Is the juice worth the squeeze?

[DaddyPaddy]

So just wondering what folks thoughts are on a relatively short trip to Spain from sunny Scotland. Bones of itinerary would be the Sunday BF boat from Plymouth to Santander arriving on the Monday afternoon, returning on the following Saturday Bilboa to Portsmouth arriving on the Sunday evening. So approx 4 1/2 days ish in Spain. Enough time to get some decent runs in / worth the outlay? Interested what folks would advise / recommend

 

[KMD]

It would be Northern Spain only I think within that timescale, but the beauty of it is that you could have a cracking time in the Picos de Europa alone. It would be very easy to be over ambitious and want/try to see more, but a week in the Picos would be very rewarding.

 

[wessie]

4.5 days in the Cantabrian mountains centred on Vega de Pas would be lovely.

Quite an investment in ferries for a short trip. I spent a similar amount of time in those mountains recently but I had another 10 days in other places further south. I stayed in Posada Ormas and Parador Limpias at the start of the trip and Hotel Don Guzman in Vega de Pas on the last night before the ferry.

 

[EVskiy]

In my opinion, it wouldn’t make you feel great, having to travel the distance to and from southern English ports. Remember that the Bilbao to Portsmouth ferry taking much longer to sail compared to Plymouth. The financial outlay, wouldn’t be worth the limited time you’d spend over there. It is a bit like travelling from Edinburgh to London for breakfast and then having to return the following day. I think you’d get more bang for your buck, by going to Vosges, Luxembourg and or Eiffel region of Germany. Ferry from/to Hull or Harwich. Newcastle crossing is far more expensive (from what I read on here) compared to other two. Harwich ferry departure is at 23:00 so you could make if from Scotland in one long day and be in Germany the following afternoon.

 

[wessie]

In my opinion, it wouldn’t make you feel great, having to travel the distance to and from southern English ports

Edinburgh to Plymouth is an hour longer than to Harwich - I thought you would be good at thinking in triangles as a cabinet maker ... the extra cost of the ferry to Spain could be reduced by cheaper hotel and especially food costs compared to Germany & France

Also, Bilbao to Portsmouth is just one night on board, although you arrive quite late in the day into Portsmouth which I am not keen on, hence preferring a return from/to Plymouth

 

[EVskiy]

Edinburgh to Plymouth is an hour longer than to Harwich - I thought you would be good at thinking in triangles as a cabinet maker ... the extra cost of the ferry to Spain could be reduced by cheaper hotel and especially food costs compared to Germany & France

Also, Bilbao to Portsmouth is just one night on board, although you arrive quite late in the day into Portsmouth which I am not keen on, hence preferring a return from/to Plymouth

To be honest, without looking at the map Dave, I haven’t really got a foggiest how far is Edinburgh from either of the ports. My sole comment was made based on simple fact that ferry crossing is overnight, rather than 24+h. meaning fellow would be winning in riding time.

Having been to and from Plymouth just Sunday gone, it is a pain in the arse to get to and from in any hurry. I loathe motorway riding, so choose to lesser traveled roads instead.
Yes you are correct to say that Germany, France are more expensive compared to Spain. Then I have my own reason (yes just 1) for not being particularly fond of Spain, which I am sure that you know why.

 

[wessie]

Then I have my own reason (yes just 1) for not being particularly fond of Spain, which I am sure that you know why.

but ham and anchovies are vegetables in Spain, you have to recalibrate

 

[ATT]

Make it what you want it to be...A good map will have all the answers.

If you are looking for a guaranteed return on your investment, then you have already failed....Much like those who film everything on their phones, they have missed the moment and will never recover it through the footage they have took.

You have to be in the moment, experience it completely and only then can you truly have an experience.

Food pics kill the soul of so many people and yet they have no idea of how they are dying.

 

[AustinW]

So just wondering what folks thoughts are on a relatively short trip to Spain from sunny Scotland. Bones of itinerary would be the Sunday BF boat from Plymouth to Santander arriving on the Monday afternoon, returning on the following Saturday Bilboa to Portsmouth arriving on the Sunday evening. So approx 4 1/2 days ish in Spain. Enough time to get some decent runs in / worth the outlay? Interested what folks would advise / recommend

IMHO no, not worth it. I got off the Santander boat in Plymouth yesterday and rode home. Got in at 10pm in Lancashire. A38/M5/M6 was clear all the way so as good a run as you’d get, with a two stop strategy. And it was warm and dry all the way. I did not enjoy it one bit and I wasn’t looking forwards to it when on the boat. If it had been wet, cold or bother would have stayed over somewhere Bristol-ish. You’ve at least another hour and a half on my journey, possibly a lot more depending where you are. The journey from Portsmouth is a bit shorter but not as straightforward with more traffic to contend with. I also found the boat tedious this time. The Pont Aven is getting a bit tired so not the pleasant start/end to a trip it used to be. It’s very busynso you queue a lot and can’t get good seats. You can tell costs are being cut everywhere and the food was really quite poor in the self service restaurant compared to how it used to be. Think good motorway service standard like Tebay or Gloucester rather than decent pub standard.

For four days in Spain, no not worth it, in my opinion anyway.

 

[wessie]

IMHO no, not worth it. I got off the Santander boat in Plymouth yesterday and rode home. Got in at 10pm in Lancashire

the Thursday return is a better bet if you have some distance to travel in the UK. 4pm departure from Santander and arrives at 11.15am rather than 5pm/2pm on the Sun/Mon trip. For me, it means I can get past all of the big urban areas before the rush hour starts.

I agree about Pont Aven being tired and the quality of the food not being very good. I used the main restaurant on one leg and self service on the return.

 

[Davey B]

Did it from Yorkshire about 12 yrs ago, group of 4 of us, it was well worth it. Great craic on the ferry both ways and 4 nights in a great apartment in Potes, Picos de Europa with 3 full day rides in the area. We had great weather. Pretty sure I'd be typing "Avoid it, it was shite' if we had had 3 or 4 days of rain.
I also suppose it depends just how far up Scotland you are and how you feel about 2 x 450 mile plus days?

 

[Popell]

IMHO, I would rather spend a little longer in Spain but if it is what it is, then, yes, I'd go for it.
Not sure if you are aware or using this but BF had some seriously good prices for short breaks.

 

[DaddyPaddy]

Thanks folks, mucho appreciation to those who took time to reply and give advice. Personally think we could do more biking elsewhere given the time restrictions etc and hopefully get more bang for your buck by doing an alternate trip!! Roll on retirement and freedom!!

 

[John Armstrong]

Almost as many days on England's miserable motorways as you're in Spain doesn't sound a good equation to me.

Newcastle ferries are a bit more expensive, but from Aberdeen are only a 5 hours ride whereas Hull is 7 hours, not great if the UK's weather is normal summer type.

I'm also looking forward to being able to wander down to the south coast ports and having more than 10 days in Europe as well!

 

[Rugged Path]

So just wondering what folks thoughts are on a relatively short trip to Spain from sunny Scotland. Bones of itinerary would be the Sunday BF boat from Plymouth to Santander arriving on the Monday afternoon, returning on the following Saturday Bilboa to Portsmouth arriving on the Sunday evening. So approx 4 1/2 days ish in Spain. Enough time to get some decent runs in / worth the outlay? Interested what folks would advise / recommend

All the smaller roads lead to somewhere nice. Accommodation is everywhere if you use one of the apps.
At the mo, down along the Algarve and soon heading east across southern Spain to France on a fully laden Electra Glide.
As my trip is long and solo riding, most will be camping. Truthfully it can get a bit boring at night.
Whatever you decide, enjoy it and expect to sweat a lot.