HUMM Sierras de España, Oct 17-20 - It's happening!

[Susan Johnson]

HUMM Sierras de España, Aragón, Oct 17-20. La Trufa Negra, Mora de Rubielos, Teruel, Spain.

Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness (HUMM) is an off-road, competitive, motorcycle navigation challenge for teams of 2-4 bikes, and the most fun you can have on two wheels ;-)

Simon Rice of The Spanish Biker is our Event Partner, and has been out riding the area to find amazing trails and spots. Below are just a few of the pics he's taken.

Mark your calendars, online registration is open now, with early bird rates until September 25!

[Neil McGrigor]

Hi anyone,

Anyone interested in being paid to take three bikes from Winchester area down to Spanish HUMM event 17th to 20th October, 2016 and back? If not any recommendations as to who might be able to do this?

[John933]

That's not going to be cheap. The way I see it is a van and a trailer for three bike's. The cost of the crossing is going to be round £90/100, both way's. Fuel and the cost of the driver. Have another look at riding down the day before, Camp where you can. There and back is only going to add a couple of day's to the trip. But that's up to where you start in the UK.
John933

[jrhbonneville]

Dear All,

Info only and to add some support to HUMM Sierras de Espana.

A return visit for Team Brew Dog, unfortunately only x3 this time and still on varying GSs. Plan is still developing as to arriving, but likely a route from the UK via Le Chunnel, a blast through France, enjoy the Pyrenees - camping when and where; and planning to arrive safely at the HUMM on the Monday for a or three and meet up with as good a crowd as per last years outstanding HUMM Morocco

Regards to all

[stef25]

I saw there is no GPS class for this event. What does the maps class involve exactly, do we need a map "in front of us" (ie tankbag) the entire time?

What are the accommodation options, camping / hotel?

Interested in going on my 650GS or CRF250L.

[rachel_norfolk]

Originally Posted by Neil McGrigor

Hi anyone,

Anyone interested in being paid to take three bikes from Winchester area down to Spanish HUMM event 17th to 20th October, 2016 and back? If not any recommendations as to who might be able to do this?

I’m thinking of coming down to the event simply to spend some time with Susan & Grant on the website once the event has finished. I don’t think my S1000XR is quite the right bike for the event - unless anyone has a spare they want to loan???

If you can arrange for a hire vehicle and the ferry to Bilbao/Santander then I’m happy to drive it down and return back a few days after.


Rachel

[Two wheels good]

Originally Posted by rachel_norfolk

I’m thinking of coming down to the event simply to spend some time with Susan & Grant on the website once the event has finished. I don’t think my S1000XR is quite the right bike for the event - unless anyone has a spare they want to loan???

If you can arrange for a hire vehicle and the ferry to Bilbao/Santander then I’m happy to drive it down and return back a few days after.


Rachel

I could add a trail bike and a rider to the van to reduce the shared costs.
(But would a hire company allow a vehicle to be taken abroad?)

[rachel_norfolk]

Yeah - s long as you tell them in advance, a lot of hire companies are quite used to vehicles driving abroad.

A big van (Mercedes Sprinter kind of thing) could get four bikes in it, no worries. Just need a ramp!

Not going to be particularly cheap but it can be done. Less than 1000GBP I believe.

Rachel

[Susan Johnson]

If you're not keen on a ride down to Spain from the UK, we've identified several options for transporting bikes, and the best value is Fly and Ride, who have shipped bikes for Patsy Quick's Desert Rose Racing!

They have a scheduled run to Malaga on 1 October, all bikes are shipped in specially built stillages (see pics from their site). Their drop off point is near Gatwick, but they can pick up from most places in the UK at an extra cost...

The return price to Malaga is £595 fully insured. There is also an option to drop off at Madrid. Contact Rob Jones at 01403 800247 (office) or 07517474234 (mobile) for details and to book. Be sure to tell him you're booking for the HUMM!

[Susan Johnson]

Originally Posted by stef25

I saw there is no GPS class for this event. What does the maps class involve exactly, do we need a map "in front of us" (ie tankbag) the entire time?

