Portimao tips and advice, sights.

[Beancounter]

I won't mention the weather here

That's almost two hours, must be a record for you!

[weeksy]

I won't mention the weather here

That's almost two hours, must be a record for you!

He's on other forums too

[Noggin]

I hope it snows.




Jealous? Me ? Never

It's sodding well forecast to snow here tomorrow!! It probably won't, and I am happy cos I love snow, but it would happen the first week I have a bike to play with

I won't mention the weather here

Yeahbut - I couldn't live with your weather all year round!! At least here I get hot summers and cold winters

[R1Dave]

Well we are here, staying in Ferragudo, which I believe is part of the old town, a beautiful area with loads of small cafes and restaurants.

We are staying in a lovely villa right on the beach front so the plan this afternoon is to take a wander down to a local bar/restaurant and enjoy the sunset before tomorrow's early start to get to the circuit ready for our first day on track.
Here's some pictures

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I'll write some more tomorrow on my first impressions of the circuit and how the day goes, I can't wait!

[weeksy]

Sooooo envious

[wull]

Superb, enjoy!

[R1Dave]

Cheers guys !

[Noggin]

Have a fab time. I'm really looking forward to reading what you think about it!!

[Yorick]

Is it snowing yet?

[Noggin]

Is it snowing yet?

Don't think it snows in Portimao!

[R1Dave]

Haha thankfully the snow has held off so far Yorick and I didn't bring snow tyres lol
Full days write up and some pics will come tomorrow as soon as we are back at the villa.

[singlesman]

Well this thread has gone worryingly quiet, hope everything is going ok?

[weeksy]

Well this thread has gone worryingly quiet, hope everything is going ok?

I'm assuming it means beaches, bars, beers!

[Noggin]

I'm assuming it means beaches, bars, beers!

Here's hoping!!

[Yorick]

Well this thread has gone worryingly quiet, hope everything is going ok?

First dibs on the R1

[Noggin]

Well this thread has gone worryingly quiet, hope everything is going ok?

First dibs on the R1

You might want to change your mind if he's crashed it badly!!

(Here's really hoping he and the bike are fine and Yorick doesn't get his hands on the R1!!!)

[Yorick]

Well this thread has gone worryingly quiet, hope everything is going ok?

First dibs on the R1

You might want to change your mind if he's crashed it badly!!

(Here's really hoping he and the bike are fine and Yorick doesn't get his hands on the R1!!!)

If he's crashed it badly, I don't want it. Sorry to seem ungrateful.

[Bigyin]

Maybe its just life getting in the way of online updates....I assume there is nothing on the PB track forums from others who went as i dont frequent them

[Noggin]

Maybe its just life getting in the way of online updates....I assume there is nothing on the PB track forums from others who went as i dont frequent them

Hoping that's the case - he's on holiday with family as well as for the TD, so I'd guess he has other things on his mind! Hopefully!

[R1Dave]

My apologies guys for the lack of updates, thankfully me and the bike are in one piece and fine lol.
It's just been so busy each day that I've not had time to do anything by the time we've gone back to the villa other than sleep and prepare for the next day.

Anyway..here's my update

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Well by place I mean the circuit, Portugal and Portimao/Ferragudo where we are staying are beautiful places..but the circuit.. wow.

For those that haven't been, no amount of onboard footage, ride 4 laps etc can prepare you for the circuit, the elevation changes are just crazy, and the last corner is about as ballsy a corner as you'll find.
Prior to going we thought there'd be at least time to rest down the long start finish straight, sadly not, there's a crest which on a powerful 1000cc causes the bike to wheelie, especially as you're exiting the last corner on the limit over 115-125mph, fastest speed I saw down the straight was a genuine 173mph (read off the I2M dash) then you're braking as late as you dare as you drop off the edge of the world into turn 1..

It's an extremely demanding track that requires absolute commitment and rewards smooth riding.

Our visit wasn't without issue though, 3 of our 4 man squad ended up off the track, worst of all none of the offs were their fault, the first was a rider going on the outside of my mate outside of turn 9, only to tip into him and catch the brake lever (he had a guard fitted but it snapped straight away) causing him to front flip over the bike.
Second was much the same with someone sending it up the inside on a turn 5, causing my mate to stand the bike up and end in the gravel.
Third was someone dropping oil on track due to not putting oil cap back on.
Frustrating but we managed to get the bikes fixed and back out in quick time.

Anyway, best I managed was a 1:56.7 which I'm chuffed with, didn't expect to drop under 2 minutes so happy with that for our first go, and definitely not our last! I shall be returning next year!

Points to note..
Pirelli superbikes slicks..while fantastic, do not last in 30c heat on an R1, two sets got absolutely ruined within half a day, suspension was checked and adjusted, pressure check every session and adjusted, but they still didn't last, a swap to V02s and the issues went away.

I'll updated with more footage and photos as soon as I'm home and the photos are uploaded.
But here's some until then from my phone.

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