SPAIN Dec 2004.... advice and tips please!

[Spanish Bob]

Re: 180 per hour?

what do you mean bob?

just a silly joke - 200miles in a day seems rather little so I thought you might have meant per hour!

sorry just a crap joke - will send you a route today.

 

[Le singe]

I would avoid France and try and get a ferry to Spain.
Temperatures here ain't good at the moment,and the locals are forecasting it getting even colder.
Maximum day temperatures over most of France are around 8-12°,early mornings are about 5° or less.(Pas de Calais has been in the minuses).
Obviously it's warmer around the Med coast but you've got to get there!
There is already a lot of snow around the Pyrenees,last week access to Andorra was impossible.

 

[Joyseeker]

looks like we are going to need heated vests and more then a week to do it.

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

Two nights

On the way out, the Ferry leaves late at night on day one, and arrives early morning day 3.. thus 2 nights on board, and approx 30 ish hours sailing.

On return, it leaves in the morning of day 1 and arrives late evening of day 2... thus 1 night on board and approx 30 ish hours sailing.

And GOD it's boring!! and I would always prefer to ride in future, but maybe not in December, and definately not on a no-screener!!

The ride along the Spanish side of the Pyranees is very nice though, and you would comfortably do it in two days on the scenic roads... as long as you put in full days without no siesta!!

It can be bloody cold in inland Spain in December too, so get your heated vests and grips,

 

[Joyseeker]

managed to talk the screenless harley out of the barcelona trip this month...... we'll be heading for lands end before xmas.

 

[Bert]

You can find cheap accom at FORMULE 1 hotels all over France.
Up to 3 people can share one room which has a double bed and bunk bed above, TV and sink, showers are in corridors and chemically cleaned each time. For some £28 a night.... not bad. You'll also always find a Courte-Paille restaurant near by or similar,
Hotels usuall located just off motorways- Go in one and pick up brochure. Best to stop and phone ahead to guarantee room.

Wouldn't bother with trains or ferries, too expensive- ride and ride!!

Look out for radars......it's not always just a fine, when these cops get bored they like to keep you awhile then decide to confiscate the bike......

 

[Tiffany]

Looks like I will be hosting Dave and his amigo mexicano- que dia!

anyway chaps look forward to meeting you- in fact I travelled with a Mexican on a Fat Boy when I was in Brazil- and found out the hard way that a Fat Boy is narrower than an R80GS with panniers!! was going to be the reaction of the startled motorists until I pointed out that I was a senorita and smiled sweetly at them!
let me know when you are down this way

 

[Joyseeker]

we managed to get our act in order early and leave tomorrow.

good thing we chickened out of barcelona....... france is minus 3c tonite