Aragón HISS 2015: the ‘Official’ Ride Report

[WillS]

What's better than a long days ride? Two long days riding!!! (thumbs)

Looks like plenty of options at the camping at Ochagavia, no problem for camping or the option of the hostel looks interesting, especially if it's raining and also to make an early start.
The journey / route proposed to the camping in Terriente looks a great route, you could take two days to do that alone, especially if you ride around the Bardenas and then the Sierra de Moncayo.
It's looking like a great days ride, looking at the map you could spend a day just in the Sierra de Moncayo, will be interesting to ride the area.

Looking forward to meeting up with you in Val d'Aran, then riding across the Pyrenees to Ochagavia. This is long days ride, especially if we take in a few cols on the way. Do you want me to plan an interesting route across the Pyrenees, crossing into Spain over the Col du Pierre Saint-Martin.It's looking like a great trip before we even start the HISS Aragón. (thumbs)

[Simon_100]

Well I'd be able to work out the distance but Google maps has 'improved', which means it's totally impossible to make a map - so much for technology! But I reckon it's about 300 miles including the Bardena trails.

I did a similar run a few years ago and the time was OK, especially bearing in mind I spent half the morning dilly-dallying around in the Pyrenees and then having to double back to a camping north of Soria after finding the camping at the foot of the Moncayo mountains closed!

But although the route from Calatayud is a hard ride - although brilliant - what I'm not sure about is the the A1301, which skirts Moncayo to the east and then the A1503. If I was a) alone and b) didn't feel obliged to get to Terriente for the HISS, I wouldn't fret at all.

But WTF, we're all on adventure bikes so nothing can stop us - and Polly will be waiting up for us at the camping with anice cup of tea :whistle: - fat chance (thumbs)

Will, no real plans about our Pyrenean run. But I have a certain feeling that I'd like t show you a thing or two that you won't have seen before (thumbs) Besides, the last time I rode over Pierre Sainte-Martin Spud nearly laughed his head off and I think i might do the same with the memory

Talking of Spud and the Tatties - I've just named the Team :whistle: - this is the way you'll be coming over to Ochagavia - looking back into France*



Enjoy (thumbs)

Regs

Simon

[Simon_100]

I'm really looking forward to this . . . and I think I've decoded to go back to a Mitas EO7 this time.

Here's one I prepared earlier, as they say . . .



. . . but if you think that Heidi was bad - you shouod see the one I'm wearing now :whistle:

BTW Spud - I've looked at your TKC 70 and I reckon these would be ideal for yourt Tiger and the Aragón trails (thumbs)

Regs

Simon

[WillS]

"Will, no real plans about our Pyrenean run. But I have a certain feeling that I'd like to show you a thing or two that you won't have seen before Besides, the last time I rode over Pierre Sainte-Martin Spud nearly laughed his head off and I think i might do the same with the memory."

Looking forward to riding a few new routes in the Pyrenees. What route is the photo looking back into France?
You can explain about the Pierre St-Martin :laugh: when I see you, over a beer !! :whistle:
It just looked a direct road to Isaba, then across to the camping.
I agree the distance looks about 450/500km depending on any detours.
Looking forward to it.
Will

[Simon_100]

"Will, no real plans about our Pyrenean run. But I have a certain feeling that I'd like to show you a thing or two that you won't have seen before Besides, the last time I rode over Pierre Sainte-Martin Spud nearly laughed his head off and I think i might do the same with the memory."

Looking forward to riding a few new routes in the Pyrenees. What route is the photo looking back into France?
You can explain about the Pierre St-Martin :laugh: when I see you, over a beer !! :whistle:
It just looked a direct road to Isaba, then across to the camping.
I agree the distance looks about 450/500km depending on any detours.
Looking forward to it.
Will

Hi Will, it's the Puerto de Larrau. The first time I rode this was in a pea-souper, I literally couldn't see far enough to find a place to turn around - later on I learned that I'd ridden 21 kms like this! One of the points that I make about my Spanish Biker guided rides is how careful you have to be with the weather, what looks totally innocent in Spain is a nightmare in France:



- and vice versa* of course!



Meanwhile:



I'm looking forward to the French side so let's just play it by ear :whistle:

Regs

Simon
* that was in May!

[WillS]

image_2015-02-17.jpg (49.14 KiB) Viewed 1701 times

This is on the Col Pierre Saint-Martin.
Weather was crap until about 1500m then blue sky!! But that's the Pyrenees.
But often it's better on the Spanish side, with less low cloud.

[Redmurty]

But I have a certain feeling that I'd like t show you a thing or two that you won't have seen before

oh dear not that old chestnut

cheers Spud

[Simon_100]

But I have a certain feeling that I'd like t show you a thing or two that you won't have seen before

oh dear not that old chestnut

cheers Spud

Come on Spud, you don't want to put Will off now do you!



Simon

[Redmurty]

you never know he may just shock you :whistle: :pinch:

Have offered Steve R a space in our sea cabin, and promised to show him the "golden rivet"

cheers Spud

[WillS]

Thinking about it, separate tents or campsites sounds ok !!! :woohoo:
A shared bunkhouse, with someone looking for that " Golden Rivit" the tent is looking good. :whistle: