You know that feeling of dread returning to work after the Xmas hols and New Year festive fun. Well we have found a very good cure. Trail Riding in Spain when everyone else goes back to work.
For the last few years taking advantage of the cheaper flights, nine of us have flown off to Spain the first week of the New Year. For 3 or more days of trail riding and in the sun. This year we decided to try a different trail riding company. Spanish Enduro Trails Velez Rubio, Andalucia.
And were not disappointed. Flying into Alicante ( There is now a brand new airport open even closer at Murcia ) we were met by Barry Reed ( Owner and main guide / host ) and driven back to the stunning remote Luxury complex including a stop off for coffee & tapas at a local workers restaurant. The location is like something out of a Bond film. The approach road is actually a dry river bed with car sized tumbleweed. Straight into the workshop to look at the bikes all lined up ready for action. A good mix of 4T,2T RR’s, & X trainers who will ride what ? And the well stocked boot room to get kitted up for the adventures to come. Russ and I go hand luggage and wear our Sidi’s on the plane, gets you some funny looks but in my opinion worth it. They do have full quality kit for hire.
SET run 2018 / 19 Beta 350 / 300 RR’s and 300 X Trainers. All in excellent condition. Mark Glover & myself rode brand new zero hours 300 2T RR’s . I’m a Honda man and Mark KTM. After 14 years on CRF’s the Beta 300RR and 350 4t RR are the closest thing I’ve ridden for all day trail riding, plush suspension, planted geometry and flexible forgiving handling when pushed hard. Very impressive try one. Not harsh twitchy or headshaking on the rocky terrain. And surprisingly for Italian Bikes have a real quality feel.
Waking up to a surprise frost, the sun soon burned that away and we were off in motocross kit in January 20 degrees, sunshine, excellent.
The first trail started immediately outside the SET gates and we did not touch tarmac for two hours and that was only for fuel and coffee stop. Fast flowing top gear river beds, Dakar style deep sand washes, bar bashing gulleys, huge rock steps, forestry, BIG climbs and descents, deep water, stunning mountain top views from castle ruins, challenging technical trials type sections. The best of all varied conditions you could ask for on a Spanish Enduro Trail Ride Adventure. We had asked for challenging trails and got exactly that. The bikes are well protected with P-tech guards all over. And Barry actually sets the pace ( if requested ) lets and encourages you to “ride” the bikes the way they should be ridden. Mousses all round so no “p” words to slow the day down. If a bike gets flipped or goes down Barry laughs with everyone else, even if the “Flipper” also took him out in a river bed.
Lunch was at an excellent restaurant were we sat in the sun before hitting the excellent and varied trails. Evening meals are tasty, generous, home cooked and served in the family farmhouse kitchen with a huge community table. There is also a bar area with pool table, table football, darts etc. Impressive swimming pool too, but a bit fresh in January.
Three days riding 99% off road and exactly what we had asked for. Barry can tailor your riding to suit the groups abilities and preferences. And welcomes all levels of rider. Out of our group of nine riders, three have bought Beta 300 2T X Trainers since riding them at SET.
Highly recommended we will definitely be booking again. Thanks to Barry, his team and my fellow adventurers for a great trip.
Lee Jordan EMTRF