7 days in Portugal, 3 days on Portimao Circuit and 2 nights of heavy drinking - it was a pretty bloody awesome stag do!
We stayed in the Tivoli Marina hotel with the best breakfast sunrise view I've ever seen; overlooking two Marinas alongside the estuary and opposite a fort (over which the sun rose). 100% would stay there again.
First day we visited some sea caves, about a 3 hour walk across hundreds of these caves and overhangs - beautiful scenery and worth a visit. Sadly, no ice cream van was present so we had to make do with out water instead.
Day 2, 3 and 4 we were on circuit. What a bloody circuit Portimao is! Those who have been there will know what I mean when I say it's like Donington Park on a growth hormone, steroid and cocaine fuelled diet that's been working out every day since it's been created! 3 days on circuit and I still don't know it that well. I'd rate it a 10/10, Catalunya a 7/10 and Donington at 6/10.
Circuit Day 1:
I had zero confidence. The bike didn't feel great, I was uncomfortable, I hated the circuit and I was braking like a wuss! By the end of the day I was doing a little better and started to enjoy certain parts of the track, no longer was I braking at 300m on the start straight, I was down to about 260m. Fastest lap was around 2.05.
Circuit Day 2:
Confidence was beginning to come back. I'd been working on the bikes ergonomics on Day 1 and suspension changes through Days 1 & 2, they were working. The bike felt very compliant and BOOM! I got my elbow down !!!!
The sense of overwhelming achievement was unbelievable - furthermore, I hit my apex and set my fastest lap at the same time. I was into the 2.01s. After lunch I moved into Advanced Group.Last session of the day, I nearly packed up for the day. I'm glad I didn't. I ended up having the best play on circuit of my life with 2 guys in my garage (riding a GSXR 750 and R1). I was having a chilled ride following the GSXR when I got overtaken by the R1. If the R1 got past the GSXR I was going to follow him for the session. Well he did get past the GSXR and I followed. It became a 3-way battle with a relatively empty circuit (except for a 1299 FE). We were dicing, riding within touching distance of each other, trying to pass eachother. I ended up getting to the front just as the session ended. Came back in the garage and we had so much respect for one another, laughing about how we couldn't pass eachother. It was phenomenal!!!
They were both shocked by my bike being a 600, they didn't have much over me on the straights and they both said they knew they couldn't get me on the brakes into turn 1 as I "braked like a demon". The R1 wasn't happy when I showed him the 30,000 miles on the dashboard and I also dragged elbow in front of him
Circuit Day 3:
Sore from the day before I was taking it easier. The circuit hooked up so good that I was getting personal best laps every lap with minimal effort and braking at 200m for turn 1. Best lap: 1.58.4. I was on for a 1.57 but I couldn't pass a 765RS quick enough so bailed to the pits.
Unfortunately, dicing with an R1M, his conrod had other thoughts on its purpose and poked a hole through the engine. Shrapnel and debris hit me and my bike puncturing a hole in my radiator. That was the end of my trip... or so I thought!....
My mate has a Gen 2 BMW S1000RR kitted very very well - separate post to follow - and he let me out on it after lunch. I joined my 3 other mates in their group and had a bit of a play. It was a great way to end the trip, slower laps on an incredible machine with my mates, watching them try and pass each other. It was one of my mate's 2nd trackday so to watch his improvement was very rewarding.
As we were getting into the car to leave, there was a bit of scraping and banging... some knobcheese decided a J-turn in a mini-SUV on a very grippy surface was a great idea. The car rolled - it was hilarious! The car was 100% a write-off so who knows what happened with the hire car company
That night we watched the MotoGP in a sports bar and headed into town for drink.. what happens on tour stays on tour though
It's fair to say I'm happy to be home but I had the best time ever.. the Mrs-to-be wants to come on the next Euro trip which sounds like permission to me!!!
Forgot to ask...: How did your mate with the 675 get on please Cav.?
