There is no doubt that motorcycle travel is one of the most anticipated pleasures for the motorcycle family. For this reason, we report an amazing trip we made from Madrid to the Portuguese city of Porto
As Honda called this motorcycle excursion “NT 1100 Iberia Touring Experience” from the start, this route was conducted by Spanish journalists from Madrid while the Portuguese group made the return journey with the same motorcycles. They were all equipped with side cases, trunk and intercoms in the helmets via Bluetooth. The route was passed by the brand in Google Maps format so that it could be viewed on the motorcycle’s screen at any time, in addition to being able to take advantage of all the services offered by the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay system : calls, messages , and so on.
The NT 1100 has the same mechanics as the Africa Twin to become a true traveler, as it has everything you need to make long journeys in the utmost comfort. It emphasizes the good protection and aerodynamics for both the driver and the possible companion. Striking is the low position of the seat, which makes it easy to adjust to almost any height. The 100 hp delivered from the engine with more than a liter of displacement enables long and very comfortable journeys and the 20 liter capacity of the fuel tank allows about 400 kilometers to be covered without having to stop.
The tour started in Madrid and after touring the Sierra de Guadarrama, via San Lorenzo del Escorial, we reached the medieval walls of Ávila, a Spanish heritage and one of the highest cities in Spain, 1,131 meters. From there on the N-110 we pass the Barco de Ávila, until we reach the gate of the Valle del Jerte, the port of Tornavacas. From here the cherry trees in bloom accompanied us on this first day of the route to Jerte. Later, the countless turns of the 17 kilometers from the port of Honduras awaited us. At the lookout point, after the coronation, you can see the numerous birches that they say are the best preserved in all of Extremadura.
Hervás is the next waypoint. City famous for its Jewish quarter and old motorcycle museum. Later we passed through Bejar and after about 50 kilometers and an hour of winding we arrived at the spectacular La Alberca. Historic artistic complex for 80 years which houses the spectacular hotel Abadía de los Templarios where we slept the first night. This beautiful city, practically car-free, is where Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures converge. The tradition of this beautiful city is remarkable. Although we have not seen it, they have a habit of releasing a pig in the city, they call it “Pig of San Antón” and in June it is raffled and the profits go to the brotherhood of San Antón.
On the second day of the route, the address is Ciudad Rodrigo, already at the gates of Portugal. We entered the Portuguese country through Vilar Formoso, a traditional border post since 1859 adjacent to Almeida, a town where you can see a small part of the imposing fortress which, in the shape of a twelve-pointed star, is one of the most spectacular 17th century. Then Almendra, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Portugal. Monumental heritage and famous for the national road 222 that ends there after more than 225 kilometers, from Vila Nova de Gaia, almost always along the banks of the Douro River. On this tour, due to the view of the union of the Côa and Duero valleys, it is recommended to stop at the Côa Museum.
We follow the countless bends of the N 222 and arrive in Pinhao on the banks of the Duero to later follow the road with a new landscape. It is full of vineyard terraces where the best Alto Duero wines are produced. Later, the road takes us to Mesâo Frio, famous for its ports and red wines, towards Amarante until we reach Porto, the final destination.
It must be said that the N 222 was created by a trio of engineers such as the famous Formula 1 architect Herman Tilke, by the specialist in the construction of extreme tracks and some of the most amazing roller coasters in the world John Wardley; and by quantum physicist Mark Hadley, head of the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick, one of the UK’s leading universities. According to them, the ideal layout should have a ratio of 10:1. That is, ten seconds of straight for every second of spin. And the N 222 has a ratio of 11:1, so very close to perfection, but in the world there are more insane people like California’s Big Sur who holds the preliminary record at 8.5:1.
After this bracket the final destination in the beautiful Portuguese city of Porto where the river Douro flows. This is really spectacular with numerous wineries at the foot of the river allowing for good supplies after the long journey. The direct route doesn’t extend to 600 miles, although the areas we covered each day were just over 400 and just over seven hours a day of fun on the back of the Honda Nt 1100.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
