Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: King's Lynn UK
Posts: 424
Spain Bilbao to Santiago.

Goggle map's is just running me down the coast. There must be a better way to go. Give me an idea of what place's to ride through.

I will be in Bilbao on the 23 May, traveling to Santiago on the Thursday. I need to get to Faro on the Saturday the 25 May. So will be looking for one more stop on the way down from Santiago Faro. Any idea where to make my second stop?
John933
__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Apr 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Hi John:

I'm going to be riding a similar route around the same time as you - my plans are to depart Zurich about May 24, ride to Bilbao, then head over to Santiago and south from there into Portugal. But - I've got 3 weeks to do the outbound portion of the trip, and 2 more weeks to do the return.

I've been through that area before (about 10 years ago) - there are lots of really interesting secondary roads, but you will have to compromise between how much time you want to spend on the Bilbao - Santiago sector vs. how many interesting little secondary roads you want to explore.

If you head inland (south) about 20 km from the coast, you are into the Cantabrian Mountains, which includes the Picos de Europa, which is fabulous riding. But, if you only have two days to get from Bilbao to Faro, I don't think you have much choice but to stay on the motorways all the way. The shortest route between Bilbao and Faro is the E-80 and E-803 to Seville, then head west - that's 1,100 km, which is pretty hard riding for 2 days.

I don't think it is realistic to plan to get from Bilbao to Faro in 2 days if you go via Santiago. The distance for that route looks to me like it would be around 1,500 km, which could be done in 2 days, provided you stayed on main roads (motorways) all the way, and didn't stop for anything except to buy fuel and pee.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: King's Lynn UK
Posts: 424
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
Hi John:

I'm going to be riding a similar route around the same time as you - my plans are to depart Zurich about May 24, ride to Bilbao, then head over to Santiago and south from there into Portugal. But - I've got 3 weeks to do the outbound portion of the trip, and 2 more weeks to do the return.

I've been through that area before (about 10 years ago) - there are lots of really interesting secondary roads, but you will have to compromise between how much time you want to spend on the Bilbao - Santiago sector vs. how many interesting little secondary roads you want to explore.

If you head inland (south) about 20 km from the coast, you are into the Cantabrian Mountains, which includes the Picos de Europa, which is fabulous riding. But, if you only have two days to get from Bilbao to Faro, I don't think you have much choice but to stay on the motorways all the way. The shortest route between Bilbao and Faro is the E-80 and E-803 to Seville, then head west - that's 1,100 km, which is pretty hard riding for 2 days.

I don't think it is realistic to plan to get from Bilbao to Faro in 2 days if you go via Santiago. The distance for that route looks to me like it would be around 1,500 km, which could be done in 2 days, provided you stayed on main roads (motorways) all the way, and didn't stop for anything except to buy fuel and pee.

Michael
I don't leave Bilbao until Thursday morning, and I have to be in Faro on the Saturday before six PM. so to me that's three day's in all. Thursday Friday and Saturday. To travel under 700 mile's more like 650 mile's, if I go direct. That's some-where in the region of 220 mile's a day? That's just one tank of petrol and a bit. I can piss that.

So by going along the coast it up's the mileage to 850. That's under 300 mile's in a day. Still a do'able distance.
John933
__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 May 2013
Simon_100's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Spain
Posts: 107
t
Quote:
Originally Posted by John933 View Post
I don't leave Bilbao until Thursday morning, and I have to be in Faro on the Saturday before six PM. so to me that's three day's in all. Thursday Friday and Saturday. To travel under 700 mile's more like 650 mile's, if I go direct. That's some-where in the region of 220 mile's a day? That's just one tank of petrol and a bit. I can piss that.

So by going along the coast it up's the mileage to 850. That's under 300 mile's in a day. Still a do'able distance.
John933
Sorry John,

This is a completely barking idea, there's no way you can do that kind of distance on the back roads along the Cordillera Cantabria, let alone down Portugal.



This is a 'main' road!

Quite apart from the terrain and the roads themselves you are quite likely to experience severe rainfall, or even snow.



The Picos on a typical July day!

You could have a great ride via the Gredos mountains and down Extremadura, avoid Portugal at all costs as it's just one village after another - all the way.

So, the question, why on earth are you going via Santiago - you can't do the pilgrimage thing unless you do it under your own steam

Regs

Simon
__________________
The Spanish Biker - the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain.

The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: King's Lynn UK
Posts: 424
Well give me a route for three day's from Bilbao to Faro.
John933
__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Going to Spain in late Spring? Don’t miss Motostrail 10th anniversary meeting! estebangc Europe 2 30 Jan 2013 19:36
Spain one or two week's Sep 8 2012 John933 Europe 5 4 Sep 2012 19:19
Southern Spain back to UK Sept 19th-30th jc_bromley Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 16 Aug 2012 23:48
Santiago and Osorno, Chile. MotoAventura! dstehouwer Repair Shops, South America 0 11 Mar 2012 18:18
SPAIN to the AMERICAS by Elisa xfiltrate Ride Tales 1 15 Dec 2009 03:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:31.