Questions re Pyrenees in October

[MarkShelley]

The wife and I set off early October for a trip around the Pyrenees. I have a few questions.
We arrive in Bilbao early on the morning of 6th October and depart again on the afternoon of 15th so we have 9 full days to travel.

I understand speeds sightseeing on bendy mountain roads will be fairly slow, but the Pyrenees doesn`t look that big so I guess this should be plenty of time. I am thinking of maybe spending a couple of nights at each stop-over then spending the one day exploring the locale then the next day meandering to the next stop-over. Is this a sensible plan?

Should I bother booking up hotels or should most places have rooms at this time of year?
I get the feeling that the wife would be more comfortable if we book the hotel for the first night. Any suggestions for a suitable location/hotel within 150 miles of Bilbao?
How are the local plod regarding dark visors, i.e. will I be OK as long as I carry a clear one?
I am happy riding pretty much non-stop all day but the wife certainly isn`t so I am thinking 150 miles a day as an approximate guide. I need her to enjoy this trip as we are planning a much bigger trip in a year or two!

 

[Wapping]

Visors will not be a problem. Spanish motoring laws are (broadly) the same as ours; observe the most obvious ones and you'll be fine.

150 miles a day is no problem. But you know you (and your wife) better than we do. Set your days and mileage out as you see fit.

Hotels are easy to find. Pick a town within whatever radius you fancy. Go to Booking.com and select one or two. Job done.

 

[patzx12]

If you go over the pass to France (highly recommended) pop into Phil, he has all the local knowledge.
http://pyreneesmotorcycletours.com/

 

[Timolgra]

I am thinking of maybe spending a couple of nights at each stop-over then spending the one day exploring the locale then the next day meandering to the next stop-over. Is this a sensible plan?
!

Not if where you stop is a shit hole

I've sometimes ridden less than 50 miles, found a perfect spot and stayed there a while.

Your wife will thank you ....... but I can tell you from experience, if you push on too much she won't

 

[alan29]

Just back from 7 days there based in one place (we like to explore.) And there are those who like to pass through and tick the Cols off a mental list.
Be prepared for some quite long stops while you take in the scenery - its awe inspiring. And be prepared for just how tiring some of those roads can be especially 2 up. Weekends see the roads full of blocks of cyclists - can slow things down.
One of the best holidays we have ever had!

 

[Corp.Clinger!]

The wife and I set off early October for a trip around the Pyrenees. I have a few questions.
We arrive in Bilbao early on the morning of 6th October and depart again on the afternoon of 15th so we have 9 full days to travel.

I understand speeds sightseeing on bendy mountain roads will be fairly slow, but the Pyrenees doesn`t look that big so I guess this should be plenty of time. I am thinking of maybe spending a couple of nights at each stop-over then spending the one day exploring the locale then the next day meandering to the next stop-over. Is this a sensible plan?

Should I bother booking up hotels or should most places have rooms at this time of year?
I get the feeling that the wife would be more comfortable if we book the hotel for the first night. Any suggestions for a suitable location/hotel within 150 miles of Bilbao?
How are the local plod regarding dark visors, i.e. will I be OK as long as I carry a clear one?
I am happy riding pretty much non-stop all day but the wife certainly isn`t so I am thinking 150 miles a day as an approximate guide. I need her to enjoy this trip as we are planning a much bigger trip in a year or two!

When I go for a leisurely ride on my XTZ660Z (not flat cap speed at the same time)my average speed along the twisties here and taking in the sights is about 50kph. The fastest I've had for a scorching days ride out was 82kph according to my GPS. I'd allow the 50kph speed to help you calculate your timings? Lunches here will be 1200-1400hrs...miss these timings and you'll more often that not be eating supermarket sandwichs and McDo etc.

The mountains here are vast with so many Col's which all take time. There's some great routes with superbe scenery.


