Hi everyone, I'm toying with the idea of a long weekend / week long tour of europe in November to escape the miserable weather and enjoy some sunshine and good riding. Considering the ferry from portsmouth to either bilbao/santander or brittany to minimise cost and save some fuel money. Anyone interested or got one planned I could join? None of my usual riding friends are up for it, usually complaining of backache after an hours ride on a sporadic english summers day they manage to get their bikes out of the garage! Im fairly flexible with dates and destinations if anyone has any suggestions for me? Cheers, Jordan
Good Luck with finding some peeps. I am off to Ardennes Eifel this week for 3 nights. I may be up for something next year in the near continent.
Cheers Johnny, enjoy your trip and be sure to post a little write up, I need all the inspiration and ideas I can get!
i would love something like that but it already a euro tour for me to get to PLymouth !!,, good luck and enjoy.
November. Get as far south as fast as you can. It is even cold here in the Pyrenees then, though some days can be warm and sunny. Good luck.
one day can get you to gibralter from santander,,, but beware, out of the sun it is very cold from 6 unti 10 / 11 the next morning !!
Thanks for all the advice everyone, I think it's quite clear I havnt entirely though this through! I'm swaying towards a ferry to Santander/Bilbao now, getting there in time for the final stage of the Moto gp season in Valencia. Looks like I can get one over for under £200 return at that time of year! And gp tickets start at €50 euros for the weekend
Trying not to highjack, if anyone is up for a long weekend tour in Spring (Friday to Monday - Via Channel) type thing PM me
I'm just on my way back from visiting a mate in Valencia 15 mins from the track. Forget Portsmouth Brittany that would leave you about 1200 miles to ride, go to Santander and track down to Valencia via the Spanish side of the Pyrenesese. The roads are awsome, superb smooth Tarmac, great mix of fast sweepers and twisties, hardly any traffic, few coppers. Plenty of roads to enjoy, N260, N230, C12, C13, though some of the higher roads may be dicey in November. Stopover in Zaragoza then take the N23 to Terul and get on the N330. That takes you right down to Valencia and by the circuit. Even on the way down to Valencia there is another range of mountains to traverse and equally good roads. You'll not be disappointed
Awesome! checked ferry prices earlier, I can get to bilbao for £80 each way! bargain! Thanks for the info, looks like a perfect trip. And idea on weather around Nov, not too fussed as I know it'll be better than here but nice to know
From what my mate says it is usually around the early 20s in Valencia, but remember that is down South by the coast, if you are going to the Pyreneese it will be much cooler. I went across today from Spain to France and it was 15 degrees France, 23 in Spain. November Weather Averages for Zaragoza, Spain You may want to check out Jaca as it is closer to the mountains. here is the link to the N330 route. Motorbike Ride : N330 : Teruel - Torrebaja
That sounds alright, I'm spoilt with heated grips anyway :Angelic: That route looks like good fun, will definitely be bringing the helmet camera, I'm sure theres plenty more like that too! Fancy playing tour guide in November :Happy:
Depends on when you're thinking of going. I've only scratched the surface of the roads around there and have no idea about the route from Santander, but there is plenty do info on line. One word of warning it is a bit of a hike to the Pyreneese from Valencia, Zaragoza is 193 miles and it is another couple from Zaragoza to the mountains. That said, the roads are blindingly good. What bike are you taking?
What Buzz said. Remember that much of Spain is at serious altitude (for Europe) and it can get cold in mornings and evenings. I've seen -13 on the clock in March near Avila early in the morning, but it should be better than this in November. In November, I'd be tempted to head for Andalucia. Santander to Seville is just over 500 miles, but the roads, while good are not that entertaining and you lose a day on motorways up & down. Lots of roads there, some pretty good. Loads of good roads about in Picos de Europa, which is much closer to Santander but weather may not be up for it. Ditto with Sierra Demanda, which has some great roads (and Rioja!). Check out escape routes for bad weather and you should be fine. If you want to do some tourist stuff, the triangle made up by Segovia, Toledo and Salamanca has lots to see in it. Spain is best country on a bike, in my opinion. Top tip - stay away from the tourist areas. Spaniard love bikes and will be well disposed towards you.
I was thinking of November but am pretty flexible, could be cool to go to the Valencia gp which is 6,7,8th which also is another reason to go. I'm planning on picking up a tomtom rider 400 which should allow me to say I want to go from Santander to Zaragoza for example and choose winding roads and it should sort me out and keep me off the boring straights but I need to do some research. might need to pick your brain a bit more, did you go on the 749/999 in your picture? And see the pic below! Multistrada dvt
I have toured the 749, but it would be tortuous over 2500 miles. some of the hairpin bends have been challenging on the Muttley.
I can imagine! what sort of distance would I be looking at for a few days from santander to valencia via a scenic route and back? Ah multi snap. How's your spanish Duke?
Direct to Valencia from Santander is 451 miles according to Google Maps, so double that and allow for a bit of fun mileage then you're looking at 1200 miles or so. No hable Espaniol!
