Two Brothers, Two Motorcycles and... the Great Flood!

📖 Why we want to share this experience

At Toro Biker, we like to tell the stories of our experiences exactly as they happened. Not just the ones where everything went perfectly, but also those that took an unexpected turn. Because no matter how much care and enthusiasm we put into every detail, some circumstances are simply beyond our control.

This is one of those stories. We've decided to share it because it's also part of who we are and how we understand motorcycle experiences.

🇵🇱 Two brothers with a very clear idea

It all started when Ernest got in touch with me. He and his brother Michal wanted to come from Poland to enjoy a few days of motorcycling around Valencia, but they weren't looking for a typical road trip: they fancied an adventure with a bit of off-road riding.

We spent about two or three weeks talking, looking at dates and coordinating their schedules. It wasn't easy for both brothers to take time away from their responsibilities at the same time, but eventually we found the right window: December 13–16, 2025. And we got to work.

From the very beginning, I was completely upfront with them. Pure off-road riding isn't our usual speciality at Toro Biker, but we do have Josep, one of our guides, who has extensive experience in this discipline and in competition. So we designed a private experience tailored to what they were looking for, with Josep leading the ride. Besides the motorcycles, we arranged their hotel and the details of their stay. The idea was simple: they would focus on enjoying themselves, and we'd take care of everything else, as always.

🏍️ Two Yamaha XSR125s and one detail that could be improved

For this experience, we arranged two Yamaha XSR125 motorcycles, both 2025 models, fitted with dual-purpose tyres that would allow us to include some easy off-road sections whenever conditions were suitable. They weren't dedicated enduro bikes, and we were perfectly aware of that.

Here I'd like to make a small observation about something I personally noticed on these particular motorcycles. In my opinion, the position of the rear indicators on the 2025 Yamaha XSR125 leaves them rather exposed to being hit by your leg when getting on or off the bike. The design looks great, but from a practical point of view, I think that area could be improved. In fact, during this experience, one of those indicators was broken while getting onto the motorcycle.

I'm not saying this happens to every XSR125, or that later versions have the same issue. I'm simply sharing what happened with the motorcycles we used. Anyone familiar with this model will probably have their own opinion.

🌧️ The route we chose… and the rain we didn't expect

On the day they arrived, we collected the motorcycles and accompanied the brothers to their hotel. Everything was ready. The following morning, we met up with Josep, held the safety briefing and went over the route.

The forecast showed a chance of rain, so we chose the area that, at the time, seemed to have the lowest risk of rainfall: the climb towards El Garbí, in the Sierra Calderona mountains. We also made one thing absolutely clear: if the weather got worse or they felt uncomfortable at any point, all they had to do was let me know. Josep was riding with them, and I was available whenever they needed me.

They set off with big smiles on their faces. I even have a video of that moment, with all three of them ready to enjoy the day.

But the weather had a different story in mind.

What began as a threat of rain turned into an absolutely tremendous downpour. They managed to reach El Chaparral, a restaurant on the road up towards El Garbí, where they stopped for lunch and shelter. With that amount of rain, continuing on the motorcycles was no longer reasonably safe.

🚗 When it's time to change the plan

They called me from the restaurant, and I offered them two options: wait and see whether the rain eased off so they could try to ride back once conditions improved, or I could drive up and pick them up. They chose the second option. They were completely soaked, so I told them to stay there, relax, and that I'd be with them in about an hour.

And off I went. I found them soaked to the skin, but still smiling. Because by then, the whole thing had already turned into one of those adventures you end up telling stories about.

There was also an incident I'm sure they'll never forget: one of the brothers had put his phone in an outside pocket of his jacket without closing the zip. With so much rain, that pocket ended up full of water, and the phone was completely submerged. We tried to save it — even using the old rice trick — but nothing worked. The truth is, I've tried that trick a couple of times myself, and no matter how many videos you see on social media claiming it works, it's never worked for me!

I took them back to the hotel so they could have a shower, warm up and get some rest. The plan was to see what the weather would allow us to do the following day. Meanwhile, the Yamahas had been left at El Chaparral. Josep, who was riding his own adventure bike, managed to ride home once conditions improved and later collected both motorcycles with his trailer, making sure they were safely stored under cover for the night.

✈️ An earlier goodbye than expected

The following morning brought some unexpected news. During the afternoon and evening, Ernest and Michal had managed to change their flights and had decided to bring forward their return to Poland. The damaged phone made it particularly difficult to deal with their professional responsibilities, so they preferred to go home.

I was really sorry to hear it. We had prepared more activities for them, and in the end, they'd only been able to enjoy a small part of the experience. But I completely understood their decision. Some things are beyond our control: the weather is one of them, and each traveller's priorities are another.

I offered to refund the difference corresponding to what they'd paid for but hadn't been able to enjoy. Their answer was that there was no need, that I shouldn't worry, and that they were grateful for everything we'd done. Not once did they lose their kindness or their smiles.

🍫 Two little gifts and a story that isn't over yet

Before leaving, they let me know they'd left a little something at the hotel reception. When I went to collect it, I found two boxes of chocolates: one for Josep and one for me. After everything that had happened, I found that gesture particularly touching. Not because of the chocolates themselves, but because of what they meant.

I still keep in touch with Ernest from time to time. And we have some unfinished business: for him and Michal to come back and complete the experience that the rain forced us to leave halfway through.

At Toro Biker, we like to prepare every detail, but I'm not going to pretend that every trip goes perfectly, because that simply wouldn't be true. Sometimes it rains far more than expected, sometimes you have to turn back, and sometimes an experience ends earlier than planned. What does depend on us is how we respond: putting safety first, being available and finding solutions when the original plan no longer makes sense.

That December, we didn't manage to complete the route we'd imagined. But we met two wonderful people, lived through an unexpected adventure and built a relationship that goes far beyond a motorcycle rental.

And to me, that's also Toro Biker. Beyond the route.

Ernest, Michal, let's give it another try whenever you're ready!