The challenge is a remarkable one: three days and 420 km to visit the Algarve, the southern region, on the saddle of three (plus one) Zero Motorcycles. A mix of attention to nature that projects Portugal into an eco-sustainable tourist destination
Zero. Zero like Zero Motorcycles, the motorcycles (Ds, Dsr, S and Sr / F) that accompanied us on a journey of sustainability. Zero as the CO2 emissions emitted by the motorcycles during the three days useful to cross the Algarve, southern region of Portugal. Zero as the noise pollution produced, even if to tell the truth a minimum of hiss is inevitable, but close to imperceptible. Zero like the drops of fuel consumed and zero like the fear of staying on foot, with an ad hoc route and refills during lunch. On the other hand, there is a lot of fun in the saddle, because after all they are still bikes and also with considerable acceleration. And so much the amazement painted on the faces of passers-by to see four electric motorcycles around the Algarve, an absolute novelty still to be framed, observed and commented with curiosity.
The purpose of the trip
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The aim of the trip is to sensitize the entire community – Portuguese, Italian, European, world – about the sustainability of tourism in Portugal, placing the country as one of the most competitive, safe and sustainable tourist destinations on the entire planet in terms of economic development. social and environmental throughout the territory, in line with the national tourism plan with a vision of 2027. Since tourism is one of the sectors of the economy that will suffer most from the impact of ongoing climate change and at the same time will be an intensifier of this phenomenon, it is urgent to adopt environmental practices that minimize the emergency of global warming and ensure that there is the promotion of changes in habits, in particular in environmental efficiency. Portugal, and with it tourism, also felt the effects of the pandemic: a moment that must be seen as a watershed from which to start again by implementing sustainable tourism practices, such as visiting the Algarve on almost zero-emission motorcycles. and with supporting electric machines.
Day1: traditions
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The itinerary of the first day develops from the Hotel Vila Galé Albacora in Tavira, the easternmost point of the journey, to the Tivoli Marina in Portimao: 129.7 km to break the ice and have an appetizer of what awaits us for three days. The stop in Loulè is an opportunity to discover the ancient traditions: here the artisans model and work the cork and the Mediterranean palm creating useful and functional objects in today’s times, from cases to bags, passing through footwear, protections for cyclists’ shoes and objects for cleaning the house, keeping the classic methods but creating works with a modern design, in order to attract young people for the continuation of the tradition itself. It is fascinating to observe the creation of the cataplana, a copper pot modeled with a hammer by an elderly man who will then serve to contain the homonymous gastronomic specialty, a delicious fish soup. Every self-respecting town has its own market, with dedicated spaces: in Loulé, the Loulé Market, you can buy the fish of the day, cork home products or carob beans, a typical Algarve fruit and good substitute. cocoa, which has recently been experiencing a period of high demand due to lower transport costs. The rain does not prevent us from reaching Guia, where the gastronomic tasting begins at the Restaurante Ramires, which puts meat specialties at the center of the dish. The Cathedral of Silves is a celebration of Algarve history: this hinterland village, all uphill and downhill, was the first capital of the southern region of Portugal at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, with a medieval festival every year to remember the traditions. And in Silves, using the electric motorcycles, we were able to park right under the cathedral. The conclusion of the day trip is at the Fort of Santa Caterina di Portimao, a medieval fortress erected to defend itself from possible military invasions and pirates with a view of the ocean.
Day2: what heights!
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The second day of the trip (148.1 km total) starts and ends in Portimao. Immersed in the green of nature, although the weather is not the best, we climb towards Monchique, a charming inland village. We reach the Alto de Fóia, the highest mountain in the Algarve with its 902 meters, with a spectacular panorama on clear days. We discover a tortuous path made of hairpin bends, curves and counter-curves that is very reminiscent of some Apennine passes and where fun is guaranteed, especially on the saddle of the performance naked Sr / F, which manages to be so calm and peaceful in Eco mode – albeit with a recovery respectable being an electric motorcycle with instant torque – as aggressive and sporty when you put Sport mode on, with 190 Nm of torque that catapult the rider out of corners in no time at all. On the way to Lagos we come across the Portimao circuit, far from the town and surrounded by a hilly landscape (the ups and downs of the Algarve track are no coincidence). At the Don Sebastiao restaurant in Lagos, the gastronomic tasting of local delicacies continues, be they meat or fish, while the day trip ends with the incredible view of Ponta de Piedade, a group of cliffs a stone’s throw from Lagos with the sea jagged along the coast creating spectacular scenic effects for one of the most incredible experiences you can have in the Algarve.
Day3: the boat with 30 photovoltaic panels
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The third and last day (141.7 km) begins not on two wheels but with a boat tour. Given the purpose of the trip, it certainly could not have been a traditional boat: the Sun Boat, docked at the port of Portimao and available to tourists, is a catamaran for 30 people capable of producing up to 70/90 kWh with 30 photovoltaic panels that power the battery, for a total engine power of 225 kW. How much autonomy it has depends on how much sun there is on the day of use, but indicatively “you can make two trips a day without problems”, explains the captain of the boat of 12 meters in length and 5.6 in width that manages to reach 8.5 knots of maximum speed. “The beauty of a boat of this type is that it continues to recharge even in gear and if the sun is not there we start recharging it as if it were an electric car”, concludes the captain.
Day3: the ocean in motion
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The real departure of the third day on the motorbike is only moved by a few hours, towards the Naperon restaurant in Odeceixe, where our gastronomic journey ends at the same time. This is the opportunity to test the motorcycles on the motorway, where we inevitably notice a significant and constant drop in the battery, since the brakes practically never touch and the accelerator is never released. In particular, the Zero Sr / F seems to have suffered significantly on the motorway sections, with the battery at 39% at lunchtime. But thanks to Cypher Upgrade’s 6 kW + 7 kW Rapid Charger it is the only one able to reach 100% charge before starting again, with the other three motorcycles without 6 kW Charge Tank going from 60 to 80 % in a couple of hours. The route ends at the westernmost point of the whole of Europe, in the town of Sagres, after a path full of fast curves in the middle of the green, accompanied by the silence of the Zero Motorcycles.
Zero Motorcycles: the motorcycles
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It is important to underline that at each lunch break the motorcycles have been recharged in order to allow motorcyclists to complete the day without particular anxieties due to a low battery. Zero Motorcycles Ds, Dsr and S do not have fast charging, while the naked Sr / F does. This highlighted not only the much faster charging times of the Sr / F (just under 2 hours against just under 8 to go from 0 to 100%), but also the possibility of using this bike in a different way than the others. three – usually set in Eco mode to make sure you arrive at your destination every day without risk – being able to switch to Normal or Sport mode at any time. The Sr / F is the flagship of the range at our disposal and is distinguished by a driving position at the attack, very loaded forward and with the torso rotated in projection of the road. Even those who are 175 cm tall will feel a little curled up while driving (saddle height of 787 mm), but the burning accelerations in Sport mode fully pay off what all in all turns out to be a not very comfortable riding position. Tft screen, heated grips and technology are at the top, the chassis is convincing for road riding but should also be tested in different situations and contexts closed to traffic to have 360 ° feedback. Even more than the naked entry level S, the dualsport Ds and Dsr are appreciated for a raised, comfortable driving position and a greater overall balance of the chassis.
May 29, 2022 (change May 29, 2022 | 08:34)
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