Spain - Portugal Road Trip 2017

[soofsayer]

After 24 hours on the ferry to Bilbao I've got my first 100 or so miles in northern Spain under my belt. The road today has been stunning and dangerous. Lots of bunches of flowers tied to posts everywhere. Im shaking a little after finding a horse running loose up the road towards me after a blind corner. Anyway. Enjoy the photos.

 

[alex]

Crikey, that experience is going to keep you on high alert for the rest of this...at least on blind bends!

How was the ferry? Get much rest?

 

[FreudianSlip]

I wonder what the horse thought.. Brill pics though - keep 'em coming.

 

[soofsayer]

Lol.
So the Spanish have zero lane discipline, even in a straight line. So on that road earlier most corners were blind. Right handers I was taking at a snails pace because if something was coming the other way it was guaranteed to be a few feet across on my side. This happened a few times. What takes the piss is most of the road was solid white line down the middle but they've built the roads quite narrow, just enough for a car width but no more. The litter of broken wing mirrors along the verges is the outcome of such brilliance. That was the scariest road I've ever ridden. Sheer drops on one side and storm gutters on the other with barely enough space for two vehicles to pass in places. I am glad it's over. The journey got easier later on going towards Leon with the exact opposite, straight long wide roads for miles with nothing but pastures and occasional villages. Anyhow some more pics...

It was so windy in that last picture I couldn't get the bike off the side stand.

At the hotel about 80 clicks or so from Leon now for some R&R before tomorrow. Long day ahead crossing into Portugal and ending up near Vila Real.

 

[soofsayer]

Just a couple of things to add.

Westy and his lovely gf Sarah provided my lodgings on Tuesday before the ferry next day. I was given a full supper and a couple of Peroni despite arriving at near 10pm. A very comfortable sleep in their spare room was followed by bacon and egg sandwich for brekkie. Top hospitality. Thank you so much Dave! I hope I can repay you in kind one day.

The ferry. The longest 24 hours of my life or so it felt. I did spot a couple of dolphins whilst taking the sea air after breakfast which was nice. Big improvement on the whales in the restaurant for sure. I hate waiting around and being on the boat dragged on. But it's quicker than riding down and less stressful. I've got the return to suffer yet.

Some **** in a TVR left it alarmed in the garage area so that was going off throughout the night, pissed a lot of people off, thank god for ear plugs. Apart from that it was uneventful.

 

[FreudianSlip]

Big improvement on the whales in the restaurant for sure.

Mr Creosote reference perhaps?

 

[RacersEdge]

Soof I've ridden that. Your pictures rang a bell and I've found it... that viewing spot you were on. snap! Lol. Different weather though... Enjoy your trip!

 

[soofsayer]

The weather was ok today, dry and warm until the last 10 minutes to the hotel when I got rained on but no biggie. You'll know what I mean about that road then? Did you take the sthou?

 

[Skel]

Cracking pic Soof. Ride safe but with a smile. [emoji4]


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[fast_ryan]

Have a fantastic trip onboard the GS!

 

[soofsayer]

Forgot this too... waiting to depart the ferry I was parked up next to a beautiful original Aston Volante (actually there were two ). Got talking to the owner who's wife eluded he was the GT3 car champion in 2009 (don't know what series but it was serious). His twin brother was in another Aston the same but burgundy. Anyone happen know the guys name from back then? Really nice chap. I think his garage is rather extensive. Last year they did the trip in a AC Cobra and E type.

 

[MacRR]

That's worth a few quid, enjoy your trip Soof - not at all jealous!

 

[RacersEdge]

The weather was ok today, dry and warm until the last 10 minutes to the hotel when I got rained on but no biggie. You'll know what I mean about that road then? Did you take the sthou?

Yes mate I did take the sthou, wasn't going quick though, the better half was on her CB1000R and was particularly cautious along that road. We veered off in the other direction to you after that though towards Zaragoza and then Aragon for the GP. Love Spain, will definitely be doing it again. Keep the pics coming, will be following with interest.

 

[Flyingscotsman]

Great pictures & info Soof. The mountain roads look a bit hairy. Have a great trip.

 

[stuartb]

Great images mate.... keep them coming. That road sounded mental.

Stuart

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[soofsayer]

First 20 minutes of the morning it rained but by chance my route made a beeline for the breaks in the sky and it dried up. Roads were long and straight no blind corners so happy days in these conditions.

An hour or so of this and dual carriageway before dropping on to this:

Some quality lane discipline as usual:

Then across the Douro river to Portugal.

Coffee time.

 

[soofsayer]

N216 I think it is. Best road I've ridden in years. Almost too good for too long and now in 30c. Sweeping bends, good surface, wide, sighted, just superb.

Brucie bonus if you know what that is lol.

 

[FreudianSlip]

V pretty - some of those river views are spectacular. Makes me wonder why we're all not over there enjoying those roads... You think you'll come back one day ?

 

[alex]

Portuguese Egg Custard thingy...

That Aston was mint! Lovely looking thing.

Are you heading to the boarder? N216 appears to go that way.

 

[soofsayer]

Well done Alex. Custard tart.

I hope I'm heading towards My hotel.

Couldn't figure out why the sat Nav was saying I had 3 hours left to do 90 miles. Now it makes sense.