A weekend in the Pyrenees !

[Mr Dean]

4 bikes, 6 Days, Saturday and Sunday in the Pyrenees.
After reading the thread never been to the Pyrenees It came to thought it’s about time we did so a trip was hatched, me on My BMW F650 GS twin and my brother in-law Dave on his new Triumph Venom yellow tiger 800. Also Jim Lovell of this parish on his Suzuki DL 1000 V-strom and Peter of this parish on his new Triumph white Tiger 800 so the four of us it was to be.
We had hoped to cross over France to Spain and simply head along the N260, Lots of help from Spanish biker http://thespanishbiker.wordpress.com/ and Brit Frog www.coupdecoeur.co.uk and all the posts on the Forum!
Pm, s bouncing around and us ogling ABR forum threads and reading everyone’s input, we did think about heading for the south coast but it got dismissed, Jim added a section from Spain into France, Peter mentioned a sand hill in France so from this we built a route to travel over 6 days. We picked destinations and pre booked all hotels well before we set off (not knowing how long a day was the comforting thought of a comfy bed at the end of it). Fortunately my friend Jonathan worked his magic and kindly converted out route into way points and map source all ready for uploading into the Garmin’s.
So we had three Sat navs but at different levels of latest upgraded Mapping (so older versions did not know that there was a newer road, roundabout, by-pass, Motor way etc etc! ( But all roads lead to Rome! Right?)
We had set out a route to loop from Tours and back to Tours realising that there are many, many ways of doing any trip and dwelling in certain areas we had based it around the Jewel being the Pyrenees French and Spanish so a brisk 2 days in the Pyrenees was just a snap shot. Total round trip was 2,363 Miles
Peter and Jim came to France on separate ferries then met up and on to our rondevouze point at one of the three E tap Hotel’s at Tours France.

Day 1, Thursday 25.8.2011

So me and Dave set off from deepest darkest Essex, A13-M25-M20 to Folkestone a fill up of fuel and coffee and then we was boarding the train for Calais
From home To Tours it was 394 Miles (+ the train) Sat nav set at Calais to take us to Tours and that’s what we followed mainly the A28 skirting us around Paris and through Rouen, tolls and fast roads Mainly,







394 miles Later arrived at the Etap in Tours.

[Mr Dean]

Day 2: Friday 26.8.2011

from Tours to Pau our route..


Day 2: Total miles Tours to Pau = 445 miles, Peter had pointed out before the trip that the Dune of Pilat was the biggest sand dune in Europe so we had to see it.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0& ... e=UTF8&z=7

So a nice brekky in the Etap and on the road for the Dune.




The Dune of Pilat, situated at the entrance of the Bay of Arcachon, opposite the Point of Cap Ferret, is the biggest sand formation of Europe. Measuring 105 meters* high, 2700 meters long, 500 meters wide and with a volume of 20 million cubic meters of sand, the "Big Dune" is the most visited spot of the coastal area, with over 1 million visitors per year. It has been declared an "important national site" in 1978.





Contrary to what one might think, the Dune of Pilat is of reasonably recent origin. In 1855, it was only 35 meters high. According to experts, its origin is due to the disappearance of an enormous sand-bank that, in the 18th century, used to lie before the coast, and also linked to the permanent supply of sand by the wind.

The supply of sand continues even nowadays, thanks to the Sandbank of Arguin, although on a lesser scale. But the slow movement of the south channel to the south means a decrease of this phenomena, that appears to produce its effects now rather at "Gaillouneys" (between the beach of Petit-Nice and the Dune of Pilat).

In spite of this decrease in sand supply, the Dune of Pilat is still moving, and what it loses to the Ocean on the west side, it gains at the eastern side to the forest, at the rate of some 4 meters a year.


Jims mighty Strom wanted to play in the sand... but it had to pose by the beach.



The Dune.







There was no flag for us to hoist, but Maybe B)






walking up the Dune was hard work, so lunch it was.................




then on to Pau for the Etap hotel





some good views from the room Balcony






In the Distance the Pyrenees sat waiting tempting :




But, and there is allways a But!




we had to eat and was told by the guy on duty at the Etap of a nice potato based restaurant.

so Jim tried the local sausage.



For me and Dave it was the chicken and Salad.



A few Beers later then it was Night night Pau and end of Day 2

[Mr Dean]

Day 3: Saturday 27.8.11

This was a big day our first taste into the Pyrenees from Pau, France to Les Preses in Spain total miles = 315 miles
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0& ... e=UTF8&z=9

To be honest I cant remember eating the breakfast at the Etap

on the road early the sun was rising and powerfull it was another great sunny Day











no wild camping on these banks.







And up we go :woohoo:









very close to the French / Spanish border here so stop for a coffee and observe the views.













After here it was just over the border into spain and then a fuel up at a ski service station Spanish Biker had informed us that this was here.

[Mr Dean]

Day 3 continued into Espana

Spanish biker had recommended an alteration to our route before we set off at Biescas to head via Sabinanigo A1604 and re join our route at Ainsa, he mentioned fast sections and amazing views off the beaten track......

and he was spot on :woohoo:










We stopped here and cut the engines you could here a pin drop the silence was golden and roads empty. well except for the small car that slowed and pulled over to let us pass, giving us a toot and a wave and a smile as they passed us whilst we was catching a breath :woohoo:



Time for some lunch further down the road and a cold one Rio lsabena it was an interesting place had pictures on a post board on the wall inside of the locality steeped in snow with 4x4's and wild bore the size of rhino's



we all chose meat balls and Chips of course, after Pete called his daughter on his mobile and passed it to the bar man / waiter for translation. they was very tasty strong in garlic but more ish,



apparently in spain the meat balls vary in size depending if the Bull or Matador wins :laugh: Dave was not keen :sick:



then back on the Road next stop the Spanish bikers HQ he had invitied us for a cuppa.

