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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 00:29 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Picos, Pyrenees and Alps Trip (Trip account starts page 3) Reply with quote

I'm thinking about doing this in the spring, maybe late April/early May. I fancy doing this N260 route that Enduro Numpty was talking about earlier this year. Anyone else up for it? I think there's an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to San Sebastian, maybe use that to get over there.
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Last edited by chickenstrip on 16:20 - 14 Jun 2020; edited 3 times in total
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raesewell
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PostPosted: 13:11 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't heard of a ferry to San Sebastian is it new?
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 13:57 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry, my bad; Santander.

What's the best way to start such a trip, where from, getting there?
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raesewell
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PostPosted: 15:46 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

It really depends on your destination, in your case the Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao should suit your needs. We are going to Northern Spain next September and have booked Santander going and Bilbao coming back. It's not a bad journey. We treat it as the first night of our holiday. Get on the ferry as early as you can and settle yourself down for some eating and drinking.
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P.
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PostPosted: 17:54 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Done ferry to Santander... thread here bro - https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=261903

Book a room, fuck the seating, I slept in the cafe.

Rate the N260, especially from Sort to La Seu d'Urgell, would repeat many times.

Would love to do again, over a month or at least 3 weeks. Nothing mental miles wise, pick points on map, had to them, no more than 80-100 miles a day, would be ace.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 18:43 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fuckin 'ell Paddy, 18 pages! Shocked

Ok, I'll work my way through it. Might be time to set off by the time I've read it all Laughing Cheers for the link Thumbs Up

I don't plan this to be an epic time-wise. Follow the 260 down to the coast, turn around and head back, maybe on the French side of the mountains.

Any thoughts on doing it late April/early May? I'd prefer to see the mountains still with some snow on the tops, but don't want to be too restricted on where I can ride. Is this time of year a good compromise? I've read that spring comes quickly to the Pyrenees, so hoping it's not like the Alps where passes can be closed well into the summer? I'd probably want to detour into the mountains here and there for scenery if possible.
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Dave V4
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PostPosted: 21:53 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

don't discount going over France side for 1st half, the d918 through Laurens, Eaux-Bonnes-Gourette-Argeles Gazost-luz saint Saveur-Arreau then the n230 into Viella-El Pont du Suert and onto the n260 from there. The d918 is nice and high and the views are really good, the n260 into and out of Sort is worth the trip alone lol.
Edit:
1st time I went the 918 was closed after Gourette due to an avalanche, this was the last week in April, we are off there again next year but it probably will be 1st/2nd week in May on the Plymouth -Santander ferry. Ride over to Nice, take in a bit of the Verdon on the way and get the train back to Paris
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331X2
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PostPosted: 00:40 - 29 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

We went that way (Santander > N260) on the first leg of our trip this year, it was probably my favourite part and I'd definitely go back although I'd base my choice of bike entirely around fun rather than 'touring' this time.
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P.
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PostPosted: 12:22 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lee Wright wrote:
We went that way (Santander > N260) on the first leg of our trip this year, it was probably my favourite part and I'd definitely go back although I'd base my choice of bike entirely around fun rather than 'touring' this time.


I went with an R1 because you might need the power at some point, can't actually say I felt it was the wrong choice, possibly the best Laughing

If I was just cruising, I'll probably take the Triple if I did it again.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 13:04 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll be taking the Fazer. Not for the extra power, but for the comfort and handling, and better tank range.

@Dave V4: thanks for the suggestions on the French side, I'll give that some thought. So far the only definite is the N260; at least, the best bits if I can figure out what those are. I like the idea of being fairly flexible, and any suggestions will help with that.

Any recommendations of stopping points/hotels along the route down? Any suggestions of must see/do detours along the way?
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motobiker
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PostPosted: 14:03 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have sent you a message.
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Ste
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PostPosted: 14:14 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/42.62164,-1.20901/42.534452,-0.370226/42.619021,-0.218128/42.492,-0.10079/42.469156,0.419046/42.35956,0.88776/42.341948,1.332885/42.41935,1.89735/42.23744,2.16814/42.269688,3.163376/@42.5084786,-1.7082586,9.11z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?hl=en

Mr. Green
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 14:43 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ste wrote:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/42.62164,-1.20901/42.534452,-0.370226/42.619021,-0.218128/42.492,-0.10079/42.469156,0.419046/42.35956,0.88776/42.341948,1.332885/42.41935,1.89735/42.23744,2.16814/42.269688,3.163376/@42.5084786,-1.7082586,9.11z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?hl=en

Mr. Green


So just all of the 260 then Laughing

@motobiker: thanks for that. Pity my German doesn't stretch to reading the text!
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motobiker
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PostPosted: 15:01 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:


@motobiker: thanks for that. Pity my German doesn't stretch to reading the text!


The text isn't all that interesting. it seems to be mainly concerned with the history of the region as a pilgrimage route and the building of the various roads... and designated routes between the Med and Atlantic.

here is a rough translation of the most important paragraph... which describes the map and its purpose.

Quote:
The tour maps for motorcycles and classic cars will lead you through the most interesting roads, to selected places and landscapes in selected tour areas on carefully chosen and green marked routes. The tours presented by the French and Spanish Pyrenees have a total length of 2,500 km. For the selected routes, which are asphalted without exception, but partly through narrower roads and longer curve passages, one should however allow exra Time. For a double Pyrenean transit Narbonne - San Sebastian - Nar-bonne, as suggested in this map, a minimum of eight days is required, depending on endurance, weather and other factors. All recommended routes have a kilometer (blue arrow), passes are highlighted and marked with elevations. Recommendations Stays or cross-roads are marked in light green



easy to pick and choose what you want.. but you can be assured that they will be great roads.. every one of them. I have used these maps as a basis for my tours and organised trips for years and have never been disappointed. this one for the Pyrenees is just one of many.
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Sooner or later opinions fade and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 3rd and 4th gear. Enjoy the ride... everything else takes care of itself.
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331X2
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PostPosted: 17:36 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Paddy. wrote:

I went with an R1 because you might need the power at some point, can't actually say I felt it was the wrong choice, possibly the best Laughing

If I was just cruising, I'll probably take the Triple if I did it again.


