30.4.15 - Hamburg

Traveling is fantastic!
Today arrived late afternoon to Hamburg, a Ryanair flight and didn`t see the city; for tht, I wasn`t to write anything on the blog. And I don`t have pictures.
However happened to me two simply delicious things, those who clearly demonstrate why the pleasure of travel.
A few days ago, when i was chatting with a friend, she said that when I related travel only referred people and hardly ever the country. I said that countries still there and people make them special. And that's what happened.
I had combined with bike rental company that came to nine at night, since the plane landed at eight. However, the bags where delayed and I was couldn`t arrive in time to the shop. I called and attended a fax ...
At the door from Hamburg Airport I caught a taxi to take me to the place. The taxi driver, Indonesian, retired from  Siemens, where he worked for over thirty years as an engineer, who loves Portugal - Porto, S. Jacinto, Aveiro, Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais - , seeing my distress, tried to call the rental company. In vain.
Fortunately, when we arrived at the place, there were people waiting for me, also very friendly.
My friend Indonesian, as had done little for me, wait for me hand over the bike - a blue Triumph - and insisted on driving me to the hostel where I am at this time installed.
Wonder!
The hostel is on the outskirts of Hamburg, in a quiet street and where nothing happens. After making my bed and unload the bike bags, I went to dinner. I went into the first restaurant I saw: a Subway.
The owner or manager asked where I was from and when I said Portugal, made a party. When I told him I was going to ride a bike around, sympathy tripled; time to pay the sandwiches said "is on the house." He is Palestinian, has a Polish employee and another Bulgarian.
We were only three in the restaurant and gets a Spanish. "It seems the Olympic village!" Said Palestinian friendly.
The trip has not yet begun and already paid off.

26.4.15 - Monsaraz | Flor da Rosa | Oliveira de Azeméis

Sunday woke up gray, rainy and cold.
After it has rained all night, it was quite muddy.
The morning meeting of adventurers dragged on due to the rain that fell copiously.
Sunday's stage contemplated 100 km, very technical and difícult.Beasides that conditions I had to ride another 400 km to get home.
At day before the Versys had already proved to everyone that, despite its vocation to tarmac, she is plenty good on gravel. But was mud and tires weren`t the most appropriate, at all.
I made a difficult decision: abdicated Sunday's stage and, for safety reasons, returned home early. The return trip was the same road that had come; but with different stops.
Monsaraz to Reguengos yet been buffeted by rain but then the sun came out and made the trip very enjoyable.
Alter do Chão had to take a detour because, at the expense of TVI and its Sunday programs, the road was cut off in the town center.
A few kilometers further on, I left the IC linking Portalegre and entered the old national road, near the Coudelaria Nacional and Crato station.
The road is beautiful, and from there to Flor da Rosa, through curves, bridges, mystical lands and full of meaning for the history of Portugal, recalled old times (here, or here). So good!
I stopped at Flor da Rosa, in front of the monastery, nd like D.Nuno Alvares Pereira, posed "my horse".
After evoking O Condestaval, it was time to return. No more stops, I thought ...
Until cross A23, I was little shower, but after that, a thunderstorm came over me.
Rain, rain, rain and more rain. Added to that, a very strong wind that made the ride very difficult and freeze the bones.
Skip Proenca-a-Nova was painful. The reach Figueiró dos Vinhos, I decided to stop under a bridge to shelter me. The rain was so much and came from all sides might as well not have stopped.
Quietly followed him to Coimbra and, even more quietly, faced traffic N1, in full sunday.
It was a hard return and fortunately I got well.

25.4.15 - The Great Lake

I woke up in Monsaraz, by the sound of birds chirping at 6:30 in the morning. Today was "the" great day, that I put the Versys on gravel.
Before the stage start, the staff of bikes with studded tires looked at me askance and friendly ironic chat.
I joined Miguel, Diogo, Pedro, Luis and João, the night before group and headed to where the GPS sent; Olivenza, in Spain.
To get there were 100 km of rubble, soil, mud, sand, rivers. There was a bit of everything and all the Versys transposed it like dog like a bone.
But it wasn`t all facilities! At about 15 km, a sharp decline with loose soil and a hole, the front wheel was where I didn`t want to and I went down the bike. "It happens," I thought. "Only me, I'll be the laughing stock of the group," rethought. Well, I just debuted the floor. From there it was such a personal view out of the bikes in unorthodox positions. Craft things.
Getting around the Alentejo plain has the particularity that we might come across animals of many species. Besides bulls and cows, donkeys, horses, pigs, storks, hares, foxes, goats, I got to know the "corkscrew tails"; is a species of ferret but with a larger tail.
Arrived in Olivenza, I came with the idea of ​​regaining and the rest of the group with ideas to have lunch. We chose the second, we left the track and headed to the gokart track restaurant.
With new forces, it was time to return to Portugal.
Villanueva del Fresno - "A Esquina" - and the Mourão Castle were the last stops before reaching the camp in Monsaraz.
Before dinner there was still time for a gin taste proof at Sharish distillery.
After dinner, with the bike well stopped, was time for more Sharish.

