Our chief instructor, Paul, has just returned from a trip to Portugal where he was ‘working’ as part of the Globebusters team leading groups of European Triumph dealers as they test-rode the latest bikes.
With over 100 motorcycles arriving by lorry to join the 40 or so already in Portugal for the press launch, the logistics of this operation were quite something. Organised by Triumph’s central marketing team, the event invited dealers from all over Europe to stay for a couple of nights so that they could become familiar with the updated Bonneville range – the gorgeous Street Twin 900, Bonneville T120 and stunning Thruxton R cafe-racer; the revised Speed Triple R and the vastly updated and technologically advanced Tiger Explorer 1200 XCA. Each group of dealers would get a full day riding the bikes, arranged so they rode each model for over an hour in the twisty roads around the event’s base in Cascais.
Paul flew out on the Thursday, helped unload the bikes and equipment on the Friday and then joined the other riders to test out the proposed route and suggest changes. On the Sunday he got to ride the route one more time to ensure it was suitable and to check out the various coffee stops and change over points. Monday saw the first group of dealers arrive and Paul led a group of 15 – mostly Belgians with a few Italians – on a 250Km route over the course of the day as the bikes were put through their paces – in glorious sunshine. Tuesday was the turn of the Germans and it rained in the morning, the roads turning treacherously slippery resulting in the ride being cut short, but when the sun returned in the afternoon he headed back out again with his group so they got to try all the bikes. Wednesday was overcast for the French, before the sun came out again for the Brits on Thursday, both groups completing the full 250Km route. The British group included the “2 Robs” from Youles Triumph’s Manchester and Blackburn showrooms, and although they were not in Paul’s group they both had a great time! Friday was the final day and the heavens opened again with visibility really poor for the Spanish contingent, over half of which decided discretion was the better part of valour and opted to return to the hotel after the first stop, meaning Paul also returned to help pack up the bikes and equipment for the rest of the day.
The end of event celebrations almost resulted in Paul missing his flight home, but he’s now recovered and back instructing. Whilst he was away the team of Nic and Geoff did a great job delivering CBTs and DAS courses, with more module 1 test passes and riders given the chance to ride their 125s unsupervised!
Some pictures from the trip:
