Advcie please! - Mid November Trip Europe

[nibby]

Hi everyone, first post nothing like asking for some advice

Currently own a 950 Adv, my last decent trip was to Morocco last year and I'm starting to get the urge to get out for a decent stretch again.

I've got some unexpected time off from work mid November and want to get away on the bike for a short trip.

Can anyone recommend anywhere to go on the bike in Europe mid-November time please?

I was thinking of taking the ferry to Santander then onto the Pico’s for 5-6 days but a few people I have spoke to have suggested against it because of the weather. I've never been to this area and looks like a great place to ride.

Because I'm on my own it will be mostly road with some easy off road if there is any.

I'm still thinking of this area and if the weather is poor maybe head South.

Looking to stay off the motorways and for some nice scenery/locations.

Any advice and in particular routes would be very welcome.

Thought I'd post a pic of the bike on the Morocco trip.



All the best

[PanEuropean]

Nibby:

Welcome to the forum.

I think you might get a little bit chilly if you try and ride in Europe (except, perhaps, well south of the Alps or Pyrenees) during November.

I've been to the Picos, it's a great place to ride, but it is a fairly high elevation area, and I think (you will need to double-check on this) that it gets a fair amount of precipitation in November.

I think you could find lots of enjoyable riding in the middle to southern part of the Iberian peninsula in November, but not in the Picos and for sure not in the Pyrenees.

Michael

[nibby]

Thanks Michael,
yes was thinking the same, although I dont mind the cold, its the rain that will put me off a bit. If it's constant rain I could always head South but not sure of routes etc.

thanks for the reply.

nibby

[chef jules]

Welcome to the best adventure biker web site Nibby. You plans about right . Ferry from Plymouth to Santander and just head south. There are plenty of A and B roads. Tolls are heavy on the motorways. Follow the clear skys and see where you end up. What time scale do you have, cos we did Spain, Portugal and Gib coming home from Alacanti vai Madrid, Burgos and Santander in 10 days with ease . Good luck Jules

[palace15]

to the HUBB<

If I were you I'd fly somewhere warm and rent a bike, thats what I am doing now!

[johan&ils]

we have really great weather these days! I'm still using my summer gloves and that is the first time in 25 years that I can do that without freesing on my motorbike

And beside that ....great s for the long evenings

they anounce the same weather at least until next week !!!!

[palace15]

Originally Posted by Johan&Ils

And beside that ....great s for the LONG evenings

they anounce the same weather at least until next week !!!!

And there my friend is the clue to not staying in Europe this time of year!! But I am suffering with weather, I am vacating +6hrs from you and 2hrs in the sun on a beach as left my shoulders badly burnt !!!!

[uk_vette]

Hi Nibby,

For sure, the tolls in France can be a bitter pill.
I would ferry from Dover to Dunkirk on DFDS, by far the cheapest.
Then head Paris, orleans, the pick up the A75 heading south through Millau.
Continue south on A75, all free no tolls.
As soon as you get to Barcelona, you will have great riding days with good weather.
2-3 days, easy ride to Barcelona from Dunkirk.
When you arrive in Barcelona, you take the C-31, which is the free road, not the C-32, which "costa plenty"
The C-31 is one hell of a spectacular mountain side road above the sea. Past Castelldefels to Vilanova i' le Gultri. (sp)
No need go all the way South Spain.
ofton, the weather in South Spain, is not as good as the weather around Barcelona.

vette

[duive01]

Originally Posted by uk_vette

No need go all the way South Spain.
ofton, the weather in South Spain, is not as good as the weather around Barcelona.

vette

My parents used to spend their winter in Benidorm because it was nicest average temperature all year round in Europe. I've been there many times, once I left there at December 3 and it was 23 degrees Celcius!
Benidorm itself is a tourist factory but when you move away from the sea it gets very beautiful.
And what about the Sierra Nevada area, nice mountains, probably very cold high up but then you can go to the sea to warm up.

[John933]

Originally Posted by uk_vette

Hi Nibby,

For sure, the tolls in France can be a bitter pill.
I would ferry from Dover to Dunkirk on DFDS, by far the cheapest.
Then head Paris, orleans, the pick up the A75 heading south through Millau.
Continue south on A75, all free no tolls.
As soon as you get to Barcelona, you will have great riding days with good weather.
2-3 days, easy ride to Barcelona from Dunkirk.
When you arrive in Barcelona, you take the C-31, which is the free road, not the C-32, which "costa plenty"
The C-31 is one hell of a spectacular mountain side road above the sea. Past Castelldefels to Vilanova i' le Gultri. (sp)
No need go all the way South Spain.
ofton, the weather in South Spain, is not as good as the weather around Barcelona.

vette

+1

John933