Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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 9 Jun 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1
France to Spain - A simple trip for a new adventurer

Hello! I am new here and new to touring. Although I have held a bike license for 5 years now, and don't own a car, I recently decided I had seen everything I needed to see in the United Kingdom and the time had come to seek pastures new ..

I'm a struggling writer and although I generally manage to negotiate work-for-food contracts with sympathetic friends and the occasional sexually depraved news editor, I'm not rich. Or moneyed or indeed well endowed in any fiscal sense.

With that firmly in mind, I decided to sell my ZZR 1100 and buy something far smaller and more economical.

Ladies and gentleman I give you - the CG125-8. 85-110 mpg, 65 mph, 120kg load capacity, £1799 otr and fully comp in the UK and Europe (with breakdown and recovery cover) for £126!

I'm not going to go on about the bike too much, needless to say I can do over 1000 miles for £40 of petrol, which is fine by me.

Regarding my route ..

I do intend to relocate to Andalucia in the near future, hopefully as soon as this fall. So I wanted to go and have a look see, try it out, do a recce etc.

I managed to get a great deal on a ferry (Norfolk) £45 on a month's return to Dunkerque. So from there, I had planned to take the atlantic coast down to Bordeaux and cut across the Parc Gascogne, turning back on myself into the Pyrenees and take in Pamplona and possibly historical Burgos to see that rather fine bronze of Rodrigo Diaz.

At this point I have no idea where to go.

Follow the Catalan coast to Valencia and beyond?

Or cut across country and head straight through the heart of Castilla (toward Cordoba) and soak up the Moorish cultural heritage and the various sites - something I am especially interested in!

Or take the Atlantic coast, through Madrid and right up to Galicia and then down through Porto, Lisbon, Seville?

What do you recommend?

Please bear in mind I am limited to a top speed of around 50 mph (for economy and to account for the weight of my luggage) so autoroutes - and all manner of gelatinous seafood nasty - are off the menu!

I do have a Tom Tom, loads of maps of Spain and France and a month. So should be fine for navigating and sight seeing.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 235
corunna!

Maybe you might like british history..? La Corunna has the grave of 'Sir John Moore' the father of British Infantry and the guy who made the british military look the way it is now, ie, camoflage uniforms and infantry tactics. As your going to be in the northern part of spain then go over to North Portugal and look in to the British (Napoleonic wars) history there? Amazing country to look at and even to go further south and 'Bag' another country?
Don't know whether this is your thing but an idea anyways.
__________________
Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Jun 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NYer living in Finland and traveling through Europe
Posts: 64
You really can't go wrong in Spain. I've hit most areas over a two month period of riding there and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. However I was there in the early spring and the weather was perfect, not sure how it will be for your trip. I would look into that, because for me weather plays a large role in how I enjoy my riding days.

Andalucia was by far my favorite parts of Spain. Beautiful, empty beaches down in the Cadiz region, amazing mountain ranges with the Sierra Nevadas and the Sierra Los Nieves and countless others.

As far as cities go, Madrid was wonderful. The area to the west of Madrid is worth a look as well, specifically around Salamanca. Wonderful small mountain villages with twisty turny roads.

Costa Blanca was difficult to find many places places that aren't too touristy, but the mountain roads around Valencia were noteworthy. And how can I forget Cabo de Gata! One of the highlights of my trip. Huge natural park right on the Mediterranean, that doesn't have much for riding roads, but the hiking and beaches make up for it.

If you're going to be up in the Basques country anyway (Bordeaux is an amazing city, give yourself some time there), check out San Sebastian and Bilbao. Not far from Pamplona and worthy of a visit.

The French Pyrenees were a blast to ride in. Not sure how far you're planning on going in France, but the coastline between San Tropez and Monaco is some of the most beautiful I've seen. Touristy and crowded, but stunning anyway. And can't mention the South of France without the French Alps! Even in the heavy rain and dropping my bike halfway through, I still have fond memories of those rides.

Good luck and have fun. No matter what route you take, you won't go wrong. My advice would be to keep a loose schedule and let the locals tell you of the places you need to see. Those were the major highlights of my trip.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Jun 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Riogordo, Spain
Posts: 325
The hubby and I are from the Midlands - Nottingham & Newark - and have been living in Andalucia for the past 5 years. When you get down here, give us a shout - there's always coffee in the pot and a cold in the fridge.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Jun 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
just south of bordeaux, arcachon has a fab sand dune worth a night watching the sun go down from with some plonko vino . campsites just on or behind it.
then d918/ d618 top to bottom thru the french pyrennes, via camping in gavernie! fab
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
Trip to Spain, Portugal and France Paul Narramore Europe 29 2 Feb 2009 17:50
France/Spain peters Travellers Seeking Travellers 10 20 Feb 2008 23:13
France/Spain trip - bike safe stop overs meeks Europe 68 28 Apr 2006 13:34
france and spain jelvis Sleep and Eat, Europe 1 31 Dec 2005 21:25
France & Spain trip. Steve Pickford Europe 0 1 Sep 2005 19:35

 
 

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 17:27.