not even half way yet. ......
Picos, northern Spain and France trip report
- Thread starter grantmac
- Start date
Been to that Mirador (Piedrasluengas) a couple of times. The second time we crested the hill (heading towards the Picos) and the entire valley was filled with cloud. It looked spectacular! After ten minutes photographing and just enjoying, it dawned on me that we had to ride down through the cloud. Cold and scary! I'll see if I can dig out a picture...So now on with the report….
Day 3 Riding. From Picos to the small village of Mues
Again an amazing brekky at the Oso and went to pay the bill. Hold on your hats lads…2 nights, 2 dinners with 2 bottle of wine, tax and brekky…….€135 per night
Amazing prices. Not even that in France let alone back in fekkin UK…
Anyway headed back down to Potes and then northeast and east. Temperature was only 10 degrees when we left but soon back up to mid 20’s and upon arrival again 36 degrees!
Not too many photos but after the amazing climb out of the mountains and views back towards Los Picos the scenery changed to much more open and arid countryside. Some great long sweepers and some straights. Then heading north in the hills of the Rioja region and the Basque Country. Miles upon miles of vineyards and our route took us into the foothills so great views into the valley with huge wine fields. And loads of huge Bodegas selling as well as some big names. Final destination the small village of Mues with an absolutely gem of a hotel. Old building huge thick stone walls to keep it cool beautiful modern rooms and a kitchen that opens at 1830
Hotel is called the Hotel Rein de Ane in Meus. I would highly recommend this place. A bit out of the way but simply gorgeous.
Anyway. Some photos of the mirador looking back at Picos and some great road pics. Will put some of the village and hotel up later
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EDIT: Here you go...
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Edited to embed picture.
Richard
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Beautiful. We had a bit of fog in the Hills beyond Potes but otherwise clear skies. I think you can just see the fog in one of my photos
Great dinner at our hotel. 2 trains were in at the main station. The usual RENFE service south and another train that was a nostalgia trip in very old rolling stock
Couldnt get anywhere near the bar for a drink in the posh hotel.
All closed off to plebs visiting but to the posh twats staying, champagne welcome and the full works. Went for a beer over the road.
The hotel is really impressive.
Couldnt get anywhere near the bar for a drink in the posh hotel.
All closed off to plebs visiting but to the posh twats staying, champagne welcome and the full works. Went for a beer over the road.
The hotel is really impressive.
Take a look at Comillas, a real gem of a fishing village plus luxury epoch villas of the steel and shipbuilding barons of the day and architectural fantasies. There's even a Gaudi, a Japanese restaurant last time I was there 
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Day 5. CanFranc to Llavorsi
So day 5 began a bit later. Popped up to the old France Spain border crossing which was further up into the Pyrenees. Again weather was spectacular. Today was going to be a short day at just over 260km and we had arranged to meet up with a local forum member @Simon_100
After a coffee stop and some location sharing on WhatsApp we linked up at the tourist town of Ainsa. Temps were well into the late 20’s as we hit the N260 and it certainly did not disappoint. Very varied. Huge wide roads with sweeping bends and then into the twisties and back. So much variety on this amazing road. After riding together for about 100km Simon peeled off to return home and we went on the small village of Llavorsi about 30 km west of Andorra. Reasonable hotel with amazing underground secure parking but the hotel looks a bit tired. I’d recommend only for the parking.
Some great photos along the way.
Good to meet you Simon and thanks for riding along
.....oh and by the way just as we were taking the photo in the gorge with the tunnel the local police came by and waved us on.....no stopping...!!!
So day 5 began a bit later. Popped up to the old France Spain border crossing which was further up into the Pyrenees. Again weather was spectacular. Today was going to be a short day at just over 260km and we had arranged to meet up with a local forum member @Simon_100
After a coffee stop and some location sharing on WhatsApp we linked up at the tourist town of Ainsa. Temps were well into the late 20’s as we hit the N260 and it certainly did not disappoint. Very varied. Huge wide roads with sweeping bends and then into the twisties and back. So much variety on this amazing road. After riding together for about 100km Simon peeled off to return home and we went on the small village of Llavorsi about 30 km west of Andorra. Reasonable hotel with amazing underground secure parking but the hotel looks a bit tired. I’d recommend only for the parking.
Some great photos along the way.
Good to meet you Simon and thanks for riding along
.....oh and by the way just as we were taking the photo in the gorge with the tunnel the local police came by and waved us on.....no stopping...!!!
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Surprised Simon lowered himself to ride the N260.
There are much better roads apparently
he agreed to follow us ''tourists'' but did recommend some other great routes for next time.....
you were probably about 4 hours ahead of us. Roads were pretty busy when we were on them early afternoon
Surprised Simon lowered himself to ride the N260.
There are much better roads apparently
Well it's a filthy job but by George someone's got to do it!
No, Wessie's right, it was unusually quiet even for this time of year when most foreign tourists will have assumed that the autumn weather would have taken over and the Spanish are saving up for the long holiday weekend around the 15th of October. Plus we were mostly riding during the 'golden' siesta hours - remember both of those f***ing campers were foreign reg.!
Luckily the 12th falls on a Monday this year, so there is no long BH, at least In Spain a 3 day BH is not considered "long", or "puente" as we call it (I know you know this, it's for others). Next year will be a different story. A good weekend to avoid the more scenic roads and their access routes in any case 10-12 October.Well it's a filthy job but by George someone's got to do it!
No, Wessie's right, it was unusually quiet even for this time of year when most foreign tourists will have assumed that the autumn weather would have taken over and the Spanish are saving up for the long holiday weekend around the 15th of October. Plus we were mostly riding during the 'golden' siesta hours - remember both of those f***ing campers were foreign reg.!
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Day 6. Llavorsi to Lacaune
So we left a bit earlier this morning as we had 370km to cover. No Rain and bright sun and we headed back down to Rialp and Sort where we left Simon yesterday and headed south east back up into the Pyrenees peaking at just under 2000m at the highest point. Amazing roads and some spectacular views. Then east and into France and through Quillan where @wessie was last night. Through the gorge, can’t remember the name and on north. Last 50km on absolutely amazing asphalt and lovely bends
Arrival at the hotel was a big let down. The parking was full with 4 other bikes so we are parked in the church car park opposite the hotel. Hotel is very tired looking and not anywhere near the blue Logis standard. Let’s pray for a decent dinner but this place is definately to be avoided. Name is Le Relais de Fusies
Anyway some great riding and thankfully dinner at 1900
So we left a bit earlier this morning as we had 370km to cover. No Rain and bright sun and we headed back down to Rialp and Sort where we left Simon yesterday and headed south east back up into the Pyrenees peaking at just under 2000m at the highest point. Amazing roads and some spectacular views. Then east and into France and through Quillan where @wessie was last night. Through the gorge, can’t remember the name and on north. Last 50km on absolutely amazing asphalt and lovely bends
Arrival at the hotel was a big let down. The parking was full with 4 other bikes so we are parked in the church car park opposite the hotel. Hotel is very tired looking and not anywhere near the blue Logis standard. Let’s pray for a decent dinner but this place is definately to be avoided. Name is Le Relais de Fusies
Anyway some great riding and thankfully dinner at 1900
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