I'm not really sure what I'd be looking at to be honest, I went on a GPZ500 because of decent tank range/economy, reliability, fairing and it was cheap. The fact that the discs were warped and shock linkage bushes were knackered probably made things a bit worse although with the right amount of fist it was never holding up the group I was with.

Knowing what I know now I'd personally go for a ~100hp naked and pack a lot lighter, treat it as a very long track day and just enjoy the awesome roads.

I'm contemplating going over on the Santander ferry next year and exploring the Picos de Europa for a 4 day weekend, or maybe just blat down the N260 and back again! Mr. Green
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Enduro Numpty
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PostPosted: 21:41 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Fuckin 'ell Paddy, 18 pages! Shocked


Any thoughts on doing it late April/early May? I'd prefer to see the mountains still with some snow on the tops, but don't want to be too restricted on where I can ride. Is this time of year a good compromise? I've read that spring comes quickly to the Pyrenees, so hoping it's not like the Alps where passes can be closed well into the summer? I'd probably want to detour into the mountains here and there for scenery if possible.


That's a month earlier than the 2 trips we've had recently. Certainly in late May we've not had any bother with passes being closed but there has still been a lot of deep snow at the side of the road in some of the higher passes. It would maybe be dodgy in late April but worth doing a bit of research as I'm sure you'll have the roads to yourself if it is feasible. We're going in late May again next year, sailing to Santander or Bilbao but heading for the Picos and possibly Portugal before heading to Barcelona for the MotoGP. Might get a couple of days in the Pyrenees on the way back to the boat.

Enjoy!!
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Dave V4
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PostPosted: 21:59 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

this was Gourette last week in May in 2014, road from here was closed
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees/gourette2.jpg
went back in july
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01080.jpg
and a few miles up the road looking back down on Gourette
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01081.jpg
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01085.jpg
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01087.jpg
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01090.jpg
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01098.jpg
https://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x433/threeballs1/Pyrenees%20July%202014/DSC01101.jpg
sorry for the blatant whoring of photos but it was a bloody good route lol
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 22:10 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice photos Dave. Interesting. Is there an appreciable difference in the advance of spring between the Spanish and French sides of the mountains I wonder? Or should I just put the trip off to a bit later? I'm itching to do something fairly early in the year Bounce!
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Dave V4
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PostPosted: 22:55 - 30 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

tbh bud, we turned round after gourette and ended up going through a long ass tunnel into spain, from there on it was sunshine all the way, we stopped off a great hotel in Sort, so nice I went to the same place when I went back in July, no aircon but the room and shower was soooo good lol.
The only bit of rough weather we came across was after we left the ferry, we had a lot of rain for about an hour heading towards Saint jean pied du port, it only lasted an hour or so but it was very heavy.
Looking back I think if we had carried on past the road closed sign in Gourette we could have easily passed the remains of the avalanche. (1st rip abroad and all)
We headed over on the 260( which is awesome lol) towards Perpignan and then north towards the Millau Bridge, The weather got very hot and uncomfortable the closer to the see we got(it was 34+ around Perpignan)
From Millau we headed over to the Dordogne region then headed home to Calais.
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P.
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PostPosted: 12:01 - 05 Dec 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be honest strip... I really enjoyed July, I'd prefer to go mid June though. More chance of sun.

Early year trip, head to Copenhagen and up into Sweden.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 12:43 - 05 Dec 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Paddy. wrote:
To be honest strip... I really enjoyed July, I'd prefer to go mid June though. More chance of sun.


Dates aren't set in stone, might end up going later. Just itching to do something, but I guess that's winter for you.

Quote:
Early year trip, head to Copenhagen and up into Sweden.


Sounds cold!
Hot, cold, I don't like extremes either way Laughing
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 14:07 - 15 Dec 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I might have sorted some company for this one now Smile

Another Fazer thou owner from the Fazer forum has expressed interest, and maybe with a couple of his mates. So as it's likely they'll have to be more particular about dates, the ball is currently in their court. I'm still thinking no later than end of May at present.
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Matt B
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PostPosted: 19:22 - 15 Dec 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

We did Barcelona this year at Easter time. Weather was fine, we were wandering around in shorts when we got there, and it was warm enough for people to swim in the outdoor pool at the hotel.

Personally, I didn't really enjoy the ride down through France (maybe just me, I've done too much in France). I would rather have got the ferry to Santander or Bilbao and spent the time saved riding the Pyrenees. Ferry was fully booked though because of school holidays and Easter.
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Kris
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PostPosted: 15:01 - 22 Dec 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any updates Nick?

Personally always wanted to do the famed Tende pass from the Fast Bikes videos. That and the N260 that you've already mentioned. These roads look amazing with almost flawless tarmac - can they really be that good?
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 18:01 - 22 Dec 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kris wrote:
Any updates Nick?

Personally always wanted to do the famed Tende pass from the Fast Bikes videos. That and the N260 that you've already mentioned. These roads look amazing with almost flawless tarmac - can they really be that good?


You have a PM Smile
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