Biking through picturesque trails in Portugal with Intrepid Trails: a personal account

For many, going on a motorcycle holiday with your friends is a pipedream. Being able to line up all your schedules for a perfect week of trail riding rarely happens. But what if you’re able to?

Bikesure General Manager Rob Balls and his friends did just that, as they set off on a touring adventure in Portugal with Intrepid Trails. Here he tells his story.     

I was at the Bikesure Motorcycle Live Show at the NEC in November last year and as I usually do, I spent some time visiting the stands that had guided adventure bike expeditions to far flung corners of the world. 

It’s been 15 years since my last real adventure, touring the Himalayas on Royal Enfield Bullet 500s, and the pull of the possibility of another adventure was strong.

Normally, I pick up some leaflets, dream and then nothing materialises. This time I happened to meet Steve of Intrepid trails and he’s one of those guys with what seems like boundless energy, enthusiasm and a real passion for what he does. 

Rounding the guys up for an exciting motorcycle trip in Portugal

What was on offer seemed to tick a lot of the boxes; good value, not too far away, something we could do on a long weekend, good weather and some great riding. This felt like something accessible the guys could get on board with, and would hopefully reignite their sense of adventure for a bigger, more ambitious trip in the coming years.

As we all know, turning dreams into reality often involves considerable effort. So began my mission of persuading my friends (or their partners), negotiating schedules, and planning the specifics of our journey. Steve was instrumental during this process, seamlessly arranging everything from sizing our riding gear to booking our airport transfers and providing the accommodation in the biker/surfer-themed “paint shop” hostel.

Getting settled and preparing for our tour with Intrepid

The time for the trip soon came around and upon arrival, Steve came to meet us, had beers, chilled and waited, ready to give us a tour of the accommodation, a lowdown on the area and the itinerary for the days ahead.

It immediately felt right and we knew we were going to be in for a good time. Steve has built up a lot of local knowledge in his time at Figuira da Foz and the accommodation is a relatively short walk to the vibrant city centre and to the wide, sun-kissed beaches. We had an afternoon and evening to explore the local area and head out for a few beers and an evening meal.

The following day, after a good breakfast, Steve came and picked us up to take us to his base (and family home) where all the bikes and gear are kept. We were introduced to all of the family and were kitted out in some great quality gear before meeting our Sherco 250 and 300 SEFs that Steve makes sure are all prepped and ready to ride.

Riding on intrepid trails in Portugal 

What followed were two days of riding on the best trails I have ever ridden. What a buzz!  There was such a wide variety of trails; from woodland, real sandy tracks, unmade roads, trails that needed slow and technical riding to those that were fast and furious, as well as single track and wider lanes too. 

Steve knew just where to take us based on the ability of the group, to give us a good test and push us out of our comfort zones. There were sufficient trails to give you four solid days of riding without doing the same trail twice, and Steve knows them like the back of his hand. 

The bikes didn’t miss a beat and it’s incredible what they’ll do as long as you put your faith in them and give it a bit of gas!

As you’d expect from Portugal, the area has some fantastic beaches, and if you want to break up the biking with some surfing, lessons are available for that too! There’s a three-day beach party every year and 120,000 people descend to enjoy the party and some of the best DJs on the scene.

My experience overall: I couldn’t fault it! 

Bikesure General Manager Rob Balls

I really couldn’t fault the trip at all. The accommodation was relatively basic, but it had everything we needed as well as a pool table, bluetooth speakers and an honesty bar, creating a great vibe with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

The equipment and bikes were great. The days were the right mix of riding, breaks to catch our breath and beautiful scenery. The area had enough bars, restaurants and places of interest to explore in addition to the amazing riding that was on offer. 

Steve made us feel like part of the family, sharing his vibrant life with us. After this trip, we left with unforgettable memories and a bit of “life envy,” eager for our next adventure.

Regardless of whether this trip leads to bigger and bolder adventures, we’ll definitely return to Intrepid Trails to do it all again, and hit those routes we didn’t get round to the first time.

Does my bike insurance cover me for touring Europe?

If you’re going on your own tour, or touring through a company, you will need to ensure you have the correct insurance. Whilst a lot of comprehensive motorcycle insurance policies have some basic measure of EU cover of around 90 days, it is always best to double check your details before setting off on your travels.   

Policies tend to give you third-party cover in Europe for up to 90 days. This covers other riders and their property, not your own. That also means if your motorbike is stolen while riding abroad, your policy might not cover you.

Some motorbike insurance providers might offer enhanced European cover.

Which documents do I need to take for a European motorcycle trip?

While you may wish to travel light, unfortunately there are some documents that you must take as you tour Europe. These include:

Passport

V5C document or logbook

Valid tax and MOT certificate

Certificate of insurance

European breakdown cover policy documents

International Driving Permit (IDP) – this depends on which countries you’re visiting

What do I need to take for a European motorcycle touring holiday?

This varies from country to country, but depending on their rules (which are subject to change), there are some items that are required for riding in Europe. Otherwise, you may be liable to a fine or worse.

You should always check before visiting a different country, but in general you should have the following.    

Breathalyser kit

If you’re stopped by the police without a breathalyser kit, you may be fined depending on the country you are in. 

Hi-vis jacket

If you’re motorbike touring in France you need a hi-vis jacket. In the unfortunate event you suffer a breakdown, you must wear it. There are fines for not following the legal requirements for riding a motorcycle in France.

GB or UK stickers 

Riders with GB plates can buy a new UK plate or fix a UK sticker over the GB symbol. Any extra GB stickers will need to be replaced with a UK sticker.

Spare bulbs

In most EU countries you must carry these for the front and rear lights of your motorcycle. 

Where can I get European road trip cover?

Wherever you choose to go on a European motorcycle trip, make sure you take bespoke Bikesure motorcycle insurance with you. Our policies can include travel in European Commission countries for up to 90 days.

For a swift no obligation quote, please call 0330 123 1028 or arrange a callback at a time that’s more convenient for you.