Pedro

I can't say I didn't have a good 2020. In the first half of the year, external markets closing or stopping meant my suppliers only had Portugal as a sales resource, so that made it easy for me to sell a lot easier than normal, and a lot more too. By July it all changed though, and it's been shit ever since, with a promise of carrying on like that at least until summertime. I have lightened some expenses and hope to carry on, I can adjust my personal earnings to the flow of things now, so just rolling with the punches. I also rode the bike a lot more than normal, did two big trips, top to bottom of Portugal on small roads, stopping for swimming pools and nice dinners (opinions vary). I got to know my bike better, and got to know my own small country a lot better than before, and appreciate it more than before. I am ending the year in a deep low, though, I'm feeling quite depressed. I'm quite sad and lacking energy to do anything. I could have taken the bike through southern Portugal as the weather hasn't been too bad, but quite simply didn't. Next 4 days will be of full lockdown so definitely no riding. Will stay in Sofia's until monday and take it from there. For next year, though, I see some motorcycle touring in Portugal at least. I see work being frustrating, and I see me and Sofia trying to start a guided tour company, very slowly at first. If that sells a couple of tours in 2021 it'll be a success as it's all so uncertain. I would also like to think that if the pandemic is half dealt with, and the situation in Spain and Morocco improves, I would like to go on a bigger trip. Painful as it will surely be going back to Tangier, I miss the place and the riding.

Have a great day @Tym!

Thank you. They’re Dainese riding jeans, aramid reinforced in places with soft plastic knee insert pads. I’m aware they’re not the best protection you can have.

a quick google search for "Varese International Six Day race in 1951"

That's common in a lot of older villages and city areas, even big cities.

Which one do you mean? The one before the cobblestones wasn't bumpy, just a couple of jumps. The cobblestones are ancient, time did that. The forrest road after that is how forrest roads get in Portugal, distorted from tree roots below. There is a reason why "adventure" bikes have been popular in Portugal since forever, road surfaces! Thanks, but they'll stay colorless and black for now, they do look nicer than in that video in person. The bike is filthy from winter and mud.

Some do get a normal amount of people here, I stay clear of those when they're busy.

I like that a lot. 50km is what you need to get your head straight. I need my 50 to 75km ride, it's like a fix.

made a video of it:

...and made a video of it Watch at the expense of your time. Can't say it's something I would recommend if I didn't spend a ton of time editing it myself Camera angles aren't satisfying to me, it's a learning curve. Plus the battery died and didn´t record the best parts, which annoyed me no end, also a learning curve as I've got an hour of filming boring shit.

I, for one, can't imagine doing 200.000 miles in one bike and not growing to love it. If something does me the service of providing a good service I get attached to it.

Hey @MooN and @Sir Fallsalot, on the 31st I´ll just consider the last picture posted on this thread, ok?

Very cool muddy pictures, something very cool about riding through what are slippery paths on foot but are grippier on knobbies. BTW, is that a chubby front tire on the CRF? Looks balloony.

What do you mean retirement?

Don't be daft!

I wouldn't be online if it wasn't for this place, gave up on participating on other forums, and deleted facebook a long time ago.

Not when it’s an economic one

They do look sweet, but do you think that would be a smooth bike for road trips?

No need to delete pictures, just leave them and I will just consider the latter submission

A lot of them were just construction stopped midway and never lived in. In 2008 you had complete neighbourhoods with hundreds of nice homes in construction and everything stopped and left to fade away in a blaze of bankruptcy. Back then it was easy to spot them from the motorway on the outskirts of big cities. The bubble just burst.

No, it’s wet lol but no, it’s rich and velvety and sort of fruity. But not old like a reserve, it’s a simple wine.

That’s what you want. Love what you have and not have what you love. What’s with the ruins and unfinished construction, though?

I like!

You pick your fights, Tym Pretty sure Michelle will have everyone beat this month, though

The mighty GS, carrying 3 bottles of wine accross the Lisbon wine country on a dirt road, on Christmas eve.