The mcn route to the ring is a really decent days ride mate... And as I'm only 40 mins from euro tunnel means I can be there early afternoon no dramas. I don't do motorways lol
A quick photo while we're waiting. I love this one. Sun, Smiles, Beer, A Wiggly Line on a Map and Craig saying Whaaaaaaarp !!!!!
I have similar maps with highlighted roads! Really looking forward to details of which routes you took (and more photos) Not going to get down there this year for first year in a long time and really missing it - tempted to EasyJet to Barcelona and hire a bike for a weekend
Where to start really is the big 1 here. I thought about doing a day by day guide into our tour, but have quickly come stuck as there is so much to say, and to be honest it still hasn't set in yet. First thing I really want to say is a MASSIVE thanks to Jimbo who organised the trip, and don't let him kid you that he never planned much. HUGE thanks from us all mate. Anyway I'll try and let the pictures do some of the talking for a bit. This is us all meeting up at the last stop, where we met up with Lambeth. (Notice the rain as we all got a bit of a soaking on the way to the ferry. Something I took great pride in letting Jimbo know that I had left sunny Scotland in 24 deg sunshine.) From here we hit Goodwood for a bite to eat before heading for the ferry. On the ferry with Jimbo and Lambeth photo bombing Rick's Repsol. With little to do for 22 hours I believe Hammertime was called early doors, and to honest I can't remember much of the night for some peculiar reason ?? The next day we roll off of the ferry and head for our first stop off, which is only a few hours from the port, as Jimbo had planned it well with the time we would be of the ferry. I was well off the boil for some reason and held back. Not sure if it was to do with riding on the opposite side of the road, or the fact we had just come the ferry and still had the sea legs on, but either way I took my time. Something that the guys were great with. (I gave myself a proper telling off that night, and took a Jimbo man up pill for the next day ahead) Arriving at the first nights stay. A few well deserved refreshments. TBC
Next day was a long one and I honestly have never ridden on better or more varied roads in 1 day, from fast sweeping bends with perfect tarmac, to mountain passes with relentless switchbacks, to almost goat track like roads with surfaces as pitted as the moon. None the less I had re-found my mojo, and by lunchtime (Something that we timed with Ri-Ri-Ri-Ri-Ri-Ri-Ricardo's (ABV) hunger drums), we were all high as kites from out first proper taste of what was to come. Oh and a little moment of sheer fear from a woman by-passer as we road through a lil village had us all holding our sides with laughter Lunch time with the boys From this point onwards the trip just got better and better, as the roads and the scenery just got better and better for the remainder of the trip. We arrived at our next destination, which was a cracking site with lovely cabins, for us to sleep for the night. Im sure there was some talk of there being a football final of some sort on TV or something. We never took any notice all the same. The cabins for the nights. Looking forward to the next days ride. This was going to be a good 1. The next day would see us head for the south coast taking in around 370 miles of sheer heaven of mountain passes and switchbacks that left you punch drunk. We all laughed when we seen a sign showing bends for 41km, and 41km of bends it was to. Yes get in there!! A couple of pics from the coast. TBC
This is the point in the trip when we started heading back up North though a well planned break in Andorra was a master plan by Jimbo, and not only did it mark the mid point once we arrived there, but it also meant we could all get pissed for Dave's birthday. HAMMERTIME. This was a scorcher of a day with temperature easily hitting 37 deg in the shade. Even at erm cruising speeds there was no relenting in the heat of having full riding gear on. Jimbo managed to steer us to our heavenly waters though and we jumped in gladly, savouring the fact that not only were we cooling down, but here we were swimming in beautiful scenery, which we all knew was something special. Lambeth drinking it all in After our little swim we cracked on and arrived in Andorra. Rick at this point was really feeling the heat, and when he took his helmet off I swear his head was about to pop lol. To add salt to his wounds it pissed down only 30 minutes later. A few pics of Andorra. This is a stunning place, and if you like shopping there can't be a much better place than this, and its a Tax haven.
Seeing as we had a rather well lubricated night for Dave's birthday, we had a lay in with no-one riding till late afternoon. Dave, Jimbo, and Raff decided that they wanted to head into France for a little jolly to see and old castle ruin. The rest of us were a little worse for wear though and decided to let the guys go ahead, while we wimped our. Sorry guys. The ruin they headed for. . This was now the half way point, and we had to start our tour back towards the ferry port. Though typical Jimbo style he managed to change things up a bit, adding must do routes on the way back up. We headed for Pamploma for the night, again this was a long ride, and in searing heat. Time for another swim mid-day me thinks Rick deciding that the catwalk was to be his next venture, strutted his stuff. The hotel Jimbo had us booked into was stunning, and with air con I found myself crashed out early bells after the heat of the day. The next day we headed for a place called Potes, by far and away the most peaceful and beautiful place I have been to. I'd happily go back there again for a holiday to take in all the scenery, buildings, and streets that are of a far gone era. A little detour up a road from Potes that you have to stop and turn round again as it just ends. But well worth it for the road there, and also scenery to die for. TBC
It was now time to head back to port, something that is normally the point of a trip where you end up feeling a bit low, but not this time, as we headed out from Potes to hit a piece of road that was by far and away the best piece of road and corners I have ever come across. I was over the moon that Jimbo had asked me to take lead prior to even knowing what this road was about. I was in heaven. The AS 116 is a road that must be done if you like fast sweeping bends. This road takes it to the next level with 40 minutes of solid sweeping bends leading from one to another, absolute bliss and we were all buzzing from it once it came to and end. I'll add a few pics now to stop me rambling on.
Can't help but notice that Alex is nearly as tall as you when he's kneeling down mate, but I felt woefully inadequate when I met him too. Loving this write up already. Carry on...
Colin's image with Craig: __________________________________________________ _____________ I recognise those ski lifts! That road was in my suggestion list! That road UP to the ski lifts from Sort is just epic, then the run down to Viehla is also wicked This is Gary B, Steve and Jase there last September just after Jase was too scared to swim and Steve screamed like a baby! And this video from about 21 mins is the road up to it, from a few years back mind [video]http://vimeo.com/channels/pyrenees/34467327[/video] 2011Wednesday in GixerJ Pyrenees France trips on Vimeo
Love posts/threads like these. Only get to tour vicariously, but one day it may change and if it does I hope I have as much fun as you guys did.
Chuffed you had a great time mate! Thanks for taking the time to do a write up. Would you do another one?
Memories rolling back of my trip this year, I literally cant wait to go back. Looks like you had a cracking time lads.
