Manchester to Ronda..and back

[DottyDog]

Hi All - I'm new in town and whilst I've been viewing this excellent forum for a couple of months I'm now only just a member! I'm looking for some advice on a trip I'm planning on taking in August 2017.

I want to ride from Manchester all the way down to Ronda Spain, spend a couple of weeks with the family, who I'll meet down there, and then ride all the way back preferably without having to return on roads previously covered! Looking at previous forum posts my thoughts so far are:-

1. Manchester to Portsmouth - might stop in Hereford overnight to visit folks
2. Portsmouth to Santander
3. Santander to Burgos using N623
4. Burgos to Salamanca using A62
5. Salamanca to Cáceres using A66
6. Caceres to Ronda using ???

Firstly, has anyone previously ridden Caceres (or there abouts) to Ronda and could recommend any particular route? And secondly, what would folk recommend in terms of where to stop overnight on this route? An accommodation recommendation would also go down a treat

In terms of return journey I'm lost looking at the map and am really open to suggestions. For example, do I come back through France and take the Chunnel back or do I go back through Spain and take the ferry back again?

So, any thoughts, recommendations, advice, words of warning - all welcome.

Thanking you all in advance!

 

[Wapping]

In terms of return journey I'm lost looking at the map and am really open to suggestions. For example, do I come back through France and take the Chunnel back or do I go back through Spain and take the ferry back again?

That might rather depend on how long YOU have got to come back in and how much additional (across France) riding YOU want to do.

Some bods on this site went this summer: Ferry > Near enough to where you are going > Back to ferry by a different route, but both basically north to south and back north in parallel. Contact J Boxer who might share their route with you.

RiDE magazine's Guide to Spain has a two week circular lap of Spain, Santander to Santander. You could maybe adopt that a bit? Free to download at their website:

http://www.ride.co.uk/routes-1/the-ride-guide-to-spain

Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

 

[DottyDog]

Thanks Wapping! Probably should have stated that. I'm thinking no more than 3 days door to door.

 

[Wapping]

Don't worry, bods often forget to tell us whether they have a day or a lifetime to complete their jaunt. They often forget - or refuse to tell - other stuff as well.

Three days, door to door, Ronda to Manchester?

Easy.

On the world famous Moroccan Dash, we went: Calais to Bairritz in one day. Biarritz to Algeciras the next. That leaves you one day spare to get from Calais to 'oooop north. Job done.

PS We got up early, didn't take goat tracks and didn't fanny about. Other methods are available. Terms and conditions apply

 

[Bake]

Don't worry, bods often forget to tell us whether they have a day or a lifetime to complete their jaunt. They often forget - or refuse to tell - other stuff as well.

Three days, door to door, Ronda to Manchester?

Easy.

On the world famous Moroccan Dash, we went: Calais to Bairritz in one day. Biarritz to Algeciras the next. That leaves you one day spare to get from Calais to 'oooop north. Job done.

PS We got up early, didn't take goat tracks and didn't fanny about. Other methods are available. Terms and conditions apply

 

[Desperatedan]

Coming from the north (either Bilbao or Santander) I've made trips with overnights either in Salamanca or Seville, depending on ferry arrival times and how far you want to cover in a day.

Again from a time/distance perspective I've tended to carry on south on the autopistas to Jerez and then headed east towards Arcos de la Frontera (A382) then the A372 heading for El Bosque. The road from there to Grazalema (worth a stop for lunch in the village centre) and on to Ronda takes you through the National Park and is a superb road on a bike and a great way to end a trip getting to Ronda.

 

[Simon W]

Three days door to door? That's do-able but with a good chunk of motorway: Day one Manchester to Plymouth, day two on the boat to Santander and into Spain: depending on speed that's overnighting in Burgos, Valladolid or maybe as far as Avila. Day three: at least some decent riding on the N502 from Avila down to Cordoba, then cross-country to Ronda. But the only sensible/practical options are the more direct options.

 

[westride]

As I have said on here before! La Alberca is a must stay overnight. Fantastic roads up to this high small town. It's real Spain here, lovely small streets, accommodation at the right price. I would also recommend Plasencia, bigger town than La Alberca, but real Spain again!! The centre square has lots of tapas bars at very reasonable prices. Small hotels are cheap, I got one where the owner allowed me to park my GS overnight in their garage! Have biked down through Spain 4 times, just ask if you need any more information. Spain is underrated by many, it has fantastic roads, good accommodation, take your time, I would add a day or two as you travel through Spain.

 

[rodsharp]

Enjoy your trip but beware I always get fined for something or other when riding in Spain. What annoys me is that each time has been such a minor infringement ( 42 mph on a main road ffs) but you can't argue with the police , they are only interested in taking your money.

 

[Rockred]

Enjoy your trip but beware I always get fined for something or other when riding in Spain. What annoys me is that each time has been such a minor infringement ( 42 mph on a main road ffs) but you can't argue with the police , they are only interested in taking your money.

I hope you got a receipt for the fine. The local councils see road traffic finds as a means of raising much needed cash.

