Today we had on a special riders route across the mountains of Andalusia. Through the signature white Hillside villages into the natural park of the Grazalema mountains. We pick up a special road heading north over the mountains, looking down on the Zahara-El Gastor Reservoir. Having across the countryside, come to the largest city in Andalusia, Seville. We will have time to stretch our legs and see a bit of the old city of Seville, like the ornate Placa de España before heading to dinner.

Today we ride the Hill country of twisty roads past valleys of old oak trees. This region of Jabugo is home to the most treasured commodity in all of Spain. The most valuable pigs in the world. Fattening themselves up on acorns these special pigs produce the delicious and surprisingly heart healthy Iberico ham. The loan cars you see parked on the side of the road are merely owners checking on their free range investment. Tonight we make it to our home for the next six nights. Our family run hotel in Portimao.

Today it's all about learning reference points and getting used to your S100 RR

Algarve Circuit

Length: 4.592 km (2.853 miles)

Capacity: 100,000

Opened: October 2008

Race lap record: 1:38.685 (Enea Bastianini, Ducati Desmosedici GP24, 2024, MotoGP)

It's day two. Time to work on those few remaining reference points, get your braking and turn entry dialed, maybe work on a little body position.. By now you are getting used to the planted front end feel those winglets give you.

Things are starting to flow now. The bike is just working beneath you and you aren't even thinking about it. Now it's about linking together turn after turn and starting to push for full throttle on turn exit. It might be time to swap out tires at the end of the day so you've got a fresh set for your last day tomorrow.

It's time to put it all together and work with your coach to get your laps clean and tight. Be sure to wear your custom VnM top today as we'll take our paddock group photo. Take a look at how your lap times have improved over the 4 days. Take a good long five minutes today to just stand and realize where you are and what you've done. Enjoy a beer at the end of the day with the team, you've ridden Portimao proper.

You've spent four days burning your brain, and a fair amount of rubber on the roller coaster of MotoGP.  It's time to give that brain a rest and let those memories solidify in your mind so you can keep the skills that you just learned. It's very rare for people like us to want to take a day off and relax but after four days, a little bit of time laying on the beach might actually sound perfect. This is a resort town that people come to year after year. there's plenty of old picture buildings and cute little shops to meander about and take it easy for a day. we've also arranged a coastal ride to Cabo San Vicente (the westernmost point of Europe) Some clients want to ride every day and we respect that.

Leaving Portimao we will head west into the mountains to the amazing Parque Natural do Vale de Guadiana. One of the wondrous things about Spain is many of its old castle towns haven't had the resources to promote themselves as a tourist bus destination. You can find old castles that have been partially restored yet not a single a tacky gift shop in sight. The old town of Serpa has a massive fortress complex around the town but there's no big tourist bus parking lot. This is our last stop of the day before we settle into our small local hotel. Another bonus feature in the absence of tourist traffic is there are no tourist restaurants. There is only local Portuguese food served with country hospitality. It often feels like you're visiting a long lost aunt, who insists you need to put on some weight. We will be searching for a Portuguese style Churrasqueira. Where do you think Brazilians learned how to barbecue?

 Leaving Portugal we had east to Spain. The riding through Sierra Morena we will test how much our riding level has improved after the track days. We arrive in the Andalusian old city of Córdoba. Our perfectly situated hotel is on the outskirts of the tourist center. allowing us to see the old beauty but then walk to authentic local flavor. This is a walking city you'll note the throngs of locals enjoying the evening air in the open plazas of current day Spain. 

Today we are following the signs of the national road that goes toward Granada. We will let the tourist buses head to Granada as we feel off and head south to a place no tourist bus could ever go. The amazing roads of Cordillera Subbética. Our final treat before we reach the coast is an amazing mountain run through Sierra de Tejeda. It's a great way to finish our tour before we approach Malaga from the east. We will return the bikes, check into our hotel and head to a special place that serves distinctive tapas with an Andalusian twist. Leod Escape brings together track riders from far and wide but the friendships made are as close as any local pit buddy. Tonight you'll share your last dinner together for this adventure. Everyone will be exchanging phone numbers and addresses. Don't be surprised if your Leod friends head far across the country and join you on your home circuit. We are track family. This is what we do. Plan to share another Leod Escapes adventure together. 

Make sure we know your departure flights so we can pair people up to save on cab fare. We will see you on your next adventure.