24.4.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Anadia | Aldeia da Serra | Monsaraz

The Versys was shinning at Kawasaki stand and the odometer marked 900. Almost brand new!
The tank was filled, Monte Campo backpack tied on teh bike, Liquid Image placed in appropriate places and I was motivated to do nearly 400 km to Alqueva Great Lake.
Out of Oliveira Azeméis of the N1, the first stop was in Anadia in factory of Nau Helmets. A "hello" to who manufactured and painted with such affection, my latest helmets, always with the desire to be the world's best but never needed!
After the break I continued towards the N1 south to Condeixa. Then I started Portugal east crossing by IC8.
Showers were making their appearances and the road was treacherous. Before reaching Penela, in a space of less than 1000 meters, two ugly accidents. Served to dampen the spirits and the Japanese Kawasaki horses.
From Proenca-a-Nova the cold and the rain intensified, taking advantage of the service station A23 to wear another coat and wait a bit for the rain dropping.
Meanwhile, two Belgian riders showed up for the same reason: shelter from the rain. They were ridding for several days and the destination was the Costa Vicentina. After that? They didn`t know ...
The rain subsided and left towards the Aldeia da Serra, passing



Alpalhão, Alter do Chão, Fronteira and Estremoz: almost all lines, with dry, empty road, follow moderate speed, standing on the bike, with a spirit of adventure .
The smell of soil, grass, stone pine: fantastic!
Between Estremoz and Aldeia da Serra i felt just like a child, with Serra D`Ossa turns.
At Aldeia da Serra, had the obligatory stop at Herdade Agua D`Alte. A beautiful space to relax; another "hello" at doctor visit speed, despite not being a doctor!
Monsaraz was "already there", after the Redondo.
Reached the Great Lake was time to assemble the tent, my private apartment for two nights.
Mosquitoes, rain and cold let me think... and I could get a room in a nice house in the middle of Monsaraz walls. A good mattress and hot water!
After the usual presentations, went to dinner: "Carne de Porco à Alentejna", accompanied by no less Alentejo wine.
Right there I joined a group of buddies and I have a group to run tomorrow.
The trips require us to meet people. It's fantastic!

From tomorrow: Kawasaki Versys

2015 A Year of Adventures

For 15 years, João Rebelo Martins was dedicated to four wheels, reaching victories and national titles in Karting, Classic Car, Hill Climbing and Trophies. Even tested with Oreca in Paul Ricard, and GT's at the Nurburgring, Estoril and Braga; never hiding the desire to. one day, go to Le Mans.
Despite this long career dedicated to motorsport, 2015 will be a year of adventures, challenges, and as expectation: 2015 will be a year dedicated to motorbikes.
After the experience in Egypt, the pilot want fun on two wheels!
Sponsored by the fluidotrónica, Norfer, Arax Gazzo and eni, and its partners are Nau Helmets, Karting Oiã, Alpinestars, Agência Paraíso, Monte Campos, Hama Portugal Quinta do Estanho, Molfil, Rainha Muscle & Fitness, Konica Minolta and Oakley, João Rebelo Martins will hold four races of the National Classic Championship, riding a Yamaha RD 350, from Classic Racing Team.
For the pilot "was unthinkable not hold races in 2015. The competition is in my blood and Antonio Nicolau challenged me to ride one of the bikes from Classic Racing Team. The bike is turning and challenging, the team is top, with all the ingredients for me to embrace this new project. "
Apart from  National Classic Championship, for travel and adventure, João Rebelo Martins will dedicated part of the year to mototourism. Inspired by José Megre and, more recently, by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, the pilot will travel to various countries in search of new cultures, new ways of being and living.
Apart from Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, France and Spain - in Europe - are on the route. Singapore, Australia and Egypt following. The racing driver will be on 4 continents in 2015.
"People, landscapes, food, education, culture. . Everything is new and everything is fascinating " . By that is daily writes on this blog and speeches at schools and businesses about motivation and opening horizons are expected.

