Pyjamas And A Bit Of Picos 2017

[drewpy]

2nd go at posting, using IMGUR this time




little Drewps all ready for the off








5 of us in all went, me on the TDM, 3 other mates on XJR1300 and 1 on a Triumph thruxton Ace special.


Took the Portsmouth Ferry to Bilbao where I picked up a screw in the back tyre so we got that fixed and had a drinky poos whilst waiting. The guy was 2014 24hr winner at Catalunya for Suzuki and his dad a champ in the 70's riding Montessa's.




first stop was Pamplona and the Albret Hotel. typical city centre hotel, but they had underground parking which was a bonus.


having a Leffe in an "Irish" pub







day 2 took us from Pamplona to castejon de sos, this was an amazing place, a little village and the best ride coming down the N260 at 9pm as the light faded, through this ravene, with the sound of the bikes echoing down was one of the many highlights of the trip.




this was the best place to stay IMHO Hotel PLaza, very traditional and great hosts. there was a fiesta going on and the small village was packed with guitar trio singin traditional spanish songs. great watch the senoras and senoritas dancing and the men doing those clapping beats




the next stop was to Viella which was a large ski town and again a fiesta was on, but not as personal as the last place.




here's some photos







it was a bit hot too, 45'C
 



Got a bit lost and pulled into a petrol station only to find this sign where you couldn't exit there anyway






bike struggled at 2000metres due to lack of air, ran very rich and had to keep revs at 4k which made thwe switchbacks erm, interesting









It was like being on top of the world though





so from Viella we did a round trip to Andorra, yes it was awful down in the main city but get up into the mountains and this is what greets you













it was a long day, 12 hours riding but it was worth it and had plenty of stops on the way.




aparently this was in top gear






sharing a joke
 



so from Viella we went into france and visited lourdes. we all agreed the french are rude and self centred. they don't give a S**T about motorbikes and trhe only saving grace was a lovely girl who styed and got us pizzas when the shop was closing. she couldn't speak english so i got by with my O level french


we were joined by a solo rider from Keswick, David, who never saw an English plate till now.


So we had a chat and bought him a coke









found this place ontop of the hill,
 





into france and made it to Lourdes



 





back into Pamplona and knackered.
 
Visited La Guardia on the way to Santander
 


overlooking the Rioja Valley

next was to Santander and this "lovely" Hotel.



Imagine visiting your 80 yr old aunt and that musty smell in the house with furniture that is well past its sell by date


the adams family springs to mind






mm, blue loo



we also did the "pots and Pans" in the Picos.


refreshment at the top




waiting for the slow coaches





we aslo called into san Vincente do Baquetta, a lovely seaside town near Santander







after 8 days of riding, it was all over, waiting for the ferry




final view of spain







on the way back from Plymouth, we called into Weston bike night as it was a thursday, it was rude not to




nice gt750 there with a 3 into 1 pipe which sounded great but I know they strangle the power


and also called into Tintern Abbey




and a slight detoar to Ponderosa in North Wales


 
I think this sums up the riding in Spain for me
 

 

 

 
2000 miles of smiles and fantastic roads and people, what more could you want from a holiday?


loads more photos here, knock yourself out

photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOWf2vd2amq6GdH7uNZRd_1vEdZDsndaNTh5UWc
 

[Studley Ramrod]

Ahhh, the pair o knees and Peekholes.   Looks like you had a dry tour, and a bloody hot one !   Thanks for sharing Drewps. :good:

[shaftdrive]

:good: :good: :drinks:

[dablik]

Looked like a great choice drewpy, great photo's, so you booked for next year yet then :good:

[drewpy]

its the NC500 next year, just the week

 

the missus is a bit peeved with me ATM and I need to put a new bathroom in first orry:

[masterbrewer]

:good:

[dablik]

its the NC500 next year, just the week

 

the missus is a bit peeved with me ATM and I need to put a new bathroom in first orry:

 

She did'nt think you were just going for a loaf of bread did she !!

 

Off back to Spain next year meself, bit to expensive every year..

[drewpy]

just watching la Vuelta and reliving the area again