The enthusiastic caravan of tourist rally trophies completed another journey of pure mototourism, through one of the most interesting municipalities in our country, between the Alentejo and Ribatejo.
Next year, the Motards do Ocidente will celebrate three decades of tourist rally trophies. Experience and hospitality have been key points for the club, which were reflected in the huge satisfaction shown by the 65 mototourists, on 42 motorcycles, at the end of the ride. Proof that this 29th edition, which took place on the past days of May 18 and 19, as part of the 27th BMW/Dunlop Tourist Rally Trophy, was another success, only possible with a lot of commitment and dedication.
Our country never ceases to surprise us. Wherever we go, we know we will find something that will enrich us culturally, historically, or gastronomically.
From high up, from the keep tower of the interesting and well-preserved Belver Castle, it was possible to observe the magnificent landscape from all angles over the region, enjoying the view of the Tagus River, and learning more about the history of its foundation in 1194. Next was the Soap Museum, where the marks of other times and the knowledge of how it is made are found. It was not easy to count the soaps to answer one more question of the many that piqued the participants’ attention, so as to penalize as little as possible. At the same time, it was possible to absorb all the knowledge that was available and understand how we are evolving.
By a picturesque off-road route, we reached the Avifauna Observation Center, at Cabeço das Vinhas. This time we did not see the Griffins or the Bonelli’s Eagles but, from the Enchanted Stone of Moura Encantada Site, the legend was recreated. With the ‘stone’ on the head and the ‘child’ in the arms, we tried to turn the legend into reality, but it was not easy. It was the first of several interesting games, where the group always had fun with the usual good mood!
Em Domingos da Vinha apreciou-se e respondeu-se a mais perguntas sobre o espólio da vida de outrora no museu local. Antes do almoço, como habitualmente, efetuou-se a entrega das dádivas trazidas de casa, para ajudar quem mais precisa.A segunda etapa desenrolou-se a sul do rio Tejo. Gavião promove e bem os seus percursos pedestres, com sinalética nas estradas, algo raro ao longo do país. Parte das respostas estavam nos painéis explicativos destes excelentes percursos que se foram encontrando ao longo do moto-rali. Interessante!
Após se saber mais sobre Mouzinho da Silveira e mais uns divertidos jogos e petisqueira com o apoio da Junta de Freguesia de Margem, chegava-se ao magnífico miradouro de Gavião, de onde se pode observar o castelo de Belver e a Praia Fluvial do Alamal. Local de onde se partiu para procurar o controlador, percorrendo o fantástico Passadiço do Alamal bem junto ao Tejo, após mais um divertido jogo, finalizando este dia muito bem passado a passear de moto por esta bela região.
No final do jantar e sempre com a boa disposição em alta, conheceram-se os mais regulares desta primeira etapa antes da entrega dos habituais vouchers oferecidos pela BMW e sorteio de diversos produtos sempre úteis. A noite seria finalizada com ‘fogo de artificio’ proporcionado pelo momento único da passagem do meteoro!
Com frescas temperaturas, a segunda etapa seguiu para a Atalaia com as suas belas ribeiras, azenhas, moinhos e lagares, Comenda e outras terras bem características desta região, repletas de história, com seus usos e costumes.
Longer stop at the Fluvial Beach of Ribeira da Venda, a magnificent place to relax and play with the fun games provided, sometimes not so easy! We also learned that, after all, smuggling was done there with the Spanish neighbors, near the Roman-type bridge. The code was ‘Let’s go to the sale!’
The end of the moto-rally was approaching. After the interesting visit to the Casa das Artes de Gavião, it was time for the usual family photo.
After the closing lunch and the awarding of another BMW voucher to the most participative, the most consistent of the third stage of the trophy were determined.
Vítor Olivença and Ana Carina, from the Albufeira Motorcycle Club, took third place, and in second place were Paulo Pinho and Rute Lucena, from the Porto Motorcycle Club. The most consistent were Paulo Moita and Cristina Travassos, from Góis Motorcycle Club, who thus took first place. Congratulations!
The Motards do Ocidente are to be congratulated for the excellent organization of their moto-rally. They thank the Gavião City Council and the Parish Councils that joined the club in good time to help provide a great mototouristic weekend to those who participated in this interesting journey, discovering our always surprising country!
The 27th National Trophy of BMW/Dunlop Tourist Moto-Rallies will continue on June 29th and 30th, in the border area of Beira Baixa between the municipalities of Penamacor and Idanha a Nova. The Góis Motorcycle Club and the Covilhã Motorcycle Club will be the hosts!
