Organised tours to Spain on small bikes - question

[Dirty Ming]

Not sure where to post this question but I'll start here - tried a search with no joy.

A year or so ago at a bike meet I got chatting to a couple that had been on an organised tour over 4 or 5 days, in Spain I think, but had to be on small capacity bikes. Not off road as such, just minor roads and light gravel lanes. He did it on an old CB250 and his girlfriend had an XT250, both of these were from the late 70's or early 80's. I'm looking for something similar I can do on an old trail bike and my wife on a CB300R, as she doesn't fancy anything "big".

Can anyone shed any light on events or companies that might offer a trip like that?

I understand I could just organise it myself but the attraction for her is going with fellow novices /females at a relaxed pace

======

I have edited the title and emphasised the ‘organised tour’ bit.

Richard

 

[Arsey]

Not sure where to post this question but I'll start here - tried a search with no joy.

A year or so ago at a bike meet I got chatting to a couple that had been on an organised tour over 4 or 5 days, in Spain I think, but had to be on small capacity bikes. Not off road as such, just minor roads and light gravel lanes. He did it on an old CB250 and his girlfriend had an XT250, both of these were from the late 70's or early 80's. I'm looking for something similar I can do on an old trail bike and my wife on a CB300R, as she doesn't fancy anything "big".
Can anyone shed any light on events or companies that might offer a trip like that?

I understand I could just organise it myself but the attraction for her is going with fellow novices /females at a relaxed pace

I hear what you’re saying .
But I’d be tempted to just get ferry to Santander then head via the back roads to Hotel Del Oso up the road from Potes. It’s only a couple of hours . Then you have a fabulous base to take different rides each day with a day off or more to perhaps get the cable car up to the top of Fuente De then walk down via the panoramic restaurant .
Plenty of trails too though not all novice friendly




Panoramic restaurant:






Hotel del Oso :

 

[stever1]

Not sure where to post this question but I'll start here - tried a search with no joy.

A year or so ago at a bike meet I got chatting to a couple that had been on an organised tour over 4 or 5 days, in Spain I think, but had to be on small capacity bikes. Not off road as such, just minor roads and light gravel lanes. He did it on an old CB250 and his girlfriend had an XT250, both of these were from the late 70's or early 80's. I'm looking for something similar I can do on an old trail bike and my wife on a CB300R, as she doesn't fancy anything "big".
Can anyone shed any light on events or companies that might offer a trip like that?

I understand I could just organise it myself but the attraction for her is going with fellow novices /females at a relaxed pace

I’d say it’s just as easy to do your own thing.
A good start from Arsey.
in my own case I took an ADV350 Down through the route de grand alpes in France. Returning via Italy, Switzerland etc.
Small bike touring is just as much fun as going on a big bike, just a bit slower. I also ended up having many conversations with folk who where surprised that a small scooter was touring Europe.
Just do it. Enjoy

 

[Dirty Ming]

Cheers guys, but what I'm after is an organised trip with other riders in similar circumstances, bikes, experience etc. We've toured Spain quite a bit 2 up but she wants to ride her own bike and wants the camaraderie of a group tour

 

[Snaf]

Sounds a bit like this http://www.mcpiston.com/home.html or this https://austinvince.com/trail-riding/the-v-i-n-c-e-may-event-apprentice-2/
There are others, I'll have a look later. What bike are you getting.

 

[KMD]

My opinion, for what it’s worth is if you join a group of people you don’t know, make sure the group is large enough for you to be able to avoid the village idiot and still be able to keep company with others within the group that you get along with. There is always one.

Or canvas your friends and form a small group of people you know that you can enjoy being with when off the bikes. It can make or break a bike trip. Arsey’s suggestion is a really good one in my view. The hotel is excellent and is situated within easy reach of numerous day rides on superb routes.

 

[Dirty Ming]

Cheers Snaf - that McPiston site looks spot on. I think Lisa would be happier going in the summer rather than the February one and I can take the bikes in the van if necessary down to the start point.

