Today’s the day - The old man and I are off to Portugal! Got two and a bit weeks off work, got the bike packed up with wayyy too little luggage for two weeks, and off we go... Leg 1: Chichester to Plymouth, complete. Never seen so many bikes on a ferry (but then I’ve never been to the IoM TT)!
I think your Dad is going to have a few less aches and pains on that Triumph than you'll have by the time you get there! Have you got a comms system so you can chat to each other on the way down? Have you planned a route that's light on the autoroute and heavy on the twisties?
I would imagine many of us on here envy you going on a trip this time of year especially as the nights are drawing in and there is a definite chill in the air. Have fun and ride safe .
Thanks all! Fresh off the boat in Santander now. Thought we’d stay in the city rather than hammer it out anywhere at this time of the evening. Few tapas may be on the menu! Heading down towards Leon tomorrow via the Picos de Europa. Yep all kitted up with some knock-off sena’s so can talk. Already found that range isn’t amazing, but they’ll do the trick. Route has absolutely no motorways, and is very heavy on twisties! My route planning consisted of browsing google maps finding the twistiest roads...
Have a good trip, I've done the Picos three times, last time the roads were starting to get a bit tired few potholes etc although toward Riano they were resurfacing. We also did Portugal this year staying in a Villa for 5 days, in between Serra Da Estrela & Douro Valley, the roads are amazing some of the best surfaces I ridden on very grippy. One of the roads that will stick with me is the road from the top of Estrela to Corvilha amazing also due to the Fact one of the lads came off twice withing 5 miles the numpty !!
Nice, yeah the picos are stunning, we did them last year, but as you say, an awful lot of resurfacing going on! We’re doing the north and west roads in the picos (via cangas de onis) to avoid the worst of it. We’re staying a night in Manteigas so will be on the roads round there as well! Hopefully rubber side down....
So last nights stop was Hotel Alisas in Santander: cheap, cheerful (read scruffy) but had a free locked garage for the bikes which made it. Good day through the picos today, but yet more resurfacing works added two hours to the day.... If there’s a place to go to get comfortable cornering on a blade, the picos has gotta be up there! Very rural hotel this eve (I think we’re the only guests...)
Yeah it is! “Casa Rural la Catedral de la Montana” - definitely off the beaten track. We’re not doing mega long days, I think our longest is just shy of 300mi, our shortest is under 100. We have a rest day down near Lisbon as well, halfway through.
We did a shortish day yesterday down from Lois across the border to Braganca in Portugal. Flattish bit as you pass Leon but then great roads snaking their way through the mountains at the border Stayed at the youth hostel, which was fine, and a short walk into the old town. If you’re ever in the area, eat at restaurante Solar Bragancano, which is a surreal experience . Another short day across to the Douro valley today, hopefully avoiding the threat of rain....
Absolutely fantastic posts here! Have a great trip and ride safe! My father does a lot of trips a year on his GS, on his way home from Poland today, done Spain and another one this year and has one more booked up I think. He has a 2016 GS and has had it from new. I believe it’s on 40k now and he only rides sunday mornings and his trips! Also has a Z900RS which he got in March and is on circa 4K already. I would love to tour but never really thought I’d handle it on the blade. Perhaps it’s worth a shot
Done 5 trips on sportbikes, 2 on a ZX10r 3 on a 1299s, 3 were staying at different stops everyday averaging 300+ miles per day, the last 2 were staying in Villas in Spain & Portugal instead of sometime chasing miles on Motorways you can pick certain roads and ride them without luggage several times, or go sightseeing knowing you have a bed and food when you get back no matter what time and a swimming pool after a long sweaty day in your leathers.. Both types of trips have there pros and cons.. but everyone should give it a go at least once then you'll be hooked..
It’s definitely worth a go! This is only my second (did Spain last year on my ‘89 CBR600F!). Had a good stay in Hotel Planalto in Miranda do Douro last night, friendly owner let us put the bikes in a neighbouring (empty) shop front, so nice and secure. Great roads to get here, nice sweeping bends and good tarmac (N218 from Braganca). Nice old town to have a wander around as well. Woke up this morning to solid drizzle.... looks like a rainsuit day today Hopefully will stop as we head south towards Almeida.....
Nah don't bother with the UK......Get yourself on a ferry to Spain either go to Santander for Picos and North West Spain, or to Bilbao for the Pyranees , mind you a occasional jaunt over into France unfortunately, and not forgetting Andorra, just don't use your phone in Andorra or expect a £250 bill when you get home
