One for those in the "Know"
I have a trip to the Pyrenees planned, out from Bilbao on a route heavily based on Route Des Cols mainly riding on the French Side, then head back along the Spanish side with a spare day near the N260 (Sort Area)
From there we could head back on good roads to Pamplona and have a spare day whizzing around the Cols to the East of Pamplona, but if we put up with a longer day and 3-4 hours of Motorway we could get a day in the Picos.
Ride Magazine has a "Laredo Loop" route and we could fairly easily fit that in, or with a bit more motorway bashing get further West and ride the "Potes Triangle".
The question is are the routes equally good or is one by far the better, and then I have to decide is it is worth losing a pleasant day riding back along predominantly nice mountain roads in exchange for getting a day in the Picos.
To a degree it might be a moot point as I could be steered to one or t'other based upon the weather, but assuming it is going to be nice in Pamplona and Laredo / Potes is it worth swapping two good days for a boring and excellent one.
Thanks in advance.
I have a trip to the Pyrenees planned, out from Bilbao on a route heavily based on Route Des Cols mainly riding on the French Side, then head back along the Spanish side with a spare day near the N260 (Sort Area)
From there we could head back on good roads to Pamplona and have a spare day whizzing around the Cols to the East of Pamplona, but if we put up with a longer day and 3-4 hours of Motorway we could get a day in the Picos.
Ride Magazine has a "Laredo Loop" route and we could fairly easily fit that in, or with a bit more motorway bashing get further West and ride the "Potes Triangle".
The question is are the routes equally good or is one by far the better, and then I have to decide is it is worth losing a pleasant day riding back along predominantly nice mountain roads in exchange for getting a day in the Picos.
To a degree it might be a moot point as I could be steered to one or t'other based upon the weather, but assuming it is going to be nice in Pamplona and Laredo / Potes is it worth swapping two good days for a boring and excellent one.
Thanks in advance.