Places to visit on the way home from Barcelona

[SimonB]

I've just arranged a holiday with a group of friends to go to Lloret de mar near Barcelona in June. I'm going to watch Rossi race in Catalunya as well, after watching him race 3 times hopefully he will win a race I'm at!

Anyway I will travel with the group down to Lloret we aim to arrive there in about 3 days and then spend some time in Lloret. I plan to spend the last 4 days of the trip travelling home myself. It’s just nice to have some time to yourself I think, and I can go at my own pace.

I'm just looking for a couple of suggestions of places to see and good biking roads to use along the way home. I don't have a problem with mileage 350 miles a day at the very most though.

What I have planned at the moment is going across the Millau Viaduct and using a section of the Route Napoleon. Its not my first time driving aboard so that side of things isn’t a problem.

Any ideas?
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

[Paivi]

I'd be tempted to swing by Nimes to check out the Pont du Gard (Roman aquaduct) and the Amphitheatre, and continue on to Avignon.

If you find yourself in Bourgogne and need to repair your bike, whatever it is, head into Lux, next to Chalon-sur-Saone: on the outskirts of this little town, you've got hangars after hangars of bike dealers & repair shops.

You might also be interested in visiting Orleans , Troyes a nice mediaeval town, Versailles or even Paris.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[natv4]

You could do worse than visiting Carcassone (the biggest castle in France - its a small city). See the pictures.

If natural beauty is more your thing then visit the gorges l'herault which is conveniently close to the A75 (Millau Viaduc autoroute). There are some lovely bends around the D153. Also of note is Saint-Guilhem-le-Deserts and its wonderful Lake and rivers (all of which you can swim in safely).

If you want to camp for an evening, there is a lovely moto camp site just outside Lunas (travelling from Lodeve to Lunas - on an awesome road! - follow signs for Joncels its on your right about 500m). Its bikes only, cars have to park around the back - out of sight. Very friendly. Worth a trip just for the road between Lodeve and Lunas (if you like perfect tarmac and great switchbacks).

I tend to also look toward the Pyrenese as it provides some lovely passes (look for the roads closest to peak heights on the map).
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

I've not been and don't know if it's any good, but Notre Dam is not far from Frejus, just off the main French South coast autoroute, might be on the way if you're heading for the best section of the N85 (Grasse to Digne-les-bains).

[SimonB]

Thanks for the help guys it has certainly given me something to think about. So many interesting places to go and see now .

Don't why I didn't think about going to Paris I guess the thought of going on that roundabout where you give way to traffic coming on worried me a bit.

Damn I can't wait to go now!
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

[motoman]

hi SimonB,i'm going to catalan gp too.stopping at sitges just south of barca.maybe see ya around.i don't have luxury of touring home ,i will do 2 x 400 mile days to calais then a 450+mile dover to ayrshire.(and the same to get there)but i'll fit as much as i can in those 2 days each way.watching this post with interest.will be my first time riding abroad.(solo,coz the missus is flyin out)

[Adam_P]

If you can on the way back up go via Le Mans, you can ride pretty much most of the 24 hour circuit, especially the Mulsanne straight as the chicane are roundabouts during normal time. The road back from there (N138) is also a lovely ride back. Not spectacular, but some nice bits.
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[krebsy]

head towards Reus and pick up the 240 I think to montblanc as it's a nice, quick and easy run towards the Pyrenees. Then veer of towards and into Andorra. Stop off at the Caldea thermal spa for rest and relaxation.. .. Pop into the Aspen bar in Soldeu then up over Pas de la Casa (picking up cheap fags and booze in the process) and down the twisties to Ax le Thermes and Tolouse...

Just watch out for the Mad Andorran drivers..

K.
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[Diggs]

The Pyrenese(?) are a must if you can, then back along the northern coast of Spain (San Sebastian is a beautiful place to stay) to Santander for the ferry. I did the journey once but from north to south, and would love to do it again someday....
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[SimonB]

Only a few more hours until I go on holiday!

I'm in work at the moment waiting to go home, luckily the boss isn't in today so I'll sneak out early.

As I was checking the bike out last night and packing the panniers I managed to seize the rear brake and the bike wouldn't budge. After removing the caliper I discovered a wad of melted plastic forced between the pad and the brake disc , at least I can move the bike now.

After sorting out that problem I printed out this thread and I think I have a pretty good return leg figured out.

So thanks everyone for your suggestions and I'll upload some pictures when I come back.

Damn can't wait to go
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Lucky bugger, have fun!

[SimonB]

Just thought I would post a picture from my holiday. The race was fantasic Rossi keep overtaking Stoner on our corner and a couple of bikes came off as well.

https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f295/simonbrown16/DSC_2666.jpg

The only major problem was when I headed back to the bikes I lost my friend somewhere in the crowd and it turned out that he walked past the bikes. I had to wait about half an hour for him to turn up and I took the piss outta him for bit.

Just as we moved off my bike stopped dead "ah I left the disc lock on" and then I realised that I had left the key for the lock at the hotel!

So my mate drove 50 miles back to the hotel to get my key and then come back to me with the key and then ride home again! Theres nothing like slow traffic in 25 degree to test if the bikes 17 year old fan still works thank God it does.

I had to buy him some drinks that night! I´ll post some more pictures when I get back home.
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Bikes: Honda CBR250RR [sold], Yamaha FZR600 [sold], Honda CBR600RR6

[Dave_ZedDragen]

The whole area around chateauroux, especially a little town called Piou...very beautiful and a nice stop over.
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