Picos, Pyrenees and Alps Trip (Trip account starts page 3)

[Enduro Numpty]

Some more brilliant photos and descriptions from Chickenstrip. This is my second attempt at a post - had a big long monologue done on the phone, pressed the wrong button and it all disappeared

Anyway, very little in the way of photos and they don't even come close to Chickenstrips masterpieces so I won't waste time even attempting to load them to photobucket etc..

After possibly the worst steak we've ever had at some road side restaurant somewhere between Jaca and the French border we managed to get a couple of drinks at our "hotel" last night. A couple of young guys on a Fireblade and Gixer got a taxi into Jaca and most likely got pished as their was no sign of them at breakfast this morning.

As we loaded the bike the rain that had been threatening finally started but with under 200km to Vielha we decided just to go. Just as we were about to connect with the N260 the rain got torrential and we ended up sheltering in an underpass with a Spanish couple on a bike. 20 minutes later we were on one of the fairly open stretches of the N260 (approx 480Km - 400km markers). Before too long the roads dried out and the temperatures rose from around 14c to 22c. We just pottered along enjoying the sights and strangely enough the smells that the rain seemed to have released. All was going well till the inevitable sat nav fuck up at Campo. After 10 minutes or so of shouting at the technology we were eventually back on track (not the planned track but some sort of track). All this time the temperatures were dropping and the sky was getting darker. By the time we were seeing signs for Vielha on the normally superb section of the N230 the rain was torrential and just after Bono and the Bono tunnel (that little man gets everywhere!!) a big Mercedes was spun off and stuck in the drainage gully with the extremely distressed woman driver frantically on her phone in the downpour. All the emergency services sped towards us but apart from a damaged car and the upset driver all appeared to be well. The 5.3km Vielha tunnel offered welcome respite from the rain but the descent into Vielha itself was the wettest few miles of the trip so far. 1/2 hour in the rain trying to find our apartment and another 15 minutes trying to find the seriously secure bike parking and then it was done. Apart from soggy gloves I was more or less dry.

A visit to our favourite bar/restaurant from last year for food and just in time to see an injured Rossi qualify on the front row for tomorrows Italian Motogp at Mugello - Superb!! Nice to know that we've got somewhere to watch the race

Weather permitting we've got a short 100 mile loop planned for after the race taking in the superb C13 and C28 from Vielha to Sort and a bit more on the N260, N230

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[chickenstrip]

[Dave70]

[Lupo]

Thanks for the write ups and pictures, amazing scenery.
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A por ellos, que son pocos y cobardes.

[Enduro Numpty]

[chickenstrip]

Not much of a day again today. Low cloud over the mountains, so I knew there wouldn't be any great views to be had again, but thought I'd better get out anyway. For the first few miles out of Riano it wasn't bad - at least the roads were dry, so I could have some fun heading towards Potes. This could have been nasty though, coming round a blind bend only to be impaled on some vicious looking horns:

https://i.postimg.cc/Bby3XTtM/DSCN9062.jpg

They seemed docile enough though. Had to wait for about ten minutes for them all to file past. Climbed into the clag for the San Glorio pass, nothing to be seen but I pushed on anyway, and it cleared for the last few miles into Potes. Had a bite to eat and coffee there, and a wander around the town, doing the touristy bit:

https://i.postimg.cc/1RYsCQMw/DSCN9067.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/ZKBZXMDg/DSCN9066.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/1RT10K5K/DSCN9070.jpg

Then headed to Fuente De. I knew I wouldn't see anything, and the cable car would be a fruitless exercise, but went just to enjoy the road, which again, was fun until it started climbing. By the time I got to the car park for the cable car, it was like this:

https://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b550/nicknicklxs/DSCN9087_zps2a74t7mt.jpg

So turned around and headed back to Riano; one last shot just before reentering the cloud on the way up to the pass:

https://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b550/nicknicklxs/DSCN9095_zpsxuhgcyzg.jpg

Back down the other side, and the weather soon improved again, so went a little way beyond Riano, cos that's a cracking bit of road too. Couple more not particularly great mountain shots:

https://i.postimg.cc/jd70MJDY/DSCN9099.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/vZwRkHng/DSCN9133.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/zGwmrZwd/DSCN9108.jpg

Covered about 120 miles today. And that, folks, was the Picos de Europa. As mentioned, Pamplona for a couple of nights from tomorrow.

[Enduro Numpty]

We're just back from an attempt at riding to Sort. Rode through pea soup fog to the top of Port de la Bonaigua on the C28 hoping that it would be clear on the other side but if anything it was worse so we abandoned it and headed back to Vielha. Hopefully the weather will improve tomorrow.

[Tracer1234]

Shame about the bad weather again fellas. Sorry to hear! Everything else going smoothly other that the weather ?

Fingers crossed it gets better for you.

If its any consolation, this is the forecast for the weather here tomorrow:

https://s20.postimg.org/caaikihu5/Screenshot_2017-06-05_at_00.07.05.png
____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[Enduro Numpty]

Finally, some decent weather We took the C13 from Vielha over the 2072m Port de la Bonaigua and down the other side to Sort. From Sort, the N260 to Seo d' Urgell near Andorra. I thought about going through Andorra and into France and back to Vielha that way but we did it last year and it was a really long route that wasn't particularly interesting. Instead we doubled back to Sort and from there the 260 to Pueblo de Segour, Pont du Suert and back to Vielha through the Vielha tunnel. It's the first time we've ever arrived in Vielha via the tunnel and it hasn't been raining and the views are absolutely stunning.

