2010 Trip to Spain May/June
 

I am renting a Beemer F650GS in Andalucia for two weeks the end of May beginning of June. I have never ridden in Spain, nor visited there. I have mocked up a couple of maps found here on my blog, as well as the gear I am schlugging but wonder if I need some additional guidance from anyone with moto-experience in Spain.

Anyone traveled southern Spain??

Rather than riding solo this time, I will have a fellow traveler, however he too has never ridden Spain nor been there, so we are babes in the woods, so to speak.

We both speak only travelers Spanish, but I am trying to brush up as I was told there are plenty of English speakers in the large cities, but the villages are another matter.

I hear i shouldn't miss the Alhambra...any other "don't miss??" I really want to find some good twisties off the beaten path, but was told that these rented bikes can NOT do off-road riding...:oops2:

I'd love any advice!! :helpsmilie:

Go see Gibraltar an Tarifa. the view on the road from Gibraltar to Tarifa is great

I hear the road is nice but the traffic is not. Definitely something to consider, thanks!!

Are you MOA members?

Anyway, Spain is easy to ride. Buy a Micheling map at the first gas station (8 euros), keep out of motorways and enjoy. In Spain you can split the lane like in CA.

They speak enough English to get by.

But remember, if you get a ticket, you will pay the fine beside the road.

Thanks Miquel for the reply! In MOA do you mean the BMW owners association?

I will have my GPS, I have decided and as always plan on avoiding the main routes. My plan is to see the real Spain via the backroads.

So...I should carry some cash, eh?? (or watch my GPS speedo religiously) :smiliex:

:scooter:

Yes, I mean the BMW Motorcycles Owners of America. If you are member, you may look at the anonymous book and search there for any spanish member (like me) to ask for help.

Of course you should bring cash. Not only for the Guardia Civil (our Highway Patrol), I am sad to say but Spain is not a cheap country any more. And it is a pity, but sometimes they (we) like to fleece foraigners.

Forget the GPS (only turn on it in cities) and ask people, bet way to make friends. If I did it in your country, you may do it in mine.

Back to America

I found this useful... English-Spanish motorcycling dictionary

Have fun in the sun :thumbup1:

I've been riding in southern Spain three times in the last several months. My thoughts:

1) the coast from Malaga to almost Tarifa is horrible, avoid it. Ugly, overbuilt, tons of traffic, all the charm of an airport bar.

2) within a few hours of the marbella area--Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Sevilla, Granada, and Ronda are all great cities.

3) One of the best roads is between Ronda and the coast near marbella. fantastic! Some of the really small roads can be a little hairy, very narrow and twisty, and more traffic than you would think so you've to stay on your toes coming around corners.

4) I found that I could always find hotels in the very center of almost every city for about 50 euro. nothing very fancy usually, but nice enough!

5) If you want to ride on some dirt, contact David and Hana at motoadventours, in Estepona (near Marbella) and they can take you out some great trails (so I hear, haven't been yet, but would like to...).

hey,
i think a "have to be there" in southern spain are:
Granada - Alhambra
Sevilla - Cathedral
Ronda - a fine place
into Sierra Nevada the a-348 and the a-3412 to Capileira and Trevellez, going on to "Caves" of Guadix.
and take a lot of stops for a cortado and a little snack - the ham was absolute famous.
a lot of fun
henning

Also see right here on HU a translation and glossary of multiple languages for motorcycle related stuff.

Wow, everyone Gracias!!

Great stuff here in every catagory, rodes, routes, money, eats, hotels even translators!!

My travel companion is indeed an MOA member so he has access to the "list". Muchas gracias!

I'll keep checking over here for added info!! :mchappy:

Estoy Feliz and hasta la vista!
donna

hi there,im based in south wales in the uk,we go off roading to a small village 40km north of malaga called villieua trubbaco,.i have a contact no. for you which i can highly reccommend,food,accomodation,location is second to none!!!! and best of all your bike will be perfctly safe!!!!!!.I
I have been using this place for about the past four years,i (or any of my mates)cannot praise this enough.the number is 0034952752347.you will be speaking to andy or his wife fran.
Ican also give you another number based in almenia-steve bamford,0034686400331.
hope this helps.
myself and 3 mates will also be setting off to southern spain (road bike trip)early september
hope you have a good trip!

Thanks for all the wonderful info! I am sorry that you and your mates aren't going in May! I am still tweaking routes and overnight areas and appreciate the help I have received.
The trip is rapidly approaching and I am brimming with anticipation! :D

Only one week before my excursion. I listed all my gear on my blog here
Now what have I forgotten!!

Since I first posted there have been several people that have dropped of the trip. In fact the organizer's appendix burst!! Good lord! :oops2: So now we have this HUGE casa with only 6 people going and only two of us riding!!

Anyone around then?? :thumbup1:

I am really excited!!!