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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 14 Sep 2008
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Pyrennes
Hi, Have been a motorcyclist most of my life but never done any distance travelling. For reasons that I do not want to go into, I want to cross the Pyrennes on my motorcyle,it is a Triumph Bonneville 2005. I have to do this within a year after that it will be too late for me.
Could anyone tell me when would be the best time to go and what route to take from England, I am fit enough to take this journey, any help would be appreciated.
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Old 14 Sep 2008
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Well, Dodger, you dont actually say where you're going or where you will arrive at the Pyrenees.

There are many crossing points, to many destinations. You can even cross by Andorra, technically a different country.

The Pyrenees stretch over 600 kms from Atlantic to Med.

So do say where you are heading for, and maybe you'll get some info. But in the end, you're better with a good map, and then decide your own route. You cant go wrong, it's all fantastic.

The route from England depends on what you want, by autoroute or lesser routes. Time of year depends on you also. If you are up for winter riding then go as you please. Otherwise, choose your time just as you would in the UK.

You dont have to be fit, you're riding your moto. You dont really need any advice -get your map and GO!

Good roads!
Last edited by Caminando; 15 Sep 2008 at 12:06.
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Old 15 Sep 2008
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Don't just cross the Pyrenees, ride across as much of the area as possible. There's some good riding to be had in the Eastern French Pyrenees, but once you cross into Spain you can ride pretty much from the North west to the east via unbelievably twisty single cross roads encountering no traffic whatsoever but amazing scenery wherever you look. I think heading East the truly amazing roads ran out after a town called 'Ripon' or something similar. My tecnique for find good roads is to look for the smallest, most twisty looking line on the map.


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Old 15 Sep 2008
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Dodger, It's not cheap, for sure, but just book yourself on the Plymouth-Santander ferry. When you get off turn left. Ride until you reach the Med, turn around and come back. This is the quickest way to get you in amongst the mountains without having to ride down through France. Make sure you check out the Picos de Europa mountains and especially the N621/N625 roads in the area to the west of Santander before you come home though.

Good luck.
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Old 15 Sep 2008
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as with any mountains, the weather can be changeable. My personal tolerance level only sees me heading through there if I really have to during Nov - Feb (inclusive). Obviously, late spring to late summer you'll get the drier weather and best views.

as to routes, just pick up a Michelin map of northern spain and choose the twisty roads. The best things about a trip are unexpected, leave room for a little naivety.

there's plenty of history to read up on, and give you some ideas. The Cathar's used to be round there, as well as plenty of old feudal types. If starting in Spain, you could cross over on some back roads across to Carcassonne for some French history. And then wind your way back.

Again, personally, I would ride through France. Down via Dijon, across Massif Central towards Pyrenees. If it's your first (and possibly only) riding in Europe, to miss out on the European biking culture (by sitting on a ferry) would be a shame.
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Old 16 Sep 2008
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Dougie B says it, if you've got the time ride down through france, if it's a once in a lifetime job then see as much as you can.

In the pyrenees, many of the high passes will be closed during the winter months & thus some of the best riding must be missed. There's already been snow saturday, in the alps above 2000m, didn't stick but the pundits are saying that it's a sign of a loooooooong winter...

if you're riding through central France, drop me a line & i'll let you buy me a somewhere...
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Old 16 Sep 2008
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I would put money on you catching snow at the higher roads, I rode up there in late May this years and encountered -0 temps and snow
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