Massif Central - Weather in late March / early April….

[Rasher]

I may have some time late March or Early April where I can potentially do a last minute trip if the weather looks good....

....Is that a likely scenario or should I be searching for Fly-Ride deals to Spain instead???

========

I have started you a fresh thread.

Richard

 

[Wicker]

"late March or Early April where I can potentially do a last minute trip if the weather looks good...."

Been in France in late March before Easter. Woke to light snow in Nancy and very cold as I rode south. Got to Aubenas in the Ardeche, very wet and cold for several days. Rode down to the Pyrenees and Andorra. Primary routes were okay albeit you were riding above the snowline when in the mountains. Minor mountain passes closed due to snow.
As it got further into April and I hit Normandy on the return leg the weather was pleasantly spring like. Pot luck with the weather.
I probably wouldnt head into the mountains again that early in the year as the riding opportunities were somewhat limited. Normandy was great though, plenty to see whatever the weather.

 

[Wapping]

I have been to France / Central France around then, wiping the frost off the seat each morning. But it’d be nice all day thereafter.

I’ve also been when it’s rained, as in teemed with rain.

I’ve been when it has sleeted snow.

I’ve been when it’s been fine, dry and spring like from the moment I got up.

It’s much the same as asking about the UK.

Want near enough a guarantee? Unless you are very unlucky, head to southern Spain.

 

[Guru Gora]

I’d get the ferry to Bilbao or Santander.

If picos is dry, stay there.

If not…….blast south until it is.

You will never ever struggle for a bed so no need to pre book I’d say.

Flexibility is great with these trips,

 

[Davey B]

I may have some time late March or Early April where I can potentially do a last minute trip if the weather looks good....

....Is that a likely scenario or should I be searching for Fly-Ride deals to Spain instead???

I live on the western edge of that area, great for riding....but in your position...I'd fly/ride to Porto and hire from these chaps.

Arquivo de Rentals - North Road

northroad.pt

 

[Rasher]

Thanks Guys, I have the luxury of keeping an eye on the forecasts and picking a time and place, I could go to Wales / Ardennnes / Luxembourg / Morvan / Black Forest etc assuming it looks decent enough there, and not too bad so as to not get there....

....and if not jump on a plane for a fly-ride, so collecting details of fly-ride outfits is my latest hobby.

 

[Arsey]

I’ve been when it has sleeted snow.

Snow doesn’t sleet. It snows.

 

[Arsey]

I may have some time late March or Early April where I can potentially do a last minute trip if the weather looks good....

....Is that a likely scenario or should I be searching for Fly-Ride deals to Spain instead???

========

I have started you a fresh thread.

Richard

Think I’d jump on a cheap flight to Gran Canaria and rent a bike from Canary Ride, or if you want to be escorted then do an organised trip with Canary Motorcycle Tours.

Have done both and going again next month .Amazing place to ride a bike .

 

[Jockser]

....and if not jump on a plane for a fly-ride, so collecting details of fly-ride outfits is my latest hobby.

I've used these guys out of Barcelona before. The bikes were current model, good condition GSs & their service was very good

BMW Motorcycle Rentals in Spain and Portugal - IMTBike

New fully equipped BMW Motorcycle Rentals in Spain and Portugal. Rent your motorcycle in any of our five rental locations in Spain and Portugal. Leading the way since 1997.

www.imtbike.com

 

[Mad Hatter]

Might be worth genning up on the weather systems in France and seasonal averages. The coastal regions are very variable like the UK but the inland regions have more stable continental weather paterns

 

[J biker]

Thanks Guys, I have the luxury of keeping an eye on the forecasts and picking a time and place, I could go to Wales / Ardennnes / Luxembourg / Morvan / Black Forest etc assuming it looks decent enough there, and not too bad so as to not get there....

....and if not jump on a plane for a fly-ride, so collecting details of fly-ride outfits is my latest hobby.

Exactly this. ^^

Massif Central can and does get plenty of snow, with the better roads on high ground too.
Keep it flexible. IF I had to commit, then it would be as far South as possible, probably Spain. March/ April, expect high passes to be closed, though some lower ones are still at risk. I used to like an early ride across to Col de Légal when I was still in the Correze, there was often snow early in the year, very nice to look at but not if on the road! . The pass was closed last time I tried in March, though the year before it was just very cold.

 

[J biker]

Not sure where you are travelling from. A days ride from Calais to Massif Central. Or, a days ride from St Malo to Pyrenees?

 

[wessie]

Might be worth genning up on the weather systems in France and seasonal averages. The coastal regions are very variable like the UK but the inland regions have more stable continental weather paterns

yes, it seems counter-intuitive to think of the Vosges mountains in Alsace as one of the driest regions in France but that image shows that many of the wet systems from the SW have dumped their load in the Pyrenees, Massif Central and Alps and have largely fizzled out by the time they get that far north.

 

[johnnyboy]

Think I’d jump on a cheap flight to Gran Canaria and rent a bike from Canary Ride, or if you want to be escorted then do an organised trip with Canary Motorcycle Tours.

Have done both and going again next month .Amazing place to ride a bike .

Where was it you went to last year? Menorca?

 

[Ectopic]

yes, it seems counter-intuitive to think of the Vosges mountains in Alsace as one of the driest regions in France but that image shows that many of the wet systems from the SW have dumped their load in the Pyrenees, Massif Central and Alps and have largely fizzled out by the time they get that far north.

I respectfully disagree! Vosges is one of the five wettest departments in France. (Nearby is one of the driest cities in France (can't remember which one, Stolzy used to live nearby apparently). Ican't see an image that shows rainfall.

Which French departments get the most rain?

Spoiler: They are not all in the northern half of the country

www.connexionfrance.com

 

[andy tims]

We went to the Massif Central as part of our 2024 tour in June & it was wet.

 

[digby]

Last year I rode from clermont ferrand to Barcelona mid April

Left home with about 15 C
But once up on the massif on the motorway the temperature went down to just 5 !

Altitude is your enemy out of the summer months