[Mr Dean]

We arrived at Simons pitch and he did say we would be coming down to earth at that point which is in a tired way it felt like. we was Bushed



but after a cup of rosey lee and a chat with Simon he led us up to a spectacular view point. Some how all the tredness drained a way and excitement filled its place.





Simons fine steed, What a great bike.



and the views felt like top of the world spanning across to Andorra and Beyond.











Left to right. Jim, Simon,Pete and Dave.




After this Simon explained- fine tuned the best route for our destination and on we went.




But disaaaaaaaster struck whilst stationary Pete wanted to take a picture of his sat nav screen it was full of pink highlighted twisties, but reaching back to put the camera back an imbalance caused a fall.

front brake leaver, indicator lense gone and some scuffs. Ouch but Pete was OK.



It also blew a fuse that knocked the headlights out. But pete was adament he got his picture B)

Time for a pit stop, fuse changed, lever taped up indicator made water proof later, but fortunately there was no rain B)



Even from the garage the view was outstanding over a small town that we passed through, that lay below in the falling sun.




I love the bells the bells heres a close up of the same





repairs done we set off and darkness fell as we pushed on to Olot but whilst in the twisties in pitch black Jim lost his video cam, it was attached to his left side crash bar he felt it hit his boot where upon it was kicked into touch.

But says Jim "I remember the bend" and doubled back in the dark to find it, but it could not be seen so he decided to go back in the morning for a search!

we arrived at The Hotel-hostal Vertisol in darkness about 9.30 pm ish....
the staff were very friendly and so helpfull explaining where food and chilled beer was to be found :laugh: even sweets by our beds so after a quick shower we was soon in the bar until 1 ish I think we all said one more for the road. (it was a long Road :laugh:)

The spanish youth flexed there perfect English on us and put us to shame. it was a nice atmosphere in the bar the polish coach driver seemed to be the entertainment of all sharing some Chupa joke with the spanish youths even though he was refused more booze.

then it was the slow wobble back to our rooms

[Mr Toad]

Thanks for posting nice little trip.

[Mr Dean]

Day 4 Sunday 28.08.2011: Our second huge day in the Pyrenees from Les Preses, Spain to Tarbes, France Total Miles covered = 362 miles

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en& ... 998198&z=9

So we awoke slowly breakfast in the hotel bar, salami rolls, pastries, coffee and orange juice, locals were on the beer early and coffee with brandy shots before 9 :unsure: again friendly help full staff we checked out, bikes were packed up checked final repair on Petes indicator sticky back plastic jobby did the trick. And adios to Les Preses and the Versitol.






The first job of the day was to recover Jims Video Cam, as he said he remembered what bend he lost it on (yeah Right )

Search Party:



The early morning sun and quite empty bends were calling us



At a the local house only the dogs had stirred.







Then Jim found his Video Cam I didnt Adam and Eve it but yep :cheer: :cheer:

We decided to head back to town to fill up with fuel and after splitting up and playing a game of lets meet at the Repsol garage (but which one :unsure: ) we were soon filled up ready to go, I had a text from Brit frog suggesting we meet him over the border at a small french town called: Bouletenere where he met us on his TDM 850 with his son Scott as pillion we followed him back to his place for this strange drink we craved called English Tea :laugh: Once there we was introduced to his wife Maz and his cute dog.....


Buster.



Nigel had some cool cars to speak of and this one needs no introduction.













And some cool views from his home B) this was indeed an Idyllic place



look closer they are some of the sacred mountains of the catalan people, you can see the outline of the Lady up from her breasts her necklace, her face chin, and her nose towards Spain. hmy:




Nigel knew also that we had a big Day and assumed we would be at our destination late (He actualy predicted within 10 mins) he printed off a map and suggested a swifter route, then led us part way with Scott and the TDM.

Left to right: Peter, Scott, Nigel, Jim and Dave



and here we parted said our goodbye's. Back to the four of us and up into the twisties of the French Pyrenees :woohoo: :woohoo:

[gebrauchtwagen83]

great report, you left essex the same day we did for our european trip!

[Mr Dean]

Day 4 Continued (its was so long bigger than 24 hours imao :laugh: )





This train bridge carries a little yellow train :woohoo:





The renault in front was realy going for it in the bends, but rolled over for the Farari B)




so much to explore, so little time ! :blink:





such fantastic structres.



An RT effortlessly bimbles by B)










More Fuel and Jim demonstrating the importance of taking on water, in the Heat and we are climbing altitude, 2 litres a day is not unheard of keeps you freash as a fresh thing and ready for some beer at night

[Mr Dean]

More of Day 4. (epic Day)

A nice electro Dam.



a Mum is happy that her son has taken to the mighty strom.




We pass some of our four legged friends and cut the engines in this stunning village.




Thanks with a smile






Lunch with some spanish bikers










and onwards........ :laugh: