Spain, France, Italy..

[boxer750]

Hi there
Im planning a trip (in the loosest terms) from Santander, through Spain (not decided on Portugal yet) taking about a week to get to Gibralter, and then across France to Genoa (another week) and then home probably via the Alps if the weather hold,s during the last two weeks in Sept and first in October.
I only have the ferry one way booked. Everything else should just work out

Anyway, having told you my rough intentions route, is there anything that any of you think really is a 'must see'.. as in roads, places, places to stay etc?

Also, there is a train from Le Spezia that takes bikes to Holland. Anyone know if its possible to take a chance on using it, or does it REALLY have to be booked in advance (Id rather ride the Apls if i can)

Pete

[pheonix]

I'm surprised you haven't had hundreds of responses, so here's a free bump!

& my personal contributions would be:
- straight off the Santander ferry, head to the Picos mountains (the campsite just outside Potes is good)
- visit Carcossonne in France
- ride the Stelvio pass in Italy - it should be fairly quiet at the end of Sept
- then head to the Dolomites (the region around Cortina d'Amprezzo)
.... you could easily spend several days riding these roads & enjoying this region

[Simon_100]

Hi, If you took a few hints from my 2011 tour around Spain but did it backwards, starting with the Picos, that would make a great start as far as getting to the west of Madrid, i.e. Sieera de Gredos.

But to get to Gibraltar head south along the Via de Plata - I don't recommend Portugal at all but that's my stuff! - and reach Gib from the west via Cabo de Tariifa, passing Jerez to get there.

Heading back ride up via Rhonda, taking a quick detour to the sierras around Grazalema if you have time, and then run up the back roads in the mountain around Teruel, say to Molina de Aragon and Daroca.

Leave Spain via the Pyreneeseither at the Vall d'Aran (Vielha - but the C13 Port de la Bonaigua instead of teh N230 Vielha Tunnel) or via Puigcedra and the the French D118 to Axat then on to Carcassonne. Do NOT go through Andorra!

Regs

Simon

[boxer750]

Originally Posted by pheonix

I'm surprised you haven't had hundreds of responses, so here's a free bump!

& my personal contributions would be:
- straight off the Santander ferry, head to the Picos mountains (the campsite just outside Potes is good)
- visit Carcossonne in France
- ride the Stelvio pass in Italy - it should be fairly quiet at the end of Sept
- then head to the Dolomites (the region around Cortina d'Amprezzo)
.... you could easily spend several days riding these roads & enjoying this region

Thanks Phoenix,very much, I will bear in mind all you say. If time doesnt permit, the Stelvio might have to go, but Ive done it a few times already..

[boxer750]

Originally Posted by TheSpanishBiker

Hi, If you took a few hints from my 2011 tour around Spain but did it backwards, starting with the Picos, that would make a great start as far as getting to the west of Madrid, i.e. Sieera de Gredos.

But to get to Gibraltar head south along the Via de Plata - I don't recommend Portugal at all but that's my stuff! - and reach Gib from the west via Cabo de Tariifa, passing Jerez to get there.

Heading back ride up via Rhonda, taking a quick detour to the sierras around Grazalema if you have time, and then run up the back roads in the mountain around Teruel, say to Molina de Aragon and Daroca.

Leave Spain via the Pyreneeseither at the Vall d'Aran (Vielha - but the C13 Port de la Bonaigua instead of teh N230 Vielha Tunnel) or via Puigcedra and the the French D118 to Axat then on to Carcassonne. Do NOT go through Andorra!

Regs

Simon

Thanks Simon. lots of good info on the site. I will study it as Ive not really done more than a couple of days in Spain in all my foreign touring.
I'm assuming at the time Im going accomodation should easily be found en-route? and camping will still be viable anyway?
Pete