Northern spain

[brianmcc]

Thinking of taking my @ to spain next year, i have not done any real traveling on a bike. Has anybody gone here do you think it would be good for a novice.

[Austin]

not been by bike yet, but by car with the family a few times. It is fantastic and IDEAL for a bike. Just go. Best if you can speak a bit of spanish and understand the spanish way of life - like eating at 10pm or later is normal.

Enjoy

[mudplug]

Iam planning a trip to northen spain next year.
My folks lived out there for 15 years (Bascara) and spent the summer holidays with girl friend who became the wife which in turn became the mother of our two kids. I always said i would love to buy a africa twin
(loads out there) and ride the mountains.
i've still got contacts out there so early next year i put something together
hope we can meet up if not keep posting your plans
ill do the same

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Thinking of taking my @ to spain next year, i have not done any real traveling on a bike. Has anybody gone here do you think it would be good for a novice.

YES, it's all much easier than you think, get a 'travelling abroad' type of book to give you the legalities, decide where and when.

Then just go!

Phil

[Robster]

Travelled by bike all the way from Gibraltar to Normandy along the Atlantic coast last year on the return leg of my trip.

Norther Spain is fabulous. Really not like the Spain we know from package destinations, but very green, lush and mountainous with lakes and everything...more like Northern Italy really.

Nothing to worry about legalities wise, just make sure you've got your Insurance Green Card and original registration and MOT documents with you. Do watch out for the Police, thay are pretty hot on traffic violations. I was spotted by a Police Helicopter overtaking slow moving traffic across the solid white lines in the centre of the road. Couple of miles up the road were the Spanish C.H.I.P.S. (Patatas Fritas?! ) who duly pulled me over and were quite unfriendly in giving me a £50 fine.

Some gorgeous places to visit though for sure, and if you fancy a brief foray into France, Biarritz is just over the border and a lovely lovely place to hit the beach, especially if the surf's up

No shortage of campsites either if that's your plan...I'd certainly recommend it.

[francis_geoff]

Have been to northern spain on the @ last year, and am going again in 2007. Campsites all along the pyrenees. Language is a prob but take a phrase book and you will be ok. I am going in June as the roads are empty and the weather is good. Must visit - Torla, Jaca and if you want cheaper bike clothing Andora.

[boboneleg]

I did a Rally in the Spanish Pyrenees in July this year on my Transalp. It's a great place to ride, fantastic scenery and very friendly people.

We were based at a small town called Sort and rode our bikes down through France, did the rally on a weekend and then rode them back.

I would do it again this year but I will be going to the Stella Alpina in Italy instead. Just go for it, you'll have a great time.

cheers, Bob.

[Recycler]

As mentioned above the area around Jaca is top riding. The N240 from Lumbier to Jaca is a dream: Pyrenees set back to the left, fields of sunflowers, a racetrack-like road (probably paid for by us so we should use it), poppies lining the route, beautiful blue lakes and the odd terracota-roofed village. It was so good I forgot to take any snaps, all I've got is this shot of the crossing from France on the Col Ibaneta-


The Spanish police do lots of stops and want to see ALL your paperwork. A smile and manners goes a long way to preventing you getting a hard time. As I remember the villages on the road have automatic speed sensor traffic lights - if you speed they go red and punish you with a few minutes sat on a hot bike on a hot day boiling away in your kit.

[Robster]

Yeah, Andorra is an absolute must if you're down that way. Seems like a place made for bikes and, as has been said, is crammed full of bike gear shops...and all at tax free prices! Pas de la Casa is by far and away not the prettiestplace you'll ever visit architecturally speaking, but has so may gear shops its untrue.

Fabulous scenery, and there's a gorgeous little campsite at Soldeau in the next valley. Very out of the way. Lovely

[img]http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic?id=7900dckUTpUHlaC9yKGfJQV9oEZyH6*pOGRdv4xQp5F d3Ig=&size=l[/img]

[brianmcc]

thanks for the replies all sounds good need to get on with the planing. Think it will be july because of my wifes holidays.