Advice, Quick lap of Spain

[fezzer]

Evening Gents,
Morocco was proven too hot for June so an anticlockwise lap of Spain is my alternative route. It’s also looking pretty warm. Swapping my semi worn TKC 80’s for 70’s all-round if Continental hurry up and produce the front 21” in time for my GS8.
I have planned very little so far. I have GPS, digested all parts of appropriate Ride magazine and have a lonely planet. My bike is currently just South of Barcelona and having spent a few days discovering the roads north of Reus (some great riding if you get that way) I am well eager for more of the same. I have just 14 days to cover what I can between Barcelona and La Manga near Cartagena. On route I plan Pyrenees, Picos, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra Nevada.
Questions:
1. I like a ride but am I pushing the boundaries on daily saddle time here?
2. Med coast to Atlantic north taking in Pyrenees, N 260 sounds like the deal, any alternatives or ideas given sounds like Parque Ordesa must be visited?
3. Picos next, any real classic rides not to miss or all good?
4. From there to Finisterre direction, Atlantic West anyone ridden this far out? Worth the view and roads or better cut the corner? Stick to coast or better slightly inland?
5. Right and here comes the mileage, I ain’t planning sitting on highways either, it looks a long haul to Gredos? Sticking close to Portuguese border best? Sounds like some beautiful scenery. Any particular roads to aim for? Any problems crossing in and out of Portugal, cut the corner again?
6. I’d love to hit Atlantic coast south west and take in Seville and alike but think I’m really pushing the boundaries time wise heading in that direction?
7. Other than a cup of tea with Peter at Bikers cave I will spend any remaining days around Sierra Nevada before heading on to meet girlfriend and child for a relaxing and well-earned mud bath in La Manga. Anything not to miss whilst in the Nevada area?
Back up coast to Tarragona, strap semi worn 80’s to panniers and jump on a ferry back to Mallorca.
Really looking forward to my trip, wish I had longer. Hoping you can offer some advice from your experience. Places not to miss, roads to blast. Classic digs to stay at. Departure date planning around 12th June.
Thanks in advance.
cf

 

[Fanum]

If you have time, whizz on past Tarragona just so you can spend an afternoon in Barcelona

NICE 3D TOUR LINKY

 

[Tim Cullis]

We're about 40 minutes to the west of Peter B. It was 39ºC a couple of days ago, now a few degrees cooler but still awfully hot, 3pm to 6pm is worst.

Personally I'd tend to ride less and pretend it's a holiday.

 

[Popell]

It was bizarre, 39 one day, 29 the next, wasn't on bike but it would have been rather tiring.
Question I was asked - what would you wear in temp like that?
Saw a few t shirt and short riders

 

[fezzer]

Hi,

Indeed the temps seem to have kindly moderated here. Had an amazing blast yesterday afternoon in mountains above Reus, great sticky tarmac, no cars, sweet curves and some very happy bikers.
So not only have Continental confirmed the release of the TKC 70 in Spain, the dealers can also have access to them, which is nice, mine are ordered. Report to follow. Anyone using 70's on a GS8 yet?

So can anyone assist with any of my questions 1-7?
Even a little knowledge will assist, mine is zero.

Fanum- Did enough of Barcelona for me from the saddle last Friday afternoon, can see the rest with your 3D tour thingy and a beer in hand.
Tim - If you're around for afternoon tea that would be real nice and could be scheduled. Please drop me means to contact you nearer the time.
Popell - I wear all the gear all the time, it's black, airy and doesn't smell. Can't even look at the flip flop and t shirt brigade. Good to see the majority of Spanish riders are dressed appropriately, it's normally just the commuters and sadly nippers risking it.

Have a good week all.
cf

 

[richardbd]

Spent two weeks doing a lap of Spain and Portugal (including some great trail riding with Phil from Riders of the Lost Trail) a couple of years ago.

PM me and I'll send you the itinerary...

