The Pyrenees?

N-260 is a great route, done it several times in June and never crowded. Eastern end is probably the best part. Spain doesn't really get crowded outside of the Costas. You could cut north into France at several points, some belting roads to ride. Also a nice route along the Med coast from Lloret de Mar to Sant Feliu, known as the road of the year as the something like 12 mile stretch contains 365 bends. That can get busy....

 

As for stops, Jaca is a nice town on the western end, Ainsa old town is a good lunch or overnight stop, the route from Seu d'Urgell, which is a decent size town for a stop, to Sort is arguably the best stretch.

 

Oh yeah, the western end of the N-260 was modernised a few years ago to take out a load of the bends. Check the map near Jaca. the old route is now called the N-260A and runs from Biescas through Broto, a popular biker stop. Joins the main route further along, assuming west to east travel. l think the extra time on the old road is worth doing, unless you're in a bit more of a hurry.

 

Not knowing any better I rode the full length of the N-260 from East to west after riding down from my previous stopover in Montpellier and stayed at the Hotel Sequia Molina which has secure underground parking.. The more scenic parts of the N-260 are west of Ripoli (imho). Still recall the great meal I had at the very popular S'ha Acabat el Bròquil where nobody spoke English

 

Hi Duncan,

Im not sure for you, but for me now id go Bilbao or Santander on boat. Iv done the A26 to death going to Chamonix and then th Riviera...

But you need th Pyrenees and to miss that nearly 1000 mile bit out let the boat save your tyres and bum... Ride threw th senic Pico mountains. Here is Bores..



Then after enjoying Spain's great roads go over to France and for me my favorite place Gavernie (UNESCO). In the last 20 odd years th lovely village as been commercialized and not for th better. But a walk upto th Circ is not to be missed. Highest water fall drop in Europe. Stay in th Marlborough hotel (In th village) and enjoy all th local roads.. Go up to th Spanish border. A nice 17k climb threw th skiing resort.. Great views every where to be honest... It always looks better when your there.

Near By is. (Place Spelling is not th best)
Tourmalet, Pico de Midi, Cauterets, Super Barges, Troutmousse,



and many Cols that you can enjoy. Th blast up from Lourdes is 38k can be enough for some, and it just gets better and better as you follow th river up th valley, threw nice villages... Iv traveled all th way across th bottom of France to Pepignion but this west end was th best for us... If your there a while and you get th chance, go into th Ordessa (Spanish side) views a plenty....

You will not regret th Pyrenees. For me they beat th Alps and they are spectacular too.

Bonne Journee..

 

That's handy , I'm going France again at the start of September and was thinking about popping down to the Pyrenees first, before going to the Auvergne again.
Might have to pop to Gavarnie for a few days

 

Great idea to rent. I was hoping too in Chamonix this year. It could be my last tour in Europe as th arthritis gets no better. Ill be going with my son as he as never toured yet. I did just over 28000 miles in 10 years when i was younger. Best holidays ever and such great memories that we reminis about frequently. I think everyone should do it. Th roads and traffic are loads better than here when out of th towns.. Tres bon.



This is th Circ. Th water fall looks a trickle. But its th hight of th circ that makes it look small. Its actually 422 meters fall.

Les anglais aiment la viande bien cuite. Les français nous prennent pour des fous...!!!

Profitez de votre voyage

 

Good idea. You wont regret..

 

Tres tres tres bien cuite . Sadly in blighty we always incinerate th taste out of it...

 

Incidentally, if you do fancy a bit of a hike and some views, the N-260 passes very close by a pleasant little village called Torla. Quite a nice coffee stop actually, but if you carry on past to a large car park there are some decent walks to be had. Google Senda de los Cazadores, for example.

Here you go

https://viajeros30.com/2014/10/02/c...a-de-los-cazadores-imprescindibles-de-ordesa/