You’re a total gentleman. Thank you for that comprehensive reply. I think I’ll go with my textiles as you suggest. I can’t be arsed with stopping to take off/put on waterproofs over leathers depending on the weather conditions. And as you say, if it gets really hot on the Spanish side I’ll overheat. My textiles are dainese goretex so should see me ok for all likely weather. You’re exactly right about the spirit of touring. A lonely mountain road is no place for me to push my comfort zone! I wore leathers to tour before but that was largely because I was dropping in at the nurburgring. Whenever I encountered 28 degrees plus they became a bit of a mare.

Fingers crossed we get a long dry spell for September. I think I will prioritise certain roads on the good weather days to make sure I see the best of what’s there. Your blog is invaluable to this so thanks again.

I’ve decided to wuss-out of the motorway slog down to the mountains and have booked myself and the bike on a train from Paris. This is going to give me an extra day in the mountains and should mean I’m fresh at the beginning of the fun stuff. Little nervous about handing my bike over and not seeing it again for 12+ hours but sure they know what they’re doing, hopefully!

Thanks mate
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The weather in the Pyrenees is subject to varying climates. The French side, especially the Pyrenees-Atlantic region of Basque France is influenced by the Atlantic, so rain, sometimes torrential rain is fairly common. So this area in September can see it at around 16-25 degrees C and very high humidity. The Spanish side is far drier and usually 5 degrees C warmer over-all. So the region of the lower Pyrenees in Navarra or north western Catalonia (Jaca-Sort) can be baking hot, anywhere between 20-30 degrees C even in late Sept.

On top of that, as with any mountain region and especially these days with unpredictable weather patterns, anything can happen. Last year saw me riding this area starting off in the mornings under hail stones and 6 degrees C, the afternoons under baking sun then back to rain and 13C in the evenings.

Over the years I’ve found September to be the best time for touring as extreme high/low temperatures 25C+/10C or below and long periods of rain are unlikely. Due to this regions inherent varying climatic regions, more-so than the Alps, wearing leather can be problematic.

Certainly a one piece cow hide leather suit could easily be the worst choice, if you get good weather your going to be very uncomfortable and have problems staying hydrated. However a 2 piece summer leather suit like the Alpinestars Orbitor would work if you match it up with waterproofs and base layers.

Ideally though textile gear is far more flexible and better suited for touring, and higher end textile gear offers almost as much protection in case of a off. Whatever you choose the key component is venting panels which help keep your core temperature down. Match this up with high wicking or mesh base layers (not cotton t-shirts) and you will be far more comfortable.

Everyone has differing temperature tolerances, some can’t deal with heat, some the cold etc. I’m happy enough in cold and wet conditions, being Irish I’m used to it. But the Spanish heat badly affects me to the point I won’t ride there in July and August. If you’re anything like me invest in either the Rev-it or BMW Cooling Vests as these are brilliant for when it gets really hot.

The Rev-it Defender jacket / pants or similar is an excellent option and well worth the money as it really is an all weather system from winter in Scotland to summer in Malaga. Mid price range textile gear like this is by far the most popular for touring, in the event of an off it’s not as protective as leather, but it’s by far more practical and for me it’s worth the compromise in most cases. If however you’re a speed freak on a R1 then leather might be the better choice

But for me motorbike touring is about slowing down, exploring, enjoying the views and culture of the area. High speed off’s and sliding down a road for 30 yards should not be a high risk so leather should not be needed. A more likely accident scenario would be a low speed off where a patch of gravel, a deer, hiker jumping out of a forest or an old French dude pulling out into your path from a hidden right side lane a common culprit to an off. In this case good abrasion resistance is needed, but back, knee, elbow protection is what is most important, all of which good textile gear offers.

The gear I use is on the higher end of the price scale, but with the amount of touring I do investing in high end gear pays off. I’ve upgraded from the BMW Rallye II and Rev-it Defender gear to the Klim Badlands Pro gear which is a different system as it’s just a Gore-Tex Pro technical shell. This system does not incorporate separate removable waterproof and thermal layers. It’s a highly protective, abrasive resistant Gore-tex technical out shell with and excellent venting system. So vents open when it’s hot which I can close on the move if it starts raining and ad my own choice of base layers to suit the temperature. The Klim Badlands Pro gear suits both road and off-road touring in any weather and with the Gore-Tex on the outside the jacket does not absorb water and get uncomfortably heavy and cold like the other systems. This system also decreases the amout of gear I have to pack. So the higher up the price scale you go in textiles the more flexibility you get.

Hope this helps with making the choice that suits you best,

Denis

May I ask you a question. I’m trying to decide between leathers and textiles for the Pyrenees trip in September. From your experience which would be more suitable? I’m trying to take potential for rain into account plus variables in temperature according to altitude and which side of the mountains I’m on. Your advice would be much appreciated!

Adam

nice one mate
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Safe trip

Denis

safe riding
adam

Enjoy your June trip Steve and safe riding..

Denis

I’m off to the Dolomites 1st week of June after catching the bug in the Pyrenees. I’ll be spending a few days in the area then heading to the Aosta Valley and the Mt Blanc region before heading back to Calais – 8 day trip. Can’t wait.

Steve

I did this trip in the last week in May. From the end of April or early May almost all the passes are open. Tourmalet is the highest pass and therefore usually the last to open which can be anywhere from early/mid May to the end of May or very early in June but that is rare.

The French are very good at getting the tourist passes open as soon as the last snow has fallen and most of the passes into Spain are open all year. You’d be safe enough planning a trip starting mid May. But there is always a risk that Tourmalet wont be open til the last week in May.

The higher areas start getting real cold from end of Oct, from Nov your into the snow again on the higher passes.

Hope this helps..
Denis

Thanks
Steve