Best crossing point from Spain to France

[kimbo]

Ok chaps, here goes............. finally convinced the wife, work, parole officer and everyone else that I should be allowed to pootle off on a little jaunt all by my lonesome.

Booked my ferry to Santander for the beginning of October and picked out a few choice roads I want to ride.

What I'd like is your opinion and the absolute best place, for whatever your reason, to cross into France.

Thanking you kindly

 

[Timolgra]

Ask your wife

 

[Wapping]

Hi Kimbo, how goes?

The best place?

Somewhere reasonably near where you want to arrive in France, would seem best, the Pyrenees (and that SW corner of France) being a reasonably large area etc. etc.

Crossing somewhere else is of course possible, but a silly waste of time as you will only have to ride back. Where are you trying to get to in France and where are you planning on riding on your choice roads? Your answer lies in joining them all up.

Enjoy your holiday.



PS Have a look at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...Criss-crossing-the-Spanish-French-border.html

The article might have some suggestion on things to see, that others might miss.

 

[david a hall]

Id be looking at the weather in October.

 

[Gossy]

From Spain A136 north from Beiscas (east of Jaca) to the border road changes to D934 towards Pau , before Pau you could explore Eaux Bonnes on the D918, no need to use the N roads.

Theres more but I enjoyed this, look out for bullit ridden road signs!

 

[Oliwoof]

Hi Kimbo

My favourite starts just east of Pamplona off the A21, pick up the NA178 to Navascues, Burgui then north to Roncal and Isaba where you take the NA1370 over to France and the Col de la Pierre St Martin.

The reasons I like it so much are firstly there is seldom any traffic on it, secondly the Spanish side is such a good riding road, smooth tarmac in good repair, wide open bends sprinkled with a few hairpins and thirdly the French side is just so different, narrower roads crossing a limestone plateau that then drop you gradually down into Arette or elsewhere depending on where you want to end up. Weather in October is normally glorious, the only downside being a lower sun so don't forget your shades.

This picture was taken on the Spanish side of the border crossing in June 2013, most of the snow has melted now.

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[kimbo]

Ask your wife

Are you nuts??? She was blind drunk when she agreed..... I ain't bringing it up again

Hi Kimbo, how goes?

The best place?

Somewhere reasonably near where you want to arrive in France, would seem best, the Pyrenees (and that SW corner of France) being a reasonably large area etc. etc.

Crossing somewhere else is of course possible, but a silly waste of time as you will only have to ride back. Where are you trying to get to in France and where are you planning on riding on your choice roads? Your answer lies in joining them all up.

Enjoy your holiday.



PS Have a look at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...Criss-crossing-the-Spanish-French-border.html

The article might have some suggestion on things to see, that others might miss.

Thanks Rich, I'm good thanks. How are you mate?

I want a loosely planned trip riding back to Blighty over the course of a week. Nothing set in stone, so I have a list of roads out of and around the Santander area....... now I'm after a list good places to cross, the idea being to choose one en route. Then I'll start work on possible routes up through France. Of course I'll be armed to the teeth with Michellin maps

Great link mate, thanks for that.

Id be looking at the weather in October.

Great point, hadn't even considered that up in the mountains! There, in a nutshell is why I'm prepared to ask the 'dumb' (in some people's lofty opinion) questions.

From Spain A136 north from Beiscas (east of Jaca) to the border road changes to D934 towards Pau , before Pau you could explore Eaux Bonnes on the D918, no need to use the N roads.

Theres more but I enjoyed this, look out for bullit ridden road signs!

Thanks for that mate, I'll look out for that

ATB

Kim

 

[kimbo]

Hi Kimbo

My favourite starts just east of Pamplona off the A21, pick up the NA178 to Navascues, Burgui then north to Roncal and Isaba where you take the NA1370 over to France and the Col de la Pierre St Martin.

The reasons I like it so much are firstly there is seldom any traffic on it, secondly the Spanish side is such a good riding road, smooth tarmac in good repair, wide open bends sprinkled with a few hairpins and thirdly the French side is just so different, narrower roads crossing a limestone plateau that then drop you gradually down into Arette or elsewhere depending on where you want to end up. Weather in October is normally glorious, the only downside being a lower sun so don't forget your shades.

