Comments on: Pyrenees Trip Log – June 2013 http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/ Independent Motorbike Touring Magazine Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:24:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: yoni162 http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-935 yoni162 Sat, 12 Oct 2019 16:50:51 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-935 Thanks Denis! Appreciate your feedback Thanks Denis! Appreciate your feedback

]]> By: Denis Smyth http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-934 Denis Smyth Tue, 08 Oct 2019 17:56:29 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-934 Hi Yoni I guess all surfaced roads are car appropriate in the Pyrenees and even many of the unsurfaced ones. Most of the really narrow roads are found around the Basque/Atlantic side, it's not really a problem, you just have to drive slower and be very careful of oncoming traffic on blind corners. Also be aware that cows, horses etc can be on the road as they are free to roam. There's usually plenty of places to safely pull over to the side of the road for passing but outside of the tourist high season of July and August there really is not much traffic anyway so I'd not be worried about it as long as your not driving a 12 bed camper van/RV ;) Just give yourself loads of time, don't drive too fast and you'll get used to it after the 1st day.. Denis Hi Yoni

I guess all surfaced roads are car appropriate in the Pyrenees and even many of the unsurfaced ones. Most of the really narrow roads are found around the Basque/Atlantic side, it’s not really a problem, you just have to drive slower and be very careful of oncoming traffic on blind corners. Also be aware that cows, horses etc can be on the road as they are free to roam.

There’s usually plenty of places to safely pull over to the side of the road for passing but outside of the tourist high season of July and August there really is not much traffic anyway so I’d not be worried about it as long as your not driving a 12 bed camper van/RV ;) Just give yourself loads of time, don’t drive too fast and you’ll get used to it after the 1st day..

Denis

]]> By: yoni162 http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-933 yoni162 Sat, 05 Oct 2019 15:30:16 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-933 Denis hi, Another Israeli following your trails:) After reading this & the washout post, I was wondering if there's any method to distinguish car-appropriate (vs. bike) roads in the Pyrenees area. I travel by car, and some of the paths in your trip seem a bit too narrow for what I'd attempt..got any tips? Denis hi,
Another Israeli following your trails:) After reading this & the washout post, I was wondering if there’s any method to distinguish car-appropriate (vs. bike) roads in the Pyrenees area. I travel by car, and some of the paths in your trip seem a bit too narrow for what I’d attempt..got any tips?

]]> By: Denis Smyth http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-800 Denis Smyth Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:55:06 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-800 Hi John, thanks for writing in, good to hear the tour guide was of help. As for travel companions or group riding there really are two frames of thought on this. Simply put riding in groups is not for everyone, hence the lone rider or “lone wolf”, it all boils down to a very different travel experience and how independent the rider is in general. When I have my tour guide hat on I enjoy riding/leading in a group for the craic off the bikes, but if I’m going on a trip or holiday for myself I most definitely prefer to do it on my own, or with only one or two very like minded close friends with similar riding styles and interests. It sounds like you may well have the personality type that likes exploring what you want, when you want and at your own pace, and if you make friends/acquaintances easily then taking a trip solo may be your best option. Ye'll not know 'till you try it ;) Thanks for the video links, I enjoyed that.. Safe riding John, Denis Hi John, thanks for writing in, good to hear the tour guide was of help. As for travel companions or group riding there really are two frames of thought on this. Simply put riding in groups is not for everyone, hence the lone rider or “lone wolf”, it all boils down to a very different travel experience and how independent the rider is in general. When I have my tour guide hat on I enjoy riding/leading in a group for the craic off the bikes, but if I’m going on a trip or holiday for myself I most definitely prefer to do it on my own, or with only one or two very like minded close friends with similar riding styles and interests. It sounds like you may well have the personality type that likes exploring what you want, when you want and at your own pace, and if you make friends/acquaintances easily then taking a trip solo may be your best option. Ye’ll not know ’till you try it ;)

Thanks for the video links, I enjoyed that..

Safe riding John,
Denis

]]> By: Comberjohn http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-797 Comberjohn Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:30:41 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-797 Hi Denis. Just a few lines to say thanks for the great advice as a tour virgin. Had a good trip at the start of September and based some of our route on your May 2013 Pyrenees trip. One thing you should add to your guide is to choose your travelling companions carefully. No real dramas, but I think I'll be going back to being a lone rider for next year. Makes life so much less complicated plus, I like meeting new people. I'm already starting to plan next year's trip and really looking forward to it. Took a few videos while I was there. I'm sure much of it will look familiar to you. Used my fabulously expensive Xiaomi Yi, a Go Pro clone. £69 including a spare battery! Here are the links. https://vimeo.com/139636798 https://vimeo.com/140360996 Hi Denis.
Just a few lines to say thanks for the great advice as a tour virgin.
Had a good trip at the start of September and based some of our route on your May 2013 Pyrenees trip.
One thing you should add to your guide is to choose your travelling companions carefully. No real dramas, but I think I’ll be going back to being a lone rider for next year. Makes life so much less complicated plus, I like meeting new people.
I’m already starting to plan next year’s trip and really looking forward to it.
Took a few videos while I was there. I’m sure much of it will look familiar to you.
Used my fabulously expensive Xiaomi Yi, a Go Pro clone. £69 including a spare battery!
Here are the links.
https://vimeo.com/139636798
https://vimeo.com/140360996

