Northern Spain to Barcelona

[20red]

Decided to take my wife and GSA (in no particular order of preference) on the ferry to Santander/Bilbao, then spend a couple of days riding to Barcelona, mince about there for 3-4 days, then have a couple of day ride back to the ferry.

Don't really want to flog the trip on the motorways, so A roads to Barcelona would be favourite, with a bit of an overnighter on the way there and back.

Hoping some of you chaps might be able to give me some route tips, recommendations of where we could stay and any other wise words would be more than welcome. Thinking of doing this in May '13, so out of school holiday times and the weather will be hot, but not scorchio. Thanks in advance.

 

[DavidJames]

Decided to take my wife and GSA (in no particular order of preference) on the ferry to Santander/Bilbao, then spend a couple of days riding to Barcelona, mince about there for 3-4 days, then have a couple of day ride back to the ferry.

Don't really want to flog the trip on the motorways, so A roads to Barcelona would be favourite, with a bit of an overnighter on the way there and back.

Hoping some of you chaps might be able to give me some route tips, recommendations of where we could stay and any other wise words would be more than welcome. Thinking of doing this in May '13, so out of school holiday times and the weather will be hot, but not scorchio. Thanks in advance.

I took two days to get from Santander to Barcelona a couple of years back and would recommend taking at least that or you will be on motorways when you could be on some of the best roads in Europe.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158697&highlight=barcelona

 

[Phluppe]

Do ride up the Montserrat mountain/rock and have a walk around. There's even a hotel up there, you have to make reservations, and it ain't cheap, but it lets you ride up to the hotel, something you otherwise aren't allowed to.

The monastery is really worth the visite and the view is amazing.

Grtz, Philip!

P.S: The road up the monastery is a real treat

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

If you don't want to head along the Pyrenees - which will be mountainous, obviously, and may have changeable weather in May - I'd suggest heading South from the Atlantic cost. A few years ago we took 2 days to ride from Bilbao to Peniscola on the coast a bit south or Barcelona and took a very long route, particularly on day 2, that would probably mean more hours in the saddle than a passenger woudl like. (Stunning roads, though.)

So, I'd suggest Day 1 - Bilbao, Logrono, Soria and Calatayud for overnight stay. Day 2 - Head sort of due East via caspe and Flix and the coast, then up to Barcelona. Avoid motorways all the way, you'll see a real variety of roads and scenery. Each day would be between four and five hours riding, which allows plenty of time for coffee stops, meals, enjoying the scenery and so on. But there are so many different options.

There are great roads in the mountaisn all around Catalunya and I agree with Philip above, Montserrat is a 'must see' in the area.

(PS Hi Philip! Still Alpineroad-ing?)

 

[sidestand]

We stayed at a very good (and pretty cheap)hotel in Jaca in October this year.

It's about half way between Santander & Barcelona - using the N260 as well, which just about the best A road on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees.

Link to the hotel here.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cha...id=0af3be520194aba20963933c9aec2b82fed05584X6

 

[masterman21]

If you are wanting upmarket accommodation its worth looking at the Parador,s. They are government owned hotels , mainly situated in Historic building. You can get some good deals . This lovely lady organised a great 10 nights in them , on a trip for six of us [email protected] .

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

If you are wanting upmarket accommodation its worth looking at the Parador,s. They are government owned hotels , mainly situated in Historic building. You can get some good deals . This lovely lady organised a great 10 nights in them , on a trip for six of us [email protected] .

Plus one for Paradors if your budget will stand it. Not sure who Lorna Roberts is, but you can book direct on the internet and get discounts if you join their loyalty scheme (Amigos de Paradores).

 

[masterman21]

Lorna Roberts specialises in Paradors and can get all the deals and then some !
www.lornarobertsholidays.com
Really helpful.
I have just used her services and have no commercial interest. !