This picture was taken on the Spanish side of the border crossing in June 2013, most of the snow has melted now.

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

Phil, that sounds perfect mate. Thanks for all that info, and the picture looks stunning

 

[WindyChuffer]

I have cycled that route from Spain to France and back again. Its a hoot of a decent on a bicycle. Will be awesome on motorbike.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Id be looking at the weather in October.

I've done the Pyrenees and Picos in October in 2010 and 2011 and we had great weather, low to mid 20's for the most part and the only rain we saw was when we got back to the U.K.
Some morning mist and low cloud in the mornings on the higher roads is to be expected, I wouldn't hesitate to again in September/October as Wapping often says hope for the best prepare for the worst, wise words

 

[kimbo]

I've done the Pyrenees and Picos in October in 2010 and 2011 and we had great weather, low to mid 20's for the most part and the only rain we saw was when we got back to the U.K.
Some morning mist and low cloud in the mornings on the higher roads is to be expected, I wouldn't hesitate to again in September/October as Wapping often says hope for the best prepare for the worst, wise words

Sounds just about perfect for me, cheers

 

[sidestand]

Make sure you take some summer gloves with you, as it can be quite hot.

In fact, summer kit, with two piece lightweight waterproofs & a lightweight mid or under layer top is ideal for the Picos in October

 

[Simon W]

Weather will be fine in October. In fact, I've done Pyrenees on Nov 1 once... though having said that, this year I found passes closed by snow in the same week as I rode them last year so nothing's guaranteed. But weather will almost certainly be fine in October...

Best crossing? Depends on how extreme/tight you like the roads. From west to east... The N135 from Pamplona to St Jean Pied de Port is spectacular; the Na137 from Isaba to Arette Pierre St Martin is great (though my mate John prefers the Na211 to Larrau). The A136 is pretty laid back and scenic, not too demanding (though it does tighten up slightly on the French side, towards Laruns). I haven't done the Na138 from Ainsa to Arreau - I'm told it's another nice, relaxed one but I prefer the tighter ones... Though that said, the C13/28 from Sort to Vielha is my favourite stretch of road in the Pyrenees – mostly flowing and wide, but with some lovely technical hairpin sections (though the actual run from Vielha to France on the N230 is another pretty relaxed stretch). The road through Andorra is pretty good (especially if you don't take the tunnel but stick to the passes). If you cross the border at Puigcerda, there's a nice road from Mont Louis (the N116) but last time I rode that it was pretty busy. East of Ripoll, the C38 is a good road, but from Prats de Mollo on the French side it can get very busy/conjested as it's mostly towns and villages. And if you go all the way to the Mediterranean coast, the N260 has a final surprise to deliver - as it's a great coast-hugging road (busy in tourist time though).

Which one's the best? I've never done all of them in a trip - normally one or at the most two. Can you zig-zag across ALL of them and let us know?

 

[dicktheleg]

Hi, just be very careful if you choose to use he Bielsa Tunnel. I did that route in September years ago and rode into the tunnel from the Spanish side with jacket open etc due to the excessive heat. Just into the tunnel I ran into thick fog !!! Visor was soon covered in moisture followed by my glasses, nowhere to stop to do up jacket etc. I ended up glued to the rear foglights of a German registered merc, the only way that I could see where I was going. It was one of the hairiest bits of riding I have ever done. With hindsight I should have gone over the top.
Have a good trip.
Rich.

 

[kimbo]

Which one's the best? I've never done all of them in a trip - normally one or at the most two. Can you zig-zag across ALL of them and let us know?

I'll do my best mate but don't think I'll have the time or iron buttocks for it. Thanks for the comprehensive list though.

Hi, just be very careful if you choose to use he Bielsa Tunnel. I did that route in September years ago and rode into the tunnel from the Spanish side with jacket open etc due to the excessive heat. Just into the tunnel I ran into thick fog !!! Visor was soon covered in moisture followed by my glasses, nowhere to stop to do up jacket etc. I ended up glued to the rear foglights of a German registered merc, the only way that I could see where I was going. It was one of the hairiest bits of riding I have ever done. With hindsight I should have gone over the top.
Have a good trip.
Rich.

My idea of a nightmare too Rich, thanks for the heads-up mate.