I can recommend staying with Phil as mentioned. His place is moto orientated with such things as a drying room,he's a mechanic by trade and has workshop facilities to fettle or change tyres. along with providing great food by way of Belinda. You could certainly use his place as a base camp for a couple of days.

He rides these roads for a living and knows every twist and turn as it were. He can advise you as to what's what.


Have a good trip and if you need anything else from this region by all means just ask.




.

 

[MarkShelley]

Proper shite weather today. I am sure they views were stunning but I was riding through the cloud. Hopefully better tomorrow!

 

[oie]

A bit late but:
First half of September should be ideal for bike riding, second half could be challenging.
I wouldn't go in October to the pirinees and/or north of Spain unless no other option.

 

[MarkShelley]

A bit late but:
First half of September should be ideal for bike riding, second half could be challenging.
I wouldn't go in October to the pirinees and/or north of Spain unless no other option.

I think that is a little misleading. The bad day I mentioned above was the worst day we had in two weeks. The day we cam home on 15th October was glorious.

 

[Popell]

Went end of August so that's as far as my experience goes re timing but we did stay at the monasterio de Leyre.
Dead basic room in an active monastery but they have some of the best caviar I've had in a while-produce in the lake just below them. Tried to have some really expensive wines but struggled to get past €30!
Perhaps not the centre of the universe as far as staying several days but I would rate it as a 'should do' and it's close to the N260 which is a 'must do'


Just seen that you have completed the trip but I'll leave the recommendation on as it was that good.

 

[Wapping]

A bit late but:
First half of September should be ideal for bike riding, second half could be challenging.
I wouldn't go in October to the pirinees and/or north of Spain unless no other option.

I think that is a little misleading. The bad day I mentioned above was the worst day we had in two weeks. The day we cam home on 15th October was glorious.

Welcome to life in the mountains, coupled to the problems of predicting what the weather will be like 12 months hence. One bod will report that it was glorious on the 23 July but report that it was peeing down / snowing / thick fog on 3rd October. His best mate will report the reverse, whilst his best mate's best mate won't know but will inform everyone that when he went to the Dolomites (when the question was about the Massif Central) it was great.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

A bit late but:
First half of September should be ideal for bike riding, second half could be challenging.
I wouldn't go in October to the pirinees and/or north of Spain unless no other option.

And yet....you've been in October at least twice not including this years trip where we were only passing through, we did the moto piston and Pyrenees twice in the month of October

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

And yet....you've been in October at least twice not including this years trip where we were only passing through, we did the moto piston and Pyrenees twice in the month of October

Someone I know has done the Pyrenees this last week 2-up & the FB pics have been great, even high up off-road, dry & sunny 20c, with blue skies

Stunning weather for mid to late Nov, cold by night down to minus 2

CK had a good trip to Northern Spain & Portugal last week too

You can never tell

 

[MarkShelley]

Just booked up the ferries for next year for the last two weeks of September. We are going to do Los Picos and NW Spain this time. The ferries must be getting booked up a fair bit as we the return sailing from Bilbao we wanted was fully booked so we are coming back via Santander. Planning the route will give me something to do over Christmas

 

[Simon_100]

Welcome to life in the mountains, coupled to the problems of predicting what the weather will be like 12 months hence. One bod will report that it was glorious on the 23 July but report that it was peeing down / snowing / thick fog on 3rd October. His best mate will report the reverse, whilst his best mate's best mate won't know but will inform everyone that when he went to the Dolomites (when the question was about the Massif Central) it was great.

Yup, generalisations are just that.

We've just seen the nend of a six week long 'Indian Summer' - they call is the Estiuet de Sant Martí here in Catalonia - and it lasted a good ten days longer than 'usual' i.e. until November 21st rather than Saint Martin's day. As is 'usual' winter came blasting in on Saturday morning - snow, minus 13º in places and, once the colds front had passed by Sunday night - glorious sunshine for the next few weeks - the best time to ride the Pyrenees.

Simon