Guest story by Wim – loyal travel companion and off-road expert
At KGL Racing, it’s not just about parts and performance, but also the passion for adventure. And when you say adventure, you say Wim. For years, we’ve explored the world together on two wheels. This time, he set off solo along the legendary TET route (Trans Euro Trail), crossing France to the Pyrenees and into the rugged Bardenas Reales. His bike? Rock solid, kitted out with a series of KGL accessories that took the journey in stride.
Here’s the first part of his travel story – honest, gritty, and unmistakably Wim. 
Preparation
After weeks of wrenching, planning and dreaming, the moment is finally here. The bike is ready – not for just a little ride, but for a rugged trip through France, over the Pyrenees and into the wild landscape of Bardenas Reales.
The prep? No small feat:
Brand-new tyres fitted – grip guaranteed.
Softbags strapped down tight, with heat shields against those boiling exhausts.
Off-road windscreen installed – ready to face wind and dust.
Hours spent puzzling over Garmin Basecamp to find a perfect mix of gravel, mountain passes and forgotten roads.
Carefully selected gear: from tools to tent, from water filter to warm sweater.
Everything’s packed. Everything checks out. Time to leave the tarmac behind and ride into the unknown.
COME ON… FOLLOW ME 😉🏍️🌄
Sweat, dust and Aiki noodles
4:30 AM. The alarm screams and I stumble out of bed. Sandra – bless her – even got up for a hug and send-off. Instant motivation. A quick refill of my water pack (not exactly a spa trip), and off I go.
Via Gembloux, Mettet and Chimay, I cut through to France. In Chimay I stopped at the circuit – they’re building something new there – had to snap a pic. 
Just past Reims, I finally hit my first off-road trail: sun, dry tracks, and breathtaking views. Passed through Reims without nabbing a bottle of champagne – self-control is a virtue.
Past Épernay I picked up another gravel road toward Cézanne, through fields full of poppies. 
Even the French bikers were impressed by the TET routes. Great guys and fun conversation.
It hit 32°C (despite that one lonely cloud 😃) 
– my saddle almost turned into a BBQ. Time for lunch: chicken Aiki noodles in the forest. Michelin star? Nah. But after 10 hours on the road: perfection.
Arrived around 6 PM at Camping Le Roussil near Limoges. Small, cozy, perfect for pitching a tent. Food, shower, crash. Gravel awaits tomorrow!
From pizza to mud pits – a day full of contrasts
Continued the ride today from the campsite near Limoges, heading south. First stop: Bergerac, where I treated myself to a delicious pizza in the charming town centre – vacation on a plate.
After a photo break among the vineyards,
I rode on toward Le Mas d’Agenais. Suddenly, a stunning old bridge appeared. Narrow (2.5 m) and not for giants (2.9 m high), but so photogenic.
France then served me endless national roads – miles of straight lines, as if the horizon would never arrive.
In Orthez I found another old bridge – guess this is turning into a bridge tour. Snapped a pic. Then discovered an off-road path… steep climb up, even steeper descent over rocky terrain where even goats would hesitate. And then… mud. Lots of it. After a test walk – almost sank to my knees – I decided heroism is overrated. Turned around, kept myself and the bike dry.
Ended the day in the mountains near Etchebar. Pitched the tent, admired the sunset, and topped it all off with bacon and eggs at 10 PM, plus a bottle of wine. Better than any restaurant.
A stormy night in the mountains
Anyone expecting a peaceful night was wrong. The evening began calm, with a soft breeze and starry sky stretching over the mountains. But far off, something brewed – a stubborn thundercloud heading my way. 
Around midnight the storm crested the ridge. The wind picked up like a ghost shaking my tent. Rain pelted the canvas like hail. Thunder shattered the silence, lightning ripped across the sky like strobe lights in an empty club.
For a second I wondered: up here in the open, how dangerous is this? Can lightning strike me? Can the wind lift my tent? And – not unimportant – is the bike still upright?
I lay still, listening to nature’s fury. Then slowly the storm passed, like it just wanted to remind me who’s boss out here.
At first light, I crawled out. The tent? Solid. Not a drop inside. The bike? Standing proud – it too survived the storm.
Time for coffee. It tasted better than ever.
Day 3 – From thunder to desert: crossing into Navarra
After that stormy night, I lingered on my air mattress. But by 7 AM I gave in. Time to get up and reward myself with bacon, eggs and a strong coffee.
Rolling up a wet tent among cow patties – not so romantic, but part of the job.
The descent led through grazing zones – lots of bells, no cows. And then: the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Man oh man… the views! Hairpin roads, charming bridges, and moments where you ride above the clouds. The photos say it all. 
Soon I entered Navarra – today’s goal. The Bardenas Reales basked in the sun. Along the way I crossed a few streams, including one filled with massive rocks – had to get off and move them strategically. 
And then: the turquoise reservoir of Yesa. Beautifully constructed, breathtaking.
In Yesa village I found a small restaurant where you don’t order – you just get the full menu for €25: starter, main, dessert. Jackpot. Everything was delicious. Happy and full, I rode on to the Bardenas Reales.
Scorching heat – 34°C – bone dry, and nothing but gravel tracks. The Bardenas is way bigger than expected. Think: a smaller Grand Canyon. Max speed: 40 km/h, and rangers are watching. 
I just passed through today, heading for my hotel: Cercotel Tudela Bardenas. Highly recommended. Don’t like your room view? Just ask for another. Secured parking for the bike – perfect.
Once inside, I spread out my wet tent to dry – yes, indoors, like a true adventurer. Then: refreshing shower, some drinks, and time to write this story. Chill mode activated, because tomorrow…
tomorrow the real adventure begins.
To be continued…
What’s next after the dusty beauty of the Bardenas Reales? More off-road, more sun, and definitely more adventure. In part 2 of Wim’s travel story, we head deeper into the rugged Spanish interior – past abandoned mountain villages, technical TET sections and unexpected encounters along the way.
🛵 “As long as there’s a trail, there’s a way.”
➡️ part 2 here