Pyrennes and the pico`s

[tramp]

hi all,
well first off thanks to Jacques for suggesting this are in the first place , was going to do the "alpine route" in Bavaria next year but the pyreenes sounds more daring and I love France and Northern spain

So am planning on going out on the Friday/sat 22nd 23rd May from Portsmouth to caen either overnight or fast cat .
Then down to Pau via Angers,Niort,Saintes and Bordeaux with overnight stop somewhere using the old route National where possible probably stop off in St Jean de Angelay north of Saintes first night.

Pau to Laurans then D918/D618 [plenty uphill/downhill twist brown pants moments] accross to Bagneres de-Luchon.
Then over the border via N230 into Spain to pic up N260 [more twisties] to Jaca
Then Jaca via motorwayto Santander and on to the Pico`s de Europe for a 2-3 day circular route on the N621/625 with a hopefull trip up the cable car [ I dont like heights}

will be camping throughout some wild camping if required stopping off as and when the feeling takes.

Back to blighty on the Brittany ferries overnighter on Bank holiday Monday to pompy, so that 2 days down and 4 days French/Spanish Pyrennes an 2 1/2 days pico`s and 1 day on ferry home.

Anyone wanting to tag along welcome .

really want to book ferries soon to get discounts and the all important rtn trip from Spain.

If the pass routes are closed in France will cut accross to the Narbonne area and follow coast down to Collioura and the Spanish costa before cutting acros to Jaca and the pyrennes.
You never know what the weather is doing their in spring , bit like blighty on a normal day [Rain,sun,hail,snow all together].

Russell

[tramp]

bump- some one must be interested

[tramp]

hi everybody,
I will be booking ferries next week for those lurching and interested:

out pompy overnight Friday 21 overnight to Caen

return santander to pompy Bankhoilday monday 31st

come along for the ride you know you want too

Russ

[Yeti]

Sorry, already got two trips planned a little later in the year. Be careful as the weather can still be a little hit and miss in April/May in the Picos.

The cablecar is well worth a look but if you feel up to a bit of stone track then you can actually drive up from the back. Not sure what the access rights are once you are in the tourist season but you could have a go.

Drop me a line if you want to know any nice routes. I have about 11 hrs of on-bike footage to hack through from last summer. I am putting a DVD together for xmas if I get time for the other two guys who went if you want a copy of it to wet your appetite?

[tramp]

cheers yeti for the info and offer of advice,

just booked outbound and return so there`s no stopping me now

and if its snowing well I`ll have a snowball fight with whoever i can find

[tramp]

Well not long to go now
But the F`in weather aint looking to good in them there mountains, still -2 and snow at night .

Any members live out that way near a "french nuclear reactor" that could improve the temps .

Anyone else out that way last week of May ? if you spot a Blue Alp with XRV stickers give me a wave, if the weather is still cold then might dip me toes in the Med at Pepignan.

Are the mountain roads [ colls] open yet? I know its sometimes june before they all open up.

[PHILinFRANCE]

Don,t forget !!!! if you,re anywhere near CALL IN (Lamothe Fenelon 46350)
Phil

[tramp]

cheers Phill,

But planning on first stop Saint jean-d`angeley near to Saintes , then via Bordeaux and Pau to Lourdes [no I aint religious] then into the mountains at Argeles -Gazost and along the wonderfull mountain routes toward Andora before returning to Santander via Jaca etc.

Will prob see you in October as the wifes given me time off and never been to the Lot in October whats that village on the D703 near Beynac called with the great "vlad the Impalor " style castle and view across the valley .

Ohh I cant wait

[PHILinFRANCE]

Sounds like you,re on about CASTELNAUD but theres one every klick out here!!! have a great trip mate and don,t forget LOADS of PICS if you pass near enough the massive dunes at BISSCAROSSE are worth a visit
Phil

[Recycler]

Are the mountain roads [ colls] open yet? I know its sometimes june before they all open up.

If you get a Michelin map, not only do they have all the scenic routes marked in green - but my France one has mini-maps of the mountain ranges showing when they are (usually) closed until...

You'll have a great trip, toured over there alone twice, go where you want, stop when you want, chat to other bikers...