We motorcyclists are par excellence, travelers and people who appreciate everything around us. How many times is it said that feeling the wind on your face, distinguishing the different smells and all the surroundings of nature fills our soul and “recharges our batteries” to face everything we face in our daily lives?
We travel highways and roads, stopping in cities, towns, villages, or simply unusual locations. We meet people, different habits and ways of life, and all this diversity enriches us as motorcyclists, but above all, as human beings.
But this summer of 2025 brought us a series of unfortunate events, leaving a large part of our scenic richness, once idyllic places and the livelihood of so many families, in a gray and black, almost mournful state. These same places with roads where we so often rode and delighted on our motorcycles, appreciating and enjoying what was on offer.
I was very happy to see the FMP’s (Portuguese Motorcycling Federation) initiative, in its Motorcycle Tourism section, which decided, during Portugal de Lés-a-Lés Off-Road 2025, to include a reforestation action of native vegetation, in two places very affected by this inferno of flames, Chaves and Penamacor.
But recognition, solidarity and, fundamentally, moral support for those who have lost everything, from those who like to enjoy and take advantage of things when everything is going well, are essential in situations of loss.
Our country is not geographically very large, but it has a Motorcycle Club, Motorcycle Group or Motorcycle Association in almost every location, sometimes more than one.
I’ve seen groups of farmers, anonymous benefactors, animal feed companies, and others transporting feed, hay, and everything a farmer, shepherd, or cattle breeder might need to cope with the hardships and despair of seeing their animals go hungry.
And what about us, associated motorcyclists? Is this a situation in which we can’t do anything? Imagination is fertile, as long as there’s a will. I remember, for example, why not organize short trips with accommodation and meals in local/rural accommodation affected by the fires? So, in addition to the small financial support that could come from it, we would give HUGE moral support and show these people that motorcyclists, those who call themselves travelers and nature lovers, in difficult times do not forget those who welcome them in good times.
Why not, instead of just the traditional games, a barbecue, and a beer, include activities like replanting, restoring hedges, gardening, even shepherding… I believe it would be as comforting for those who welcome us as it would be enriching for those who may never have undertaken such a task.
If the different Motorcycle Clubs in their areas of influence did this, the country would have its area covered in a blanket of genuine recognition and reciprocity, which would hide for a moment the gray and black that covers such vast areas.
It’s been a long time since I wrote on this blog, for various reasons, including a certain disappointment at the lack of initiative and interest in the common good, which seems to be proliferating among people and which includes us, motorcyclists.
We could also make a difference here by demonstrating that the values that guide us on the road—solidarity and mutual assistance—are also present in relation to others, especially in a situation of catastrophe and/or calamity. I’ve already written here about transposing our way of being into everyday life, even without a motorcycle, and thus positively influencing the society in which we live.
There are motorcyclists from every corner of the country, from all backgrounds and social strata, and from all professions. We know how to unite when it comes to motorcycle inspections or tolls! Why not now, for values that far transcend our private interests?
Enjoy your ride
