This is the Alto de Velefique otherwise known as the AL3102, ridden last year on my 2017 Z1000SX. (Got bored during the Covid lockdown today and uploaded the video to youtube.) It's an awesome road that I rode quite cautiously as I was on my own, miles from anywhere and anyone with no phone signal! Seriously though - if you're planning a trip to Spain you should try to include this road. I'll upload some more and maybe of other roads if there's much interest (I've taken the camera on a lap of Spain and around Germany and Luxembourg)
TBH I'm not a big fan of hairpin followed by hairpin followed by hairpin etc etc. Nice to see a few curves thrown in there
Not to be an ass but is riding on both sides of the road legal in Italy? Doesnt matter what traffic is like, it's an accident waiting to happen.
Google tail of the dragon crashes. I go a couple times a year and people die and kill others trying to ride beyond their limits.
No, it's not legal to cross a solid white centre line anywhere (but note that the video is in Spain not Italy). However, on this road in many places you can see across the corners and be 100% sure that the road is clear even though there's a solid centre line. Is it safe to ride on both sides of the road? Yes, in appropriate circumstances, it's definitely much safer than sticking to just one side (watch how the police ride!) as you can get a better view and not need to turn so harshly thus increasing your safety margin. If you watch the video carefully you'll see that I am riding very steadily. I probably didn't go over 60mph at all, I didn't brake hard anywhere or make any harsh turns. As explained in the post, I was on my own in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal, so safety was very much at the forefront of my mind at all times and I rode well within my personal capabilities. I did make some crappy gear changes though - I've never been the best at that in the 3 decades that I've been riding!
I wasn't trying to beat you up and I'm sorry. Open spaces are one thing but blind corners are another. I've had some pretty close calls with people not respecting the lines in much worse circumstances and I doesn't matter who's fault it is when neither one of you survive because of the others negligence. But it is a breathtaking road.
It's fine - no harm done! I agree that in most cases solid white lines are justified and I very rarely cross any in the UK - but in Spain I think that they are a bit too keen to paint them almost everywhere. It is a lovely road though, the road surface is perfect with no traffic at all and there is super scenery too. I'm definitely going again. I had a trip booked there for later this month, ferries and hotels all booked for a 2 week tour of Spain and Portugal, with route all plotted, but then covid came along... I did look up "tail of the dragon" on you tube as you suggested and you are right - there are loads of crashes. Some fairly over-exuberant riding and what looks like some quite slippery surfaces to blame sometimes too.
Go to Spain every year, mainly around the Picos, rent a house and tour the area, always finding new roads. Did a combined tour last year for 2 weeks with Spain & Portugal, Serra Da Estrela & Douro Valley. We were due to do a Southern Spain tour but like you said covid didn't allow.
Sounds brilliant, good for you. Let's hope all this virus stuff is over soon so foreign biking adventures can begin again!
Looks like Italy will be welcoming tourist around July and have a later tourist season according to the news tonight. Hopefully Spain will do the same, maybe a crafty week at the end of September !
Don’t anyone plan a route through here for this year - it’s closed for major structural improvements. Went there today, looks like it will be closed for many months! This was Ride magazine’s “must ride” road of South East Spain. Bike magazine rode a GSXR1000 all the way down Spain to ride the road too, I’m a bit disappointed- been looking forward to this for 3 years!
Interesting road trip, would you still recommend this road in 2023?? Is it suitable for beginner riders as well?
Yes it’s a great road. OK for any level of rider as long as they ride at a speed that is safe for their riding capabilities. Surface is smooth and grippy all the way and there’s no traffic.
mental i would think that is most of us dreams i for one love it and wish we had roads like that here
