Welcome home boys glad you got back ok and the "Nail" stayed in . That nail was the 5th member of the road trip and has all our DNA over it Look forward to write up/pics.
Few have asked about the routes we did - here are the links to maps and pictures Saturday http://goo.gl/maps/5xdJ4 Sunday http://goo.gl/maps/POL2b Monday 110 miles http://goo.gl/maps/rl5O6 Tuesday 176 miles http://goo.gl/maps/uS7z1 Wednesday 210 miles http://goo.gl/maps/zpLHw Thursday 207 miles http://goo.gl/maps/3RLFI Friday 250 miles http://goo.gl/maps/LWj30 Saturday 315 miles http://goo.gl/maps/GHnsW Sunday 277 http://goo.gl/maps/xilZ0
http://goo.gl/maps/xilZ0[/QUOTE] That's better, somebody who can be bothered to ride through England.
2013 Trip around Spain, My side of the story. Page 1 Well you’ve all waited patiently for it, so here goes, remember, my words my story, sure the others will get around to giving their side of events when they get round to it. And yes, its warts and all, so you’d better get yourself a large drink. Unfortunately time has not been my friend lately so ill put the first 7 days up, ive loads of pics and ill probably do a video with the remainder. Saturday 7th September Due to the early start on Sunday it was decided to collect me and the Blade Saturday afternoon and spend the night at Steve’s so we could head off and catch our Kpone in his PJ’s. Steve’s never seen such a clean bike in his van. We’re on our way Steve puts his best host head on and cooks my tea. 5 hours before we leave, and Steve decides it’s a good time to see if the leathers he bought for the trip actually fit! Only 2 sizes too big, sure you’ll grow into them. Sunday 8th September 4am All loaded and off we go to Devon, where Kpone has kindly offered his driveway as parking for the duration. “He’ll regret that” After a rather earlier arrival time than first expected , we was loaded with tea and bacon butties which was supplied by the wonderful Mrs Kpone, we was ushered to the door with Kpone insisting it’s time to head to Plymouth where we are due to set sail at 16.15hrs. An hour down the motorway later we arrive. Checking in. Bye Bye Plymouth. Checked into our Cabin/Rabbit hutch and it’s time to head up on deck and toast our departure. Trying to give a little privacy whilst onboard is quite difficult. Imagine my embarrassment walking in and catching Steve sat on the bog polishing his helmet.
Page2 Monday 9th September A pleasant sailing with only a little swell saw us arrive in Santander at 12.15pm local time; they took over an hour to unload us out of the garage, my mooing perhaps added to the Spaniards annoyance? http://goo.gl/maps/3oXVF The route we took. Suitably refreshed it’s time to head to Potes and the Picos De Europa, we intend to stay here for 2 nights. We have a short 86 miles to do so we stop off plenty of times along the way. We stopped off at Unquera on the N-621. Those leathers look bloody huge! We set off again “N-621” and before too long we find ourselves in what I can only describe as a Cheddar Gorge, except with more cheese.
After having to drag the old fox away from the river “scantily clad ladies were bathing” we continued to Potes where we were to find some accommodation. As some of you may know, we booked nothing, just turned up and checked the place out, a short ride around and we settled on this place, just on the outskirts of town. Picos de Valdecoro Hotel (Potes, Spain) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor Page3 Fireblades rule, where ever you may be! Steve’s already booked into this retirement home, saying this was the kind of place he’d imagine spending his old age.......hardly worth him coming home was it. Potes. Tuesday 10th September Today we are expecting Jason, we have already had a text from him saying that he’d got to Bilbao and heading our way. With no map or Sat Nav............Hardcore!
Gave Jason the hotel name, but there’s no better marker than this, is there? By 11.00am there’s still no sign & I’m doing my normal pacing around the room, Steve, well he’s much calmer than me! I decide to walk towards the end of the village and see if there’s any sign of a BMW piloted by Jason? Literally 10 minutes later, speak of the devil, Rommel rumbles in. A quick greeting I pointed Jason in the direction of the hotel What happened after he left the view finder is a stark reminder to anyone travelling in Spain. Jason!! They drive on the right here!!! By the times I’d walked back, Steve already had the welcoming committee under way. A very wet Jason meets a very dry Steve.