 

[Simon_100]

Hi,

So can anyone assist with any of my questions 1-7?
Even a little knowledge will assist, mine is zero.

cf

Take a look through my blog for general questions and my 2011 tour for a lot of your itinerary - although i rode more or less clockwise.

1. I like a ride but am I pushing the boundaries on daily saddle time here?

Difficult as everyone is different, but make use of the 13.00 - 16.00 siesta time, when in the country you have the roads more or less to yourself. Also the fact that you won't get meals much before 21.00 but can shop easily until then.

2. Med coast to Atlantic north taking in Pyrenees, N 260 sounds like the deal, any alternatives or ideas given sounds like Parque Ordesa must be visited?

Definitely allow a day to wander around Ordesa - a good 'rest' day off your bike - stay at Camping Rio Ara, which is over the river below the village - the bus into the park starts every 15 minutes from 07.00 and get that before the queues begin to form from about 09.00. Other option the Parque Nacional de Sant Mauric i Aigüestotres. There are two sides to the park and it's a long walk from the entrance so it's worth using the Land Rover 'taxis' stay at Espot for camping nearby or at Boi you'll need a hotel.

There are lots of alternatives to the N260 buy thus least to touring the Pyrenees as such

3. Picos next, any real classic rides not to miss or all good?

Take a look see at my Great Day in the Picos. The Hermida ravine roads is horrible after 09.00 with loads of coach parties, traffic in general. So if you're staying in or hear Potes get out of the vally that way first thing and aim to come back via the San Glorio pass - don't miss the Mirador, a mike or so up a lane from the top of the pass.

The cable car ride from Fuente De is a don't miss objective


4. From there to Finisterre direction, Atlantic West anyone ridden this far out? Worth the view and roads or better cut the corner? Stick to coast or better slightly inland?

Yup, been there, both the coast and inland routes are great. Aim for the English Cemetary, getting there is an easy trail along the coastline, one of very few. My favourite plave in the roas is Muros.

5. Right and here comes the mileage, I ain’t planning sitting on highways either, it looks a long haul to Gredos? Sticking close to Portuguese border best? Sounds like some beautiful scenery. Any particular roads to aim for? Any problems crossing in and out of Portugal, cut the corner again?

The Sierra de Gredos and the Peña de Francia are all the same mountain system, which leads into Portugal as the Serra d'Estrella or something like that - definitely worth the trip, especially the area around the Peña de Francia. I hated riding in Portugal although in the northeastern 'corner' the scenery is fabulous. Otherwise in much of Portugal as one village ends another begins, so there's precious little open road.


6. I’d love to hit Atlantic coast south west and take in Seville and alike but think I’m really pushing the boundaries time wise heading in that direction?


Try cutting across country between Sevilla and Cordoba, aiming for Vejer de la Frontera - beautiful place, nice looking camping - and hit the Atlantic at Cape Trafalgar for a bit of historic interest, otherwise that coast isn't very dramatic.

7. Other than a cup of tea with Peter at Bikers cave I will spend any remaining days around Sierra Nevada before heading on to meet girlfriend and child for a relaxing and well-earned mud bath in La Manga. Anything not to miss whilst in the Nevada area?

Lanjaron is lovely, a 'spa' town high in the mountains, while nearby the much praised Alpujarras villages are dross really and full of Brits. But the road east towards Almeria is great. There you have the Tabernas desert - site of many a Spaghetti Western film locations - and the lovely Cabo de Gata.

What's your connection with Reus/Tarragona? I live in the latter although I'm not here very much at this time of year.

Regs

Simon

 

[dibbs]

Fezzer how many daily miles are you planning on doing?

