HISS Aragon: September 30th - October 4th

[Simon_100]

Hi,

I'm starting a new topic on this as so much has happened to this meet - it's been 'off' and 'on' at least three times since I first planned it, but now it's definitely 'on'

In summary:

[ul]
[li]HISS = High Intensity Sojourns in Spain[/li]
[li]Non-competitive mainly off-road rally very informal, no fixed 'teams' but riders form groups as and when, of then changing from day to day[/li]
[li]The Aragon HISS is eminently suitable for bike bikes with intermediate tyres[/li]
[li]About 400 kms of trails arranged in various itineraries - most of these are figures-of-eight that overlap with others, so you can just flip from one to the other[/li]
[li]The territory covers four highly distinct landscape areas: Sierra de Albarracín, Montes Universales, Alto Tajo (in Spanish) and Sierra de Javalambre[/li]
[li]We have a section of a luxury campsite that also has bungalows: at 1,200 metres it can be very cold at night. The site is in easy walking distance of one of the most beautiful small towns in Spain - no joking! - that has shops and very reasonable restaurants, i.e. 3 course meal including wine from €10[/li]
[li]I've spent a lot of money doing the reconnaissance and mapping for this that I need to recuperate, so there's a £50 registration fee per rider - sweethearts and other camp followers come free:) - this also includes Mrs Spanish Biker's famous breakfast, access to guides and maps, and other goodies NB this does not include the accommodation![/li]
[/ul]

Check out the special blog site for details of the region here and my two recent trip reports of my reconnaissance there for an idea of the terrain: Pre-HISStory: Aragon 2013 and Exploring Trails in Central Spain.

The campsite is Camping Ciudad de Albarracín. We'll have a section of the site to ourselves and if there are enough of us we'll have one of the lavatory blocks opened just for us. Once we have a reasonable number of attendees I'll try to negotiate a discount but I can't guarantee this right now. But in any case I'll give everyones details to the owners in advance so they can register you all beforehand - a legal requirement is Spain - and have your individual accounts ready so saving time on check-in.

Registration:

I need various details for my admin, easy of communications and to give the campsite. From past experience the admin is horrendous, so I have to be quite strict about asking for these details, and the payment of course. So, to register I need:

a) a nickname or avatar that I can use in public e.g. below

b) your email

c) your real name as it appears in your passport - no need for embarrassing middle names though :laugh:

d) Fifty quid paid into my UK bank account - Paypal available as a last resort as I only have a small limit on this.

Confirmed HISS riders: If you think you should be on this list send me a PM - if your think you shouldn't be on this list send me two PMs!

Mr X - coming back from Morocco
Phil-in France - ditto
Daglanman - ditto
Spanish Johnny - riding up from Alicante area
REM47 - wednesday 26th Poole 0830 (£49) - Cherbourg 1345 arrive Collegats friday or saturday and on to HISS on the Sunday
Roastbeef - riding over from central France
Redmurty - touring a little first
JeffK - riding down through France, arriving Sunday
GSPOD - touring a little first then on to Morocco
GSDOC - ditto
PHILIPHUW - landing at Caen Saturday morning
Bikenav - landing Santander tues 24 sep and departing there wed 9 oct
Xanist - riding down from Caen with JeffK

I've added what I know of travel plans so if anyone thinks they can hook up along the way please contact each other. If I'm back on my bike in time I'll be riding down from the Pyrenees on the Sunday via the Los Monegros desert and some scenic roads of my own NB - these aren't all ABR members so check other forums, espercially UKGSers. Otherwise use posts on this topic to announce your itinerary and invite fellow riders along.

Regs

Simon

[bikenav]

Hello there are there any spaces left on this foray, if so would you know of any others arriving into Santander who may want to trail ride down and back or even a detour to the Pyrenees. Thanks Paul.

[Redmurty]

tyres ordered, checking ferries now I have a 2 week pass

cheers Spud

[Simon_100]

Hi Paul,

Yes, there are places - just send me a PM with your email and I'll put you on the list.

Earlier I read that the ferries to Santander and Bilbao were full - a bit difficult to believe! - but I also know that several guys are keen to ride down from the Pyrenees.

Cheers

Simon

[Simon_100]

tyres ordered, checking ferries now I have a 2 week pass

cheers Spud

Brilliant Spud,

I'll post the list of attendees tomorrow from my gmail addresses - I'm having hard time with internet right now and also need to contact everyone.

Regs

Simon

[Redmurty]

Last time I check ferries to Spain they were full, there's always St Naziare to Gijon.

But I think I'm doing the chunnel a little play in the Pyrenees and onto your campsite to administer some pain er sorry treatment, then down to the HISS.

So any good routes down and through would be gratefully received.

cheers Spud

[Elle]

Anyone got space for my little DR in their van or on a trailer?
With a bit of a juggle, I could attend this event but for 1 week only.
I could either tag along & share the costs or fly to Valencia then meet up at the site.
Time is of the essence though as flights and ferries aren't getting cheaper! :woohoo:

[Redmurty]

Anyone got space for my little DR in their van or on a trailer?
With a bit of a juggle, I could attend this event but for 1 week only.
I could either tag along & share the costs or fly to Valencia then meet up at the site.
Time is of the essence though as flights and ferries aren't getting cheaper! :woohoo:

sorry mate can't help I'm going down on my Tiger as I'm doing some tour en route

cheers Spud

[Simon_100]

Anyone got space for my little DR in their van or on a trailer?
With a bit of a juggle, I could attend this event but for 1 week only.
I could either tag along & share the costs or fly to Valencia then meet up at the site.
Time is of the essence though as flights and ferries aren't getting cheaper! :woohoo:

I guess that's a long shot Elle, but worth exploring.

Meanwhile a couple of ideas to bandy around:

As I've mentioned to you already, one possibility is to have a road adventure of your own and just use the HISS as something to aim for - a friendly welcome awaits! You wouldn't have to register, after all, the camp site is open to all - this is a general point, of course, anyone can 'pop-in' but I think if someone genuinely gate crashed and started joining groups then we'd have to get the heavy mob in

Last year Neet and Tres joined us by car - Tres with Tommy (8) in tow - flying in to Bareclona. So there 's always the possibility of a group doing this - scant consolation for riders but as a destination in its own right Albarracín presses lots of buttons. As well as Valencia, both Madrid and Zaragossa airports are doable, both being on the 'right side' of their respective cities.

Regs

Simon

PS, while I'm at it here's some HISS porn for folks who haven't been following my trip reports :laugh:

Portillo_2013-08-07.jpg (60.5 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

Javalambre_2013-08-07.jpg (58.79 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

Lonesome_2013-08-07.jpg (69.96 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

Sweetest_2013-08-07.jpg (66.81 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

Tormonstuck_2013-08-07.jpg (65.68 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

Rockywoods1_2013-08-07.jpg (93.7 KiB) Viewed 1926 times

[Elle]

I guess that's a long shot Elle, but worth exploring. Meanwhile a couple of ideas to bandy around:

- one possibility is to have a road adventure
- joined us by car
Thank you. I thought about a road trip but these days, I'm not one for big distances in a short space of time. And I would be very miserable to see others riding off into the distant trails

I may be on the brink of buying my own van. However, spending several £k's on this vehicle will effect my ability to go to Spain later in the year
But at least I wouldn't be so restricted in the future

If I was taller and / or braver, I could get a 600cc bike to ride there and back & off road!