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

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.

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!

21.2.15 - Vidago | Pitões das Júnias | Lindoso | Soajo | Monção | Vidago

Based on the peaceful village of Vidago, once famous for water and the way to Santiago, was gifted by a cold day and, like we say in Portugal, with S.Pedro as a friend: disappearing rain and bringing the sun to illuminate a path way through peaks and valleys, with plenty to see and water from Vidago up to the heart of Geres.
Leaving Vidago towards Boticas, after crossing Tâmega river, the road is winding through the curves and its inclination. Reached the top we may think " it worth", "it's beautiful". The harshness of the stone extends to Rabagão river and Pisões dam. A huge water mirror reflects the sun, clouds, blue sky, making that heavenly place.
Leaving behind Rabagão the zigzag continues to the upper Cávado dam: a spectacular given by the size of Rabagão becomes cozy by the smallness of this dam.
Entering the Peneda Geres National Park, a plateau region, we will towards Pitões of Junia and the landscape of hardship compresses us: how to inspire the neo-realistic?!
Herds of the best Barrosas - a specie of cow - copies greet us on the road and hardly let us continue way.
To whet your appetite for lunch, a small trekking to enjoy the waterfall emerging from the rock and the monastery. With the strongest sun, higher, visualized a perfect postcard.
Speaking about lunch, "Casa do Preto" due to the friendliness of the owner, I had tasted "ceboleira" and barrosã steak, accompanied by an Albariño. The restaurant is not referenced in the Michelin guide or the slow food chains but the quality of presenting is superb. Clients eat what the earth gives, literally!  Photography of cows, goats and chickens are exposed on the menu, touring the country and the identification of the producer.
After the excellent lunch it was time to head to Spain to get back to Portugal by Lindoso.
At Mugueimes, and Lobios we saw Lima river grow:  broad and narrow, with dams creating the landscape.
Getting in Portugal by Lindoso, the course was the Soajo.
The granite granaries - or canastros, as they say in some land - rise up to heaven by keeping the income of the earth. With high crosses, seem to ask God to be always full.
The return was made by the route of Vinho Verde, by Monção, through Brejoeira Palace.
Then back to Spain towards Verin,

then Chaves and Vidago.

13.2.15 - Bugnenets-Savagnières

Just 30 minutes from Neuchatel, at the Jura mountains in the Swiss Alps, I found the resort  which the Swiss champion Didier Cuche trained.
It isn`t a typical Swiss fancy resort and is far from comfortable. It has a restaurant and a coffee lost in the middle of a track. Could hardly find a place to rent skis and as mechanical, contain only teleski without chair. In the middle of the tracks, one barn and its friendly inhabitants: cows.
The man who rented skis, typical local, said the snow was hard, not being the best. I agree; but here we see that he was born to skiing and did not have to go to icy slopes and shaved tracks in Spain or, much less, go with a plastic bag for Serra da Estrela!
Bugnenets-Savagnières is a resort of pure downhill, with very very very fast tracks, of medium width, and with many bumps and tight corners, testing all the skier expertise. To get an idea, is only 30 km skiable but these, 20 km were of black and red slopes!
Cuche posters are all over the place, noting that the hill produces champions; and saw several kids to train for, maybe one day, be the Swiss representatives in the world downhill.
There is no aprés-ski but a bifurcation between a black track and two red enjoyed, a terrace, a reinvigorating sun, a vegetable soup, fries and a beer. A snack that cost only 17 euros!
A resort for those who like to ski, move quickly, without looking at the luxuries. A beautiful resort with a fantastic view at the top.

7.2.15 - Manzaneda

Life isn`t only St. Moritz and Lech - at least mine! - and I was pleased that, to remember the old days, I went to Manzaneda.
I opening a Nordica boots, green cabbage metallized, and I was excited!
Just a little over two hours away from Porto found a friendly resort for those who want a day of skiing. The accessibility is good, the difficulty is minimal and the atmosphere is familiar; inviting picnic.