After a nice lunch, it’s back to the hotel and try and get Jason dried out a bit, and there’s no better way than go for a ride in the sun. The Route. http://goo.gl/maps/QIuaX We intended to do a loop of the Picos, sadly as we rode up, the cloud became thick, too thick for safe riding, so we turned around before heading back down the same route and went to see the cable cards at Fuente De. Although only around 120km of riding for the afternoon, the roads we travelled were amazing. So tight twisty sections and fast sweepers it’s time to head back for a well earned beer. Cheers.
Wednesday 11th September Wednesday morning, it’s time to check out and head for our next destination. We’re off to San Sebastian for the night baby! Bit of cheating going on regarding the route, I used the sat Nav and just selected avoid tolls and motorways, All I’ll say is regarding the roads, we wasn’t disappointed, only seeing perhaps the last 60km on dual carriage way getting in to San Sebastian. One of our bigger mileage days I think? 1st stop for lunch and the guys appear happy with my leading skills so far? Steve gets to know the locals. Mad Basta this Dog, it sat at bushes catching wasps and eating them! Another one of our many stops. Pushing on and we finally arrive, albeit a little later than anticipated in San Sebastian Our hotel for the night Booking.com: Hotel Monte Ulia , San Sebastián, Spain - 290 Guest reviews . Book your hotel now! Out for some Tapas and beer heading for the old town “that’s another story” I meet a couple of the local slags
What we came for Tapas Thursday 12th September. Heading to Jaca today, and the Holy Grail know as the N240/N260. Didn’t hang around for breakfast, loaded up and headed out, our intention was to grab something along the way. Headed for Irun where we picked up the N121/N121A After our run in with a speed camera “forward facing” we pulled off the main road for coffee and a snack. Steve recalled, he had been here before. Quick look on the map and headed for Olague where we picked up the NA-2520, not the widest road to ride on, but with minimum traffic around we pretty much had it to ourselves. At Urtasun we swung a right onto the NA-138 and at Gau Txori we went left onto the N135 which turned into an awesome ride. Passed a couple of Brits at a fuel station, not sure if members on here? Couple of shots from one of the many amazing bends as they came up.
You get the idea. Sorry, one very over excited photographer, and remember, Steve Jason and I had just done this very same road. Much more of the same, we decided to head for Jaca and find base. Cutting across country towards the N240 we stopped for dinner. But not before we landed on the N150, feeling rather giddy after those amazing roads we had a little bit of a open it up moments. Seriously, My poor bike, it must have thought it had been stolen, having just knocked the cobwebs off the 7000rmp mark and moved a family of spiders near the 12000rpm mark, I’m loving he bike and my new mind set, we had a road with unlimited visibility, and before I knew it, I was playing follow my leader, showing 169 on the speedo, “you decide KMPH or MPH” Avoid this place if eating, not very nice IMO, they use the engine oil from the garage across the road to cook in i think? We succeeded in finding a place that Steve wanted to try and book into, sadly they had turned it into a kind of time share, and not renting by the night, so off we went to here. Nice clean place, and they have a garage to store the bikes. Booking.com: Hotel A Boira , Jaca, Spain - 198 Guest reviews . Book your hotel now!
A quick change, and tonight we introduce Jason to fine dining. Well earned drink. A couple we spoke to on the evening, they too were in Spain to enjoy the Pyenees. They had a different angle though, they owned a glider, and had it at Jaca, they went out every day, very interesting couple to speak too.
Friday 13th September. Steady ride today, leaving Jaca, and heading to Sort, staying on the N260 Not as scary once you get use to it. Stopped at Ainsa “Steve’s recommendation” for dinner, what a fantastic place, I’ve stayed at worse places. Another stop, after yet another awesome road Steve puts his love for my new found skills in writing Just amazing scenery and road surface.
Hotel in Sort Booking.com: Hotel-Apartaments Pey 3000 , Sort, Spain - 8 Guest reviews . Book your hotel now! Someone enjoyed his day. Saturday 14th September 3 become 4 today, So we’re leaving Sort behind and we heading off to meet Alblade, and head off to the Andorra area. Remember, it’s the Repsol Garage at Puigcerda, what could go wrong? Before any trip, you need coffee, especially with these roads. It’s no good being asleep Ya know. So back on the N260, yet more awesome roads, A quick break before heading to Al. Well, after i finally pulled in, i had a rush of blood and kept going up and down for a few more goes at this bend. That’s not me BTW, Off to meet Al at the repsol garage, But where’s Al?
Yep, two repsol garages, what are the chances! Off we go and head off to Pas De La Casa, Al got us a deal for a two night stay. Wanting to go get booked in, and take us out for an afternoon ride. Stopping here on the way up
