Anybody ridden through the Pyrenees between Pau and Pamplona?

[Azuredesign]

I will be staying 10km north of Orthez, and am looking forward to doing some riding in the area. Any day trip routes or ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

[Orson]

I rode through there a few years ago. It's hard to go wrong. Just stay to the two-lane roads that straddle the French-Spanish border. The roads up in the mountains are generally fairly narrow, so there not conducive to going fast. Still enjoyable.

The French side sees more rain, so if it's raining there, cross over to the Spanish side and you may see some sunshine.

If you make it as far as Andorra, they have many motorcycle apparel shops there. You might get a good deal on a helmet or gloves  

[FJR-UK]

Check out the maps on the ViaMichelin website. Look for the roads with the green line along them (in the Pyrenees, that's most of them!). As Orson says, you can't really go wrong. Are you traveling soon? Take some thermal underwear and glove liners.

Pau is an interesting, busy town. Biarritz is worth a look: take your surf board. You might have to pass through Oloron Ste. Marie (the eastern side of the river is more interesting). It's famous for making the classic French beret. San Sebastian is off your patch, but worth a look, if you can stretch a bit. I don't remember being very impressed with Pamplona, but I wasn't there for the bull run.

If you map out a run, figure an average speed of 30 mph once you get off the major routes.

Good luck.

[Azuredesign]

Thanks for you responses. I know the area closer to the coast fairly well having vacationed in the area just to the east, near Dax, for the past 25years. I agree St. Sebastian is a lovely city, if you can find a parking space. Biarritz has a beautiful coast line, but I prefer Bayonne as it is more culturally interesting to me.

I've recently purchased a place outside Ortez, and hope to be spending more time there. I am looking for specific routes to ride, as well as information about acquiring a bike over there, or shipping one over. ( I am based in Boston)
I'd love to know if there is a way around the 106 horsepower government imposed limit, although I know a few roads in the Pyrenees, and think that a light and nimble bike is preferable to a very powerful one.

Thanks for any insight,
Ben

[Orson]

I'd love to know if there is a way around the 106 horsepower government imposed limit, although I know a few roads in the Pyrenees, and think that a light and nimble bike is preferable to a very powerful one.

just my opinion, but the only time I would need more than 106 hp would be on the autoroutes.

For the narrow, twisty stuff in the mountains, 106 hp is fine  

I'm from the school of thought that it's more fun to wring the neck of a slow bike than to have a fast bike and not be able to use its power.

my Guzzi has about 86 hp and does 130 mph. 106 hp ought to see you to somewhere around 150 mph.

I purchased my Guzzi from a mom & pop shop in Parma, Italy. I'm not sure if everything was above board, since I'm not an EU resident, but they managed it somehow. They even arranged my insurance  

East from Pau, you'll get into Le Massif Central, which offers fantastic motorcycling roads. The area around Gorges da l'Ardeche is beautiful, but it's probably a full day's ride from Pau.

[Azuredesign]

Thanks Orsen,

I appreciate the link and also the thoughts concerning hp restriction. I've been to the massif central by car a couple of times, but quite a few years ago. Your refernece made me remember how gnarly and twisty the roads up that way can be as well.

Thanks again and all best,
Ben

[tenbears]

Done it a number of times... choosing it whenever we needed to make up time as tbh, its not as challenging as the more central crossings. N134 springs to mind via Laruna towards Huesca. Once came back that way from Salamanca to north of Tarbes in over 12hrs and 1000+ miles and only really managed it [2up] due to the lighter crossing point near Pau... if we'd crossed nearer Lourdes I'd have expected to add a good few more hours on the journey time.

Wife's French and we have 15 acres in the foothills quite near Tarbes. I'll be running tours around the Pyrénées as soon as I can quit the UK.... love the area, you can't really go wrong.

[Azuredesign]

Done it a number of times... choosing it whenever we needed to make up time as tbh, its not as challenging as the more central crossings. N134 springs to mind via Laruna towards Huesca. Once came back that way from Salamanca to north of Tarbes in over 12hrs and 1000+ miles and only really managed it [2up] due to the lighter crossing point near Pau... if we'd crossed nearer Lourdes I'd have expected to add a good few more hours on the journey time.

Wife's French and we have 15 acres in the foothills quite near Tarbes. I'll be running tours around the Pyrénées as soon as I can quit the UK.... love the area, you can't really go wrong.