 

[Rockred]

As I have said on here before! La Alberca is a must stay overnight. Fantastic roads up to this high small town. It's real Spain here, lovely small streets, accommodation at the right price. I would also recommend Plasencia, bigger town than La Alberca, but real Spain again!! The centre square has lots of tapas bars at very reasonable prices. Small hotels are cheap, I got one where the owner allowed me to park my GS overnight in their garage! Have biked down through Spain 4 times, just ask if you need any more information. Spain is underrated by many, it has fantastic roads, good accommodation, take your time, I would add a day or two as you travel through Spain.

As you rightly say, Spain is a fabulous country for bikes, and is so underrated by most people, they think its just like the Costas. If you travel in land you see the real Spain. You summed it up pretty well. I too would allow a couple of days more to travel through.

 

[Wapping]

If you travel in land.....

Cue the old music hall one liner: "Him? He made a fortune, door-to-door, travelling in ladies underwear"

 

[trotts]

Where do I begin !

Greetings DottyDog.

Lucky me, I have been riding from my home near Bristol down to southern Spain each year since around 2000. I am booked again for next September. My wife used to come with me, she retired gracefully and now jumps on Easy Jet and we meet up about 5 days after I set off.

I never get bored with it, and still so much to see. It is fantastic motorcycling country. Often take a different route each time, but one of my favourites was recommended to me some years ago by a chap who lurks on this forum, or did !

An N road, the N502. Runs literally North to South, 402K long (about 220miles) You will see it on a map of Spain about 50 miles west of Madrid. Starts near Avila and comes out about 20 miles north of Cordoba. From there easy to head south west to Ronda. The 502 is a great road, great scenery, across mountains and flats.

Also done other routes staying at Salamanca and Caceres that I found only last September, which was stunning. Also look at a small place called Zaraha De Siesta about 30 miles North Ronda. Found this place when saw a report by some biking journalists who used it as a base.

I never use sat Nav but trust Michelin local maps that are a must, they show so much.

Re the Spanish plod as other's have alluded to. My only tip is stick to speed limit. Exceed speed limit at your perils. I have been fined once for doing 10mph (about 20kmp) in road works when I was reducing speed. Not quick enough. Also do not EVER cross solid white lines. That is a favourite. Coming out of junctions, side turnings, garages etc etc. Stick to rules and you will be fine. Indicate when you over take AND pull back in.

Feel free to message me can give you loads pointers where to stay, hotels cheap as chips, about 30e for ensuite

 

[Rockred]

....
I never get bored with it, and still one of my favourites was recommended to me some years ago by a chap who lurks on this forum....An N road, the N502. Runs literally North to South, 402K long (about 220miles) You will see it on a map of Spain about 50 miles west of Madrid. Starts near Avila and comes out about 20 miles north of Cordoba. From there easy to head south west to Ronda. The 502 is a great road, great scenery, across mountains and flats.....Also done other routes staying at Salamanca and Caceres that I found only last September, which was stunning. Also look at a small place called Zaraha De Siesta about 30 miles North...

Feel free to message me can give you loads pointers where to stay, hotels cheap as chips, about 30e for ensuite

Glad you have discovered inland Spain. Caseres is a gem of a place, also about 20 minutes east is Trujillo, which is a lot smaller and well worth a visit. It's where a lot of the Conquistadors came from, and you can see in the houses the wealth that they sent back. I see you were in holiday mood when you typed Zaraha de Siesta it's Zaraha de Sierra. Which means mountain. Enjoy your trips.

 

[Wapping]

Feel free to message me can give you loads pointers where to stay, hotels cheap as chips, about 30e for ensuite

trotts, you'll need to be a subscriber to the site (a modest £12 a year) in order to receive or send PM's, private messages.

If you'd be as kind as to list your suggestions in this thread, I'll then tidy it all up for you.

Thanks,

Richard

 

[trotts]

Glad you have discovered inland Spain. Caseres is a gem of a place, also about 20 minutes east is Trujillo, which is a lot smaller and well worth a visit. It's where a lot of the Conquistadors came from, and you can see in the houses the wealth that they sent back. I see you were in holiday mood when you typed Zaraha de Siesta it's Zaraha de Sierra. Which means mountain. Enjoy your trips.

Quite right Rockred. Sure is Zaraha De Sierra. A small rural hotel with pool and stunning views, even better at the top by the 'Keep'. You being local guess you have been and visited ? Visited Gib on one of my trips when I had a GS1150 in 2002. I stay in Mijas Pueblo and Zaraha is a mini version without tourists !

 

[trotts]

trotts, you'll need to be a subscriber to the site (a modest £12 a year) in order to receive or send PM's, private messages.

If you'd be as kind as to list your suggestions in this thread, I'll then tidy it all up for you.

Thanks,

Richard

All noted. Will do. I have been here for some years, and on the old site, even though I am no longer a Beemer rider, but this is the best of best forums, especially this travel one. Well done to all

 

[Wapping]

All noted. Will do.

Great.

Look forward to list of bargain hotels. It's a request that comes up fairly regularly, so you'll be going a long way to answering some of the questions.

 

[DottyDog]

Thanks for everyone's input. Really appreciate it. August feels like ages away - can't wait. I've currently got a Michelin map stuck to the wall with a load of pins to it with your recommendations - I'll let you know my final route in case it's useful for someone else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wapping]

August feels like ages away - I'll let you know my final route in case it's useful for someone

Wouldn't it be bettter to wait until you are back, just in case you find out it was junk and / or you found a better way to go?

Look forward to the trip report, with pictures. Bods love pictures.