]]> By: Denis Smyth http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-794 Denis Smyth Sun, 23 Aug 2015 22:17:26 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-794 Hi, You could try Logis Le Relais De Touventry in Boutenac (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/sQ9XF" rel="nofollow">https://goo.gl/maps/sQ9XF</a>) (<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-relais-de-touvent.en-gb.html?aid=304142;sid=67692abdfb1d122e2c00a412b363e89d;dcid=2#map_closed" rel="nofollow">https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-relais-de-touvent.en-gb.html?aid=304142;sid=67692abdfb1d122e2c00a412b363e89d;dcid=2#map_closed</a>) or Hôtel Restaurant Le Commerce in Saujon (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/2UV7E" rel="nofollow">https://goo.gl/maps/2UV7E</a>) (<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/sarl-ninou-restaurant-le-commerce.en-gb.html?aid=304142;sid=67692abdfb1d122e2c00a412b363e89d;dcid=2#map_closed" rel="nofollow">https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/sarl-ninou-restaurant-le-commerce.en-gb.html?aid=304142;sid=67692abdfb1d122e2c00a412b363e89d;dcid=2#map_closed</a>) Both are are about 30-45mins north of Bordeaux - a 6-7hr ride from Cherbourg and 3-4hrs from the Pyrenees. I've stayed in both and are fine for a 1 nighter.. Safe riding, have a great trip.. Denis Hi,

You could try Logis Le Relais De Touventry in Boutenac (https://goo.gl/maps/sQ9XF) (https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-relais-de-touvent.en-gb.html?aid=304142;sid=67692abdfb1d122e2c00a412b363e89d;dcid=2#map_closed)

or

Hôtel Restaurant Le Commerce in Saujon (https://goo.gl/maps/2UV7E) (https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/sarl-ninou-restaurant-le-commerce.en-gb.html?aid=304142;sid=67692abdfb1d122e2c00a412b363e89d;dcid=2#map_closed)

Both are are about 30-45mins north of Bordeaux – a 6-7hr ride from Cherbourg and 3-4hrs from the Pyrenees. I’ve stayed in both and are fine for a 1 nighter..

Safe riding, have a great trip..

Denis

]]> By: Comberjohn http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-793 Comberjohn Sat, 22 Aug 2015 20:48:06 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-793 Heading down to get the boat to Cherbourg from Rosslare next Saturday, the 29th September. Intend to get as far south as we can on the Sunday, stop for the night and then make our way into the Pyrenees on the Monday morning. Going to spend the week exploring then back up the French coast starting on the Friday in time for the boat on Sunday afternoon. Only have the eight days to spare this time. Can you recommend anywhere to stay on the Sunday night somewhere north of the Pyrenees? Want to book ahead as its a big journey first day. No five star hotels, please. We're too tight for that! Intend to just wing it for accommodation for the week after that, as per your excellent touring virgin's guide. Maybe thats something you could add to your site, recommended places to stay. Any other advice would be useful. Heading down to get the boat to Cherbourg from Rosslare next Saturday, the 29th September.
Intend to get as far south as we can on the Sunday, stop for the night and then make our way into the Pyrenees on the Monday morning.
Going to spend the week exploring then back up the French coast starting on the Friday in time for the boat on Sunday afternoon. Only have the eight days to spare this time.
Can you recommend anywhere to stay on the Sunday night somewhere north of the Pyrenees? Want to book ahead as its a big journey first day.
No five star hotels, please. We’re too tight for that!
Intend to just wing it for accommodation for the week after that, as per your excellent touring virgin’s guide.
Maybe thats something you could add to your site, recommended places to stay.
Any other advice would be useful.