And if anyone knows of a Suzuki TS125ER for sale point them my way

 

[Dirty Ming]

Thanks Richard for the highlight

Edit - I'm after a Suzuki ER of either 125, 250 but preferably 185cc version. Trying to relive my youth in the early 80's before it's too late and feel the need for some 2 stroke smells

 

[OnHellas]

Have a look at Nathan Milward’s offerings here.

Adventure motorcycling | Dorothysspeedshop | Braunton

Dorothy's Speed Shop is the home of motorcycle touring in North Devon, with tours, bikes and advice.

www.dorothysspeedshop.com

I’m not sure if he is doing anything in Spain but he is a small bike advocate with plenty of experience.

The Austin Vince thing above is a fair bit different to an organised your. Excellent, but very different.

Good luck.

 

[Snaf]

Thanks Richard for the highlight

Edit - I'm after a Suzuki ER of either 125, 250 but preferably 185cc version. Trying to relive my youth in the early 80's before it's too late and feel the need for some 2 stroke smells

You'll have to come around and have a go on Liz's PE175 whilst you still can.

 

[g00ner]

Thanks Richard for the highlight

Edit - I'm after a Suzuki ER of either 125, 250 but preferably 185cc version. Trying to relive my youth in the early 80's before it's too late and feel the need for some 2 stroke smells

Have you found this group?

https://m.facebook.com/groups/950521655037303/?ref=share

Par instance - https://www.facebook.com/groups/950...40015999421123/?sale_post_id=8840015999421123

 

[Dirty Ming]

Jeez - didn't realise she had one of them beauties. Just tell me when you're free

 

[Snaf]

Jeez - didn't realise she had one of them beauties. Just tell me when you're free

I'll dig it out and get you around in the new year, good to speak earlier. What colour ER would you prefer.

 

[EPG_19]

My opinion, for what it’s worth is if you join a group of people you don’t know, make sure the group is large enough for you to be able to avoid the village idiot and still be able to keep company with others within the group that you get along with. There is always one.

Or canvas your friends and form a small group of people you know that you can enjoy being with when off the bikes. It can make or break a bike trip. Arsey’s suggestion is a really good one in my view. The hotel is excellent and is situated within easy reach of numerous day rides on superb routes.

Unless you are the one

 

[Dirty Ming]

Colour wise I'm not fussed, but yellow or white would be preferred if I'm being picky

 

[KMD]

Unless you are the one

There is that

 

[gspod]

Cheers Snaf - that McPiston site looks spot on. I think Lisa would be happier going in the summer rather than the February one and I can take the bikes in the van if necessary down to the start point.

And if anyone knows of a Suzuki TS125ER for sale point them my way

BIKES FORSALE | littlegreendragon

Welcome to Little Green Dragon Motorcycles & Moto Jo's we have a small selection of 125's & a diverse range of large cc's from adventure bikes, road bikes to classics depending on what I find whilst out on the road.

www.littlegreendragon.co.uk

Try Jo at little green dragon, she specialises in smaller bikes and sells a lot to women/ new riders.

 

[Dirty Ming]

BIKES FORSALE | littlegreendragon

Welcome to Little Green Dragon Motorcycles & Moto Jo's we have a small selection of 125's & a diverse range of large cc's from adventure bikes, road bikes to classics depending on what I find whilst out on the road.

www.littlegreendragon.co.uk

Try Jo at little green dragon, she specialises in smaller bikes and sells a lot to women/ new riders.

Cheers for that. She already has a CBR300 naked, so it's me that's after an old trail bike

 

[The Other PaulG]

Good luck with your search. I often trawl eBay for TSs, DTs and XLs.

With a TS or DT you get a fun little bike that’s simple to keep running, you get the nostalgia and best of all….. it’s a 2 stroke!!

Sorry Greta.

 

[Dirty Ming]

Yeah, it has to be a 1980 - 1985 twin shock ER with the square clocks. I had a new TS125ER in 1982 and was pillion on a mate's 185ER the year before when I was 16. They probably are really shit to ride nowadays - 6v electrics, drum brakes etc - but it's total nostalgia for me.