Blind crests and sweeping left-handers… the day I became an F1 speed demon

Poet and artist Frieda Hughes describes the exhilarating blur and heady rush of racing with motorbike enthusiasts on the Algarve’s Grand Prix circuit on her beloved steed, a Honda Fireblade...

‘I was a stranger again to these bends, but lap by lap they edited themselves into coherence’ (Frieda Hughes)

Not in Portugal for the scenic route, but the Portimao racetrack tarmac

Beneath January skies of uncertain mood, with faster friends among the tuned-up

Stickered-up, multi-coloured, quick-shifting motorbikes, suspension adjusted