwell8604]

For those fast roads you really need to replace those budget rear shocks with uprated ones fron tec. Well worth the time, energy and cost, mine are spot on made for my not inconsiderable weight.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I was looking for shrouded shocks Ian but Tec seem to have run out of stock of these type and won't be getting more in. Rear shocks are on my list! Cheers.

[@rickasker]

Loved this video 😀👍 It was fascinating to see some of my regular riding routes, hearing your enthusiasm, etc.. (I live about 5 minutes from the dam you rode across shortly after leaving Silves). I half expected to see myself caught on your camera somewhere around your route. 😂

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Rick! We are looking to return to Algarve late this year or next. Miss the rain here 😊👍

[@rickasker]

@@MindfulMotorcyclisthope to see you out on the roads here again then. 😀 (If I do I’ll buy you and Susie a coffee) 😀👍

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Glad you kept the 125 riding to a minimum. The Avenida Marginal between Lisbon and Cascais is even worse. All worse back in the '80s, but you still have to be very wary. Great bikes. I'd like a Caballero 500 Scrambler. I like the BSA, too. Nick

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Nick. I just went on after Guia to the roundabout that you come head off up to Silves probably only 1km or less. It's a busy and hectic road. Mind you being back in the UK it makes the N125 look quiet 🤣.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist The N25 was really dangerous before the Algarve motorway opened, then the opening of the motorway took most of the ttraffic off it. Then they started charging tolls and people opted for the N125 again causing chaotic congestion. Since then they have cut tolls down quite a lot and, on the N125, they have banned overtaking on large stretches. I still try and avoid it, though. You should have seen the driving in the '80s. Hair-raising.

[@nigelcox7477]

Fabulous route - thanks both!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thank you Nigel, was a lovely day riding 😀

[@markpercy4277]

Like you l prefer to ride alone but that looked like a fabulous ride out bud 👍

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Yes I am probably a ride alone type, mainly riding for the solitude and to unplug. I don't have any tech on my bike. That said this was a fab day all round. Sean.

[@2wheeledwillie395]

What a great video mate....whilst watching i managed to eat lunch and dinner,play 18 holes ⛳️ and chat to you for over an hour! 😂

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Don't forget that you beat Kasparov at chess, ran an ultra marathon and solved cold fusion all while the video was playing. Busy day for you 😆

[@2wheeledwillie395]

@MindfulMotorcyclist 🤣😂🤣😂 just a normal day really

[@garywoods765]

Brilliant video nice bit of riding guys

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks Gary. Appreciate that.

[@mickdukes2732]

It's not a bad thing to have an accident on a bike, it teaches respect for the machine.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I agree with that. I've learnt alot each time I've crashed in fairness. Thanks.

[@MentatOfDune]

If you ever go for an Insta360 then it'd be great to see that ride again.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

I'm actually not going for the Insta360 ever since their shady influencer marketing ethics were revealed. I won't use the cameras out of principle now. I'd go for DJI probably but when you have GoPro hero 7 it's fine, I'll not upgrade as it's expensive to be honest...

[@MentatOfDune]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Wasn't aware of any issues. Will check it out

[@LumpyCarbs]

Right now, about these tyres, they are absolutely fine, your mishap has shaken your confidence and your running your suspension too slack, your tyres are only just beginning to bed in on your mileage, and those bouncing shots say go up 2 notches on the shocks. There, you’ve been told 😝😂. Great vid and quite jealous. Seriously though, ride to your comfort level and ability. If those tyres do not inspire confidence change them, and the shocks, you can’t fully enjoy a bike if you have reservations on safety.

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Who knows about the tyres, are the cracks indicative of hardening and reduced grip, are they poor from the factory or is this just a placebo effect and fear of mine. We will never know I suppose 😅. Everyone is saying switch out the rear shocks, but it's not that high on the priority list. I wouldn't normally ride at pace like that, I don't enjoy fast riding usually. Think those roads really were an exceptionally nice environment. Cheers Lumpy!

[@davidprescott8469]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Agree about pace of riding. It's not what the BSA is about that is why I love it!

[@davidprescott8469]

Great video. Know Silves very well!

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks David, do you live there or just enjoy visiting often? I could get used to either option. 😄

[@davidprescott8469]

@@MindfulMotorcyclist Hi Sean, we live in UK but have had a property in Carvoeiro are for over 20 years. Originally it was an investment but we have fallen in love with the people, the food, weather etc that it is now our second home and we wont be selling ! Would have loved to move out there but Brexit put paid to that as i still run a business in the UK and residency and income would be a problem.

[@Webbo-gf6eq]

Superb. Looks beautiful. 👍🏻😎

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated and yes I had a nice time out on these roads... just perfect...

[@leegreveson]

Must get really monotonous riding out in fantastic weather 😂😂😂 When/if you return to the UK and are fancying a ride out in the Peak District, I'd ride with you. Hopefully by then I'll be fully licensed, I have my MOD2 next week 😐 but I wouldn't ride fast anyway, with views like that why would anyone? I'm not sure I'd be confident going over that dam mind you, barrier on the wet side but nothing on the sheer drop side.... errrr no thanks 😮

[@MindfulMotorcyclist]

Yes bored senseless I was Lee haha. In fairness it was an excellent route, if Jez had taken me on some of the bigger a roads it wouldn't have had quite the magic that it did through the mountains. I'd love to do another ride with someone, not sport bikes however 🤣😂. So I'll say have a good test, looks like you will have good weather for it. If I can mention a few things. Always leave 2+ bike lengths between you and the car in front when you pull up in traffic so you can't get hurt if you get rear ended. Look around all the time obviously and a couple I found helpful to remember is, don't do any favours for anyone on the road, hold your position. When you start moving out of the way of cars and your in test conditions I feel it can make you lose focus. Second one is that navigational errors are fine, if he says left at the roundabout and you are in the inside land and blocked by a car just roll straight over and go on and he will catch up. If it's not safe to do a maneuvere and you go for it anyway you'll fail but you won't fail for navigation I.e not going where he says. Mod 1 is harder imo and you've done that already. Good luck 👍