Winter touring on the continent…?

[PapaHayd]

As per title…

has anyone done it?
Where’s best to avoid? Mountains being the key one.
Itching to get back on the bike again after 4 weeks of nights.

 

[wessie]

looks pleasantly warm around the Med at 20C but a tad damp in places

it's the getting there I would not fancy, especially over the next couple of days

 

[squid]

Yes, about 10 years ago my friend had moved to Spain. Kept saying come to visit, the weather is marvellous.

So in December two of us set off. Blindly believing this call to stunning sunshine.

Not stopping to consider much of Spain is actually a 1000m above sea level.

Combined with this a rare snow storm moved in. Following a snow plough for hours to escape the white out is not fun. It got to minus 7

I think I nearly died, The scene from Dumb and Dumber springs to mind

Don’t let me put you off though, we were probably a little unlucky.

I do have some stunning photos of icicles about 2m long hanging from trees, there was magic in that near death experience

 

[siddo]

I just got back from Spain.
Cordoba, Jerez and Tarifa were all warm during the day, low 20:s. Shorts and flip flops weather. Fleece needed for early morning and evening.
I did 3 nights in Segovia on the way back and 7c was the low. It was cold.
Heated gear if you are riding down but would be worth the effort.

 

[leadfarmer]

Weather’s very mild at the moment in a lot of France if you come now, obviously it can change quickly

 

[squid]

It was not easy, the snow was so heavy visibility was in inches not feet. Like a dream being in a white cloud. The only guide was the sound of the plough in front.

But we survived and finally reached the ferry back to Portsmouth.

Upon arrival at gone 10pm, things were not looking good. We were going separate ways. Me up north.

Forecast was for below zero and I couldn't find any hotels.

I thought easy peasy after what I have just been through. Off I set.

The gritters had been out. My visor was constantly whitening out with the salt that wouldn't wipe off with a glove. Suddenly I 'd have no idea where the curbs were or what was in front of me.

I got to the top of the M40 to find the M42 had been closed.

Got to the M5 and the bistardos had closed that too.

Through the centre of Birmingham was the only option.

I finally arrived home at about 5am

Hypothermia was well set in by now.

I struggled for 10mins trying to get my key in the door, I thought I have come this far. I can't die on my own door step

The wife finally woke and let me in.

I had survived.

Come to Spain he said, it's marvelous

 

[snelly]

It was not easy, the snow was so heavy visibility was in inches not feet. Like a dream being in a white cloud. The only guide was the sound of the plough in front.

But we survived and finally reached the ferry back to Portsmouth.

Upon arrival at gone 10pm, things were not looking good. We were going separate ways. Me up north.

Forecast was for below zero and I couldn't find any hotels.

I thought easy peasy after what I have just been through. Off I set.

The gritters had been out. My visor was constantly whitening out with the salt that wouldn't wipe off with a glove. Suddenly I 'd have no idea where the curbs were or what was in front of me.

I got to the top of the M40 to find the M42 had been closed.

Got to the M5 and the bistardos had closed that too.

Through the centre of Birmingham was the only option.

I finally arrived home at about 5am

Hypothermia was well set in by now.

I struggled for 10mins trying to get my key in the door, I thought I have come this far. I can't die on my own door step

The wife finally woke and let me in.

I had survived.

Come to Spain he said, it's marvelous

We went to Jerez in 2001 early April and just missed a huge snowstorm in Madrid on the toss of a coin and using a different route;; it was fuckin freezing till we stopped just outside Seville for the night. Sat in the bar watching tv and it was showing Madrid snowed in; that was when we relised just how lucky we had been; coming back a wk and a half later was another epic ride ; but that involved bibical rain and not snow.

 

[Wapping]

Itching to get back on the bike again after 4 weeks of nights.

We are not yet in winter.

It can and does snow in Nice in February. Pack your long johns.

 

[er-minio]

Speaking with my uncle earlier today. 24 degrees near Rome.

Every time I’m back at xmas I remember why I was doing 20k+ miles a year when back there.