Trip to Catalunya

[rob13]

Me, my cousin and a few others are looking to go to the Catalunya GP in June. My cousin has worked a route out via Eurotunnel, doing the trip down on the Friday and coming back on Monday. I think he is looking at 1 day down and 1 day back :shock: Has anyone taken a trip down there and if so which route did they take?

Considering we've got to get from the North East to the South coast and then across through France into Spain i think its a tall order to do it in one day - a journey even Nick Sanders would be proud of! About 1200 miles in total although i think the place where we are staying maybe further north of that close to the pyrenees

[Tim in Belgium]

Sounds like a lot of auto route bashing to me, hire a honda pan european for the weekend!

Only joking, personally I'd take an extra couple of days and do some goode roads on the way down and back.

Otherwise it'll be a challenge, but imagine the stories in the pub, " remember the day when we did 1200 miles to spain, averaging 100+ mph...etc, etc".

[STRAMASHER]

Done this one a few years ago ( 9 nights)and its so good we are going again this year. :)

Unfortunately ,I would recommend doing either Portsmouth/Bilbao or Plymouth/Santander. Everybody I know or from what I have read says that trip down western France is boring as ****. :( I am not sure there would be a big budget difference either if you take everything into consideration. £300 portsmouth with a cabin. Plymouth is cheaper(very much cheaper if you just by a seat). You arrive in Spain very near to either port. Not going to work with the amount of days you've got. :? The France way wasted a mate on a Bandit12 2up from ever touring again. :roll:

We did San Sebastian/ Jaca/Viella/ Andorra(cheapest bike gear in europe and plenty of it)/Barcelona. But what you really need to know is that the N260 is one of the best pieces of road ever. :wink: 8) This time we are going Biaritz - Perpignan (D918 is one of the crackers if i remember right) back up the spanish side. Border - Tossa de Mar road is special too.

Any spanish GP is nuts for atmosphere, a real crazy party.The circuit is north of barcelona. Its called the Montmelo circuit. You NEED to go to the village of Montmelo Friday or Saturday night for the maddest scariest bike action you have seen. Proper crazy. Head there for about ten for when the biggest and baddest come out to play. Keep your wits about you as its like douglas prom turned up to 11 and then some :lol: :lol: If you want to ingraciate yourself to the locals leave your silencers at your hotel. :wink:

If you want good seats book them straight from the circuit. They post them over no bother. If you just want to get in go to the circuit on the friday and just buy them then.

I take it you have a 'busa or 'bird for that quick a trip? :lol: I pity your poor SV if you don't :cry: :cry: :cry: Thrash city!

No matter what you take from this post, touring on your bike is one of the most addictive things you can do and you will be hooked. :)



Nearer the time, the MCN GP forum is a good place for the nitty gritty on where to go and how to get there. Buses , trains etc. so you can get a bevvy at night.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.messageboard&categoryID=134

www.bestbikingroads.com is good for roads to try and include.


Good luck!

[ejohnh]

Me, my cousin and a few others are looking to go to the Catalunya GP in June. My cousin has worked a route out via Eurotunnel, doing the trip down on the Friday and coming back on Monday. I think he is looking at 1 day down and 1 day back :shock: Has anyone taken a trip down there and if so which route did they take?

Considering we've got to get from the North East to the South coast and then across through France into Spain i think its a tall order to do it in one day - a journey even Nick Sanders would be proud of! About 1200 miles in total although i think the place where we are staying maybe further north of that close to the pyrenees

I've driven by car down western France from Le Havre, Dieppe and Roscoff to Spain a few times and it is as boring as hell. I wouldn't even consider using the tunnel if you want to get down in a day.

I'm planning on getting the ferry to Santander and then riding down the 'middle' to Cadiz. I want to see the 'monumental' cities. :lol:

John

[rob13]

Aye well my cousin did this about 2 years ago, and i think one of the guys who went with him was pretty sick by the end of it. Ill have to look at the route he's planned to see what he intends to do

[Jelster]

Rob,

Calais-Barcelona is 841 miles. And you intend to be back at Calais for Monday ?

Race ends 16:00-16:30, you have a couple of hours to get on your way back North, best you'll do is 150 miles. Leaves you around 700 miles for Monday, then you have to get back home from Dover.....

It's possible, but it's not really enjoyable is it ?

Take the ferry, and a day each side of the race to ride through Spain, much more civilised.

.

[curium]

I've done this trip on an SV650S K3. In 2004.

Eurotunnel, western France (scenic route), stayed overnight in a B&B near Tolouse. Then arrived in Barcelona. Stayed in a great hotel with secure underground parking in Sabadell, just outside Barcelona.

Circuit is fab! Puts every British circuit to shame.

We're off to Mugello this year.

[ejohnh]

I've done this trip on an SV650S K3. In 2004.

Eurotunnel, western France (scenic route), stayed overnight in a B&B near Tolouse. Then arrived in Barcelona. Stayed in a great hotel with secure underground parking in Sabadell, just outside Barcelona.

Circuit is fab! Puts every British circuit to shame.

We're off to Mugello this year.

Aint the scenic route down the middle and over that fantastic new bridge ? First time I went down that way was in a semi clapped out mini. From Kidsgrove to Llyd airport - Dakota air ferry to Le Touquet. First time I had ever flown - scared ****less.. Then nonstop to about 20 klicks south of Barcelona - campsite at Castel Del Fels. Mini was totally clapped out by the time we got back. Later, when we had the kids we stopped in Poitiers, Toulouse, Carcassonne. Damn me - just remembering stories about France..

John

[Topcat]

We're off to Mugello this year.

I'll see you there then . :D

[rob13]

It is too far in one day, and i dont honestly think its a good idea- itll be all toll roads if we've got to go down the east side.

Curium i take you did it in 2 days? Where abouts in france did you stop?