]]> By: Denis Smyth http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-778 Denis Smyth Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:12:40 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-778 Hi John, Thanks for the mail. Best of luck with your 1st ride to the Pyrenees, your going to love it, hopefully it will be the 1st of many such trips. Don't be worried about the Guardia Civil, as long as you are not breaking any laws they've no reason to stop you. You're only likely to see them at the major border crossing's anyway. August will be seriously hot, temps were already hitting the high 30's when I was in Navarra and Basque Pyrenees 2 weeks ago, expect 40C in August, so be sure of plenty of stops to stay hydrated as altitude also increases the rate of dehydration. Before you go drop into your local sports shop and pick up some hydration tablets which you drop into your water, this will help replace your body salts/minerals/electrolytes which are lost through sweat which will then keep your energy and attention levels up. Feel free to recommend this site to any forums, we might choose to ride different machines but we're all bikers ;) Be sure to let us know how you got on, Stay safe, Denis Hi John,

Thanks for the mail. Best of luck with your 1st ride to the Pyrenees, your going to love it, hopefully it will be the 1st of many such trips. Don’t be worried about the Guardia Civil, as long as you are not breaking any laws they’ve no reason to stop you. You’re only likely to see them at the major border crossing’s anyway. August will be seriously hot, temps were already hitting the high 30′s when I was in Navarra and Basque Pyrenees 2 weeks ago, expect 40C in August, so be sure of plenty of stops to stay hydrated as altitude also increases the rate of dehydration. Before you go drop into your local sports shop and pick up some hydration tablets which you drop into your water, this will help replace your body salts/minerals/electrolytes which are lost through sweat which will then keep your energy and attention levels up. Feel free to recommend this site to any forums, we might choose to ride different machines but we’re all bikers ;)

Be sure to let us know how you got on,
Stay safe,
Denis

]]> By: Comberjohn http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-777 Comberjohn Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:14:07 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-777 Hi Denis. Thank heavens I found you! Followed a link from your great clips on YouTube. I live just north of the border near Newcastle, Co. Down and while I've made trips to the mainland many times and often head south, I've never got to Europe on two wheels in 40+ plus years motorcycling. Family, work, etc. I do the Irish Photo Rally and, like yourself, try to take a decent snap now and again. Well, at the end of August this year, me and my mate are taking the ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg for ten(ish) days, heading towards the Pyrenees and your routes and touring guide are perfect for what we need. Although, those Guardia Civil sound a bit scary to deal with! And now I know what's wrong with my dry eyes and cramps in the legs. Too much coffee and not enough water. I thought it was because I turn 60 in January! That's the super scooter put back for another few years. I will of course, be taking plenty of photos and I'll try to keep a written record of the trip for your website, too. My mate is on a KTM 1190 I'm on the accursed R1200GS TC. I felt the same about them. Bit like ar_eholes, everyone seems to have one. But they are a great all round tourer. More suitable than what I changed from three months ago, a BMW K1600GT. Awesome bike, but my legs are too short. If you don't mind, I was going to recommend your site on another forum that I have been a member of for seven or eight years, the K100-forum.com. Think some there might appreciate your experiences. Hi Denis.
Thank heavens I found you! Followed a link from your great clips on YouTube.
I live just north of the border near Newcastle, Co. Down and while I’ve made trips to the mainland many times and often head south, I’ve never got to Europe on two wheels in 40+ plus years motorcycling. Family, work, etc.
I do the Irish Photo Rally and, like yourself, try to take a decent snap now and again.
Well, at the end of August this year, me and my mate are taking the ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg for ten(ish) days, heading towards the Pyrenees and your routes and touring guide are perfect for what we need.
Although, those Guardia Civil sound a bit scary to deal with!
And now I know what’s wrong with my dry eyes and cramps in the legs. Too much coffee and not enough water. I thought it was because I turn 60 in January!
That’s the super scooter put back for another few years.
I will of course, be taking plenty of photos and I’ll try to keep a written record of the trip for your website, too.
My mate is on a KTM 1190 I’m on the accursed R1200GS TC.
I felt the same about them. Bit like ar_eholes, everyone seems to have one. But they are a great all round tourer. More suitable than what I changed from three months ago, a BMW K1600GT. Awesome bike, but my legs are too short.
If you don’t mind, I was going to recommend your site on another forum that I have been a member of for seven or eight years, the K100-forum.com.
Think some there might appreciate your experiences.

