Back from the Picos

[clerici]

First thanks to the advice on the travel forum so here's the verdict on a short break to the Picos.

R1200GS, two up, BMW luggage, 3100 miles on the clock when we left.

Sunday / Monday
Plymouth Santander ferry was v good, although we had a stormy night and arrived late. We might have guessed about the weather when the crew tied every bike down to at leat 3 anchor points!Then off to Las Arenas de Cabrales and the Hotel Torrecerredo (worth a visit!).

Tuesday
The most amazing circuit of the Picos, no traffic, superbe and varied roads, spent most of the time in 2nd and 3rd gears! Our route was west from Arenas, Cangas de Onis, Pto. del Ponton (1280m), then a small road to Posadda de Valdeon and onto Portilla de la Reina. Left to Potes then back up the dead end to the chair lift at Fuente De. Finally back via Panes.

Tuesday night we were alone in the hotel (yes, totally alone - no staff, no owners...) and part of the roof blew off in the storms! Arggh...checked the bike every hour!

Wednesday
Another great day this time to Lastres on the coast and then back via the Miradour del Fito. the route was through narrow twisting roads - full of hairpins.

A brilliant day on a fab bike and ready for the journey home.

Thursday
Up early and off to Bilboa on a very windy E70
Then back to Santander for 2:30pm and - NO FERRY! (Sorry it's been cancelled and the next one's on Monday)
Plan B? Phone Brittany Ferries in the UK (don't queue for 2 hours with distraught teachers and parents with kids all who had to home for skool) We booked Caen to Portsmouth and this is where the bike came into its own - 700 miles or so - we had a 90 minute wait because of a blocked E70 in France (onion lorry across the whole road) but made it to south of Bordeaux by 11pm

Friday
Bordeaux to Caen
Cruising between 80 and 110, Portsmouth to Worcester in the deluge and home by just after midnight.
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So the bike did everything I asked of it - 1st gear hairpins to french motorway cruising. The 350m rough track to the hotel to fast curves of the new spanish mountain roads.
Brilliant! 1429 miles! And I can't wait for the next time.

 

[AndyT]

First thanks to the advice on the travel forum so here's the verdict on a short break to the Picos.

...Then off to Las Arenas de Cabrales and the Hotel Torrecerredo (worth a visit!).

Quite agree, this was the Hotel we stayed in. Unvbelievable value although much more quiet than the likes of Potes for a night out.

You will recognise this then (apart from the 2 guys I went with of course!!).

HAve Fun

AndyT

 

[Tim Cullis]

Now that you've experienced the ferry one way, and the road through France on the return, what's your thoughts? If you were doing the trip again would you go via ferry or overland?

Tim

 

[clerici]

The ferry was a great way to get to Spain and more so because of the short half term break (Gill teaches). The trip back thro France was a little too much because of the need to get to Caen by our deadline so less fun - more manic head down with no time to enjoy the scenery or even use non-motorways

So yes go by road but plan your time (2 days) - or use the boat to get straight to the wonderful roads of N Spain...

If you go by boat just be prepared for the cancellation and that mad dash to a N french port.

(Either way don't use anything else but a GS!)