Hi, If anyone would like a copy of this newsletter in PDF format, complete with photos, please email me .alan@motorbike-tours.co.uk

Motorbike-Tours.co.uk Newsletter
Issue 3
July 2009
A Message from Alan

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for reading the newsletter, and a special, big thanks to all of you who have been on this year?s tours. We?ve had a great time and I?m sure we?ll see you again very soon. Some of you will know that Mark has had some medical problems, but I?m pleased to say that he?s on the mend.
The Heartland tour is proving to be a real gem and everyone is going home happy, which is what we love to see. The visits to the Black Lagoon, the Castle at Gormaz and the Monasterio de Piedra (with its stunning waterfalls) seem to be going down a treat, as are the day?s riding through the Picos de Urbion and the Sierra Cebollera. Ana and Marisa have made us very welcome at the hotel and can?t do enough for us. We will definitely be running this tour again next year, but if anyone can?t wait, there are still a couple of places available on the August tour if you?re quick. Some of you already know what laid back affairs our tours are. We?re not speed merchants; we?re there to have a great, relaxed holiday with our bikes. I realise that there are those amongst you who have never ridden abroad before, so I?d just like to say that you?re more than welcome to join us. We?re there to make things go as smoothly as possible. We speak Spanish and will guide you through any difficulties that may arise. Of course, we don?t anticipate any problems, but it?s nice to know that you?re in safe hands.
As I said, our outlook is very relaxed, and this is reflected in the way the Heartland tour has developed during the season. The itinerary is not set in stone and we have listened to your suggestions along the way, which I hope, has improved and honed the tour to what it is now; a real treasure.
Thanks again to you all, both existing and prospective tourers.

The Picos de Urbion
The Picos de Urbión is a stunning section of the ?Sistema Ibérico? (Iberian System), the mountain range that crosses east to west through the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Here you?ll find the source of the River Duero, one of Spain?s great arteries. The region is home to the magnificent glacial lake, the ?Laguna Negra? (Black Lagoon), a place of great natural beauty. A boardwalk allows visitors to walk alongside the lake, which legend says is bottomless.
One of the features of the Picos de Urbion is the number of cows and horses that wander along the road, seemingly oblivious to the passing motorbikes. There?s even the odd bull on the loose; that?s when we don?t stop for photos. The amount of eagles flying above our heads is another source of amazement.
The mountain villages, such as Montenegro de Cameros are particularly picturesque; this is when we do stop for photos. Kicking down our side stands and pausing to take a coffee in one of these remote villages, is a simple pleasure that sticks in the memory for a long time.
As we pass near the villages of Viniegra de Abajo (Lower Vinegar) and Viniegra (Vinegar), the rocks become more jagged and the whole place has a more rugged feel, with high sided canyons bearing down on us. After this, the landscape gives way to pine trees and blue lakes, which reflect the sun off their serene surfaces.
It is in truth, a tiring day, but one that you wouldn?t want to miss. When you return to the drudgery of everyday life, this is one of the experiences that you?ll think back upon with satisfaction.
This section of the tour is impassable during winter months. The ski station of Santa Ines lies at the beginning of the route, but when we visit, it is home to lizards and grazing cows. The roads are normally empty, leaving us to enjoy the mountains at their best.
The Picos de Urbion are without doubt, a highlight of this or any tour.

