Doc wants to add Spain to his Doc does trip reports

[EVskiy]

Watching this with interest. Going on September 8th. Plenty of info to be found here but cant have enough.

Have the first 2 nights booked, an apartment in Potes just above the ice cream shop . After that its go west a bit and down a bit. For the next week and a half the world will be our lobster Rodney.

You might bump into our precious lot then.

 

[Tinytim]

You might bump into our precious lot then.

Oh fook !

 

[EVskiy]

Oh fook !

Not me though, you can relax now.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I’ve always found that Spaniards like to have a two or three course meal at lunchtime to see them through to their evening meal which is often at 10pm so that might be the best time for our intrepid traveller to dine.

It’s rare even in a city not to be able to find a cafe offering soup, main course and then cake for about €12-15 and last time I was on a training course in Barcelona we found a cafe run by a Chinese family that were doing the meal for €14 including a beer or large glass of red

The trick is to find out where the locals are going and follow them.

 

[EVskiy]

The trick is to find out where the locals are going and follow them.

Not at bloody 05:00am he won’t. And by the time he’s ready to, he’ll be back at the hotel or at the next one in line.

 

[Davey B]

4pm to 5pm for tea. 8 is bloody supper time.

We solved the evening meal lateness nonsense with a hearty dinner, at dinnertime at a variety of great small, cheap spanish restaurants. (where the locals ate)
This was one (On the Panes, Riano, Cangis de Onis triangle)

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[EVskiy]

I think Doc should find out what he likes to see and do besides riding his bike and get on the juice by 11am.
Doing a bit of self discovery and being interested in some subjects, will in turn allow him do his research of the area based on his interest.
Some people like architecture, others have great interest in religious monuments and temples, some love history, others interested in visiting museums, and buying the touristy tat, but I sense that majority of UK riders go to Spain for riding the great and often empty roads, then indulging in some cheap plonk and grub.
Knowing what one wants from the trip, will bring a greater experience overall.

I personally love great views (called miradors in Spain) that keep popping up along the route and stopping there for 10-15 minutes at the time, just to watch the nature around me, a stop in the forest for a picnic, a day of the bike and going for a wonder around an old town, naturally I love the pleasure I get from riding the roads and good food*.
I quite often find that I come back from the trips, feeling like I’ve been places but seen none of them. The more bike trips I take, the more I realise, that perhaps 150 miles in a day has actually more value compared to say 200-250 mile. Because you get more time to stop and absorb your surroundings and actually experience the trip properly, feel like you have been somewhere. A planned (into itinerary) day of the bike every 3 days or so is also welcome, to stretch your legs and to see a bigger town that might have specific importance or interest for me.

* as I am a long term Vegetarian, eating on the trips, that is one area that I tend to struggle with in France and even more so in Spain.

 

[Redboots]

Stick with the civilised northern countries
Every summer cant be shit.

 

[wessie]

I think Doc should find out what he likes to see and do besides riding his bike and get on the juice by 11am.
Doing a bit of self discovery and being interested in some subjects, will in turn allow him do his research of the area based on his interest.
Some people like architecture, others have great interest in religious monuments and temples, some love history, others interested in visiting museums, and buying the touristy tat, but I sense that majority of UK riders go to Spain for riding the great and often empty roads, then indulging in some cheap plonk and grub.
Knowing what one wants from the trip, will bring a greater experience overall.

I personally love great views (called miradors in Spain) that keep popping up along the route and stopping there for 10-15 minutes at the time, just to watch the nature around me, a stop in the forest for a picnic, a day of the bike and going for a wonder around an old town, naturally I love the pleasure I get from riding the roads and good food*.
I quite often find that I come back from the trips, feeling like I’ve been places but seen none of them. The more bike trips I take, the more I realise, that perhaps 150 miles in a day has actually more value compared to say 200-250 mile. Because you get more time to stop and absorb your surroundings and actually experience the trip properly, feel like you have been somewhere. A planned (into itinerary) day of the bike every 3 days or so is also welcome, to stretch your legs and to see a bigger town that might have specific importance or interest for me.

* as I am a long term Vegetarian, eating on the trips, that is one area that I tend to struggle with in France and even more so in Spain.

Much of the above is why I enjoy solo trips, using a base for 2-3 days. I might plan a 250 mile loop but I try to ensure there is an option to reduce the loop if I change my mind or get distracted by faffing opportunities, as some might style it. Sitting at a Mirador for a while is a favourite. Watch others come and go, have a natter or exchange gestures. Religious buildings are good shelters in the heat of mid afternoon and often have a source of drinking water, especially if on one of the Caminos.
I don't have a dietary handicap but it's nice to decide what to eat based on one's appetite and personal cost thresholds without anyone wanting a Chinese in Pamplona or to go to the Belfast Irish pub in San Sebastian.

 

[EVskiy]

Much of the above is why I enjoy solo trips, using a base for 2-3 days. I might plan a 250 mile loop but I try to ensure there is an option to reduce the loop if I change my mind or get distracted by faffing opportunities, as some might style it. Sitting at a Mirador for a while is a favourite. Watch others come and go, have a natter or exchange gestures. Religious buildings are good shelters in the heat of mid afternoon and often have a source of drinking water, especially if on one of the Caminos.
I don't have a dietary handicap but it's nice to decide what to eat based on one's appetite and personal cost thresholds without anyone wanting a Chinese in Pamplona or to go to the Belfast Irish pub in San Sebastian.

As much as I like the idea of a hotel and unless I am to eat at the said hotel for the next (lets say) 3 nights, then id sooner book into an AirBnB, then walk into town for some restaurant grub, or a bar for my drink. Alternatively, if it is Spain or France, then perhaps knock some grub myself in "my own" kitchen.

