Spain trip in mid September-advice appreciated

[Foxbuster]

Hi guys ands gals.

My mate and I are heading to Spain in September for 18 days. Both riding sports bikes (RSV Factory-twin and Factory V4). Catching ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao and basically plan is to make it up as we go, we are getting over to Bilbao on the Tuesday morning of the 20th, only plans we have actually made is to go to the Aragon MotoGP on the 25th and stay in Valencia that night.
We are going to be staying in hotels booked on booking.com on the day to save us from having a fixed schedule. Travelling light as possible, kriega r20 and a us30 for myself and my mate taking just a r35.

This is the first big trip we've undertaken and with us both being far too laid back for our own good any tips/advice on routes, where best to stay and what to take would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris.

[G]

Sounds fine - take a credit card. Most problems solvable by that if they come up.

[Foxbuster]

Credit card will be coming with me definitely. I'm budgeting around £115 a day-that's fuel, accommodation, food and a few beverages, think that's well achievable?

[G]

Depends how expensive rooms/food/booze/distance for fuel you choose - so, sure, again... can make it fit to your budget.

[Enduro Numpty]

I'm just back from a trip that took in the Pyrenees and the MotoGp at Barcelona. 3rd time I've been to the Pyrenees and I can't recommend them highly enough. The roads are absolutely superb and while we've been there during late May/early June are deserted. I much prefer the Pyrenees to the Alps as far as roads go. The N260 has got to be one of the best biking roads in Europe. Bits of it are fast, bits are tight and twisty but all of it is in stunning surroundings. The N230, C13 and C28 are also great roads. It seems that part of the brief when designing a road in Spain is that it has to be great fun on a bike. Even the motorway from Barcelona to the French border was a joy!

We've used booking.com for a few years and find it a great way to do it. Great for sussing out how good the parking is. If you're looking for good places to stop, Pamplona while not right in the Pyrenees is worth a visit, particularly the old town on a Saturday night! Jaca is also a good stop over but we spent 3 nights in an apartment in Vielha which was fairly quiet when we were there but offers great days out on both the French and Spanish side. Andorra has never particularly impressed me but might be worth a visit as most seem to find it ok.

Great that you're taking in a MotoGP, nobody does them like the Spanish do ..... well maybe the Italians come a close second?

Wish I could tell you more about the rest of Spain but we've never done it - maybe next year.

Great that you've sussed travelling light, it's amazing how little you actually need and not taking camping gear is a major weight and hassle saving. Make sure all the things that wear out have enough life left on them before you go - tyres, brakes etc.. I ride an FJR with my wife and luggage so rear tyre life is always a concern. If at least one of you can take a tyre plugging kit and a small under seat compressor it could turn the real pain in the arse of a puncture into a minor inconvenience. As has been mentioned - a real credit card - if you happen to use any toll roads they don't seem to like currency cards but credit cards are fine.

I hope you have a great time - it's hard not to when the roads are so good

[Foxbuster]

Thanks for that reply Enduro

I've been looking at the N260 and it does look awesome! I've been checking out Pamplona for a stop over, take it it's pretty lively on the weekend then
I originally wasn't going to take a puncture kit but the more I think of it the more it seems a 'no brainer'.
We'll both be getting the bikes serviced and checked over before we go, I'll be taking a small Oxford toolkit and my mate will be taking a t-bar and socket for chain adjustment. We'll probably both need to get a new set of tyres out there after a week and a half of hard riding, can't see that being a problem in the larger towns/cities.
I've booked general admin tickets for the three days of the GP but realistically I can only see us doing the Sunday as we'll be having too much fun exploring the twisty roads. Did Valencia last year (without the bike) and yeah, the Spanish do a cracking event-even though the result wasn't the best last year

Cheers again.

[G]

Definitely get recovery, I'd say. My clutch went in Spain. Still under warranty which included recovery. They paid for my flight home and to get the bike back. Hadn't booked ferries or anything, so it worked out nicely - less time riding, but more time doing other stuff with the money saved. ADAC are worth looking at.

[Foxbuster]

I've got cover with Carloe Nash insurance which includes bike repatriation should the worst happen. Is it worth taking out more specialist cover than this?

[G]

Providing they will definitely cover you without faff, sounds fine.

[Lupo]

If you are going to the MotoGP, arrive on the 24, the party and ambience before the race are very good. You probably will need to book in advance as it could be packed.
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A por ellos, que son pocos y cobardes.

[Enduro Numpty]

Regarding Pamplona, it was late May this year and not a lot of tourists about but the Spanish came out in droves on Saturday night to eat, drink and make a lot of noise. Great fun.

We stayed at Hotel Pamplona Plaza and booked through booking.com

Secure underground parking, good breakfast and café/bar attached and 15 minute easy walk to old town. Wasn't that expensive but no doubt prices go up when the tourist season gets going

[arthurmo]

It may be a bit out of the way but the CA281 from Puentenansa to the CA281 which takes you onto the CA184 into Potes is brilliant,up the side of a mountain into tunnels cut out of rock etc and up to a big dam.

From Potes I went over to Cain which cuts through a gorge if you youtube richyvida he has some good clips which may help plan your route.

enjoy
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ducati mutleystrada
Triumph Thruxton old and knackered just like the owner

[Foxbuster]

Got to love Italian bikes, just like they're women-sexy as f**k but about as reliable as a Chinese copies😂😂 One aprilia left, and only been 4 days😝 Looks like the early twin gremlins have struck again on the early v4's. My mate is going to look a right spanner in his race Astars riding a Ktm adventure to Aragon😂 Anyone else heading down Sunday??