Pyrenees recommendations
Discussion
On Friday I am heading off on the KTM for a few weeks. The main part of the trip is going to be spent travelling around Morocco, but as I am going to be riding over the Pyrenees to get there I thought I would ask you helpful people if you have any recommended routes. So, over to you....
Oooh, my favourite. Pyrenees s
t on the Alps (in my limited experience).
Simply awesome route (probably best roads I have ever ridden) is Laruns - Argeles Gazost - Arreau - Bagneres de Luchon - Vielha - Esterri d'Aneu - Sort - Riberra d'Urgellet. After that (we were heading East) we went up into Andorra which was st. In hindsight should have continued East on the Spanish side.
Linky:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
t on the Alps (in my limited experience).Simply awesome route (probably best roads I have ever ridden) is Laruns - Argeles Gazost - Arreau - Bagneres de Luchon - Vielha - Esterri d'Aneu - Sort - Riberra d'Urgellet. After that (we were heading East) we went up into Andorra which was s
t. In hindsight should have continued East on the Spanish side.Linky:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
Edited by hornetrider on Monday 13th June 00:11
Around my area are some fantastic roads,
Seix,over Col de la Core,Col d'Aspet,then over Col de Mente to St Beat.
Ariege is a mecca for bikes but virtually unknown in the UK because most people go to the trafic filled Alps,Here there is very little traffic and even fewer gendarmes.
Useful link in my profile.
Seix,over Col de la Core,Col d'Aspet,then over Col de Mente to St Beat.
Ariege is a mecca for bikes but virtually unknown in the UK because most people go to the trafic filled Alps,Here there is very little traffic and even fewer gendarmes.
Useful link in my profile.
smifffymoto said:
Around my area are some fantastic roads,
Seix,over Col de la Core,Col d'Aspet,then over Col de Mente to St Beat.
Ariege is a mecca for bikes but virtually unknown in the UK because most people go to the trafic filled Alps,Here there is very little traffic and even fewer gendarmes.
Useful link in my profile.
Traffic filled Alps? Maybe in peak season but not in May when we go Seix,over Col de la Core,Col d'Aspet,then over Col de Mente to St Beat.
Ariege is a mecca for bikes but virtually unknown in the UK because most people go to the trafic filled Alps,Here there is very little traffic and even fewer gendarmes.
Useful link in my profile.
hornetrider said:
Oooh, my favourite. Pyrenees st on the Alps (in my limited experience).
Simply awesome route (probably best roads I have ever ridden) is Laruns - Argeles Gazost - Arreau - Bagneres de Luchon - Vielha - Esterri d'Aneu - Sort - Riberra d'Urgellet. After that (we were heading East) we went up into Andorra which was st. In hindsight should have continued East on the Spanish side.
Linky:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
This onet on the Alps (in my limited experience).Simply awesome route (probably best roads I have ever ridden) is Laruns - Argeles Gazost - Arreau - Bagneres de Luchon - Vielha - Esterri d'Aneu - Sort - Riberra d'Urgellet. After that (we were heading East) we went up into Andorra which was s
t. In hindsight should have continued East on the Spanish side.Linky:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...
Try out John Hermann's book, The Alps & Beyond:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Journeys-Throug...
That has six recommended Pyreneee routes, though the majority of the book is about the Alps.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Journeys-Throug...
That has six recommended Pyreneee routes, though the majority of the book is about the Alps.
Bit of a thread resurrection, but I'm busy planning our Sept trip to the Pyrenees, and while I've done the Alps and further east many times, I've not done this yet. We've got 9.5 days - leave Friday midday back the following Sunday
I've looked at a few videos & blogs for route inspiration.
I've tacked onto Motorcycle-Diaries' Movie: A Different Pair of Eyes for a good route from Calais (ignoring his first 2 waypoints) and then breaking away from it when we get near the Pyrenees to Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
We then plan to ride coast to coast along the Pyrenees. Last 2/3 days we will blast back to Calais. I've done this enough times to know come the last 2 days we'll be less interesting in the scenic route and just lay on the miles.
It seems everyone has a different set of routes for the mountains. We have 4-ish days to cross it, and I've pieced together a lot of whats listed on Pyrénées Border Hopping (also see https://motorcycle-diaries.com/en/trips/pyrenees-b... but that trip plan is fubar. It does seem to piece together a lot of routes and most with extremely high praise.
Here it is. (The yellow is another plan that follows the route down and started to use a different set of passes/roads)
(those with an account can view it here: https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/9220910...
I guess everyone has their preferences, and is this a case of the first visit you cant do everything, so whatever you choose you'll enjoy it and come back to explore other areas?
