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9 Aug 2013
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I suppose where you are starting from in the UK is a factor. For me, travelling from central Scotland I already have a 500 mile journey just to get to Dover and then two 400 miles days straight after doesn't do it for me :/
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12 Aug 2013
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I've read all the post but am still not convinced that the Bilbao ferry, or any one to Northern Spain is a better idea than the ride down. I can get a roof over my head in Dover for £10/12.50 a night. That will put me on Dover dock at 7.30 in the morning. Hotel's down if I'm on my own is Euros 30. That's two hotel's to get me to Spain. I have a friend in Spain just out side Madrid who will put me up for the night. Then it's one more day to ride, to get me where I need to be. Southern Spain. I don't use toll road's due to the cost. But with a bike if you do use them. Then you can cover more distance and may be, just may be, get to where you are going a day earlier. That's going to save you one night in a hotel. So the money you save on a room you can spend on the toll's. Still leavening you a little extra in your pocket. As I live about 150 mile's from Dover on the east side of the country. The run down is a pice of doddle. Leave my place round 10am to mid day. Get some grub on the way down. Arrive late afternoon. Book in shower and head down. What can be easer?
John933
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12 Aug 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John933
What can be easier?John933
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Hot shower, own cabin then feet up with a  and a massive plate full of french french fries and Boeuf Bourguignon watching the sunset.  and let the ship take the strain
Last edited by Bertrand; 12 Aug 2013 at 16:11.
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15 Sep 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fraser2312
I suppose where you are starting from in the UK is a factor. For me, travelling from central Scotland I already have a 500 mile journey just to get to Dover and then two 400 miles days straight after doesn't do it for me :/
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Know where your coming from, we did the trip this May/June this year, Edinburgh to Newhaven then across to Dieppe, rode down to roughly Poiters the day we arrived and we could barely get off the bikes,(although finding out the bar was still opened saved us)  , we did plan on seeing a bit of France by way of A-roads but ended up making our way back to the motorway as the weather was GRIM and we wanted to make as much milage as possible in the hope of getting through it,(that didn't happen either)  .
When we got back we all agreed that next time we would just sail to Santander, alas being the hopeless carefree type I have dicided that actually I will ride through France again as it would be nice to see it without being wrapped in gore-tex
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28 Sep 2013
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I've done the Santander ferry twice. never again. Anyway, France is nice. I must have been through it thirty-six times now and I always like it. In fact, the one thing I miss about my old life now I live in Portugal is riding through France. Great, well-priced places to stay, although the Relais places are dying out, which is a great pity. Reading this thread has made me want to get my bike out and head north!
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29 Sep 2013
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bikes & boats
 Hi everyone, was on way to Morocco last summer, met up with 2 English bikers on 2 midrange off the roads at spanish petrol station. They had packed bikes & kit into back of old van, taken ferry to santander & were heading off to ride in the sahara. Thought to meself that that was a super idea also cost effective. They leave van parked on camping site in spain and pick it up on way home again.  have fun Vince
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29 Sep 2013
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I wouldn't have thought they saved much as the van wouldn't get much to the gallon. Anyway, why not ride all the way? It's more fun.
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3 Oct 2013
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saddle sore.....
Mmmmnnnn haven't a clue, never owned a 4 wheeler. I ride a guzzi norge, took it to Morocco last spring, oke nice & comfortable on the motorways but limited in Morocco. Am looking at buying off road, mid range around the 500 600 cc. But to do a long distance motorway travel to Morocco woooow. I live in Amsterdam & work so time is a prob. So those two bikers used a compromise, thought it was kinda neat. But have to admit I agree 100% with you Algarve, ride is loads more fun. Good luck & have fun in Kuala lumpar later on. Am interested to hear your experiences, also with the shipping, so if you get chance will you post??? Have fun
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3 Oct 2013
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Visited mainland Spain for the 1st time last year & took the ferry option
The point of the trip was to spend 2 weeks in Spain, not a few days in France and only a week in Spain. I don't want to do long days in the saddle these days either.
We were 2 adults with 2 bikes & had the option of riding 2 large cc bikes down through France or taking 2 small cc bikes in a van.
We chose the latter because 2 bikes or 2 bikes in a van didn't make much difference as the price is based mostly on the cabin and season. Compared to riding down or driving through France from the north of England, the ferry worked out at £50 per person extra. Well worth it for me - arrived relaxed and ready to ride + we saw dolphins on the way
Thoroughly enjoyed Spain. I love the mountains of Austria and Italy but Spain may win over them for my next EU trip
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Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way
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