Spain north to south

[7800]

Hi Guys,

I hope that you are all well and enjoying life. I am in the(very) early stages of planning a trip from Uk to Cape Town due to start in mid 2020. Does anyone have a ballpark idea how long would it take to travel from Bilbao to Tarifa via Murcia. Apart from a stop in Murcia for 4 days I will only be stopping to take in the scenery and rest. I will be riding small bike 250 t0 450cc I haven't decided yet.

Thanks in advance everyone

[tony johnston]

I have driven a Defender from Bilbao to Mercia in approx 12 hrs.and from there to Tarifa will take about 5 hrs.

[7800]

Thanks Tony that’s a great help. I think that I will need to split the Bilbao to Murcia section into at least 2 days then. I was thinking of keeping the hours riding to 6 at most. It will also depend on what time the ferry gets in to Bilbao. I might even spend the first night in Bilbao and head off early the next day.

[tony johnston]

One of the BRit FErries docks about 8am so I just grit my teeth and do it in one go.its all motorway so easy riding.

[PanEuropean]

Originally Posted by 7800

I think that I will need to split the Bilbao to Murcia section into at least 2 days then.

Yes, for sure, plan on at least two days.

There is some really fine riding up in the northern part of Spain, just south of Bilbao. I suggest you allow 3 days to get down to Murcia, as follows:

- first day to enjoy the delightful mountain riding up in the north of Spain.

- second day to haul ass ('transit') down to within about 100 miles of Murcia.

- third day to enjoy once again some delightful mountain riding just north of Murcia.

Sure, you could do it in a day (a single long hard slog), but what's the point? You're not running a road race, and you might as well enjoy some of the best riding areas Spain has to offer.

Michael

[7800]

I think that 3 days will be a good idea. I can’t ever see me getting back that way and the scenery looks breathtaking.

Cheers guys

[markharf]

PanEuropean speaks the truth, above, except that I can't even see the point to doing it in as little as 3 days. There is spectacular scenery of all sorts in addition to lots of historical and cultural sites, plus some of the most exhilarating twisty mountain riding you'll see between home and Cape Town, scattered throughout northern and southern Spain. I'd tend to blast through the center of the country in a hurry, especially during summer.

One thing worth thinking about, since you say you're leaving mid-year: it gets brutally hot in parts of Spain, to say nothing of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and onwards.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[7800]

Hi Mark,

Definitely good points I can always stretch the Spain section of the trip out. Re the weather you make a very good point. I may need to leave earlier or later in the year. My plans are very fluid and will probably remain that way for a while so things can and will change.

Food for thought thanks

[Tim Cullis]

Tony Johnson lives full time, and I live part time, about 120 km west of Murcia so we know that part of Spain well.

From Bilbao I would head for Logrońo, the capital of the Rioja Region and a lovely city, then on to the Bardenas Reales 'desert' national park for some hooning around on dirt tracks. There's a dinosaur trail nearby which I have some waypoints for but have never done. A little to the south are the medieval towns of Calatañazor ( http://www.sorianitelaimaginas.com/e...es/calatanazor ) and Almazan. Then quite a bit further south another medieval town of Albarracín.

Near Valencia you could visit the underground river of La Valle d'Uixó ( https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...n_Country.html ). Cartagena to the immediate south of Murcia has a wonderful Roman amphitheatre.

From Murcia you could explore the Cabo de Gato nature reserve, and then rather than traipse all the way to Tarifa (which on a small capacity bike from Murcia I would put at seven to eight hours with short stops) you could cross to Morocco from Almeriá, going either to Melilla (Spanish enclave in north Africa) or Nador which is effectively the same harbour but in Morocco. I've done this trip half a dozen times.

Temperatures could be a problem. Even June can be scorching, and you would be better starting earlier if you can. If you can't, you may need to completely soak your clothing in cold water every hour or so to get the 'fridge' effect. Take lip balm, factor 50 for your nose, hand cream and a buff. When it gets to 40ºC you have to ride with closed visor otherwise it's like riding into a hairdryer.

I have a Club Voyage membership which will save you 10% on bike and passenger fares with Brittany Ferries on UK to Bilbao or Santander, so nearer the date contact me for details.

[7800]

Well that's just convinced me to spend more time in Spain Tim. I can't ever see me getting back up that way so it would be stupid not to. I am going to add your suggestions to my itinerary, thanks for the help guys.

I have been looking at leaving earlier which is possible and I think a good idea.