Fuerteventura 2006

I was searching on the internet for information on our destination and came across the

BACKTRAX OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE TOURS

website and luck would have it their location was where we were going to stay for the week. I compiled an email enquiring about availability of the one day tours they offered and received a reply from Jo within hours stating that she could sort out a trail riding day with Dave anytime during the week. Full of excitement I wrote back stating I would like to go out on the Wednesday, just to break up the week of lounging around on the beach soaking up the sun.

It was time for a rest and we stopped at a small cafe at the side of the road. The temperature was rising and I was getting very hot with all the safety gear being worn. We sat in the shade drinking our cool refreshing colas. We had parked the bikes at the side of the road and I hadn't taken into account the camber of the road so when I tried to set off I stalled the bike. I tried two or three times to pull away but each time I stalled. I was getting more annoyed with myself but Dave just waited patiently until I had sorted myself out. We where back on the gravel tracks that led across the island and I was beginning to really enjoy the ride. I was standing more and more with the bike taking the brunt of the rough surface and not my backside. Eventually we headed down a sandy track and onto the beach with the wreck of the Amercian Star in front of us. Dave explained that the ship had run a ground in December 1993 whilst being towed. It was an impressive sight with the large liner being slowly destroyed by the relentless waves from the North Atlantic Ocean. We posed for photographs with the ship in the background before we started to head back to Caleta de Fuste.

The days seemed to pass slowly for the first few day of our holiday. It literally was just the two of us relaxing on the beach with me reading the autobiography of Valentino Rossi, drinking beer and thinking about what it would be like going trail riding. I had only ever ridden my road bike and so the thought of going off road was a little daunting. I had been assured that the route I would be going on was ideal for beginners but nether the less I still had some anxiety.

It was 11:00am and I made my way from my hotel down the street and to the Back Trax headquarters about 100m away. I was welcomed by Dave and Jo and shown around their little set up and introduced to the others who where joining us on the days trip. The bikes, Husqvarna TE250 where lined up outside on the pavement. Dave explained the route to us all whilst I was putting on all the safety gear essential for the trip. Then he gave me a run down of the bike explaining the basic functions. Following our briefing we were ready to start out on our trail to the American Star ship wreck on the other side of the island. The first part of the route was on the main road to get petrol and then we would head off to find some gravel tracks to get us across the island. I had never ridden anything like this before. I really did feel like I was perched on top of a fence looking down at the road passing by. The height of the bike meant I could just about reach the floor with my outstretched toes. At first I remained sat down on the bike seat but Dave encouraged me to stand on the foot pegs explaining that I would have better control and balance on the rough tracks ahead. This was all very strange to me and it took a while to get comfortable with the idea. We carried on and my confidence grew with each kilometre over the gravel tracks.

I had a great day out with Dave and the others to the ship wreck. I learnt a lot about how to control a bike in new surroundings. Even though my new relationship didn't last, I knew my relationship with trail riding had only just begun.

The American Star off the coast of Fuerteventura

Comments

Tiny Says: 04/09/2008 Thu AM 09:32:21 BST

What a fantastic day I had, highly recommended.

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