Daniel

While browsing the internet, I came across an offer from Ducati to ride a brand-new Multistrada V4 Rally on a chosen route. I thought, after all, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I filled out the questionnaire and sent it off!
A few days later, I was contacted by Ducati’s staff. Naturally, I was surprised and astonished to have been selected. I quickly sat down at my computer to prepare my roadbook. I must admit that cities aren’t my strong suit, but I readily acknowledge that some cities or villages are very pleasant or beautiful. What I prefer, though, is the freedom of wide-open spaces…
Once my roadbook was finalized and my bag packed, I set off towards Le Mans where this famous bike awaited me. The dealership staff was top-notch! I arrived after closing time, but the guys waited for me to hand over the “”beast.”” I noticed the Italian touch was present, as usual with Ducati.
Once the luggage was installed and the final recommendations given, I set off towards Agen, passing through Angoulême, Bergerac, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, and Boé, where I made a quick stop at Ducati Salles. Then I settled down for the night just outside Agen. The first leg was about 500 kilometers in roughly 7 hours. My goal was to avoid highways, so I took back roads, national roads, and small routes… At least this allowed me to test different things along the way.
I forgot to mention that about 10 minutes after leaving the dealership, it started raining and then turned to hail. We had set the suspensions and shock absorbers to my preference, quite firm for the road, in Touring mode, and I must say, if you’re not used to the sound of an Italian engine, it can be quite surprising. With the vibrations and the system that stops the two rear cylinders at low revs to avoid overconsumption and heat dissipation, then restarts them… it’s peculiar.
On Friday, I hit the road again towards the Hautes-Pyrénées, this time in Sport mode, passing through the Gers, a beautiful department I adore. Fleurance and Mirande are so wooded, green, and peaceful.
I continued my planned route to La Mongie to take the Col du Tourmalet, encountering a few motorcyclists trying to speak to me in Italian—obviously, the bike’s license plate is Italian! Once in La Mongie, the weather was still bad, with lots of fog after the rain, and surprise! The authorities had closed the road to the Col due to bad weather. So, I had to turn back and find another route. I descended to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, took a tiny back road that led me to the Col d’Aspin where I shared the road with sheep and cows. It’s their territory, so you have to stop and wait. Passing through Saint-Lary-Soulan, a renowned station, then Vielle-Aure where I turned right to join the Col d’Azet via a winding road.
The Sport mode is a delight, much more responsive, no lag or dead time, it’s really what I love, especially in the mountains. Once at the Col d’Azet, I took a seemingly usable path, but after a kilometer, there were cows everywhere! To avoid disturbing them, I turned back towards Val Louron and Lac de Génos below.
A short break to take in the beauty around me, I marvel at it every time… nature is magical and we must preserve it. Before the end of the day, I crossed to the other side of the lake to go to the heights of Peyragudes and Peyresourde. I enjoyed the curves that followed one after another.
The sun began to fade, making way for the moon, which I hardly saw all night due to the heavy clouds and persistent rain. I decided to pitch my tent on the heights, just before the Val Louron station. I crossed the border and reached Bagnères-de-Luchon, where a Harley biker rally was taking place in the park in front of the casino. Tuesday morning, I headed towards Toulouse Labège.
I finally took the highway for 50 km to see how this beast performs on a fast road.
I must say that in terms of comfort, it’s hard to beat. The seat is super comfortable, no back pain, same for the handlebar position, and despite the kilometers, no arm pain. The dashboard is highly readable and easy to use, the braking lives up to Brembo’s reputation. The settings recorded according to the chosen mode make the job easier and remain customizable, the hill start assist in TT mode is very practical.
On Sunday and Monday, I did a 250 km tour in the Spanish Pyrenees. I also took the opportunity to test the Enduro mode! The bike changes radically! The 114 horsepower is more than enough and not even hard to tame. The suspension and shock absorber settings absorb all the terrain’s relief.
Luckily, the ground was relatively dry.
Saturday morning, up at 8, almost no rain, time to get everything ready and off I go.
Heading to Aragnouet, but just before, a little detour to a place I love for hiking, to clear my mind and reconnect, it’s the Néouvielle National Park with several lakes. I stopped at the top of the dam at 2160m with a majestic view of Lac de Cap de Long and Lac d’Oredon just below.
After savoring every turn to access this little paradise where the snow is still present, three or four degrees, I set off again passing through Aragnouet and Piau-Engaly and finally reached the tunnel leading to Spain.
Heading to Ainsa, Campo where I had to turn back again due to roadworks, I took the opportunity to follow the Lac de Médiano, Lac de Grado, and all the others that led me to Catalonia to go up towards Vielha. The lake waters are turquoise, superb.