 

[stever1]

That’s a bit of a “how long is a piece of string” question.
There’s so much to see.
We did Portugal and Spain last year. 3 weeks having days off here and there.not really enough time.
Staying at hotel Delos is a good call.or stay at Fuente de down at the end of the road.
the Pyrenees is good, and there’s lots of interesting places on the ‘inside’ of Spain.
Further down, Seville is fantastic, lots of good architecture and interesting places to visit.
There’s apparently good roads down by Malaga.
Are you planning to have any days off the bike ?
Don’t go in Late July or August…..it’s likely to be too hot for a northerner .

More info needed from you to help pin down the best way to do it.

 

[Arsey]

Here’s what you won’t see

 

[Doc]

Good question on what we like to do.
Yes we like to be out early on the bike. Generally we won't have a hotel breakfast and get something out. We always take a kettle for the room and a flask that way we can please ourselves. We like nice roads and scenery but not goat tracks. if there is something interesting to see on our travels we will have a look. When we return from our ride we will have a swim if possible a walk round a drink and something to eat and the boss will visit the shops if there are any. This is in the afternoon and not before 12 so I can go out on the juice as EVskij says.
For us 8pm is a bit late for food unless we have had something earlier.
If there is something to do for a day yes we would have a day off the bike.
Visiting time maybe 10 days from getting on the ferry.

 

[Wapping]

Doc, you may have to reset your clock a bit, but don’t let that put you off too much. Spain has millions of visitors a year (not all of them Brits and Germans on the seaside) who all seem to survive and enjoy themselves.

Things to see and do? Spain is littered with them. The challenge comes that some might be ‘Down at the bottom’ of the country, when you arrive at the top. You’ll have to ride top to bottom (and back again) across a country that is about the same size as France. Top to bottom? Two days, minimum, probably three or, depending on you, four. You can see how your 10 days might get eaten up. Fly ride or fly drive might be better if you want to to go to say, Granada.

Ideas:

A. The RiDE magazine’s website has lots of suggestions. These are very much geared to the ‘average’ bloke on an ‘average’ motorcycle.

RiDE-RiDE Guide to Spain & Portugal

The RiDE Guide to Italy features 23 one-day motorcycle tours, three three-day tours and two two-week tours in Italy with route descriptions, google maps and downloadable sat-nav files. Create your perfect Italian motorcycling trip by following our 12-day routes, or make up your own by linking tog

www.ride.co.uk

RiDE -14 prepared motorcyle tours in Spain and Portugal with GPX files

We've put together 14 tours of Spain and Portugal in ready-to-ride packages - simply download the GPX files and swing your leg over your bike

www.ride.co.uk

B. Things to see and do? Michelin’s Green Guide book, will tell you both. From memory, the book also has suggestions on how to join them up. Some on this forum baulk at the idea of riding / driving to a city, but if my mother (then in her 70’s) can do it, so can you! She’s never had a GPS either.

C. Find one or two people on the forum, who go to Spain regularly or who live there. They should help you, the shotgun approach might not be best. One to try is Robin, but he is no longer a site subscriber, so you’ll need his contact details. I have them…..

D. Pay someone to plan it all. Simon Weir, might be a good person to contact. Not necessarily cheap but he does a very good job, I hear.

 

[Doc]

Thanks Wapping. Lots to think about and look into.

 

[Northern jock]

I did a trip a couple of years ago, ferry to Santander, roundabout way to Barcelona, ferry to Civitavecchia in Italy (some stop at Sardinia an route), up though Italy, ferry to Elba and back, ferry to Corsica then France then home. Must do a ride report.
Varied trip, really enjoyed it, including the Spanish bit.

 

[EVskiy]

Wapping has put “my thoughts” much better in black and white for you. Well done.

You can ask questions about where to go and what to do no end and until you are blue in the face.
Ultimately you know yourself better than anybody else. You know what you like and how you like to achieve it. Therefore it is down to you to ask relevant questions referencing your interests and time frame available for your travels and visits. Some on here have a far greater knowledge and experience of the area than I do, and thus should be able to give you a “bespoke” advice on things to see, do and the roads to ride.

As Wapping said. Spain is a vast country, with the bit in the middle being a desert like. I wouldn’t waste my time riding from Rotterdam or the other way around twice. As it’ll take you a minimum 3 day each way to get there and back.
There is a good reason why Plymouth to Santander ferry does get booked up rather quickly. Yes you are on it for near 24 hours, but you can chill and arrive at the destination relaxed.
Should you choose this ferry crossing, then you will be arriving to Santander at around 16:00, allowing at least an hour to get yourself out the port.

 

[EVskiy]

I did a trip a couple of years ago, ferry to Santander, roundabout way to Barcelona, ferry to Civitavecchia in Italy (some stop at Sardinia an route), up though Italy, ferry to Elba and back, ferry to Corsica then France then home. Must do a ride report.
Varied trip, really enjoyed it, including the Spanish bit.

Christ! I recon you’ve confused our poor Doc. If he had to do this, then he would likely to triple book one of the ferries for crossings outside of his allocated timeframe to travel or worse end up in Morocco.

 

[leadfarmer]

Obviously the Picos are great and as Arsey mentioned, Salamanca is definitely worth including in your route

For breakfast you should be able to find some nice pastries in village bakeries, like French patisserie

 

[albatross]

Ahhh Spain…endless beautiful EMPTY roads, great places, brilliant food, nice people…what a trip we had on the old girl…do it again any day….
And @Doc…don’t forget …SUNSHINE…warm …at least most of the time….