From the Event Rules:

"You will be given a set of Event Map(s) and an Event Points Book. You may carry a smartphone, but are NOT allowed to use the GPS function. You may carry a GPS with map data of the area for emergency use only. It will be sealed in a tamper-proof plastic bag before you check out to ride. If the bag is opened for non-emergency purposes before returning to HUMM base, your team is disqualified. No other paper or digital map(s) of the event area other than those provided by HUMM organizers. Except for your GPS device (for emergency only), no laptops, tablets, or other digital devices that are capable of storing other map information."

Originally Posted by stef25

What are the accommodation options, camping / hotel?

La Trufa Negra is the event hotel, we've negotiated great rates at this four-star hotel. There's also plenty on offer for non-riding spouses or partners (and kids!). The hotel itself has great facilities for a relaxing break, and the area features a wide variety of activities and attractions. More details and pricing here!

Originally Posted by stef25

Interested in going on my 650GS or CRF250L.

"Bikes need not be dedicated off-road specials but need to have a vague predilection for the dirt. So GS Adventure yes, Electric Glide in Blue, no. Knobbly tires a plus but by no means essential."

All is revealed at the HUMM Spain event page!

Hope to see you in sunny Spain!

[Susan Johnson]

It's very interesting to analyse the participant list so far!

Riders are coming from Spain, France, Ireland and the UK. Lots of KTMs from 450 up to 1190R. BMW GSes from 650 to 1200, and a few on DRZ400s, Husky TE450, WRF 250...

We ask riders to assess their skill level and competitiveness, on a scale from 'No hope of winning, out to smell the roses and enjoy the views' to 'Mad keen to win', and the riders are all over the range. So whether you're just out for a nice ride or you've already designed your team t-shirts and picked your theme song, it's going to be awesome!

If you are interested but don't have a team mate (all your friends are wusses!), we can match you up - just ask Ian Chappel how well that worked for him at the HUMM in the Pyrenees - he and Iain Woolley were overall champs!

[Simon_100]

That's a good range of bikes Susan and it will be interesting to see how the teams shape up, matching the differing qualities of the larger and smaller bikes to their itineraries.

I live in the Pyrenees, just a little to the west of the HUMM 2010 location but for years have holidayed and travelled around the HUMM location, exploring the ever more varied landscapes - the region is amazingly unspoilt and is so sparsely populated I feel almost as if I'm heading for south-east England when I return home!

Back to 2010, which I attended, you'll find not only more 'technical' trails to explore but the major challenge will be the navigation as the landscape is more 'closed' and network of forested valleys can be completely disorientating - I got lost several times during the survey, finding myself joining trails where I thought, "This looks familiar!" when I was aiming at places some twenty miles away!



There's me and my favourite companion meeting each other after seeking a vantage point ...



... ah, that's better!

And another summit ...



Some more company at last ...



@ Rachel, don't be despondent, the region has some of the best biking roads in Spain, which I guess you know is really saying something! I'm sure that we'll be able to spare a few minutes to help you plot some great days out once the teams have set off in the mornings ...



After nearly a year's work it's getting really exciting, bags packed already ...

Regs

Simon

[Susan Johnson]

Good news - Rachel is actually going to be in the event! Her and Asgoo have teamed up. He's a HUMM Morocco veteran, so it should be an interesting match!

[Susan Johnson]

For all you guys and gals who really, really wanted to compete in this year's HUMM Sierras de Espana, but couldn't manage to schedule it, we have great news!

The HUMM Sierras de Espana 2017 will be held from May 28-31 in the Mora de Rubielos area. Online registration for this event will open soon, meanwhile book your holidays and start getting your team together!

First notice will go to previous HUMM participants and our 'Keep me Informed' mailing list, so if you register your interest here, we'll let you know when registration is open. FYI, HUMM Canadian Rockies sold out within 6 weeks of opening, so don't miss out!

Hope to see you there!

[rachel_norfolk]

Originally Posted by Susan Johnson

Good news - Rachel is actually going to be in the event! Her and Asgoo have teamed up. He's a HUMM Morocco veteran, so it should be an interesting match!

Well, I have proven slow-riding skills - on an S1000XR! Will that help???

Rachel