Pyrenees (5 day return dash)

Tricky-UK · 11-19-2010, 10:21 AM

After a few beers in the pub one night some of my GS riding mates informed me that KTMs are no good for long distance touring...

So decided to prove them wrong.

Original plan was to ride down to the Gap area and spend a few days doing some local passes or Route Napoleon. Weather looked poor with thunderstorms and rain so as I only had a few days decided to head to the Pyrenees which looked more promising.
Glad I had an airhawk for the long ride south mind.

Camped at a little site near Ax-Les-Thermes near the foothills of the Pyrenees.

I knew I had made the right choice when I woke up the next morning.

Quick coffee before getting ready to explore. The Pyrenees is just as good as most of the Alps anyway.

Looking good.

Tricky-UK · 11-19-2010, 10:25 AM

Enjoyed a beer or two in the evenings.

A few more pics.

Nice blond... but why the long face?

Eventually had to head north again and rode up the West coast of France mainly on N (national) routes.

Spent my last night North of Bordeaux in the little town of Pons.

Once I reached Poitiers it was cloudy and raining so jumped back on the Autoroute and legged it to Calais.

Cheers.

Tricky-UK · 11-19-2010, 10:36 AM

Last few pics. Was lucky with the weather and October was a good time to visit this region.

The big Katoom was brilliant for this dash. Total mileage was about 1800 miles door to door.

Bike returned about 40mpg and used no oil.

Thanks for looking.

JustPlainDave · 11-19-2010, 05:46 PM

Beautiful country! Looks like you have a nice enjoyable trip.
Thanks for sharing Tricky.

herman maire · 11-19-2010, 05:56 PM

very nice pictures... How many hours of riding is Calais from the Pyrenees?

Sportakus · 11-19-2010, 09:17 PM

Be careful with the beers

Always no alcohol eh...

Great pics and great trip friend...

PHILinFRANCE · 11-20-2010, 12:27 AM

The roads down here from the end of Sept. are the best as most folk have gone home !!!! nice one mate
Phil

bikerfish · 11-20-2010, 03:40 AM

wonderful pics! thanks for sharing. I dream of riding there someday, I always love watching the tour de france tv coverage of the pyrenees stages, just fantastic looking roads! that beer looks quite good as well!
someday!!!!

Tricky-UK · 11-20-2010, 04:41 AM

Thanks guys for the nice comments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by herman maire

very nice pictures... How many hours of riding is Calais from the Pyrenees?

It's approx 600 miles from Calais to Toulouse. Wanted to get south of Toulouse on that first day so I was as close to the Pyrenees as possible. I did about 650 miles in total, mainly on the autoroute, so was riding for about 12 hours including breaks etc.

oldbanker2003 · 11-20-2010, 08:04 AM

Hi Tricky

We were down there and the Picos in September on Tiger camping but took the ferry into Santander much easier on the arse

Great area for bikes I love it, nice to see the colors of a later month.

Cheers Steve

TwoShots · 11-20-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky-UK

Fantastic picture.
Thanks for sharing the ride!

JED · 11-21-2010, 08:03 PM

What might be the posted speed limit on those roads, just in case I get there?

PHILinFRANCE · 11-22-2010, 04:42 AM

Hi Jed
The speed limits here are
Motorways ......130kph and 110kph (80mph and 70mph) ish
Main roads.......90kph and 70kph (60mph and 45mph) ish
Towns.............50kph (30mph) ish
School areas....30kph (20mph) ish

Watch out for the Gendarmes (police) its normally an on the spot fine and if you don't have the cash on you they'll escort you to a cash point

Phil

JED · 11-22-2010, 06:15 AM

Sensible speeds.