 

[fezzer]

Hi Simon,

Many Thanks for your tips. I've read some of you blogs previous, I was really hoping you might come in with some of your expert assistance here, lots to research now.
Connection Tarragona is the toys sat in Tarraco, I'm crew. Been in and out for 4 years, just never managed to get my bike here. What an arena for biking! Cannot believe what is out there just minutes from Tarragona and cross country in all directions. Managed 2 full days off work and plenty of afternoons to explore.
Ignore the big white things, look for the cream 1930's Classic near the roundabout with the train. Back on the 10th June if you're about for a beer and chat. Planning to start my tour late on the 12th June if my relief makes it through the planned air strikes. If not I'll be back around these parts October or November.
So the new TKC 70's are fitted!, RODI Motor Services Tarragona by the Spar did so well to get these here for me, never seen a wheel balanced so carefully, ultimate understanding of care required for a much loved bike. Crates of beer and wine handed over with pleasure for such professionals.
5 days and counting, sweet.

Dibbs, in answer- I did the sums roughly but forgot immediately, total miles / total days available ='d possible per day, I didn't let it get more complicated. Hmm we'll see.

fez

 

[Simon_100]

Hi there Fez,

You've got great taste in boats/work - I really love that old steamer, been admiring it for some time. We walk down to the harbour quite often, used to do it all the time when we still had huskies. All the rest are the utmost bling imaginable or what!

I'm at my base in the Pyrenees until next Sunday, the 14th, so why don't we think of meeting up on bikes? I have to get mine down to Lleida for a big service on Monday - tomorrow - and am 'booked' though Tuesday and Wednesday so how about Thursday/Friday. If you're camping I might even get an overnight pass from SWMBO and head you off somewhere. PM coming with contact/location details.

EDIT: I'm new to this forum and it seems that I can't send you a PM, so use the contact form on my blog to mail me

Rodi are brilliant - there are lots of them and have a company policy to charge 20% extra for fitting your own stuff, i.e. order tyres from Oponeo or neumaticos-online and have them delivered to a branch in advance of your arrival - neat!

If you need a good bike mechanic in tarragona go to Moto Sports Busquets

Regs

Simon

 

[fezzer]

Wheels a rolling

The day has come, 4 hours away, work is just a distinct memory.Presume PM doesn't work due to my subscription lapse, naughty me. I did try, promise, it strangely appeared in Norwegian language only for some reason. Will try again confirming my aligense soon as. Pyrenees looks wet tomorrow, waterproofs standing by.fez

 

[Simon_100]

Bizzo - see you at our rendez-vous in the Pyrenees this evening!

Ah, so that's why the Pm didn't work - I thought it was me

Regs

Simon

 

[Corp.Clinger!]

The day has come, 4 hours away, work is just a distinct memory.Presume PM doesn't work due to my subscription lapse, naughty me. I did try, promise, it strangely appeared in Norwegian language only for some reason. Will try again confirming my aligense soon as. Pyrenees looks wet tomorrow, waterproofs standing by.fez

Thunder and lightning here last night and it gives rain this side through to 17.06.15.

For information purposes.

Enjoy your ride.





.

 

[fezzer]

