Mornin' all,

BipBip, thanks for linking to my blog, I hope it's been useful.

ULLUKK: the Pyrenees are indeed stunning but you're looking on the wrong place in 'The Basque Country', which is quite built up by local standards. Instead try looking for digs in 'Navarre', which is the region just at bit further east, especially the towns and villages in the Roncal and Salazar valleys, if you want to base yourself in one place and specifically want to stay at the western end of the range. But unless you're completely hooked on the western end you'll find there are more routes on the Spanish side in the so-called 'Pre-Pyrenees' the further east you go.

The Tour is a pain for a much longer period than when it's actually there as so many groups of cyclists and general tourists clog up the 'Col' routes during the whole summer season. But if you're stuck for your holiday time you can at least make a small difference by planning to ride over the Tour passes in the evenings when the French are all home waiting for supper at 7.00 pm sharp - this is 'dead' time in Spain as you have to wait until 9.00 pm to eat out

Yo'll find many more routes in the Michelin 1: 150 000 'Zoom' series, Nºs 144-5-6, if you like maps these are a great buy but for some obscure reason they don't mark camp sites on the French side; maybe it's because there are so many!

To judge from your comments you're looking for digs rather than camping, so take a check at my page regarding rural accommodation and 'hostales' July is peak season and this sector hasn't been affected by the crisis, quite the reverse as the Spanish are now tending to stay on home territory for their holidays.

Have fun

Simon

__________________
The Spanish Biker - the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain.

The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services