11-19-2010, 10:21 AM	#1
Tricky-UK ^OP Wannabe Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Essex UK Oddometer: 75	Pyrenees (5 day return dash) After a few beers in the pub one night some of my GS riding mates informed me that KTMs are no good for long distance touring... So decided to prove them wrong. Original plan was to ride down to the Gap area and spend a few days doing some local passes or Route Napoleon. Weather looked poor with thunderstorms and rain so as I only had a few days decided to head to the Pyrenees which looked more promising. Glad I had an airhawk for the long ride south mind. Camped at a little site near Ax-Les-Thermes near the foothills of the Pyrenees. I knew I had made the right choice when I woke up the next morning. Quick coffee before getting ready to explore. The Pyrenees is just as good as most of the Alps anyway. Looking good. __________________ Tricky-UK screwed with this post 11-19-2010 at 10:50 AM

11-19-2010, 10:25 AM	#2
Tricky-UK ^OP Wannabe Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Essex UK Oddometer: 75	Enjoyed a beer or two in the evenings. A few more pics. Nice blond... but why the long face? Eventually had to head north again and rode up the West coast of France mainly on N (national) routes. Spent my last night North of Bordeaux in the little town of Pons. Once I reached Poitiers it was cloudy and raining so jumped back on the Autoroute and legged it to Calais. Cheers. __________________ Tricky-UK screwed with this post 11-19-2010 at 10:55 AM

11-19-2010, 10:36 AM	#3
Tricky-UK ^OP Wannabe Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Essex UK Oddometer: 75	Last few pics. Was lucky with the weather and October was a good time to visit this region. The big Katoom was brilliant for this dash. Total mileage was about 1800 miles door to door. Bike returned about 40mpg and used no oil. Thanks for looking. __________________ Tricky-UK screwed with this post 11-19-2010 at 10:47 AM

11-19-2010, 05:46 PM	#4
JustPlainDave Tubeless Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Sarasota, Fl Oddometer: 183	Beautiful country! Looks like you have a nice enjoyable trip. Thanks for sharing Tricky. __________________ "If you can't be handsome, be handy": Red Green 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere

11-19-2010, 09:17 PM	#6
Sportakus Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Spain Oddometer: 640	Be careful with the beers Always no alcohol eh... Great pics and great trip friend... __________________ Enjoy that your family every second... can be the last... Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere

11-19-2010, 05:56 PM	#5
herman maire Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Location: canada Oddometer: 152	very nice pictures... How many hours of riding is Calais from the Pyrenees?

11-20-2010, 12:27 AM	#7
PHILinFRANCE Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: S W France my little bit of paradise Oddometer: 760	The roads down here from the end of Sept. are the best as most folk have gone home !!!! nice one mate Phil __________________ I,M HERE FOR A GOOD TIME NOT ALONG TIME

11-20-2010, 03:40 AM	#8
bikerfish flyfishandride Joined: Aug 2010 Location: western pa Oddometer: 971	wonderful pics! thanks for sharing. I dream of riding there someday, I always love watching the tour de france tv coverage of the pyrenees stages, just fantastic looking roads! that beer looks quite good as well! someday!!!!

11-20-2010, 08:04 AM	#10
oldbanker2003 n00b Joined: Sep 2004 Oddometer: 6	Nice one Hi Tricky We were down there and the Picos in September on Tiger camping but took the ferry into Santander much easier on the arse Great area for bikes I love it, nice to see the colors of a later month. Cheers Steve

11-21-2010, 08:03 PM	#12
JED Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: East Mo Oddometer: 476	What might be the posted speed limit on those roads, just in case I get there?

11-22-2010, 04:42 AM	#13
PHILinFRANCE Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: S W France my little bit of paradise Oddometer: 760	Hi Jed The speed limits here are Motorways ......130kph and 110kph (80mph and 70mph) ish Main roads.......90kph and 70kph (60mph and 45mph) ish Towns.............50kph (30mph) ish School areas....30kph (20mph) ish Watch out for the Gendarmes (police) its normally an on the spot fine and if you don't have the cash on you they'll escort you to a cash point Phil __________________ I,M HERE FOR A GOOD TIME NOT ALONG TIME

11-22-2010, 06:15 AM	#14
JED Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2004 Location: East Mo Oddometer: 476	Sensible speeds.

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