João Rebelo Martins talk about Cross Egypt Challenge at Moto Camping Magazine

João Rebelo Martins and Cross Egypt Challenge at Trevl Magazine

12.4.15 - Mata Nacional do Bussaco

Travelling in the Bussaco National Forest is a complete adventure in a very small space: nature, history and gastronomy.
Rising from the N1 to Luso and then to the Bussaco, we can smell on air that something mystical will descend upon us, calmly and stillness.
The houses, the trees, take a very different format from the one we are used to, the vegetation changes profoundly and instead of Australian eucalyptus we can see what should be our forest.
A token payment to entry helps sustainability and could serve as an example to many other places scattered Portugal.
Entering the Forest by the Luso gate, the steep parallel road where the sun finds it difficult to penetrate, takes us to a fantastic and romantic world: ferns, water points, ruins. Sources flank the path and make it magical.
Chapels, shrines, trails, is a little of what there is to see until you reach the palace gardens, this mystical land where glorious battles fought against Napoleon's troops.
Designed by several architects, presents a neomanuelino mark with reasons Jeronimos and Belem Tower, inspired by the Convento de Cristo and contrasting with the gothic romantic, containing the tiles inside the great masters of XIX century and tapestries, the palace is a mystical and worthy place of Kings.
At table, a place with one of the most beautiful wine cellar of Portugal, the famous Beef Wellington, in honor of the general who spent the night over there.
To my friend Alexander and his family, a warm hug to keep alive the history of Portugal.

4.4.15 - Rubiães | Fontoura | Valença | Tui

Saturday Easter with sun and heat, the old desire to walk by Caminho de Santiago and a group of friends - one that even I was born! - that is to doing it on stages. These were the ingredients that led me to accompany them. The formula was simple: start at the hostel of Rubiães and walk to Tui, in Spain.
The beginning of the trail was extremely beautiful and peaceful by the Coura river small waterfalls,  Roman bridge, seeing workers in the field, sheep grazing. The more bucolic than Alto Minho can offer and that we can enjoy. Despite the inclination to São Bento da Porta Aberta, breathing the calm of the mountain, walks very well.
From São Bento is about 15 km down to Minho river, with Tui in sight. The landscape is changing and the miles pass.
In front of the chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos, in Fontoura, we found a small restaurant with free wifi and crowded with pilgrims. People frm Spain, Ireland, Germany and Sweden, which joined us in a tasting of beer, nails and roast smoked sausage. All teachers or consultants - as in "my group" - we talked about travelling the world and live the true spirit of it: an inner reflection but also with the spirit of sharing and fellowship very much present, allowing us to meet people from all the world, with the most diverse experiences.
From Fontoura to Valenç



a, at one o'clock, with a marvelous sunbathing and talking about cinema. In the fortress awaited us a "mini" because, after crossing the bridge, is just "cañas".
The Valença fortress has moved characteristic of a street-trading city, and where pilgrims are distracted between the windows and the search for the path of arrows. From the top of the wall we see the Minho river and Tui Cathedral, the goal.
However, before that, we have to cross the iron bridge that links the two sides and make it seem like Portugal continues to Finisterre. For me, I confess, a special milestone: the work of engineering, for its beauty and its meaning.
Up Minho river to the cathedral door was the last part of step that led us "to Spain on foot." More than 20 kilometers of living, knowledge of current stories and other times.
To my traveling companions, desire a good way to Santiago. One day I will also do.

28.3.15 - Porto

I left the motorbike at home and i walk. It wasn`t in any route in the middle of the hills, with de Monte Campo backpack, and I do not remember in need of clothes and special footwear.
With the best company, I went through the streets of the city where I was born and where I lived from 17 to 25 years: Porto.
Beginning at Cordoaria garden, with Camilo loves of thought, crossed the street market from Cândido dos Reis to Filipa de Lencastre plaza and then to the top of Picaria. Among brique-à-braque and accents and dispersed languages ​​have advanced by streets so well know like a tourist.
Going down to Aliados, I was at the door of City Hall to appreciate the grandeur of the square. Granite, gray, realize Porto - by the location and the history of struggle for freedom and liberal ideals - is a city with a European dimension.
Attracted by the music, I went to the side of São Bento station where at present the life of portuenses merges with the art and can be enjoyed by artists installations, music performances and theater.
At São Bento, the mob was going towards the river, by Rua das Flores, and we went with them. A crowd filled the " Porto

most beautiful street" and emptied itself into the Douro; the magnificent shining river that unites, for centuries, the lives of Porto and Gaia.
Funicular up to Batalha square and then heading to the Fontaínhas, I could see the bridges, the river, the sun, a perfect setting.
Before heading to Baixa - for concerts and street theater - was mandatory stop at Guedes to eat a ham sandwich and drink a beer. And do it again!
Since we talk about food, the point of arrival following was Piolho, closing the back.
I walked in a Porto of life, mixing contemporary whilst maintaining the best the city has been building over time. Porto of freedom, history and stories that count and that makes special city, attracting people from all over the world. I rode a Porto that I love, where, for friendship and work I return daily.
Then it was time eat francesinha and drink beer, before finishing the night with the sound of GNR and unparalleled Rui Reininho.

