Barcelona trip

[mcfroyce44]

Just a quick note on my recent experiences for anybody interested in a bit of touring.
Set off from Norn Iron Tues 29 May 2012 on my 99 Vara 1000. Rode to Rosslare on Tues; Cherbourg to La Rochelle on Wed and La R to Blanes (just up coast from Barcelona) on Thurs arriving Thurs tea time.  Stayed at Hostal Regina (a 2 star hotel) Thurs to Monday morning and rode the 20 min trip each day to the MOTO GP circuit at Catalunya.
The MOTO GP ticket was 48 euros for the weekend (bargain); the Regina owner let me leave the bike in his garage each night (agreed beforehand at 4 euro per night but he wouldn't take the money for it once he saw the IRL sticker on the Vara and realised I wasn't English).  The Regina cost me ?99 for 4 nights inc breakfast (bargain again). 
My wife flew into Barcelona on Monday 4th and came back with me up thru France.  This was very brave of her; she had only done 200-300 miles on a bike in her life and was in for 1,000 in a week.
Route was Barcelona; Argeles sur Mer, Foix; then North as far as Oradour sur Glane (near Limoges), west to La Rochelle; La Baule; Roscoff and home on Sunday 10th June.
It only cost ?79 for her flight and 13 euros to add her to my return ferry trip
Nicest town was Sarlat le Caneda (south of Limoges); most challenging bit was coming over the bridge at St Nazaire in gale force side wind (nearly got left knee down going straight ahead)
Vara didn't miss a beat but then it is a Honda.  It's a good tourer but, to be honest, I would rather have been on the Blackbird I took last time just for the sheer grunt out of the bends and the overtaking ability.
Will be putting Varadero up for sale in Gumtree in next few days as I'm looking for an FJR1300.

[loudpedal]

Hi.
Sounds like a great trip. Did you get to do the coast road N260 in Spain up into France on the N114. Through Port- Bou and Cerbere? An outstanding road.
We were in Tarragona for VIM the weekend before but played mainly in the pyreenes. Also used Irish Ferry to Cherbourg a great service.


Loudpedal

[mcfroyce44]

Didn't use that road this time (went that way in 2003). Have good memories of it.  Hope you enjoyed VIM.

[loudpedal]

:-)
VIM is fast becoming good a memory.


Loudpedal