Spain/Pyrenees/South of France - Things to see, roads to ride

[steve172]

Hi folks

Me and my Dad might be taking a wee trip down to Santander on the ferry in June and riding home via Pyrenees, Alps, Black Forest etc or something like that.

Between Santander and the Pyrenees.... can anyone recommend any good places to travel via, or fun twisty roads? We don't have a "specific" route in mind but probably head from Spain to France along the Pyrenees taking in Andorra, camping all the way. I have been to Spain once before but that was to Marbella on a lads holiday so didn't see much during the day...

And also anywhere in South of France? Might take in Verdun Gorge on the way up. Black Forest I have done North to South so know my way about it, ish.

Thanks in advance.

[Wapping]

Steve,

There is another very recent thread (bod riding down to Millau, then turning left) which is heading near enough the same way as you but without the Pyrenees bit. It'll answer most of the French part of your question.

As regards the Pyrennes bit. Arm yourself with a good map; Michelin's is excellent. You'll see the obvious roads to ride marked on it. I rode the mountains by simply following the metalled road that followed all the tops snd crests west to east.

Still want a bit more? Tap into Ride magazine's webpage. They have a bucket load of free downloadable routes, a number of which will probably suit and your father to a tee.

Still want some more? OK, now fill in the following:

How long (days) have you got between getting off the ferry in Spain to when you have to toll back into whatever port of embarkation you've chosen for your return?

Are you a crack of dawn, take down tge tent, ride all day, stop for nobody, only stop to camp (prefereably wild) when it's dark type of couple or are you a chilled, laid back, get up when it suits us, cruise, stop, take pictures, cruie, eat long lunch and then stop at 15:30 type of father and son combo?

What sort of things interest the pair of you? McDonalds or fine wines?

Do you want days off, doing nothing or something?

Give us some clues, please.

[Wapping]

Steve,

There is another very recent thread (bod riding down to Millau, then turning left) which is heading near enough the same way as you but without the Pyrenees bit. It'll answer most of the French part of your question.

As regards the Pyrennes bit. Arm yourself with a good map; Michelin's is excellent. You'll see the obvious roads to ride marked on it. I rode the mountains by simply following the metalled road that followed all the tops snd crests west to east.

Still want a bit more? Tap into Ride magazine's webpage. They have a bucket load of free downloadable routes, a number of which will probably suit and your father to a tee.

Still want some more? OK, now fill in the following:

How long (days) have you got between getting off the ferry in Spain to when you have to toll back into whatever port of embarkation you've chosen for your return?

Are you a crack of dawn, take down tge tent, ride all day, stop for nobody, only stop to camp (prefereably wild) when it's dark type of couple or are you a chilled, laid back, get up when it suits us, cruise, stop, take pictures, cruie, eat long lunch and then stop at 15:30 type of father and son combo?

What sort of things interest the pair of you? McDonalds or fine wines?

Do you want days off, doing nothing or something?

Give us some clues, please.

[Paul-S]

Steve, have a look at these threads for some info on roads, sights and some places to stay

http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/ride-repor ... 012-a.html

www.adventurebikerider.com/forum/25-rid ... chool.html

Simon,(The Spanish Biker) can also assist in routes and places further towards Andorra

[Wapping]

Sorry about the double post.

Site's loading speed is dreadful.

[Chunkychops]

I rode down to Murcia year before last and travelled through France and along the Pyrenees from Lourdes. I guess from Santander, you will want to go via Pamploma - avoid getting trampled by the bulls. Once you get into the mountains, you aren't going to go far wrong - every single road I travelled on was better than the one before. The N240 / N260 are fast twisty with excellent tarmac with great views but you can probably do the length to Andorra in a day. If you have time on you hands and want to ride a bit more slowly but be blinded by the scenery then plan on riding along any of the A prefixed roads. You are not allowed to wild camp in the Pyrenees but there are loads of excellent - go for the council run ones if you are on a budget - I paid €2 for one site and it was fantastic.

[Wapping]

Whilst you ponder on the answers, try this:

Direction: West to east

Start: Pau

End: Tarascon sur Ariege

Distance: 330 kms

Pau > Laruns > col d'Aubisque > col du Soulor > Arrens-Marsous > Argels-Gazost > Luz St Sauver > col du Tourmalet > ste Marie du Campan > col du Aspin > Arreau > col du Peyresourde > Bagneres de Luchon > Fronsac > col d'Ares > col du Portet d'Aspet > St Girons > col du Port > Tarascon sur Ariege

You'll see several of the iconic cols and plenty of the excellent roads that join them up.

PS Andorra is not really worth an excursion.

[Wapping]

I've just looked at a map.

You could do worse than turning right out of Santander, riding due west to Gijon / Oviedo. Then turning due south to Leon.

From Leon, turn left and head broadly east along the axis Leon / Perpignan, going roughly: Burgos, Logrono, Pamplona, St Jean Pied de Port, Lauruns, Ainsa, Salardu, Sort, Adrall, Perpignan.

If yo wanted to go Atlantic coast to Med, start this route in Santiago de Compestela, then Sarria, the Leon etc. etc. etc..... A map really is your best friend (other than your dad).

[Mike101]

If you are down that we go and see Carcassonne...the old city is well worth a day out.

Also try cadaques...very NE spain....a nice ride and a great place to just sit and watch the world go by the sea side.

The castle at Foix is also not bad..great views.

Mike

[WillS]

Whilst you ponder on the answers, try this:

Direction: West to east

Start: Pau

End: Tarascon sur Ariege

Distance: 330 kms

Pau > Laruns > col d'Aubisque > col du Soulor > Arrens-Marsous > Argels-Gazost > Luz St Sauver > col du Tourmalet > ste Marie du Campan > col du Aspin > Arreau > col du Peyresourde > Bagneres de Luchon > Fronsac > col d'Ares > col du Portet d'Aspet > St Girons > col du Port > Tarascon sur Ariege

You'll see several of the iconic cols and plenty of the excellent roads that join them up.

PS Andorra is not really worth an excursion.

Agree with "Wapping" a comprehensive route of the Cols in the Haute Pyrénées.
I would invest in the Map Michelin 342 Hautes Pyrénées & Pyrénées-Atlantiques. 1/150 000
It's a good detailed map for touring.
June I would expect all the cold to be open, the last two to open are normally Tourmalet and Aubisque.
You can add a few more excellent roads and cols before Pau.
The Town St-Jean-Pied-de-Port is worth a visit, an historic town on the Route de Compostelle.
From there you could take:-
Col Bagargui, Larrau, Col d'Erroymendi, Port de Larrau, into Spain, back to France over Col de la Pierre St Martin, Col de Bouezou, Col de Marie-Blanc, Turn right to Laruns, and the Col d'Aubisque.

There are plenty of great routes if you like fabulous roads and scenery in the mountains, and little traffic, just look at the map, and go for it.
Agree not sure Andorra is worth a big detour, unless you are passing.
Good luck, and hope to see you in the Pyrérées mountains.
Will