7.6.15 - Vila do Conde | Oliveira de Azeméis

Wake up, open the window and see the sea. Is there anything more fantastic ?! The sun was shining and the temperature was high at Princesa do Ave.
I left home and went to Castle where, for years to this part, are concentrated hundreds of bikes all Sundays. From the most recent to the oldest, from mopeds to more powerful superbikes, choopers or the best café-racer style. Every kind of bikes where there!

Then I follow the river, crossed the bridge and reached Varziela. There I headed out to sea. Before get there, after the forest and the nature reserve, corn fields and dairies surround the road, bringing the characteristic smells of the field in the spring, mixed with the scent of lime trees that, at one point, surrounding the road.
In Vila Chã, next to the church, a popular selling from local produce.
As I approached the sea and beautiful beaches, cut by the low rocks, the sea enter into my nose like a big plate of barnacles, oysters and shrimp from the coast. An unmistakable smell of the sea that led to the fantastic view from our shore.
Hidden, with only some vacationers and divers, Pocinho, Moreiro and Sao Palo. It is mandatory to go up to Castro and see the scenery and feel the faith that those people have in the sea. Among the beaches, fishing villages where is baked sardines in the street.
In Angeiras before strolling by boats lying on the beach, I went to the market. Shrimp, lobster, crabs, barnacles, streak, sardines: the best from our coast, fresh, appetizing, opening the appetite for lunch.
Beer and lupins before continuing trip to Leca da Palmeira, through Cabo do Mundo and Praia do Aterro.
Leça onwards the traffic was chaotic and, once again, the Kawasaki agility was tested.
Continuing the movable bridge, and then by Foz, the traffic was increasing given the usual Sunday trips.
At Ribeira, Ponte D. Luis and Gaia were thousands of tourists, enjoying the scenery, the sun and I suppose, Port wine.
In continuous row by continued marginal to the last stop before heading home: the Senhor da Pedra, in Miramar. There was a popular party, hence the traffic is more than a lot!
Then, with less traffic, followed by the A29 to Sta. Maria da Feira, followed by Arrifana, S. João da Madeira and, finally, Oliveira de Azeméis.
It was a fantastic weekend with friends, heat, sea and good weather.
It was a weekend where I enjoyed a scooter Kawasaki, fast, powerful and safe; so safe I ride all the time in shorts and t-shirt, just like a tourist in Capri.
It was an end-of-week that I want to repeat!

6.6.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Vila do Conde

Sunny days and I was presented by Kawasaki with a J300 scooter for this weekend.
Scooter ?! Countryside or city ?!
The scooter is ideal for city, with its agility and simplicity handling. However Kawasaki exhibits an excellent 300cc engine and, therefore, decided to take that fact and a larger test route with the longest acceleration zones.
Countryside ?! With this heat? If i where inn Germany or Austria, certainly i choose the field. But being in Portugal, nothing better than enjoy our coast and beaches.
Looking at the map, my eyes settled in Vila do Conde: excellent beaches, bikes crowd usually go there, eating well and, above all, I have some great friends there and a house where I go since the middle eighties.
Vila do Conde, for me, is all about races: Praia Azul, Jardim, S da Piscina, Seca e o Castelo.
Vila do Conde was in adolescence, August holiday destination.
For all this, when I looked north and saw Vila do Conde, I had no doubt in ridding there.
I packed the Monte Campo under the seat, used a Nau Helmet, green metal flake - to match with the scooter - and Oakley to cover the sun, shorts and t-shirt, got out from Oliveira de Azeméis towards the Vila.
As the intention was to take the road, the sun, and relive the past, follow up to the Nacional Road 1.
By the middle of traffic, Kawasaki behaved beautifully, allowing me to make a quiet and inexpensive trip.
Then I had to take the A1 and VCI to get back on the national road; this time the National 13.
In the final part of the highway it was easily to reach 140 km / h ... and so I stayed. Not worth go faster.
After entered the N13, I returned to zigzag on traffic.
I remember in June and July of last century cross this road on Friday night to go watch the races. The trailer was a luxury, nobody thought in motorhomes as those nowadays come in our paddock. So for me, it was a treat to see go racing cars on the open road. VW Polo, Clio, Starlet, Corolla and many others. A golden age of National Speed.
Arrived in Vila do Conde, Ave river present me like a mirror reflecting the prison majestic building.
Before a beer near the old boxes, I revive the circuit and stroll through the historic district.
By the evening, with Vilacondense company from the last 30 years we went to sushi, followed by Expensive Soul.
Friends, heat, good music and a scooter. "What else" ?!