Spain in October..?

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm heading off to Spain in early October, via Santander with a few others

Does anybody know how hot it will be?

We're going right down to the bottom, Grenada I think

Do the temps drop a bit in October from the 40's in August

Never been down to the bottom of Spain, what's it like?

Are the roads ok? Busy or quieter?

Which suit is best, a vented rallye suit type or a 3 season Rukka type (don't wanna be too hot though, however i'm scared if it rains a lot and I've got the wrong clobber on)

I've just put Conti TA2's on my bike, will they last 3000 miles tops?

We're booking into some ok hotels, from the details I have received and I think there is parking available

Do I need to take a lock? (my bike isn't alarmed)

Also i'm worried about my BMW panniers, should I take them up to my room each night so I know they are secure and nobody will tamper with them, whilst i'm not watching over my bike

Which maps are best?

I have a sat nav, but it's old and the maps are well out of date - will I be ok?

What happens if they have built a new bit of road and my 2610 fails to recognise it, what happens then?

Do they accept British credit cards in the pumps over there, is there petrol on a Sunday or should I carry a few spare extra litres of fuel, purchased in the UK, then at least I know I have got real fuel to rely on - I suppose I could carry them in a rucksack, do TT do a fuel rucksack?

I have one other dilemma, because I booked later then my mates, we're on different ferries (i'm leaving the night before them)

Is it safe to travel on a ferry on your own, which is the best way to strap the bike down, on centre stand or sidestand?

As I'll be on my own, which is the best way out of Santander?

Which sign should I follow, anybody know?

I have a B&B booked for the first night, on my own...............will my sat nav find it ok?

The postcode in the Spanish address looks different to the UK ones i'm used to, all numbers and the road names are different too

Is there a trusted way to find your B&B in Spain, is it best to ask a man in the street?

So many worries, so many questions

Hope it all works out, if you can help me that would be great

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

JB enjoy your trip and don't forget your camera my good man.

 

[Posh Pete]

Assuming this is not a wind up directed at some other timid soul ...

Can you not use google maps and / or your sat nav software to set up a waypoint on your satnav? OSM software should be up to date and you can download it to your Streetpilot surely? Other than that first night, accommodation is easy to find, cheap and usually of good quality. Look for casa rurales which often offer excellent grub, comfy rooms and are very good value. That said, every large village will have its hostale which may be basic but are usually clean and comfortable and often very cheap.

You can pay by cc in all but the smallest places. Petrol will be no problem, just fill up as you would in the UK. English is widely spoken but try a bit of Spanish first to show willing. Roads are better than UK roads on the whole with some absolute belters in northern Spain especially. If you want an up to date (smallish scale) map, PM me your address and you can have it gratis. I bought it this year and never took it!

Enjoy!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Can you not use google maps and / or your sat nav software to set up a waypoint on your satnav? Other than that first night, accommodation is easy to find, cheap and usually of good quality. Look for casa rurales which often offer excellent grub, comfy rooms and are very good value. That said, every large village will have its hostale which may be basic but are usually clean and comfortable and often very cheap.

You can pay by cc in all but the smallest places. English is widely spoken but try a bit of Spanish first to show willing. Roads are better than UK roads on the whole with some absolute belters in northern Spain especially. If you want an up to date (smallish scale) map, PM me your address and you can have it gratis. I bought it this year and never took it!

Enjoy!

Cheers many thanks, I'll use your tips

 

[casper]

The only worthwhile advice I have ever had regards motorcycle trips "“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
Lao Tzu.
Dont think he even had a bike.

 

[Greg Masters]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...-a-Spanish-trail-riding-tour-2nd-6th-Oct-2015

 

[Lord Snooty]

Naughty boy JB!

 

[Greg Masters]

I'm heading off to Spain in early October, via Santander with a few others

Does anybody know how hot it will be? Hotter than Yorkshire

We're going right down to the bottom, Grenada I think Grenada is near Trinidad. You'll need to get your bike waterproofed if you plan to ride all the way.


