Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Pyrennes Pyrennes
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: England
Posts: 9
Pyrennes
Hi, Have been a motorcyclist most of my life but never done any distance travelling. For reasons that I do not want to go into, I want to cross the Pyrennes on my motorcyle,it is a Triumph Bonneville 2005. I have to do this within a year after that it will be too late for me.
Could anyone tell me when would be the best time to go and what route to take from England, I am fit enough to take this journey, any help would be appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Sep 2008
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
Smile
Well, Dodger, you dont actually say where you're going or where you will arrive at the Pyrenees.

There are many crossing points, to many destinations. You can even cross by Andorra, technically a different country.

The Pyrenees stretch over 600 kms from Atlantic to Med.

So do say where you are heading for, and maybe you'll get some info. But in the end, you're better with a good map, and then decide your own route. You cant go wrong, it's all fantastic.

The route from England depends on what you want, by autoroute or lesser routes. Time of year depends on you also. If you are up for winter riding then go as you please. Otherwise, choose your time just as you would in the UK.

You dont have to be fit, you're riding your moto. You dont really need any advice -get your map and GO!

Good roads!
Last edited by Caminando; 15 Sep 2008 at 11:06.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Nottingham UK
Posts: 227
Don't just cross the Pyrenees, ride across as much of the area as possible. There's some good riding to be had in the Eastern French Pyrenees, but once you cross into Spain you can ride pretty much from the North west to the east via unbelievably twisty single cross roads encountering no traffic whatsoever but amazing scenery wherever you look. I think heading East the truly amazing roads ran out after a town called 'Ripon' or something similar. My tecnique for find good roads is to look for the smallest, most twisty looking line on the map.


From a trip I did three years ago:
__________________
UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
Dodger, It's not cheap, for sure, but just book yourself on the Plymouth-Santander ferry. When you get off turn left. Ride until you reach the Med, turn around and come back. This is the quickest way to get you in amongst the mountains without having to ride down through France. Make sure you check out the Picos de Europa mountains and especially the N621/N625 roads in the area to the west of Santander before you come home though.

Good luck.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Sep 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
as with any mountains, the weather can be changeable. My personal tolerance level only sees me heading through there if I really have to during Nov - Feb (inclusive). Obviously, late spring to late summer you'll get the drier weather and best views.

as to routes, just pick up a Michelin map of northern spain and choose the twisty roads. The best things about a trip are unexpected, leave room for a little naivety.

there's plenty of history to read up on, and give you some ideas. The Cathar's used to be round there, as well as plenty of old feudal types. If starting in Spain, you could cross over on some back roads across to Carcassonne for some French history. And then wind your way back.

Again, personally, I would ride through France. Down via Dijon, across Massif Central towards Pyrenees. If it's your first (and possibly only) riding in Europe, to miss out on the European biking culture (by sitting on a ferry) would be a shame.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Auxerre
Posts: 71
Dougie B says it, if you've got the time ride down through france, if it's a once in a lifetime job then see as much as you can.

In the pyrenees, many of the high passes will be closed during the winter months & thus some of the best riding must be missed. There's already been snow saturday, in the alps above 2000m, didn't stick but the pundits are saying that it's a sign of a loooooooong winter...

if you're riding through central France, drop me a line & i'll let you buy me a somewhere...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Sep 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
I would put money on you catching snow at the higher roads, I rode up there in late May this years and encountered -0 temps and snow
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 22:35.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top