Ride report

Hi,

So I originally posted this back in June and it taken this long and the mosquitos to wake me up at 3am to finally get round to starting some kind of report hopefully for the benefit of any other considering a quick Spanish lap.
Firstly a massive thanks goes out to Simon, Polly, Peter, and Tim + family's for their kindness, information and hospitality during my trip. It really turned my solo road trip into such a memorable experience.
So before I answer a few of my original questions listed below are my overnight stops after not just taking direct routes between and definitely avoiding motorways and main roads where possible.
From Tarragona, Port Bou, La Pobla de Segar, Lumbier, Santander, Potes, Luarca, Santiago de Compostela, Ourense, Salamanca, Caceres, Seville, Tarifa, Cala de Mijas, Granada, Orce, Cabo de Gata San Jose, Cartagena, Alicante. 19 nights away, only stopped for 2 nights in one spot to rest my cheeks from the GS8 saddle.
Originally I had 14 nights to achieve my lap and I'd say this would have just been possible given what I wanted to achieve, fortunately it just worked to take a few more days away.
For about the first 5 days I was riding on average 9 hours per day, skipping over the passes several times a day between France and Spain can add time to the journey for sure. I followed the N260 from Port Bou as a guide taking passes off it as required. Take note France is much more expensive compared to Spain for fuel, food and Coffee. Do visit but I'd advise to say au revoir before sunset and find yourself a much cheaper option for accommodation and definitely better coffee across the border in Spain.
The new TKC 70 tyres ran really well and I was actually glad to have a slightly offload bias tyre set on some of the route de colls roads. Also recently proven stable at 110 mph unlike the 80's that started a somewhat unerving wobble around 90.
Picos was stunning and definitely somewhere I'll return, Potes as a base was superb, UK plates and Englishmen on motorbikes to drink pints with plenty in the evening. Western high sided canyon type road leading back out towards the coast was bliss.
Achieved my aim of getting to Cap Finesterre and Cabo Tourifan, remote, bumpy forest roads + bit windy for the last km's but well worth the journey. Actually then followed the coast and its peninsulas down to the Portuguese river border past Vigo before turning inland for overnight in Ourense. Crossing in and out of Portugal on route to Salamanca good riding.
I had some mechanical issues that aren't too clever for a supposed adventure bike on approach to Careers.
Back at sea level and normal temperatures it hasn't missed a beat since.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/401644-Throttle-back-of-to-stall-problem

Due to these problems I thought it best to just blast the motorway between Caceres and Sevilla so as not to be too far afield if recovery was needed. I'm sure there's lot of fun to be found in the the Sierra Morena but as it was June these flatlands were pretty intimidating at 40 deg+ C. Dropped in at Motorrad Sevilla to plug into the diagnostics machine, no problems found but also no charge which was nice. If you're looking for a different and cheaper accommodation style in Sevilla do check out the old Olympic stadium now Hotel, safe bike parking outside reception, 30 min walk into the city, 40€ for an enormous room with full stadium view. From Sevilla to Jerez you can pick up a track that runs alongside the river for some good dusty pothole dodging action.
Swinging South via Tarifa, Ronda and on up the east coast via Grenada was all great riding, peak of Sierra Nevada was a refreshing 15C at the top and the pass back inland at around Trevelez impressive. Throughout the trip I picked up the odd route or part of downloaded to GPS from Ride magazine.

Finally caught a ferry out of Denia taking the bike back to Mallorca after an extra 6 day car trip with family out of Alicante. Cheap and very secure bike parking at Alicante airport with Royal.
Great trip, covered just shy of 3K, I'd do it all again tomorrow.
Morocco next.

Chris

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[Simon_100]

Hi Chris,

Great to hear about your trip and a big shame we couldn't meet in September to hear about it at first hand (see below) - talk about ships that pass in the night!

Under the circumstances you were probably right to skip the Sierra Morena, it's a labyrinth of small back roads set in a very remote area, few villages, fewer mechanics who could deal with anything less than a tractor and seriously poor mobile phone reception, as I found when I explored the region in 2012 ...

But I'd certainly recommend going there some time in the future - it's like winding the clock back to the Spain of the black and white movie days - but not for off roading. Most of the region is fenced off and dedicated for breeding the Iberico wild pigs - for making jamón of course - and fighting bulls!

Meanwhile, I am de Rodriguez (working home alone) in Tarragona while Polly is up in the Pyrenees, so if you fancy a meet if you're here then give me a call - I've lost your number since our mad texting session at the fiesta! - but I have to warn you that I'm not great company as I'm having two sessions per week of heavy dental surgery for the next month ...

Cheers

Simon

Ships that pass ... as arranged Chris was at a bar on the right of the picture - just under the Catalan flag hanging from the balcony, while we failed to work our way down from the far end of the Plaça despite - or actually because of - the fact that our home is about 30 metre over the photographer's left shoulder and knew that we couldn't cross the square by the direct route! So next time Chris