I've looked at a few videos & blogs for route inspiration.
I've tacked onto Motorcycle-Diaries' Movie: A Different Pair of Eyes for a good route from Calais (ignoring his first 2 waypoints) and then breaking away from it when we get near the Pyrenees to Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
We then plan to ride coast to coast along the Pyrenees. Last 2/3 days we will blast back to Calais. I've done this enough times to know come the last 2 days we'll be less interesting in the scenic route and just lay on the miles.
It seems everyone has a different set of routes for the mountains. We have 4-ish days to cross it, and I've pieced together a lot of whats listed on Pyrénées Border Hopping (also see https://motorcycle-diaries.com/en/trips/pyrenees-b... but that trip plan is fubar. It does seem to piece together a lot of routes and most with extremely high praise.
Here it is. (The yellow is another plan that follows the route down and started to use a different set of passes/roads)
(those with an account can view it here: https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/9220910...
I guess everyone has their preferences, and is this a case of the first visit you cant do everything, so whatever you choose you'll enjoy it and come back to explore other areas?
In response to the question asked, you won't be able to do the Pyrenees justice in a 4 day coast to coast ride. There is much more to see and many more roads to ride than you can cover in 4 days. Also. covering 300+ miles per day on mountain passes is possible but it will be a real challenge. A bit of bad weather, some minor bike issues or some road works and suddenly a fun but intense day becomes a real slog 200 - 225 miles a day is still a decent day on such roads..
Personally, I'd recommend going for shorter routes between hotels but having "bonus ride" route options that can be done from each hotel so if you arrive early and still feel fresh.
I have, in the Old Gits MyRouteApp group section, a list of Pyrenees passes as individual routes. If you'd like access to these, then PM me with your e-mail address used in MyRouteApp and I'll invite you to the group.
Either way, have a great trip. (The Old Gits are there in the first week in June.
)
Personally, I'd recommend going for shorter routes between hotels but having "bonus ride" route options that can be done from each hotel so if you arrive early and still feel fresh.
I have, in the Old Gits MyRouteApp group section, a list of Pyrenees passes as individual routes. If you'd like access to these, then PM me with your e-mail address used in MyRouteApp and I'll invite you to the group.
Either way, have a great trip. (The Old Gits are there in the first week in June.
)Sorry, I missed that the 1326 total trip distance was in foreign, not good old fashioned imperial miles. 
Yes, I'd say it's realistically achievable although, still reasonably big days. If your group are used to such days then all should be fine.
I've sent you a MyRouteApp Group invite.
Yes, I'd say it's realistically achievable although, still reasonably big days. If your group are used to such days then all should be fine.I've sent you a MyRouteApp Group invite.
black-k1 said:
Sorry, I missed that the 1326 total trip distance was in foreign, not good old fashioned imperial miles. Yes, I'd say it's realistically achievable although, still reasonably big days. If your group are used to such days then all should be fine.
I've sent you a MyRouteApp Group invite.
Oh yes. The group is used to big mile days! Yes, I'd say it's realistically achievable although, still reasonably big days. If your group are used to such days then all should be fine.I've sent you a MyRouteApp Group invite.
Thanks, got them. Wow, thats a long list of stuff - and the naming convention makes it tricky. Its not allowing me to display them all on one map. Will take a trawl.
Killboy said:
Oh yes. The group is used to big mile days!
Thanks, got them. Wow, thats a long list of stuff - and the naming convention makes it tricky. Its not allowing me to display them all on one map. Will take a trawl.
Some parts of the N260, which is epic and ought to be done, you'll be struggling to average more than 30mph due to the fact you're almost constantly turning. Other bits you can seriously make progress. Plod isn't too much of an issue but locals routinely drink and driveThanks, got them. Wow, thats a long list of stuff - and the naming convention makes it tricky. Its not allowing me to display them all on one map. Will take a trawl.
Killboy said:
black-k1 said:
Sorry, I missed that the 1326 total trip distance was in foreign, not good old fashioned imperial miles. Yes, I'd say it's realistically achievable although, still reasonably big days. If your group are used to such days then all should be fine.
I've sent you a MyRouteApp Group invite.
Oh yes. The group is used to big mile days! Yes, I'd say it's realistically achievable although, still reasonably big days. If your group are used to such days then all should be fine.I've sent you a MyRouteApp Group invite.
Thanks, got them. Wow, thats a long list of stuff - and the naming convention makes it tricky. Its not allowing me to display them all on one map. Will take a trawl.
(each with there own display restrictions on route name) but you want to ensure everyone picks the same route.
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