First time tour: Basque Country/ Pyrenees/ Catalonia mid-October

[bhoyd]

Hello,

I was thinking of doing a tour - my first - in one or all of these regions next month. I have from the 11 October until 22 October to get to Barcelona (the day before Celtic are due to play Barca) and was just wondering if anyone had any advice they could give me.

I had thought about cycling the whole way from London to Barcelona. Would that be too much of an ask in ten days?

If I don't go from London I have thought about flying to somewhere in France and going over the Pyrennes to Barcelona. Where would be a good starting point for that and what are the Pyrennes like going over at that time of year? Also, where would be a good - scenic, not too busy with cars but not riduclously hilly - for me to cross?

My other option was to follow the Pyrenne route in Harry Dowdell's book. He goes from San Sebastian to Barcelona in eleven stages. Has anyone done that route before, could it be done in less stages, and would the weather be a problem in October?

I'll be going on my own.

sorry for all the questions. Really hoping to do this trip just somewhat apprehensive as it's not exactly the perfect time of the year weather wise to be doing it.

Cheers

 

[bof]

Sorry to put a damper - ho-ho- on things but October is the wettest month in the Pyrenees and it can be seriously wet, as perhaps you allude to. I'd suspect Barcelona is also wettest then. You might be able to get some good flight deals and head north from somewhere else in Spain to Barcelona with a lower risk of getting drowned.

I have cycled all along the French side of the Pyrenees and much of the Spanish side and the rest by car. The road on the Spanish side is a bit less scenic IMO but a fair bit dryer. Also a good deal emptier and parts lack much in the way of facilities. Either way you'll have a good deal of serious climbing - or you're not actually in the Pyrenees!

 

[MarkF]

I'd agree, take your time and ride from Bilbao or Santander (Ferry or fly).

BTW I went to the Uefa game a few years ago, bought my ticket online (home seats) and had to show my passport to at the ticket office for collection. I showed my (Irish) passport and was refused my ticket.

 

[jay clock]

I am off there too! www.julian2012.co.uk is what I am up to. The route from St Malo to Barcelona is about 1400k so 140 a day for 10 days. A lot with my heavy rig.

Fly to Bordeaux is worth a look, then head south east. You can then look a the forecast and stay east (drier) if the hills are damp.

 

[bhoyd]

Thanks a lot guys. I appreciate any advice from people who have a lot more experience of this sort of thing. Perhaps I should do something a little less taxing on my first tour (thanks for the tip on the Pyrenees bof. Lots of rain would turn this into an utter nightmare).

Currently thinking now of heading up from Almeria towards Barcelona. Although there is a tour in Harry Dowdell's "Cycle Touring In Spain" that starts off in Almeria and sounds very nice. Has anyone done any cycling in that part of the world?

Good luck with your your trip jay clock. I'll definitely keep an eye on your progress. When are you going?

MarkF - I was at that game too this will be my fourth time in Barcelona seeing the Bhoys. Two draws and a narrow defeat so far. I'm expecting a massacre this time. And to be honest if I was gonna watch any team take us apart it would be that Barca team. Sorry to hear you didn't get in though! They were doing that last time I went too (I have an Irish passport too and the same thing happened, more or less, to me). I had to get a Catalan to buy my ticket for me. Should be ok for one this time.

 

[MarkF]

Hi bhoyd, I've a better idea, I've a bike in Barcelona, why don't you fly out directly to the game and ride my bike back?

 

[bhoyd]

You would be a brave man to let me do that

Have you cycled from Bilbao to Barcelona before? What was that route like? Doable in eight or so days would you say?

 

[bhoyd]

Hi bhoyd, I've a better idea, I've a bike in Barcelona, why don't you fly out directly to the game and ride my bike back?

Cheers for the PM Markf. I couldn't work out how to reply to that so this is me replying here. Whereabouts in Catalonia did you cycle and where would you recommend?

 

[MarkF]

Went in a loop, from Barcelona up the coast to Sant Feliu de Guixols, then inland to Girona, from there I wandered West through some beautiful national park areas before dropping down to the coast at Tarragona. I don't really like recommending places, everywhere was nice, but I am very glad I went to Girona, it was not what I was expecting, I associated it with an airport, like people do with Malaga, in fact, it was very beautiful.