Do the temps drop a bit in October from the 40's in August Yes

Never been down to the bottom of Spain, what's it like? Quite Spanish

Are the roads ok? Busy or quieter? Quieter than what?

Which suit is best, a vented rallye suit type or a 3 season Rukka type (don't wanna be too hot though, however i'm scared if it rains a lot and I've got the wrong clobber on) In the north of Spain it might be quite cold in the mountains. In the <strike>south</strike> bottom of Spain, it might be fecking hot

I've just put Conti TA2's on my bike, will they last 3000 miles tops? Don't do too many doughnuts

We're booking into some ok hotels, from the details I have received and I think there is parking available That's handy then.

Do I need to take a lock? (my bike isn't alarmed) the very fact you have asked this question means that you'll be tossing all night unless you do

Also i'm worried about my BMW panniers, should I take them up to my room each night so I know they are secure and nobody will tamper with them, whilst i'm not watching over my bike ditto re lock

Which maps are best? maps of Spain

I have a sat nav, but it's old and the maps are well out of date - will I be ok? Yes, but you might get lost

What happens if they have built a new bit of road and my 2610 fails to recognise it, what happens then? Your 2610 will vanish in a puff of smoke

Do they accept British credit cards in the pumps over there, is there petrol on a Sunday or should I carry a few spare extra litres of fuel, purchased in the UK, then at least I know I have got real fuel to rely on - I suppose I could carry them in a rucksack, do TT do a fuel rucksack? Just fill up at every filling station you come to - you might get by - just.

I have one other dilemma, because I booked later then my mates, we're on different ferries (i'm leaving the night before them) Are you on the ferry with the totty? That could be quite risky!

Is it safe to travel on a ferry on your own, which is the best way to strap the bike down, on centre stand or sidestand? get the totty to help you with straps and tying things down

As I'll be on my own, which is the best way out of Santander? just head out of town

Which sign should I follow, anybody know? Not the sign that Snoopy followed

I have a B&B booked for the first night, on my own...............will my sat nav find it ok? Not if you dial in Masborough

The postcode in the Spanish address looks different to the UK ones i'm used to, all numbers and the road names are different too They are all Dutch to me too

Is there a trusted way to find your B&B in Spain, is it best to ask a man in the street? It depends what you're asking him

So many worries, so many questions

Hope it all works out, if you can help me that would be great

Answers above

 

[rodsharp]

JB. I think you are trying to encourage silly replies, but Do be careful I was pulled over yet again and invited to contribute to the Spanish economy only last week. It is getting a bit of a habit in Spain and always for trivial things , OK I know someone will say I deserve it but 52 mph on a totally empty main road in the middle of nowhere ? Just watch out

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

JB. I think you are trying to encourage silly replies, but Do be careful I was pulled over yet again and invited to contribute to the Spanish economy only last week. It is getting a bit of a habit in Spain and always for trivial things , OK I know someone will say I deserve it but 52 mph on a totally empty main road in the middle of nowhere ? Just watch out

Thanks, I will stick to 49mph, just to be sure

 

[Monty Stubble]

Never had any trouble with security assuming your panniers are locked on with a mega chain and are alarmed. Been to Northern Spain umpteen times and hated it everytime. Shame about the Roads, climate and people... oh and the food. Be prepared for a bad case of satisfaction. Going to Grenada is going to test you for the reason outlined above. Imagine riding to Yorkshire ... well it's like that but not quite as nice.

I always pack a firearm for any trouble. Touratech do a tank holster for that. Don't learn Spanish, I find waving the aforementioned firearm works best. BTW take a revolver, they work better if they get wet, I find an automatic needs constant maintenance. Practice shooting from the seat on the move, this is where BM's cruise control comes into its own. Don't make a rookie mistake and get a Clint Eastwood .45 Magnum, they look impressive but are heavy and difficult to aim easily. To my mind a .357 Magnum is enough but make sure it's comfy - perhaps custom grips. Oh and a lanyard's handy. Some favour an Uzi but I think it's terribly un-British and showy. Ideally a Webley .455's the one. Difficult to get these days.

