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!

[NickW909]

Once you get down towards the Alentejo you'll run into some access problems on the Transportugal route and lots of lovely deep sand too...

The north however is spectacular!

Would 2nd the suggestion about to head over to the pyrenees. The N260 is a must if your in the area. The Vibraction RB5 is also another option for an off-road route.


Nick.

[Romulus]

Oooooh never ridden on sand before.. I here you have to keep your weight positioned as far back as possible and keep the power on to keep the front wheel light <-- does that sound about right?

You say access problems... are we talking about huge chunks of the trail or the occasional land owner who's blocked the way?

Thanks,

[NickW909]

You'll find a few locked gates. If you see a sign saying Caminho sem Saida (No way out) then find another route around.

There is one decent that I'd do on a 250 enduro but not on a loaded Adv, I'll see if I can find the co-ords for it.


Nick.

[wobbychef]

Hi Romulus

Ive driven sections of the 'transportugal' route, in 2013 and 2014.

The mapbook I use is from the original Toyota trip, 2008 I think, and there have been a fair few changes - in particular theyve been building dual carriageways, which can chop some routes up.

The Barragen do Azibo lake below Branganca is now off-limits to drive round, the cafe owner phones his mate in the GDR when he see's people setting off on the route around it, think he's on commission!

Some landowners are getting a bit funny about access, the norm seems to be a piece of blue poly rope across the track to indicate its closed, but we only came across this once.

Generally though, theres always an alternative.

We used a variety of offline maps on a gps tablet and didnt get lost, but we also found a gated exit on a very large olive farm as someone else has mentioned.

If you want to check your route with what we did in September let me know.

Cheers

Pete

[bickkers]

I did not do the trans Portugal you have planned. I came up from Ayamonte - Spain to Lisbon then onto Porto and across to Valladolid. Best of luck, when you have settled on the route, would be great to see it posted.

[Romulus]

Hi All,

Would anyone have any suggestions for maps of Portugal - I am aware of the Michelin Regional Maps for Portugal (I think 3 cover the country in total) but they don't seem to get particularly good reviews (missing details, scale too small etc)

I had thought of taking my iPad with me should there be an option for offline mapping apps....

Thanks,

Rich

[greenmanalishi]

Hi Romulus, like you I am leaving the UK but on Thur 30 April riding to Dover, ferry over to Calais on Fri 31st then on to Perpignan via Milau bridge. From there its down south through Spain and then up north through Portugal and heading to Normandy where I have to be for the 24th May. It's my first solo trip out of the UK (gone in groups before) and I have no route and no plans. My only considerations so far are no more than 300 mile a day absolute max and camping couching all the way eating crisps and cheese sarnies in a bid to keep costs down. I will be leaving Normandy on the 29th May back to Calais, ferry back to Dover, camp somewhere for a night and then home by Sat 30th.

I am fairly certain that at some point we will not be too far from each other?

[John933]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Hi All,

Would anyone have any suggestions for maps of Portugal - I am aware of the Michelin Regional Maps for Portugal (I think 3 cover the country in total) but they don't seem to get particularly good reviews (missing details, scale too small etc)

I had thought of taking my iPad with me should there be an option for offline mapping apps....

Thanks,

Rich

That is the problem with Portugal. There map's are not as good as OS map's in the UK. On the other hand OS map of Portugal are better than the one's you get in Portugal. It's pay your money and take your chance.
John933