From Santander

[Frontbrake]

In the middle of August I have a ferry booked to Santander where I am meeting a couple of mates. The plan is to head west and South-west along the top of Spain and drop down in to Portugal. We plan about a week and then back over to France via the Pyrenees. Can anyone suggest any not to be missed roads or sights please.
Also any recormendation for campsites would be welcome.
Cheers . Alan

 

[boxer]

Picos de Europe. B&B in Potes 90min from Santander.

Route: Potes > N621 N to Panes > AS-114 W to Cangas de Onis > N-625 S to Riano then return to Potes.

Worth staying two days and riding both CW & ACW.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Since you will be in the Santander area:

Going or coming,
Road through Spanish National Park
Starting E.G. Leon. Leave via the N621 Join the CV-314 heading north,
To Bonar. Turn right onto the CL-626 then go to tee and turn left onto the N621
Through Riano on and across the lake. Tunr right and continue on the N621 till you join the N624 ( main road to Santander.)

From near Riano on are some of the most fabulous roads and scenery you will ever come across in you life, with almost no traffic.
Allow 6 hours and a full tank of fuel.

Enjoy.

Myke

 

[Steptoe]

. The plan is to head west and South-west along the top of Spain and drop down in to Portugal.

Also any recormendation for campsites would be welcome.
Cheers . Alan

I did that, all along northern spain to La coruna, then dropped down to portugal all the way to the algarve. Used the coast road all the way.
Not much use giving any recommendations as it was in 1980

Last october i rode from santander to santiago de compostela and then back to Gijon all on the smallest roads i could find and got the overnight ferry back to france.
Wasn't worth camping as the B&B's are very cheap.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Totally agreed.

Last october i rode from santander to santiago de compostela and then back to Gijon all on the smallest roads i could find and got the overnight ferry back to france.
Wasn't worth camping as the B&B's are very cheap.

B&Bs are so cheap it is crazy to camp.
Santiago to Campostela needs at least 2 days to see it all.

A few years ago, a lady, name Cathrine, went to the Cathederal below on her way to marry Arthur. She knelt in prayer ajacent to the aisle where the Botafumeiro seen below was being swung. As the Botafumeiro came to the bottom of it's swing, the rope broke, and the Botafumeiro dashed itself to pieces at her feet. She was unhurt, and went on to marry Arthur in the year 1501.
He died, so she married his younger brother Henry. (The Eighth - of course.) If it had hit and killed Cathrine of Aragon, then British history as we know it would have been totally different.
History coming to life
Myke

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bUxSdgKnYkQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>

 

[arrybash]

This is the route I did in 2011.

From the A8 coast road turn South on the N621 over the mountains. The summit is above the cloud level. Then drops down into Riano then onto Leon.

Then follow the border down as far as Badajoz via Cuidad Rodrigo and Alcantara.

Badajoz, Nisa then down the Douro river into Porto. From Porto, Brago, Pontferrada and back over the mountains to the coast road.

Stunning stunning scenery. Check out the roman architecture at Alcantara on wikipedia. You can park your bike up in a Roman Amphitheatre for a photo shoot!!!!

I have down the Riano route to Badajoz twice now and it has to be one of the best biking roads.

I have the routes saved for a garmin satnav and on Autoroute if they are any use to you.

Regards

Chris

 

[Myke Rocks]

Been there, done that.

This is the route I did in 2011.

From the A8 coast road turn South on the N621 over the mountains. The summit is above the cloud level. Then drops down into Riano then onto Leon.

Then follow the border down as far as Badajoz via Cuidad Rodrigo and Alcantara.

Badajoz, Nisa then down the Douro river into Porto. From Porto, Brago, Pontferrada and back over the mountains to the coast road.

Stunning stunning scenery. Check out the roman architecture at Alcantara on wikipedia. You can park your bike up in a Roman Amphitheatre for a photo shoot!!!!

I have down the Riano route to Badajoz twice now and it has to be one of the best biking roads.

I have the routes saved for a garmin satnav and on Autoroute if they are any use to you.

Regards

Chris

Yep, as you say, one of the best biking routes I have ever been on.
Unfortunately, I was in a car!
Myke.

Below: Riano

 

[Yellow Peril]

Yes did it last year my write up if any help :-

http://www.gsclubuk.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35392

loads of pic and places we stayed etc etc not a bad ride but being alantic coast the weather can be shitty.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

A few years ago we stumbled upon a fonda in Calatayud that cost us 8 euros each in twin rooms. Very, very basic, but clean. No restaurant, shared bogs and shower, but you'd get that in a campsite. This way you get a decent bed. It was busy, with what seemed like business travellers looking to save money.

I'm sure there are fondas all over Spain in any decent sized town.