tigersteve

I am riding back to my winter house sitting job in Comares near Malaga in 3 weeks time.

I have as much time as I want to do the journey, probably 4 days I reckon so as not to sit on motorways which are boring on a bike!
My main options are down to the Med and ride down the coast or cross the border in northern Spain and ride through the centre of the country.
I'd love to cross through the centre of the Pyrenees but obviously the weather must be against me at this time of year!
I don't mind rain and fully expect to see plenty, but I have an aversion to Snow !!

Any experience of weather this time of year on these routes would be welcome please....

Thanks in advance!

bobd22

Can't help with your question but by chance I have just been researching and planning similar trip for next summer. I am having 4 overnight stops and taking in the Pyrenees.

Retired in Euskadi

We've never crossed the border into Cataluña, but I reckon the Med coast road is a headcase for accidents. And the Med coastal roads have much the same scenery, namely all built up. But then I'm biased!!
There's no problem driving down the western side of France and with a motorbike & time you might consider crossing the Gironde at Royan and motoring thro' the Medoc & les Landes, possibly avoiding Arcachon heading south via Parentis-en Born, Mimizan, Leon, Hossegor, Biarritz, Irun. The A63 (formerly N10) now has 3-4 tolls starting from Salles, south of Bordeaux.
then head south towards Pamplona (Iruña in Basque). From there, head south-west via Puente la Reina, a lovely stop over pilgrim town with a picturesque mediaeval bridge.
Then head for Logroño (good for pintxos, Basque for tapas), Najera with a fantastic cloister, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Burgos to see the cathedral, & Valladolid.
This province has some marvellous castles, such as Coca, Medina del Campo, Peñafiel. You then could either opt for Salamanca, or else Segovia, to view the Roman aqueduct (actually 'tripleduct') & Avila. From there head due south along the N403 crossing the sierra de Gredos and on the other side you start to hit Mediterranean Spain gradually, beginning with Talavera de la Reina, though this might be a bit too far west. So head south via Toledo & Castilla la Mancha, such as Consuegra where there are some Don Quixote windmills, Ciudad Real, Cordoba and south to Malaga.
Staying overnight will be no problem anywhere.

Bonne route.

missile

I have crossed the border via Andorra on my bike. The scenery is fantastic. You should be OK to travel during November. Very unlikely to see any snow on the roads in the next three weeks. Check the weather before you go here > Andorra la Vella Weather - AccuWeather Forecast for Andorra la Vella Andorra

tigersteve

Some great ideas there, thanks - the maps will be out this weekend !!

tigersteve

Good idea ref. AccuWeather! I have been to Andorra a few years ago trail riding in the mountains and would like to visit again, will keep my eye on the weather a week before and make my mind up which route.

Any other ideas always welcome !!

teuchterpete

Remember that if you do ride along the med coast and use the Autopista(AP7) the tolls are quite expensive. Only did it once ( last year by car) Barcelona to Seville and the tolls cost more than the Fuel!
Enjoy the ride.
Pete

tigersteve

Thanks for the thought , but I hate motorways on the bike so will be avoiding them for sure !
I have now decided to cross the Pyrenees , stop in Pamplona and Toledo as well as a night in France so if anyone has any recommendations for hotels in those cities that would be great.

missile

There are many hotels and you will have no problem finding a room at this time of year. Enjoy the freedom and wing it.

big wheels

We have used this hotel just outside Pamploma a couple of times and can recommend it. Hotel Iriguibel - Huarte

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a_Navarra.html

tigersteve

Thanks for the replies, the weather is looking fine and I'll be on my way at the weekend

missile

Hope you will give us a trip report?

tigersteve

I will do a ride report if anyone's interested !

tigersteve

Well I've arrived fine in Comares...
Four days , three nights in Belves Dordogne, Pamplona and Toledo, also stopped for a look at the Aqueduct in Segovia and the Roman bridge in Cordoba as well as other towns along the route ..
The weather was average in France after weeks of nice weather it rained on me until I left Dorgogne ,then glorious sunny days, but not too hot , just perfect riding conditions!
About 1200 miles , avoided motorways until today , hit the A45 just to get the boring but done.
The roads between Pamplona and Toledo were absolutely some of the best I've ridden, if you know the B500 in Germany and Route Napoleon, take the best bits of those, take away traffic and police presence add the sun , I couldn't stop grinning to myself ....
Now I have the bike here with me till March so much more to see down here, any takers to join in the fun??

bxpuser24710519

Oh I wish ! can't ride a bike, loved being pillion on my late husbands bike and miss a ride out. Look at some bikers with envy :-) glad you enjoyed the trip.