Triumphrat

RexxyPup · 10-26-2006

Hi All.

We are aiming to go down through France to Barcelona on the Sprint next year to co-incide with the MotoGP, but also to spend some time in the city.

We are going to rent an apartment, and could do with some advice from anyone who has already done something like this, about parking my precious baby while we are there!

Mind you, if there are any other pearls of wisdom you wish to cast before this swine, Such as roads to ride, MotoGP tips/tricks etc, they will be gratefully received! :-D

Rexx

marcosmaniac · 10-26-2006

Try renting a place that has the owner on site or at least nearby, chances are he/she'll lend you the garage or a space there in. Get out of the UK and people fall over themselves to help bikers, you've just got to ask.

Nelson955 · 10-26-2006

If you have time, cross into Spain via the Pyranees. The roads are fabulous and the views breathtaking.

RexxyPup · 10-27-2006

Hoping to come back up the Atlantic coast, so the Pyranees are a good bet. Could you be a little more specific please Nelson?

Anyone out there actually parked up in Barcelona?

Rexx

Nelson955 · 10-28-2006

I've crossed via the D934, which you pick up just south of Pau. It crosses the border into Spain at about 5500 feet and becomes the A136 as far as Biescas. If you then pick up the N260 and head east it will take you into Andorra. Its marked green on the Michelin maps and is a hoot.

RexxyPup · 10-31-2006

Thanks Nelson,

they look like some challenging roads!

I'll be two up with all the luggage and tank bag, not sure I will make some of those turns!! :-D

Rexx

bulldog · 10-31-2006

This last summer my wife and I toured on our 2003 ST through the Pyrenees from the west coast to the east and then on to Barcelona. The roads are indeed fantastic and no problem two up with panniers and large tank bag. We went in July and frequently travelled for at least an hour without seeing another vehicle! Road surfaces were good until we got lost and then had to negotiate 8 miles of loose track. Having toured extensively through Switzerland, Austria and Italy I think the Pyrenees are less challenging than some of the passes in the Alps etc. However, we really enjoyed our trip and would commend the Pyrenees to anyone seeking great riding with little traffic. A final point my wife shot a great video from the pillion as we descended one of the many passes. The ST with its MHP exhaust sounds awsome as the bike accelerates and on the overun. I hope you have a great trip.

RexxyPup · 10-31-2006

Thanks Bulldog, that has reassured me. At least the bike will be lighter than when we go camping. She's a right pig then!

What did you do with your bike in Barcelona?

Rexx

bulldog · 11-01-2006

To ensure that the wife stays enthusiastic about the whole trip I indulge her in good hotels. Hence we stayed at a 4 star hotel which had secure parking. When planning the trip I used the net to suss out each nights accommodation to check for parking security. Where details were not specified I rang the hotel to check. Hope this helps

welshrob · 11-01-2006

Hi Mark, my first wife and I spent 6 weeks touring on a Kawasaki GT550 (the one in my album) and had crossed the French Alps via the St Bernard tunnel into Italy. We eventually rode from San Remo in Italy and had a lazy tour along the Riviera and then took the same route as Nelson955 across the Pyranees into Girona and later on, Barcelona. After a couple of days exploring we ended up at a small seaside town called Lestartit. We spent a week there and it was just wonderful. This was in 1994 so things have probably changed a bit by now but back then, as is previously stated, parking was never a problem. Most hotels and motels have some kind of a 'safe' area for your bike. We mostly parked the Kwaka on the pavement just like all the other bikes and chained it to a convenient solid object. The pavement parking seemed to be the done thing, because being backed into by a car was a much greater risk than theft or vandalism. I would highly recommend you go to Girona and Lestartit (pronounced less-tar-teet) which will hopefully still be as beautiful as when I was last there.
We unfortunately had to leave in a hurry middle of the night after my wife battered a Spanish bloke senseless, with a mallet, but that`s another story....