Spain in two weeks

redders23

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Hi I'm heading out on my newly purchased r1200gs on the 20th March with a mate. Sadly he has a Honda but each to their own!!! We are sailing to Santander and then have free range but fancy going along the N260 and near to the Pyreneese. A couple of questions and yes very new to this site so sorry if they've been done but ! what weather can we expect? and any good places to stay eat see? thanks for reading this and hopeful for a few good ideas:beerjug:
 
I think you're doing your mate on the Honda a dis-service.
I know lots of Honda riders and they've always stayed around and helped out when a beemer breaks down.
 
Picos

Hi Redders,

If you have time take in the Pico Mountains, there in July for the 4th time, do a search on here re the picos, loads of threads.

The roads around Riano are superb!

Have a great trip
TD
:thumb2
 

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Hi Redders

Weather could be a bit cold and wet but who knows? Three weeks ago it was nearly 20 degrees and today we had a high of about 5. We've had a lot of snow fall this last week, up to a metre in some places but having said that the main routes across to France will normally be open ie., Val d'Aran, Col de Somport, and Bielsa Tunnel.I don't know what state the C28/C13 that goes from Sort(N260) to Vielha will be in but that is a fantastic bit of road.
As for places to stay..... I can heartily recommend our establishment:toungincheek

Cheers, Phil

http://www.pyreneesmotorcycletours.com
 
advice

thanks for all the advice I feel that this will be the first of many trips!!!:)
 
Hi Redders23

Prepare for the worst, expect the best is my golden rule.

It is only March, so we could be having late snow in the UK let alone in the higher bits of Spain. It's 'kin cold in central London this morning.

My suggestions would be:

(1) A good scale map or two will be your friends. If the weather is really bad, you are going to have to go somewhere else. A map makes this much easier. If you find you are a map short, drop into most petrol stations or newsagents where more often than not you will find them on sale.

(2) Watch the local TV news. Most stations will carry regular weather announcements, just like they do here. OK it will be in an odd and excitable language but the symbols and temperatures are just about the same. Similarly, the local newspapers will all have a daily and short term weather guide. Again, they are in an odd language but you can work them out.

(3) Where to go? That is in your hands and maybe the weather's, too. The N260 is a great road: http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=9147572479376734552#

There are several trip reports and / or other threads in the Travel section with all sorts of ideas and suggestions. Similarly, lots of other websites, via Google. Sometimes bicycle websites or blogs are very informative; let's not forget that the maniacs also ride on roads, too. Surf around, with your maps to hand and you'll get some really good ideas.

It's funny where a surf on Google can take you. From the video clip's end, I went to http://www.coupdecoeur.co.uk/scenic_roads.htm which gave me some ideas for a jaunt I want to do in 2013.

(4) Where to stay, will depend on where you are and what you fancy. A websearch will turn up loads of hotels, from five star luxury to ones that you can see the stars through the roof. Similarly, lots of threads here on UKGSer, so dive in.

When you come back, please take a moment to let us know what you found and where you went. It doesn't need to be too grand but it may well be useful for the next bod who comes along in February 2012 with the same question.

Cheers,

Richard

PS Nearly forgot. Good historical weather data can be food on the weatherunderground website. It's a quirky site, so bear with it. Lots of useful records, on a city by city day to day basis. http://www.wunderground.com/

PPS The Michelin Green guide may well be useful. It has lots of suggestions on places to see, things to do and routes all pre-planned. See if you can find one on-line or in any half decent bookshop. link it to the viaMichelin website and you will find your hotels, too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tourist-Guide-Spain-Michelin-Guides/dp/190626192X

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

PPPS DON"T FORGET YOUR MAPS :thumb2
 
thanks

thanks for all the advice and help, we will be on the Santander ferry from Portsmouth on the 21st so any other tossers on board happy to meet up, I'll try to post some stuff during the trip if not will update on my return :beerjug:
 
Spain

Hi all thanks for the great advice, the roads are just great and wow we had super weather very lucky for the time of the year. I will try to get the details of the roads on here, and some pics from my main computer later.
 


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