João Rebelo Martins speak about motivation

João Rebelo Martins, racing driver, traveler, used all his experience to speak about motivation with students of Secondary School Augusto Gomes, in Matosinhos.
Using races and travel as examples on the speach, the driver and motivator, delighted the audience made up of students from the 9th, 10th and 11th years of schooling.
The lecture "Motivation: is it spontaneous generation?" Was inserted in the "Days of Encounter". For two days the school students rethought school - a dynamic space, interactive, rich in diversity, experimental and therefore also learning.

João Rebelo Martins talk about motivation for students

João Rebelo Martins and Cross Egypt Challenge at Moto Jornal from 18.3.15

15.3.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Castelo de Paiva | Entre-os-Rios | Crestuma | Oliveira de Azeméis

When it comes to go to Castelo de Paiva some people think it is like going to the end of the world. Well, I went to the end of the world!
In times of lamprey, a trip to Entre-os-Rios is something mandatory. And when the ugly animal as an excuse, enjoying the spring sunshine, i used and open Nau Helmet. Quickly on the road from Oliveira Azeméis to Vale de Cambra and Arouca.
From Arouca, virtually alone on the road, I was skirting the mountains, a slow step, observing the marks of the road once.
On Castelo de Paiva County I went down by a narrow road to Ribeira. The Douro, the great river runs just a few miles away, with all its splendor. But that small waterfall, lost among the mountains, the sun seemed to peek otherwise.
I crossed the bridge to Entre-os-Rios, and observed real festival: between the bridge Duarte Pacheco and the new bridge, the lampreys were on sale "door yes door yes". What real treat!
From there, as the sun download, followed the river to Crestuma dam, where the back to cross and enter in Santa Maria da Feira County.
A nice Sunday ride, where I bumped with many bikers, giving a different color to our roads.

14.3.15 - St. Rally day

The first rally of the year traditionally is the official start of Portugal Motorsport season.
For years it has been in Ponte de Lima, in Vieira do Minho, and there is time to this part, is in Fafe.
It's the rally where everyone wants to show the news: cars, sponsors, equipment, teams with new trucks, or the grill. Day of St. Rally because it is the reunion of the lovers of motorsport, after months of waiting for the noise of the engines, the smell of burning rubber and the audacity behind the wheel; ie the first rally of the year is, after all, a convivial between friends, colleagues, opponents. People who vibrates and loves the sport and that is able to travel hundreds of miles, cold, dust or mud, to applaud and live. I greeted people who do not know the name but that in there years now, we always find the same places, creating an atmosphere and family environment.
With this spirit, I saw thousands of people in Confurco in Lameirinha and Montim. Inhospitable places and almost deserted, that the annual visit of this cluster of people gives another life to the mountains.
Despite the cold morning and the afternoon heat, my suit Alpinestars let me comfortable all day, allowing me to travel on bike, the various paths that connect the tracks.
In sport, won the Azorean Ricardo Moura, getting Miguel Campos secondly and, as we talk about friends and socializing, my friend João Barros third. It was a very good match that rally, to be attached to living, became the great day.
Even in sport, was with nostalgia that saw Vatanen and De Mevius names to the windows of cars. When I was a kid I saw running their parents, and dreamed, like them, to be a racing driver. Now I see the children, younger than me, taking the first steps in this exciting sport. And the guys who have to leave!

7.3.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Cedrim - Lamprey Route

Every year, at least in family, it`s mandatory to go to Cedrim to eat lamprey. In a small restaurant, identical to many others that can be found at Vouga, the lamprey was made "à Bordalesa" and with rice .Crème brûlée and cheese with jam for dessert. Together with a Quinta do Estanho Reserve, of course!
However, before lunch, it was necessary to reach Cedrim.
Taking advantage of the good weather, debuted the off road Nau Helmet, I used with Oakley; and speaking of premieres, took the new Alpinestars pants, very comfortable - and rode the bike the cameras Liquid Image. I felt like a top rider!
I left Oliveira de Azeméis and headed Vale de Cambra. Followed by São Pedro de Castelões, I went to Senhora da Saúde and then was always down to the Vouga, by Decides, Dornelas, Boialvo, Sever do Vouga, Pessegueiro do Vouga.
Crossing the bridge, turned left - right up to the Rallycross circuit - and the village of Cedrim appears in the right.
A nice village with houses where the time went and where he still reads "Vota AD", from 1980 campaigns. A stream crosses the houses and is lost later.
A footpath of great beauty aids digestion and and sets the mood for the evening stage: return home.
Down to the bridge, turned left and followed the river. Yellow spring buds of trees and gives another color to the trip.
I crossed the river in order to go visit the railroad Sernada Museum. There I decided not to go; I need a guide to this museum and no one better than Ricardo Grilo

.
Ricardo, for when the visit?
The homecoming was due to the N1.

He could have done all the way by motorway. Faster, is right. But had not the same joke.