There was lots of people and resources are reduced. As soon as we arrived, we purchased the skipass  and hve lunch. It would be noon and the bocadillo of jamon and caña learned for life.
Recomposed the stomach, until five in the afternoon, was a ski festival! Dropped a snowfall during the week and the snow was very good. We went up and down several times the mountain, exploring off-piste through the trees, walked quickly and slowly went to the snowpark.
Despite the little difficulty of the tracks, I felt three times and each of the three were "falls to the world championship." But guilt was not the boots, indeed!
The access to the car was for a track off that crossed a stream and reached the road. I could go down from a little way of snow, avoiding walk several hundred meters.
Since there is no aprés-ski, we stopped in a village to eat another Galician sandwiches before we drive to Porto.

20.1.15 - St. Moritz

Last day of this trip through Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, passed under a melting sun and listening to David Bowie, Ena Pá 2000, Creedence Clearwater, among many others.
The initial program included a visit to the lake Boodense, the city of Bregenz and Konstanz.
However, St. Moritz also was "already there" and St. Moritz, for those who like skiing, is a mandatory spot.
St. Mortiz, for those who enjoy a certain lifestyle that is easily found in the 007 movies, or in magazines of international Jet 7, is a must.
St. Moritz, for those who like roads that go up and down around the mountain, lakes, 270º turnes, covered with snow and ice, is a real treat.
And I like a bit of all!
Since Friday I refuse to go to St. Moritz; but today I surrendered, I became the road and in good time went.

The city is the most fancy that there may be, full of boutiques with the best brands. Speaking of brands, top of the car also there are all, and tracks in the snow designed for the lucky customers can put their skills to the test on snow and ice. There is also a casino and hotels for which there is no description possible, beyond the houses of all millionaires.
The resort is brutal, with wide lanes, with a lot of slope, allowing breakneck speeds. Like yesterday it didn`t snow, the snow was compact on the slopes, helping to that effect. The off-piste are also any fantastic things.
With my Reuch equal to the Hermman Maier I was a champion of speed ... But when pass me a guy who had a Olympic Team Switzerland jacket i thought certainly he had an engine in the skis!
But as the city, everything else is outstanding: the ski lifts have an automatic shutdown, the bars serve Pommery and Mumm in icy flutes, service staff of the equipment, monitors and other people working in the office are to blush any professional.
Everything is done for the customer to return to St. Moritz.
To get an idea of ​​this holistic vision of luxury associated with the sport, I went up to the Piz Nair, the 3057 meters of altitude: a restaurant with a fantastic menu, with the best products and beverages, so that each one can take comfort from the ski day; however, barely out of the restaurant and within seconds was in Corviglia, the 2486 meters of altitude, in full Downhill track of FSI. It's unpriceless!
With all these memories, with a satisfied smile, as I am in Memmingen, to take the flight to Portugal. I want to return, not go out; but tomorrow is a day of work.

19.1.15 - Vaduz | Rapperswil | Zürich

Cold and sun at Lichtenstein to beginning a journey that, in a short space and time, would make me cross two countries, linking Vaduz - Lichenstein capital - to Zürich, Switzerland.
Some say that Vaduz is the most uninteresting capital of Europe. I fully agree. In the country - and in the capital, confusing one thing to another - breathes well-being and economic strength but it's all very grey. There is nothing apart from good homes and cars of the upper middle class.
Hill climbing to the castle by a dizzying road, close and felt like doing at high speed. "If it was Porsche," I thought ... And is not that past ten seconds had a roar of a boxer engine behind me ?! Shame not go at that Stuttgart wheel.
Then I headed to Zürich, choosing a national road: what wonder, what joy to view and mind.
The road followed the whole mountain, an up and down through icy hills, trees with ice stalactites, streams, people using the horse as a means of transportation and other with ski-background. A landscape of the more bucolic and endearing that may exist. How would say my Brazilian friends, amei.
Until Rapperswil stopped in several villages to take pictures because I wanted to keep track of everything of this.
After that the landscape has changed and came the big lake. What a feeling! All so clear, body & soul purifier.
In Rapperswil stopped the car and walked across the lake. I saw ducks, herons and woodcocks. Nature is present in the cities, not leaving invade, creating a perfect set.
The reach Zürich, the banks of the lake, I began to realize how fancy the city would be: dream homes, Ferrari stands, Porsche, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin.
The town itself, after this cold and European California bath



, showed up in all its magnitude.
Zürich is a fantastic city, a bastion of European traditions in the financial world and this is reflected in the buildings, in culture, in stores, in people.
I walked by the lake and the old town. I went up to the uptown and down saw Wasserkiche.
I hope to return!

