Northern Spain great trip

Discussion in 'Touring' started by gary1966, May 24, 2017.

  1. gary1966

    gary1966 Active Member

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    IMG_0560.JPG IMG_0561.JPG IMG_0565.JPG just back from 10 days with mixed weather 9 of us on mixed bikes. The Picos and the national park have some very good roads and some not so good the surface that is talk about the UK pot hole problems.
    Two of the group had punctures that couldn't be fixed we found an excellent back street motorbike shop who got tyres in within half a day and didn't pull our pants down.

    One other wasn't quiet so lucky hitting a shepherds dog full on in the guts on a mountain pass, ripping his front brake lines off the bike again found a Ducati dealership who fixed it up so he could ride home.

    We see lots of loose dogs/sheep/cows/horses certainly had to have your wits about your.

    Brittany ferries where excellent the two hotels we stayed at again excellent, costa Esmeralda suites and Eurostars in Leon.

    Would I go again? Not sure I have been on far better roads and seen better scenery
     
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  2. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    Spain for scenery but also found the roads hit and miss.... Germany totally rocks for sports bikes imo. Roads are immaculate and designed for fast riding

    Southern France in between.
     
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  3. gary1966

    gary1966 Active Member

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    Germany agreed but if you pick a dry week Scotland takes some beating
     
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  4. ColinBR

    ColinBR God Like

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    Hhmm Germany he says ;)
     
  5. Fraz

    Fraz Active Member

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    Completely agree, did Northern Spain last year and wasn't overly impressed. Germany hands down for the best roads, people and accommodation in my opinion.
     
  6. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    What could you possibly mean :rolleyes:

    I don't have a sports bike on the road anyway...... lol
     
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  7. bradt

    bradt Elite Member

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    Im off to Germany again mid June, wanted to do Spain this year but just can't get enough time off work to allow 5 days riding with a day either side for ferry crossing.
    Got to agree with comments about German roads they are superb and the scenery isn't bad either.
     
  8. Mattie660

    Mattie660 Elite Member

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    Not sure if you had any issues with the speed limits ?

    What I did not like is all the speed limit signs - on - off - on - off, and the step changes can be quite large - suddenly (I think) a 40 limit out of the blue - near a junction - then back again, then down again. And anyone behind you acts like what are you slowing down for ?

    That drives me mad 'cause you know that you could get unlucky and there be a radar trap and easily be well over the little limit that has suddenly appeared in front of you even if you have slowed down.

    I can't remember the exact numbers but you might be in a 90 kmh limit then suddenly 40 kmh limit for a few yards near the junction then back again - then repeat endlessly. Unsettling.

    Traffic sign salesman must have made an absolute fortune in Spain !
     
  9. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    Speed limits..... abroad????
     
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  10. Mattie660

    Mattie660 Elite Member

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    I know what you mean.

    But the thing with these 40 kmh limits, for junctions, is they can appear out of the blue - barrelling along and suddenly the limit drops to 40 kmh :eek: That is what is so unsettling.

    For example you might not be in that much trouble for doing about 120 kmh in a 90 zone, but get caught doing that in a 40 kmh zone and you are in the shit. All it would take is for one radar traffic cop set up at just one of these junctions.

    That is what I find so unsettling about riding in Spain.

    And because most European governments are bankrupt there seems to have been a huge increase in the number of radar guns issued to Police (certainly in France) so they can go out and collect some money in fines. They have also brought the margins down from 10% over the limit to 5%.
     
  11. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    we got escorted out of italy and chased out of monaco... never got a single fine tbh.

    The italian boys were proper sound :cool:
     
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