Wolf River Canyon
The Canyon Rio Lobos Natural Park is located between the foothills of the Iberian System and the River Duero plateau, at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters. The canyon stretches some 25 km from the South Eastern tip of Burgos and into the North West of Soria, where we find approximately 80% of the Natural Park.
The spectacular formations of the canyon and surrounding landscape were created by the direct action of the Rio Lobos (Wolf River) and constant temperature changes. This geological process resulted in unusual surface and subsurface features ranging from sinkholes, vertical shafts, disappearing streams, and springs, to complex underground drainage systems and caves. The River Lobos and its adjoining streams has become a lifeline for the many animals that live at the base of the Canyon. The landscape in this area is truly breathtaking.
The oxide tinted canyon walls rise up to 200 meters (656 feet) in places, with stunning colour and formation changes throughout its 25 kilometres. The area is strewn with caves, caverns and natural wells where subterranean waters run wild. The largest of these caves is the Galiana, with its 1500 meters of galleries, stalactites and stalagmites to explore. For those interested in History there is an isolated 12th century Knights Templar Hermitage, a Bronze Age settlement and a Roman bridge to enjoy.
The walls, ledges and cavities of the Canyon are refuge to more than 200 pairs of Griffon Vultures and other protected birds of prey. The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a massive and impressive bird with a body length of 100cm and a wingspan around 265cm. Breeding on high cliff ledges in mountainous parts of southern Europe, North Africa and Asia the Griffon vulture is well represented in Iberia. Griffons are very social birds and prefer living and nesting in colonies, very often more than 100 pairs. The Canyon has approximately 230 pairs and growing each year.

The Roads
Although Soria is one of the most sparsely populated areas of Spain, the majority of the roads are maintained in near perfect condition, even though some of them are hardly used. It?s not unusual to be the only road-user on a swathe of newly laid tarmac. This makes the experience of riding through one of the most beautiful areas of Spain, even more joyous.
Between Soria and Logrono is a section of road that will take you through the stunning Sierra Cebollera. A two and a half kilometre tunnel has been cut through the mountain, which cuts 30 minutes off the journey. We go both ways; through the tunnel, and over the top in order to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Part of this journey goes through an area that will put you in mind of those old cowboy films, with jagged rock formations rising on each side of the road.
One of the features of this part of the country is how the scenery changes dramatically within just a few miles. One moment you can be amongst pine trees, the next in a barren rock strewn landscape, then just as quickly move into an area of lakes and snow capped mountains. Amazingly though, no matter how remote you feel, the road beneath you will probably be in pretty good shape.
Most of the Autovias (Motorways) are fairly quiet, with the exception of those near to big cities. Many Autovias have recently opened or are still under construction, but we tend to only use them for accessing Santander. On the rare occasion that we do revert to using the motorway, you?ll be pleasantly surprised just how spacious they are.
The road to Gormaz Castle is one of the best you could wish for. It will sweep you through wonderful countryside, until the dramatic outline of the castle comes into view, perched high on a rock pedestal. Once again, we are virtually alone on the road.
Click here to see more details about the Heartland Tour.

Next Year
We are presently planning our 2010 tours. Many suggestions have been made including more in Spain, Morocco and the Pyrenees. As soon as we have finalised the schedule, you will be the first to know about it. The Heartland Tour will almost certainly continue, and will probably be complimented by a tour of the Sierra de Francia area of Spain. This is a tour that we currently offer to clubs and groups, and is proving to be very popular. One of the highlights of this tour is a visit to the Classic Motorcycle Museum. The beautiful Monfrague National Park is nearby and always worth seeing.
After the August Heartland Tour, I will be popping up to the Pyrenees to view accommodation for a potential tour in the mountains. Anyone who has been on our tours will know that we are very particular about where we stay, so it will have to be good.
If you have any preferences regarding next year?s tours, this is the time to let me know. You?re input would be most grateful.
Some people have asked me if there will be a September Heartland Tour. The answer is ?yes, if you want one?. If there is sufficient interest, we will run a tour that will probably begin on September 14th, but if the response is limited, we will be sticking to the group and club side of things. If anyone is interested in coming with us in September
And Finally
I couldn?t leave without mentioning Doug and Kelvin (pictured below), whose love of peas caused much hilarity in the local bar/restaurant.
They?re from Cornwall and I?m from Yorkshire, so communication was difficult. We also had Terry, an American with us, so there was a lot of sign language going on, but we had a great time just the same.
Well, if you?ve read this far, I thank you very much. It would be great to see some of you on the tours, either next year or on the Heartland Tour in August or September (be quick if you want to get in on the August tour). Even if you haven?t been with us, it would be nice to hear from you. Drop me an email and tell me what you think about the tour, the website or newsletter, or indeed anything you like.
All the best???????.Alan