]]> By: Harper http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-451 Harper Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:12:40 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-451 Hi Denis ¿Qué tal tu viaje? Espero que hiciera buen tiempo y todo fuera perfecto. El mio fue simplemente soberbio. Un tiempo magnifico y unos paisajes increíbles. http://debates.motos.coches.net/showthread.php?320984-Pirineos-2014-(otro-pesao-mas-con-sus-fotos) https://vimeo.com/album/3048415 Col de Tentes, Cirque de Troumouse, la Bonaigua, Tourmalet, Cóth de Varradós, Superbagneres, Lac de Cap de Long etc, etc, etc. ¡¡¡¡Quiero volver¡¡¡¡¡ :-) Hi Denis ¿Qué tal tu viaje? Espero que hiciera buen tiempo y todo fuera perfecto. El mio fue simplemente soberbio. Un tiempo magnifico y unos paisajes increíbles.

http://debates.motos.coches.net/showthread.php?320984-Pirineos-2014-(otro-pesao-mas-con-sus-fotos)

https://vimeo.com/album/3048415

Col de Tentes, Cirque de Troumouse, la Bonaigua, Tourmalet, Cóth de Varradós, Superbagneres, Lac de Cap de Long etc, etc, etc. ¡¡¡¡Quiero volver¡¡¡¡¡ :-)

]]> By: gpsroutes http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-375 gpsroutes Tue, 29 Jul 2014 21:20:41 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-375 Thanks Orlando, that looks like a good route, I might get to try it in September.. Denis Thanks Orlando, that looks like a good route, I might get to try it in September..
Denis

]]> By: Harper http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-374 Harper Tue, 29 Jul 2014 18:40:28 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-374 WOW¡¡ This is a great route. I see that you go to Asturias. I was in 2013 with the bike (in car other years) http://debates.motos.coches.net/showthread.php?317498-Asturias-2013 If not known, should go to Tresviso. http://goo.gl/maps/atDYJ V's Orlando WOW¡¡

This is a great route. I see that you go to Asturias. I was in 2013 with the bike (in car other years)

http://debates.motos.coches.net/showthread.php?317498-Asturias-2013

If not known, should go to Tresviso.

http://goo.gl/maps/atDYJ

V’s

Orlando

]]> By: gpsroutes http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-365 gpsroutes Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:22:57 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-365 Ola, Thanks for the links, I really enjoyed your video channel, those roads near Cadiz looked amazing. Maybe later this year I'll find time to visit them myself as I will be back in Murcia at the end of September. I will also be in the Pyrenees in September but it will be the 2nd or 3rd week before I am there. :) Here is my route for my September trip http://tinyurl.com/qyhojtm Best regards Denis Ola,

Thanks for the links, I really enjoyed your video channel, those roads near Cadiz looked amazing. Maybe later this year I’ll find time to visit them myself as I will be back in Murcia at the end of September.

I will also be in the Pyrenees in September but it will be the 2nd or 3rd week before I am there. :) Here is my route for my September trip http://tinyurl.com/qyhojtm

Best regards
Denis

]]> By: Harper http://www.roadtrooper.com/pyrenees-trip-log-june-2013/#comment-364 Harper Sat, 19 Jul 2014 21:17:31 +0000 http://www.roadtrooper.com/?p=5785#comment-364 Hi Denis, sorry for write in spanish but my english is very poor. Muchas gracias por compartir tus experiencias. La primera semana de Septiembre haré mi primer viaje en moto a Pirineos. Espero que me haga buen tiempo y ver los estupendos paisajes que se ven en tus vídeos. Las rutas serán: http://binged.it/1j571fD http://binged.it/1j4BVoe http://binged.it/1j3YauJ http://binged.it/1j3XfdN http://binged.it/1j57hLJ http://binged.it/1j4x2M3 Como una de mis aficiones es la fotografía (algo abandonada ahora) y cuando voy con la moto tengo que parar continuamente a sacar fotos, me decidi al ver tus videos a comprar una cámara, la estrene en Mayo en un viaje a la Sierra de Grazalema (Cadiz). https://vimeo.com/eppursimuove/videos Si tuviera que destacar algun paisaje, la bajada del Puerto de Las Palomas, precioso paisaje. https://vimeo.com/98860973 Gracias de nuevo por compartir tus conocimientos. V’s Hi Denis, sorry for write in spanish but my english is very poor.

Muchas gracias por compartir tus experiencias. La primera semana de Septiembre haré mi primer viaje en moto a Pirineos. Espero que me haga buen tiempo y ver los estupendos paisajes que se ven en tus vídeos. Las rutas serán:

http://binged.it/1j571fD
http://binged.it/1j4BVoe
http://binged.it/1j3YauJ
http://binged.it/1j3XfdN
http://binged.it/1j57hLJ
http://binged.it/1j4x2M3

Como una de mis aficiones es la fotografía (algo abandonada ahora) y cuando voy con la moto tengo que parar continuamente a sacar fotos, me decidi al ver tus videos a comprar una cámara, la estrene en Mayo en un viaje a la Sierra de Grazalema (Cadiz).

https://vimeo.com/eppursimuove/videos

Si tuviera que destacar algun paisaje, la bajada del Puerto de Las Palomas, precioso paisaje.

https://vimeo.com/98860973

Gracias de nuevo por compartir tus conocimientos.

V’s

]]>