Also it's best to take some hard drugs in your tank bag to help you fly through any roadside hold-ups. Of course enough weed for personal use.

However ... given your questions ... I would worry myself stupid over the whole trip. I'd stay at home if I was you.

 

[POL382]

JB. I think you are trying to encourage silly replies, but Do be careful I was pulled over yet again and invited to contribute to the Spanish economy only last week. It is getting a bit of a habit in Spain and always for trivial things , OK I know someone will say I deserve it but 52 mph on a totally empty main road in the middle of nowhere ? Just watch out

The Guardia Civil Trafico set up their mobile speed cameras (in unmarked cars) where the speed limit drops to 60kph at junctions, if the speed limit is 90 or 100 kph on the main road then the speed limit drops to 80 and then 60 on the approach to junctions which are clearly signed. It catches a lot of people out including the locals.

60kph is only 37mph, on the spot fines (up to 30kph above the speed limit) are 100 Euro's however if they are paid withing 3 weeks the fine is reduced by 50%.

 

[Rockred]

Can be wet up north, it knows how to rain when it starts. In the south there will be less chance of rain. Its not rained here since May, but October you might get some, even down here. Temps today 26, you can expect lower 20s in October. Enjoy

 

[Davey B]

Can't help JB. Holed up in a hotel in Porto (can never use "bike not seen rain!") at the mo and its pissing it down outside and I aren't sure UK goretex will keep me dry. Justine has the holiday spirit tho, called me a wanker and handed me a dodgy brolly.....off out on the pop...

 

[mvrandery]

Make sure you use the right engine oil for Spain.

 

[Wapping]

Interesting posts. Will be watching this thread with interest. Book marked for the future. Cheers, mate.

 

[johnnyboy]

Shorts and flipflops will be all you need to wear as you're a hard as f**k biker type. Language barrier will not be a problem; just point and shout (in English); if that doesn't work, shout louder. HTH

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Can't help JB. Holed up in a hotel in Porto (can never use "bike not seen rain!") at the mo and its pissing it down outside and I aren't sure UK goretex will keep me dry. Justine has the holiday spirit tho, called me a wanker and handed me a dodgy brolly.....off out on the pop...

Enjoy Dave

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Interesting posts. Will be watching this thread with interest. Book marked for the future. Cheers, mate.

I was hoping for some of your pearls

 

[masherbike]

I have ridden to southern Spain the last 4 years in September from Santander. Temperature varied between 8 and 36 degrees centigrade depending on elevation. So a bit less in October.
The riding is great. Keep away from the Costas. Loads of great roads near Granada in Sierra Nevada and over to Ronda. One great coastal town to stay in is Sanlucar Da Barrimeda.
Best clothing is fabric waterproof with plenty of vents and removeable quilted lining.
I use Conti trail attacks and have done 7 thousand miles of spirited riding so far and nearly done.
Most town centre hotels have underground parking a t a price. In the smaller places I am happy to leave on the street with a good lock and chain. Never had any trouble and it was a brand new GS 1200.
I always use Michelin maps as they highlight scenic roads and interesting towns. I use Google maps as well which shows any new roads.
Fuel is readily available and yes they accept UK cards and open Sundays. Also it is very cheap now.
On ferry better on side stand as it can rock on centrestand. Totally safe on Brittany ferries.
Way out of Santander depend on where you are going. Head to Burgos for south but avoid motorway. Amazing roads within 20 mins.
Finding hotels is very easy. You can go to tourist information or use Booking.com app or just tour round until you find one. They are rarely full up.
Have a look on Bestbiking roads website. Avoid motorways unless you need to be somewhere quickly or avoid a city.

Have a great trip, you will love it.