Seven weeks in Spain and Portugal

[ThreeDawg]

I think posting pictures was a problem unless they are remotely hosted, attachments are for subscribers.

Anyway, well here's a couple from the ride yesterday from Inverness to Ardgour. I can thoroughly recommend the Ardgour Brewery tap about ten minutes walk from the pub.

 

[Davey B]

Excellent...a few pics a day keep us happy...a trip for us all....vicariously.

 

[grantmac]

I think posting pictures was a problem unless they are remotely hosted, attachments are for subscribers.

Anyway, well here's a couple from the ride yesterday from Inverness to Ardgour. I can thoroughly recommend the Ardgour Brewery tap about ten minutes walk from the pub.

Excellent photos. As you clearly have a talent for taking good pics the Spain trip should be excellent
……BUT….. those riding boots…..WTF ??!!?

 

[ThreeDawg]

Excellent photos. As you clearly have a talent for taking good pics the Spain trip should be excellent
……BUT….. those riding boots…..WTF ??!!?

Ha, they're Leatt 5.5 Flexlock enduro boots and I love 'em. I crunched my ankle twice really badly falling off in sand in Namibia wearing Sidi Adventures, and then last time I fell off (!) near home I cracked a bone in my foot, same boots. I can't be doing with that, so I bought proper boots - the Sidis are just gussied-up road boots - as I do try ro get in some mild trail riding and there is always a danger of falling. They are very comfy too.

 

[ThreeDawg]

Well the ride to Cairnryan was pleasant enough, and we stayed in a very good place (The Cairnryan B&B), but after we crossed over to Larne the following day our luck ran out with the weather and it was a hideous ride to Rosslare in driving rain. Anyway, we made it to the Bilbao ferry without mishap.

The crossing was smooth, and once in Spain we headed basically east towards the Med at the Costa Brava as we've decided to see if we can tackle at least some of the ACT Pyrenees while it'a still relatively warm before cutting over to the Pico and then down through Portugal. I have done lots of gravel roads around the world, but nothing too technical, so it remains to be seen how this will go. Our stops in Jaca and La Seu d'Urgell have been very pleasant; Spanish life is very civilised.

PS The Parador in which we are staying is £25 cheaper per night than the pub near Ft William on the way down.

 

[Wapping]

PS The Parador in which we are staying is £25 cheaper per night than the pub near Ft William on the way down

Is it true to say that the Fort William pub is not, shall we say, significantly better?

 

[ThreeDawg]

Is it true to say that the Fort William pub is not, shall we say, significantly better?

It is not, unless your bag is a place that hasn't been touched since 1970.

 

[Wapping]

It is not, unless your bag is a place that hasn't been touched since 1970.

I guessed as much.

 

[ThreeDawg]

Well the trundle continues, via sunny Begur on the Costa Brava. We then headed back the way we came, but on the ACT - day 2 done, and are now in Andorra. After a couple of days on unmade roads (some of which were a bit rough because of the recent rains) I can report that the Trailmax Raids are amazing tyres - best I've ever used.

 

[Tinytim]

Well the trundle continues, via sunny Begur on the Costa Brava. We then headed back the way we came, but on the ACT - day 2 done, and are now in Andorra. After a couple of days on unmade roads (some of which were a bit rough because of the recent rains) I can report that the Trailmax Raids are amazing tyres - best I've ever used.

Love the signpost

 

[Davey B]

What a superb photo. To be framed and on your wall at home.

 

[Micky]

Great photographs .... a picture speaks a thousand words

 

[leadfarmer]

What a superb photo. To be framed and on your wall at home.

Absolutely, also gotta be a candidate for the cover pics of the site

 

[ThreeDawg]

OK, just so you know, NEVER EVER try to leave Andorra by the main road to La Seu D'Urgell on a public holiday. What a nightmare, the bike became as hot as it did in La Paz, but happily didn't conk out this time. Never mind, once out we had a luvverly run to El Pont De Suert where the hotel has cold beers and a garage for bikes.

 

[ThreeDawg]

Day 4 of the ACT to Anso was the best, even if we got turned around at roadworks 6500 feet up. Fast gravel, twin track and endless twisties. Could have done with knowing that our destination village was closed due to a fiesta the previous day, but we managed to scrape together the essentials : beer, wine, bread, ham and cheese.

Back on the Atlantic coast now, heading for the Picos.

 

[Emm]

Smashing pictures and scenery

Must have done the Picos more than 10 times at this stage and was there again last summer, never tire of the place and always find somewhere new to explore, enjoy !

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Smashing pictures and scenery

Must have done the Picos more than 10 times at this stage and was there again last summer, never tire of the place and always find somewhere new to explore, enjoy !

Lovely area and first started exploring it in 1995

 

[Bravo]

Just started following you on Facebook, the trip looks fantastic

 

[Wrigsby1]

We've another 2 + months of this FFS...! Time to adjust work/ life balance...

 

[ThreeDawg]

We've another 2 + months of this FFS...! Time to adjust work/ life balance...

Oh lawks, then you are going to hate that we're off to Australia in January for 12 weeks - will buy a bike over there for that one. V handy having a daughter in Sydney when it comes to sell...

I only lost a grand on that bike - did 20,000 km in 5 months on it. I am poor, but canny!

Potes is full of Brit registered bikes! Think tomorrow is going to be shite, weather-wise, but Sunday OK. Came across from Bermeo today, nothing much to say except that it was a lot cheaper than San Sebastian and was quite pleasant. The first part of the ride from Anso was very enjoyable, but it eventually got busier and busier as we got closer to the coast.