Portugal - UK in May 2105 - Suggestions please :)

[Romulus]

Hi All,

So the ferry is booked, my pile of Euro's is growing and I'm prepping for the off.

I intend to float from Plymouth - Santander on the 3rd May 2015 (spare bed going in the cabin I've booked if it's of any use to anyone), ride the TransPortugal route (Trans Portugal off-road. - ADVrider) or a version of it, followed by a weekend off in The Algarve before heading home through Europe...

The only "issue" I have is what to do on the way home

This will be my first decent length European Trip and, with some 3 weeks at my disposal, I'd like to explore a bit of Spain and France on the way back to Calais (approx 10 - 14 days to make the trip back to the ferry in Calais)

If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations for places to stay, routes off the beaten track or any advice it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks all for any help.

Rich

[Endurodude]

2105 - now that's forward planning (sorry, couldn't resist!).

Personally, when heading home I'd head east to the Alps. I love Switzerland; yes, it's very expensive (or can be), but it's a beautiful country. From there, I'd head north through Germany. Bavaria is also lovely - some great riding! If you're avoiding motorways, there's no issue; if not, France can get very expensive fast! Depending on your overall plan, perhaps a quick saunter through Western Czech might be in order, too? You can do a lot in three weeks, it all depends on how far you want to ride and how frequently you'd like to stop.

Not so much Spain and France, but more a personal preference.

[Romulus]

Thanks for the reply,

Is it reasonable to achieve what you've said in 10 days?

As I say, I've got no experience in Europe so distances etc and realistic distances are completely new to me. I appreciate distance fixation is something I'll try and avoid but the idea of being able to visit Czech would be amazing!

Thanks,

Rich

[Endurodude]

Hmm, 10 days would be a push. I must admit, I'd focused on the 3 weeks bit and missed the 10 days, sorry! It could be done, but you'd miss quite a bit by doing it - several potentially long days! Perhaps a slightly longer trip?

[Romulus]

Thanks for the reply,

I thought it might be

I was originally thinking more of a bimble over the Picos in Northern Spain and then follow the French wine regions along the Bay of Biscay, up through the Loire and then along Northern France visiting some of the WWII beaches.

Does this sound reasonable for 10 days?

[Endurodude]

I do 'to see why not; I like bimbling too!

[Romulus]

Hi All,

Given that this is my proposed route back (allowing 10 days) - Is there anything I can see on the way up?

I've never been this way before so am not familiar with what could be on the route (I appreciate this route goes no where the the Loire Valley but I intend to divert across country )

Thanks in advance,

Rich

[backofbeyond]

I've been along what's more or less your route a few times over the years and it's about four days riding to cover the distance (without knocking yourself out and staying off the motorways). Maybe into a fifth day if you're on a small / slow bike.

Many years ago I met someone in Calais who'd just ridden the route non stop in about 30hrs on a Guzzi Le Mans. We gave him some Paracetamol

As to what to see, my top suggestion for a slightly bizarre destination is Lourdes. You don't have to be religious to get the full effect - in fact it probably helps if you're not. Plan on at least half a day as much of the time you won't believe what you're seeing. Good for souvenirs as well if you know anyone who would appreciate a plastic Pope.

[Pongo]

I think going as far as the Alps is probably a little far to cope with comfortably in the time you have, Spain and France are big countries to cross, and you must allow time for holiday traffic in May. I took a route a few years back from Gib to my home near Limoges, and can recommend a detour off from Valladolid up through Leon to the Picos and Asturias around Gijon, then head east along the north coast towards Santander and the Pyrenees. Then head inland towards Pau and Tarbes on the French side of the Pyrenees, (take in Lourdes on the way- for all it's tackiness it's worth a detour). Going north through the Lot and Dordogne you see some really old and arguably best parts of France.

If you have time then head across country to Albi via Auch and Montaubon ( avoiding Toulouse) and on to Millau to pick get on the bridge at J47 on the A75. The A 75 will then take you north all the way up through Clermont Ferrand towards Paris and the coast.

[backofbeyond]

The Alps are spectacular and well worth a visit if you've not been there but probably not this trip. It'll add a day at least to the ride to detour over to the east side of France if you follow your route up through Spain and the more time you spend on the bike the less time there will be to see and do the things you've gone there for. Four days riding + six days sightseeing / touring around etc is about the balance I'd aim for on your schedule.

Also, as a part time French Alps resident, May is probably my least favorite month in the mountains. The higher passes may be /probably will be (varies year to year) still snowbound, it's still cold above about 1000m and it rains a lot. Come back in early July or after "la rentree" (when all the French holidaymakers return to work) in early Sept.

[Endurodude]

Pau and Lourdes are both great. I got shouted at in Lourdes (the shrine) as I was on the 'phone to my Dad! The shrine is worth seeing, although I found the gift shops quite tacky. Lovely part of the world, though.

[OTRA]

The atlantic coast is wonderful and you will be riding in front of my doorstep near Dieppe and be (if i'm not away somewhere). in France you can easy ride 550/600 k a day on touring mode and the double by expensive motorway (but it's not a way to visit a country). By the way , when ridding on french motorways ,always make sure before paying you are on "classe 5"(bike) and not "class 1"(car) automatic tolls have cameras and if you ring "help" they put you back on "class 5" (don't care about the stupid noisy car drivers stuck behind you, the difference in price worth it) Note ,they are opening more and more bikes file at tolls .(or go to the manual handing cabin , when there is one)

Ride safe

Roger

[Romulus]

Thank you for all the replies guys.

Seems that Lordes is definitely on the cards now - do like a bit of tacky tourism every now and again

Keep `em coming

[John933]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Hi All,

Given that this is my proposed route back (allowing 10 days) - Is there anything I can see on the way up?

I've never been this way before so am not familiar with what could be on the route (I appreciate this route goes no where the the Loire Valley but I intend to divert across country )

Thanks in advance,

Rich

I go down to Faro twice a year. Spring and Autumn. The rout you have posted is more or less the way I go down. You can do that in three day, if you don't doordle. I should be in the Algarve sometime in May, come back early June. If you are looking for a place to get your head down for a few day's let me know.
John933

[Romulus]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for all the offers of a nights rest etc, Seems the itinerary is coming along nicely.

Turns out I have a good friend who just so happens to own a house in Le Mans - so that's now on the list too.

Thanks again,

Rich