Anyone cycled Perpignan to Barcelona?? Advice Sought

[stuartmac]

Hi

Planning a Channel to Med starting in Cerbourg and have 2 options,

1/ stop at Perpingnan
2/ stop at Barcelona

Planning to track to Limoges and follow the start of the TDF route then go round the track to Perpingnan. The question is what does Perpignan to Barcelona look like as it's easier for me to fly back from there (I think) will need to find somewhere to box the bike up and get to an airport.

Anyone got experience of this part of the route??

Thanks in advance
Stu

 

[doog]

You could try Girona. Your main issue is the Pyrenees. There are 3 options,the first being the N11...which is naturally very busy but has a shoulder. I know of some who have done it.

Or you have the coastal route D914 its scenic, very,very busy in the summer, doesnt have a shoulder..the 3rd option is a quiet inland mountainous route that gets a bit rough in places but will drop you west of Figueres....someone did it on recumbent so its doable.

I went further inland (the 4th route) via Olot and Camprodon and dropped down to Thuir (just outside Perpignan ) but its massively steep from the French side. I did it from Girona northwards. Its a great route ...if you like climbing.

 

[stuartmac]

You could try Girona. Your main issue is the Pyrenees. There are 3 options,the first being the N11...which is naturally very busy but has a shoulder. I know of some who have done it.

Or you have the coastal route D914 its scenic, very,very busy in the summer, doesnt have a shoulder..the 3rd option is a quiet inland mountainous route that gets a bit rough in places but will drop you west of Figueres....someone did it on recumbent so its doable.

I went further inland (the 4th route) via Olot and Camprodon and dropped down to Thuir (just outside Perpignan ) but its massively steep from the French side. I did it from Girona northwards. Its a great route ...if you like climbing.

Thanks Doog, I like climbing but not that much, not with full panniers with 800 miles in my legs. The other two options don't sound very attractive, I once ended up on the hard shoulder of the M5 for 2 miles (mistake) that wasn't much fun. I'm tempted to end in PGN and train it back to Cherbourg if that's the options.

 

[doog]

It isnt pretty fully loaded..I went up to St Malo from Girona but the first few days were bloody hard ....as I said I went west to avoid the traffic, the whole area is a choke point at that time of year when Europe literally empties into Spain. Perpignan sounds like a decent terminus....however someone will be along to disagree

 

[Dayvo]

I'd also suggest a stop in Girona. (it is in fact where Ryan Air fly to/from, IIRC.) It's a charming town with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Yes, it is a climb up to get to the border, but I did it fully loaded and with a lot of miles behind me. But if you've got the right gearing, you'll manage it pretty well. Also, it's a long free-wheel down the other side into Spain.

https://www.google.no/maps/dir/Perp...45b6a5296a6f!2m2!1d2.8214264!2d41.9794005!3e1

 

[jay clock]

I know that part of Spain well. The ride from Perpignan to Girona is lovely and I recommend it. The last 40-50k into Barcelona is built up but doable along the coast, but I would fly from GRO if you are happy with Ryanair. You could always get the train for the last 50-80 k if you go for Barcelona proper

see here for my ride from Perpignan along the coast road. https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1M2&doc_id=1447&v=2M

I can strongly recommend L'Escala for a stop. 2 or 3 campsites on the south side (Montgo) are much nicer than the ones 5-8km north on the road from San Pere Pescador. There is also one campsite right in the centre. If you want the world's best stealth campsite PM me and I will tell you where it is! I have been to L'Escala most years since 1975 so know it well!

 

[jay clock]

In terms of boxes in Girona you might get lucky here. https://www.gironacyclecentre.com/about-us/ I rented from them. They are run by a UK couple. As they do rentals they might have fewer boxes than a pure sales shop