My steed in España, one I was happy to be trying. The GS, especially this new two cylinder V-Twin, had plenty of power for the roads I was challenging and it was at least 50lbs lighter than my Suzuki Bandit, however for the long haul, it was less than comfortable and definitely lacked in umph compared to my 12S Bandit for speedy escape routes, but luckily I had no need to find out! I didn’t see many of these models on the road, but I did see its older and wiser bro, the big adventure and touring bikes.

There was once scenic village after another in the foothills leading to the north end of the Sierra Nevada range. Yep…I did say that, the Sierra Nevada Range of Spain! Funny, I crossed the world to find more Sierra Nevada mountains.

One of the many hill villages I passed while winding through the Sierras.

Sort of your own personal racetrack…although I did encounter city buses on this secondary road.

One of the more prominent roadways, A92 leading south to Almeria.

I stopped for petrol in Abla on the A92 and tried to see the best way to get to Canjayar without following the highway system. A young father did his best to understand me with my other classic phrase, “¿Me puede indicar dónde está en el mapa? I had a Michelin map book along with the GPS, which only showed some of the roads since the 276C could not be updated to the latest maps. He pointed to an area on the map that showed NO road and pointed up the hill to a road I could see winding upward. He also pointed to the bike and did a sign for twisty as his son giggled. Apparently that road was my destination. I smiled and thanked him and then I kept smiling for the next hour!

From this vantage I could really see the result of terraced farming.