Off-Roading in Andalucia

Lounging with some daytime TV last year I caught an article on Life in the Sun of a couple who set up an off-roading company in Spain. Looked so fantastic I quickly hit the record button and then hunted them down on the internet. (www.redtread.com). Red Tread was set up in 2001 by ex Enduro champion Ian Burgess and his wife Sally. I couldn’t wait for David to come home and see it. Off-roading was not something I had ever thought of doing before but this so caught my imagination that after some research, we made a reservation with them for a long weekend in January as novice off-roaders.

We flew to Malaga on Friday afternoon feeling both nervous and excited, looking forward to 3 days riding in Andalucia. We settled into the house and met the other rider in our party - Tim, who was also a novice to off-roading. We were very fortunate to be only a party of 3 as they can take up to 12 people. Saturday morning we were kitted out with all the protective gear and given our bikes - Honda CRF230F for me and CRF250X for David. The 230F had the lowest seat they have and I only just managed to mount it. Then we set out on our first challenge - down their vertical driveway!

Over the 3 days we had some very challenging riding. The first morning we were taken to a quarry for some great tuition on hill climbs and cornering from our instructor Trevor and sweeper Digger. After lunch we headed off for a ride in the hills. We arrived back at the house after a very full day, tired but really looking forward to the next day.

They were really pleased with our progress from day one so over the next two days we were given some great trail rides.

Day two was up to the top of mMount Maroma (2000m). Sheer drops weaving around the mountain, great climbs strewn with rocks and ruts etc. On day three we had some even more challenging paths and great fun following a river for a mile or so.

The Red Tread guys were great - really encouraging you to attempt what you think you can’t do, but they don’t push you if you really feel unsafe. I did bottle out of a couple of patches and Digger took the bike through for me. One of those was where we had to cross a river which had washed away the path. There was a sheer concrete drop down into a river bed strewn with boulders! David was far braver than me and had a go but not surprisingly he did take a tumble. Several times, in sheer determination to get up some bouldered climbs I ended up shouting to myself very loudly - KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING, KEEP GOING - over and over until I’d got up there - it really did work - if you let off the throttle you’ve no chance. The bikes were fantastic - it is amazing and the punishment they can take, what they can clamber over, if you just trust them. As expected I did take several tumbles and came back with a rather good limp but can’t wait to go back again.