Chickenstrip - I'd highly recommend the run up to Vielha and back down to Sort via Port de la Bonaigua when you get here. Watch for gravel on the hairpins though!! It's part of the road maintenance regime and it's very difficult to see.

2 more nights and 1 full day before we head for Mataro. Hope the weather holds...........

[Tracer1234]

[chickenstrip]

[Tracer1234]

Glad you had a better day today. Looks like some stunning views. Many other bikes out and about? Many nice places to stop and have a break along the way?
____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[chickenstrip]

Having left Riano, I didn't see a single bike until I hit the main roads heading east. That route above seems to be very little used. It winds along the banks of a very long reservoir, the road rising and falling as it goes, and there are only a few scattered, tiny hamlets along the way. Unfortunately, there weren't great views to be had with the reservoir itself, as there were trees lining the road side, blocking such as there might have been.

Actually, didn't see many bikes on the main routes either; two police bikes parked up at a service station I stopped at, not much else. It is Monday, after all.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Enduro Numpty]

[chickenstrip]

[Tracer1234]

[chickenstrip]

Just spent a few hours wandering around Pamplona city today, just to get a rest from riding, which is much needed as it plays havoc with my shoulder sometimes when I do long distances or challenging roads day after day. Thought I'd post a few shots, just in case anyone is interested (and I'm bored)

https://i.postimg.cc/wTYHBWSZ/DSCN9178.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/HLqvtN4C/DSCN9180.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/63CjbhY4/DSCN9198.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/J7cYbPs9/DSCN9205.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/02kWZDmr/DSCN9209.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Fz9ZWXYw/DSCN9213.jpg

Montage on the outside of the bull fighting stadium:

https://i.postimg.cc/ZnVLXs3n/DSCN9214.jpg

The stadium itself is an unspectacular affair from the outside, so no pics of that.

https://i.postimg.cc/W3Sr4F4f/DSCN9220.jpg

Statuary celebrating the famous Pamplona Bull Run (which I think is held in July):

https://i.postimg.cc/T3Wrc3kp/DSCN9218.jpg

That was about all that caught my eye really. I wouldn't really recommend Pamplona for it's architecture, which is somewhat plain. Can't speak for it's night life, as I'm not really a night life kind of chap these days ........ But there are plenty of cafes and bars, and the hotel I'm in is fine, secure underground parking for the bike again*. Took about 20 mins to walk into the heart of the city.

Tomorrow the destination is Sort, Pyrenees, and the weather forecast looks generally pretty good, looking forward to that!


*at 10 Euros per night!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Enduro Numpty]

We just booked our Hotel in Pamplona for 2 nights prior to the boat home from Bilbao after the Motogp.

Back to today: After yesterdays great 200 or so miles I set the bar a bit higher today. The route was going to take us into France and cover a lot of the passes we've done in previous trips, the highlight being the Col de Pourtalet and more of the N260 when we crossed back into Spain. Possibly a bit ambitious with at least 400 miles of tight passes. We were barely 20 miles from Vielha climbing up the N141 towards the French border when we were enveloped in the familiar cloud. The higher we climbed the wetter it got and soon it was near zero visibility. We did a couple more climbs and descents on the French side but the further we went the wetter it got. We stopped for a coffee and a rethink and got talking to a nice American guy who apologised profusely for his countries poor choice of leader. The weather just got wetter and colder so we about turned and headed back to Vielha where it was still dry. Decided to give the bike a quick jet wash and ate a big lunch.

Wifi seems better today and laptop currently uploading photos. Thanks Tracer1234, a much better photo loader 'thingy' than photobucket Hopefully get some loaded on here at some point but nothing like Chickenstrip quality.

PS..Chickenstrip, like the photo of the bronze bulls - we got the exact same photo last year.

PPS: I hate fucking technology - all the photos I thought I was uploading aren't there. Think I need to find a tech savvy local 8 year old to do this computer shit!!!

[Copycat73]

[Enduro Numpty]

Finally got it to work - no guarantees that I'll be able to do it again!!

The first few days, in and around Potes and Riano.



https://s26.postimg.org/3pk4t8gy1/20170529_155341.jpg


https://s26.postimg.org/pskcwp39l/20170530_104755.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/kife5ej0p/20170530_104955.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/ra5t89809/20170530_105007.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/q9a5wvgeh/20170530_110817.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/ihtfybc95/20170530_110836.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/9bb5b170p/20170530_111255.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/eb8lizcnd/20170530_111308.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/f21borf0p/20170530_121428.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/mjaj3z4jt/20170530_121431.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/6mbr79c5l/20170530_121521.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/fimjb72rt/20170530_121717.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/jt176s7ux/20170530_125518.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/rn1ss6fnt/20170530_125649.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/9ln984b0p/20170530_140759.jpg

[Tracer1234]

Looks good both you you. Glad you got the photos to work! It sucks that the weather is shite for you, but at least your getting some good weather occasionally.

Any close calls or side of the road repairs either of you?
____________________
Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15

[Enduro Numpty]

[Enduro Numpty]

[Tracer1234]