18.1.15 - Silvretta Montafon

Today the sun appear and the day had another glow.
Instead of yesterday, the Alps were opened in splendor and can observe the beauty of the mountains and valleys. Yesterday had felt but today I saw why they called "walls" to the Austrian ski resorts: the slope is such that the difference between a red or black is basically the width of the track. Blue and green tracks; whats that?
Silvretta Montafon is in the Top 10 of the best resorts. The village that hosts doesn´t have the glamour of other resorts but the tracks are top. The lift pass price and ski rentals are in the normal table of the Alps; that, in my view, the price / quality is much cheaper than other resorts.
In rental ski shop, by our faces and languages, we were the center of attention. When asked how was my ski, said "expert": they gave me a fantastic skis from Nordica, which were well explored throughout the day.
With the sun came visibility and with it the speed that can printed to ski: it was a return to the good old tight parallel, go with the hand to the floor, alternating between wide pistes with other narrower, with hooks that reminds the Turini, traded on slide heels. The snow was soft and allowed almost everything.
On returning to the car, to enjoy the most, went down the mountain by a red track. In its final, followed by an off-piste in the trees. I the middle of nothing, we found a tavern with a superb view, full of Austrians to hear a folk music and drink beer. We participate in the tasting, of course.
Then it was follow the trail out to the village center, crossing houses, backyards, and paved streets, like in a 007 movie.
Today was, as they say in my jargon, "on red line".
Do you want a day like this?! Contact Agência Parai

so and enjoy good times.

6.1.15 - Régua

Go to Régua is to see and live wine. Although can be land and can also be river - like say António Barreto - but it is, above all, wine.
The road, like the good nectar is fantastic:  carousel, coil, chained, or what you want to call. Between the river and the ledge, a unique beauty.
I will return with more time!

1.1.15 - Oliveira de Azeméis | Caramulo | Oliveira de Azeméis

First day of the year and it's time to start setting goals for the objectives of the year. In 2015 I will dedicate myself also to travel around. Bike, car, train, airplane; of whatever. I want to know new places, new people and cultures.
I got up early and tied the Monte Campo on the bike. I looked at the map and decided to take a tour of places that i didn´t for a long time.
I left Oliveira de Azeméis and headed to Vale de Cambra to enter the road of S. Pedro do Sul. Few kilometers and had the first stop of the day: The Eng. Duarte Pacheco dam, along with Roge.
Breathes tranquility that little piece of paradise. Near Serra da Freitas, could put the legend Bariloche that few would have given the difference. Wonderful, sublime, the trip had been worth it for that landscape.
Follow way to Oliveira de Frades, a cold coil that accompanies every corner of the mountain, a constant up and down. A road that passes through Cepelos, Junqueira and Arões, mythical names of rallying.
Reached Oliveira de Frades, I headed to Caramulo. Always going up!
No longer would there since my last participation on the hillclimb, in 2011. The town is so friendly and picturesque, along with the villages around them. Witn no racing, everything takes a different rhythm, much more calm and quiet.
Go up to the Cabeço de Neve and had lunch: one sandwiche. Then followed by a dirt road that connects the various electric windy towers

. I saw the Serra da Estrela, Serra da Freitas and the sea.
The way back home was by Agueda along a road with nested curves and at three in the afternoon had not yet dried. I went through several streams that after Pateira of Fermentelos, help fill the Vouga.
More than 150 km of knowledge, to revive the places where had passed. It was a good day 1 January.