Jeff CD
02-10-2004, 12:54 AM
I returned earlier this week from a "World of BMW" tour to Barcelona. Overall, it was a good trip, well organised, shortish mileages leaving time to see the sights, but a good mix of roads, especially up in the Pyrenees. The hotels were excellent except one. There were 17 of us in all with 10 bikes, so only three solo, 5 were RTs, a GS, KGT, CL, KRS and a Moto Guzzi. Yes, that's right, no RRSs, which surprised me. I would have been on an R1100Rs but I traded that for the KRs in July at my wife's insistence.
The crossing to and from Santander across the notorious Bay of Biscay was smooth both ways on the 'Pont Aven', a new French ferry with good restaurants, bars and lounges. The standard cabins were adequate but you could upgrade to get more space for £28 each way.
The first stop on the way to Barcelona was just south of Pamplona in a Parador/Castle at Olite, only about 180 miles from Santander. The following day we put in 280 to get to Barcelona. This was pretty easy going as the roads are good and traffic is generally light - about 4 hours saddle time each day, but with fuel and lunch stops total travelling time was still only 5 1/2 to 6 hrs.
Three nights in Barcelona, so only 2 full days was not enough time to see all the sights, and for those not interested in sight-seeing there were optional ride-outs to places of interest about 100 miles up the coast. I cannot remember anyone taking advantage of these as there were enough distractions to be had in Barcelona. But for those who like to keep on the go, it is nice to know that they are available.
Next up to the Pyrenees, to Arties (in another excellent Parador), which is just west of Andorra. Plenty of twisties, climbs and descents on the way, with many sheer drops the other side of the armco. I don't know how high we went but at one place we stopped I checked the gps which said just over 7000ft. It is surprising how sharp the shadows are in the clean air at that height. We stayed for two nights in Arties and the 'free day' was just that although some people went to Lourdes, France (one rided compained of knee-ache on his return) and others just rode around enjoying the roads. Next day on to Pamplona, about 200 miles through the foothills of the Pyrenees on narrow, sometimes single track roads with two major climbs and descents before the final flat run into the city, with only a couple of straight bits of road. The final 160 miles the following morning to the ferry was motorway the second half of which twists and turns it's way along the coast from Bilbao to Santander.
The longest rides or the tour for me were to and from the ferry, particularly on the way back as I had about 330 miles in the rain.
I can thoroughly recommend the tour to anyone, and I have no connection with the tour operators!
The crossing to and from Santander across the notorious Bay of Biscay was smooth both ways on the 'Pont Aven', a new French ferry with good restaurants, bars and lounges. The standard cabins were adequate but you could upgrade to get more space for £28 each way.
The first stop on the way to Barcelona was just south of Pamplona in a Parador/Castle at Olite, only about 180 miles from Santander. The following day we put in 280 to get to Barcelona. This was pretty easy going as the roads are good and traffic is generally light - about 4 hours saddle time each day, but with fuel and lunch stops total travelling time was still only 5 1/2 to 6 hrs.
Three nights in Barcelona, so only 2 full days was not enough time to see all the sights, and for those not interested in sight-seeing there were optional ride-outs to places of interest about 100 miles up the coast. I cannot remember anyone taking advantage of these as there were enough distractions to be had in Barcelona. But for those who like to keep on the go, it is nice to know that they are available.
Next up to the Pyrenees, to Arties (in another excellent Parador), which is just west of Andorra. Plenty of twisties, climbs and descents on the way, with many sheer drops the other side of the armco. I don't know how high we went but at one place we stopped I checked the gps which said just over 7000ft. It is surprising how sharp the shadows are in the clean air at that height. We stayed for two nights in Arties and the 'free day' was just that although some people went to Lourdes, France (one rided compained of knee-ache on his return) and others just rode around enjoying the roads. Next day on to Pamplona, about 200 miles through the foothills of the Pyrenees on narrow, sometimes single track roads with two major climbs and descents before the final flat run into the city, with only a couple of straight bits of road. The final 160 miles the following morning to the ferry was motorway the second half of which twists and turns it's way along the coast from Bilbao to Santander.
The longest rides or the tour for me were to and from the ferry, particularly on the way back as I had about 330 miles in the rain.
I can thoroughly recommend the tour to anyone, and I have no connection with the tour operators!