Spain via France and channel ports isn't great. Not the best bit of France TBH, especially if on limited time-scale. Once you've factored in fuel, a couple of overnight stops, tyres, wear and tear then taking the ferry for the extra cash makes sense. you roll off into gods own biking territory fresh and ready to go. The long slog home is even worse. Of course if you have three weeks then doing the Alps, Ardeche, Cevennes and Pyrenees first before the Picos and Portugal, then getting the ferry home, you have my absolute jealousy...
I have the three weeks plus, well subject to nearest and dearest. The downside is that with increasing years bodily parts work less well and ache more for longer . The full plan would include Malaga to visit a friend and return via Piedmont!
Like you, I just did a solo, through Spain and 4 nights in France. 19 nights in total. Got routes off Ride and just stopped when I had enough or found a nice town. I stayed at: Bordeaux, Pamplona, Albarracin, Girona, Osma de Burgo, Huesca, Salou, Poitiers, Le Mans & Samer. Preferred solo as I could do what I wanted, when I liked. No aggravation at all.
Every time I look at the ferries the price looks very high. I do not fancy sleeping in a chair so look at booking a cabin. Even to the extent of for 5+ days a a fly ride appears cheaper I am going to have a go as there is a lot of sense in your comments
Very true. A couple of decent roads but not a good route to link the French ports and 'tasty' Spain without lots of time on your hands. I am hoping to have a week in Spain in September next year, but even based in the Correze, France, I have to make route decisions based on time spent at the main destination. Routes will also depend on Monster or GS ...
Can’t believe the price. More expensive than I paid for a car, two adults and a 4 birth cabin each way. Book early.
We discovered it was cheaper to take a car with trailer and 4 adults plus cabins than 4 bikes and cabins. Also the number of bike spaces is very restricted so sell out for early
Suprised myself in late 2019, first solo trip on the bike. Have always gone with best mate or a group, varying size 6-18 bikes. Went to Portugal as a last minute jobbie because I'd always wanted to, I had a lull with work and GF said she'd live at mine and look after my dogs for me. Had a good 9 day tour and will likely be solo next time.
Take the ferry via Santander or Bilbao…..both ways. Going through France is just a tyre squaring exercise. Lots of great rides around the Malaga area and accross to the Sierra Nevada. Spain is surprisingly mountainous. Piedmont sounds like a different trip to me.
I stayed in Vilafortuny, next door. Salou was really nice, very quiet though. Few English speakers there and mainly Spanish on holiday. Was a good place to rest after some long rides and I spent 3 nights there.
I understand that, I used to be in that situation. I get the feeling you didn’t use the discount code?
Charles, if you want a discount code for the ferry PM me. I’ll give you my discount number, you’ll get 10% off the ferry ticket but not the cabin cost.
Got a similar tour planned for next year, ferry has been rolled over twice now.Any tips for accommodation in Covilha gratefully received plus your route from Chaves to Covilha please
Stayed at this place in Covilha when I was there. Small apartment guest house. Spacious, comfortable, lovely hosts and very central. Not too expensive either. Communicated and made booking directly via their FB page and FB messenger. Owners are called João & Maribella. The only potential problem was that they didn't have their own parking. However, they gave me a card to park in the underground car park nearby which meant you didn't have to pay. I had to leave and re-enter every day though as each card was only valid for 24hrs. Exit overseen by a man in a booth. I parked near the exit and in sight of this man rather than in some shady corner. Had no issues; bike was alarmed and had disk lock. Covilha is a bit run down but is an interesting place. Former wool town trying to get by on limited tourists, mainly Portuguese coming for skiing during the winter, and large student population for the University. Some memories of that trip
