Spain in early May which way?

arthurmo · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Feb 2015 Karma :

I was planning on doing the N260 but then a few people have raved about the Picos and heading over towards Portugal. I've youtubed it over and over and both look good so now I can't make my mind up. I've got a week from santander and would like to balance it with great roads and old towns/cities etc any suggestions?

cheers
____________________
ducati mutleystrada
Triumph Thruxton old and knackered just like the owner

barrkel · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :

Do them both? Do one and do the other next time? Spain easily stands up to repeated visits.

See my sig for another road, GI-682, costal, and IMO in better condition than the current state of the N260 / N152 (old name for the good bit). The mountain roads see snow in winter, and gradually deteriorate until they're resurfaced.

IME the roads tend to get "softer" - more gentle bends - as you head west. I haven't yet ventured as far west as Picos, but certainly around Pamplona it's a bit dull. OTOH, with more gentle bends, you can go faster, if that's your thing.
____________________
Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

Undinist · Nearly there... Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Karma :

Spain is all brilliant on a bike, except for the big cities and the coast, which is all fucked by tourism. There are mountain ranges and historic towns everywhere and they're all fantastic if it's not raining. So stay flexible, check the weather forecast and go wherever it's dry. You can't go wrong really. It's the perfect biker playground. Just get the Michelin maps and go where the squiggly roads are.

Portugal is the same really, except that some of the coast has not yet been totally fucked. The Northern beaches where the Portuguese go are OK. But the Southern bit is all golf courses and villas for Brits and Germans.

arthurmo · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Feb 2015 Karma :

Thanks for the replies and you're right I really should do them both but the canny Scot in me tries to get bang for his Buck whenever I go away. Saying that although Jaca to Roses looks doable on the map in a day from what I've seen its a really technical road and not one to do tired. Any recommendations on a good place to stop overnight? I try to stay flexible but these winter nights make me sit and over plan things!
____________________
ducati mutleystrada
Triumph Thruxton old and knackered just like the owner

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

Did Santander to Jaca via Pamplona on a Fazer 600 with wife a few years back (more than 10..) enjoyable ride and quite steady as we were 2 up. Stayed the night then made for Barcelona (boring ride IIRC). Not much in Jaca though a bit of a one horse town if I recall - in hindsight I might have headed further up into them thar hills..

Cheers

J
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750, SL1000

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600, Skorpion

spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

If I had a week, I'd head for the Picos and some of the historic old towns Middle Finger

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/347259-Northern-Spain-July-2013?highlight=Spain

The Pyrenees also offer great riding, but I'd continue the journey home back up through France. The N260 east of Sort is awesome and Carcasonne is a fascinating place to spend an evening.

nerald · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Karma :

We did Jaca from Santander (via Miranda de Ebro - some nice roads that way) a couple of years back. We were lucky and hit a medieval festival so the town square was bouncing till after midnight which made for a great place to have supper.
We got to Jaca just as it was getting dark. Hotel was about £10 each.
____________________
V-Twins - 60 or 90?