Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Western Pyrenees/ Basque Country ideas?? Western Pyrenees/ Basque Country ideas??
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: East Sussex, England
Posts: 174
The route down the west coast is actually a bit tedious if you're in a hurry - though Brittany has some great moto routes.

If the Bay of Biscay is to be avoided I'd suggest Portmouth to St Malo; there used be an overnight crossing. Or Portsmouth to Caen.
If you choose Calais you'll add a lot of boring miles (straight and flat) in the north east (Pas de Calais and Picardie) and Normandie is actually quite busy even on the D and N roads. The Pyrenees are so great I wouldn't want to dawdle too long crossing France - twice!

For routes: Michelin maps and ViaMichelin.com A green border on the road indicates scenic. Hard to find one that isn't!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Jan 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Best to avoid.
Hi, it's best to avoid the E5 around Bayonne in SE France. Heavy truck use with smoothed tarmac and diesel plus congestion makes it best by far to seek out side roads to the border. Lindsay.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by ullukk View Post
good call on the tour de france race, never give that a thought, i'll check out dates to try and avoid it.

Cheers.

Keith.
I think you are right in the time frame for the Tour, depending on exactly where the route is this year and where you want to travel en route through France.
But, the Tour always rides the cols in the Pyrenees; the same ones that we all ride with our motos.


Quote:
Originally Posted by John933 View Post
Spain is going tit's up, so you would think that thing's are getting cheaper. There not.

Hotel price's are coming down. So I would look at booking something through an on line holiday site. I got two week's just out side north of Barcelona for something like £200+. With parking for the bike. That was B/B. Stay at F1 hotel's on the way down and back. Cheap as chip's. If you can get someone to go with you and share. It's half the cost.

Wish you well. Sound's a nice trip.
John933
F1s are OK in general, but some of them are not so good; it seems to depend where they are located - those in the vicinity of very large cities can turn out to be very run down. There are other brands around, including in the Accor chain that owns F1, but many are becoming increasingly expensive in their nightly rates.
(like lots of businesses nowadays they appear to be run as franchises).
Chambre d'hote (B&B) can be more interesting.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Two wheels good View Post
The route down the west coast is actually a bit tedious if you're in a hurry - though Brittany has some great moto routes.

If the Bay of Biscay is to be avoided I'd suggest Portmouth to St Malo; there used be an overnight crossing. Or Portsmouth to Caen.
If you choose Calais you'll add a lot of boring miles (straight and flat) in the north east (Pas de Calais and Picardie) and Normandie is actually quite busy even on the D and N roads. The Pyrenees are so great I wouldn't want to dawdle too long crossing France - twice!

For routes: Michelin maps and ViaMichelin.com A green border on the road indicates scenic. Hard to find one that isn't!
Yes, the north of France can give this feeling, but some of that tedium of travel is caused, IMO, by the factor of "being in a hurry" to go south; it depends on what the daily travel aim(s) are.
For instance, visiting the WW1 battlefields could take up the whole trip in itself.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: hull, east yorkshire
Posts: 23
Thanks for recent replies folks, Iv'e been checking dates and route of this years tour de france, dates do clash with the time i plan on been there but looking at the route hopefully shouldn't be a problem, hope to be based on the spanish side of Pyrenees by the time it gets there, not a big cycling fan but might even go and give Wiggo and the British boys some support for the day.
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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
how long can my car stay in a country with carnet shantimoens Trip Paperwork 3 6 Jan 2012 17:16

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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 07:51.

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