We should get together and speak at some point as I was also considering leading cycle tours in the area. My wife grew up just east of Dax, and we have maintained a home of our own there since the late 80's before moving just north of Orthez last year. I used to do a lot of cycling (velo) in the area, and know a fair number of  fun routes and places of interest. I also have friends in the restaurant and hotel industry in the area. I've been riding motorcycles for closing in on 40 years, and have led  groups of 3-10 riders around New England and upstate New York on several occasions over the past 4 years. If you'd care to, pm me and we'll find a time when we're both in the Bearn.

Best wishes for the New Year,
Ben

[Bill@MIssion]

We should get together and speak at some point as I was also considering leading cycle tours in the area. My wife grew up just east of Dax, and we have maintained a home of our own there since the late 80's before moving just north of Orthez last year. I used to do a lot of cycling (velo) in the area, and know a fair number of  fun routes and places of interest. I also have friends in the restaurant and hotel industry in the area. I've been riding motorcycles for closing in on 40 years, and have led  groups of 3-10 riders around New England and upstate New York on several occasions over the past 4 years. If you'd care to, pm me and we'll find a time when we're both in the Bearn.

Best wishes for the New Year,
Ben

Actually - we should all get together - anytime you're ready. As 'everyone' is doing it - and most illegally - putting a legal proposition together would make quite a change.....

But staying on post -
The general concensus being you can't go to far wrong is correct. As well as looking for green/yellow bordered roads look for the tour de france route as well - D918 I think - which is a cracker.

If you can - turn right at Pamplona and don;t stop till you hit Picos de Europa ..... It's a ride.

[FJR-UK]

...look for the tour de france route as well - D918 I think - which is a cracker.

It is, indeed!

More shots can be found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/jerrys_ibook/PhotoAlbum29.html

[Ant]

The Tourmalet is much more fun when you're doing it on a pushbike. 50mph downhill wearing lycra... That gets the adrenaline flowing!!   (although I was too tired having just climbed the damn thing to pay much attention to anything else!)

[FJR-UK]

I was very glad I had a motor on my bike!  

[Orson]

Here's my Col du Tourmalet photo.  

[notarian]

Check this site. You might find a review or two on roads close by.

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/

Note

[Aero]

Actually - we should all get together - anytime you're ready. As 'everyone' is doing it - and most illegally - putting a legal proposition together would make quite a change.....

If you are serious about this, you can add my name to the group. This is something I have been wanting to do as a way of getting back to do some European riding every year. I just haven't had enough time to devote to setting everything up and I don't know if I could run it as a one man band while working my regular job.

[Azuredesign]

Great photos! I'm psyched,
Thanks,
Ben

It is, indeed!

More shots can be found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/jerrys_ibook/PhotoAlbum29.html

[Azuredesign]

I'll be over in two weeks for 10 days, and will be purchasing a bike. As the dollar is shrinking against the euro, and I am throwing money furiously at our place there, I'm probably looking at something like a used GSX750F. Bill, I'll be looking forward to speaking with you about some of the gear from your website in the near future.

I will be returning in August, maybe we can have a meet and greet at some lovely location then?

All best,
Ben

Actually - we should all get together - anytime you're ready. As 'everyone' is doing it - and most illegally - putting a legal proposition together would make quite a change.....

But staying on post -
The general concensus being you can't go to far wrong is correct. As well as looking for green/yellow bordered roads look for the tour de france route as well - D918 I think - which is a cracker.

If you can - turn right at Pamplona and don;t stop till you hit Picos de Europa ..... It's a ride.

[Orson]

Somewhere between Pau and the Spanish border:

[Ant]

Somewhere between Pau and the Spanish border:

Sigh  
I need to go back there with a powered two wheel vehicle.

[Azuredesign]

This is a great resource!
Thanks!!

Check this site. You might find a review or two on roads close by.

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/

Note

[throttlemeister]

If you have a chance to run the N260 in Spain from Biescas to Ainsa, don't let it pass. Actually, the entire N260 from Biescas to Ribera D'Urgellet is really great. It's about 300km and it has so much giggles it makes your face hurt. Excellent grippy surface that allows you to really rip through the turns. Gorgious views. Highly recommended.

Map & route

[Azuredesign]

Thanks, I'll archive this for use later! I am peripherally familiar with how challenging these roads are as my sister and her husband returned from Barcelona years ago, having altered it's name to suit the somewhat difficult time they had negotiating the route by car. Ever since we've called it Barfalona. While it may have been tough to them, I'm sure that I will be smiling from ear to ear as well!

Thanks again,
Ben