Members Adventures

Jagster's Biking Adventure to the Pyrenees

Part 1

After our little foray in Thailand in March of this year after being sat rigid with fear on the pillion seat of a rented bike, what with dodging thru six abreast traffic in what here would be a normal two lane highway, then in the more rural districts where you rounded a bend and came across a twenty strong family of monkeys, round another bend and find yourself dodging a feckin elephant, suffering with the heat and humidity and then the arse bending fourteen hour flight back, it was when sat in the taxi from Manchester airport that Sue looked at me, rolled her eyes and blurted out "Roll on September".

Yes,this outing has been planned since the beginning of the year and 16th September 2014 is the first of 18 days holiday on the bike. B0ll0cks to tramping all the way through France, today it's a steady trot down to Portsmouth, a stroll round the Naval museum, a quench or two and a meal, B+B is booked and then tomorrow a leisurely ride to Ferry to a cabin (outside cabin with window for whale watching) and en-suite courtesy of Brittany Ferries, which will dock in Bilbao 24 hours later putting us right on target for the Pyrenees, Spanish side!

Last year when touring Spain and Portugal our panniers were bursting they were so full, and as I am an impulse buyer, especially on outings,(always come home with more than left with), it was in the Picos De Europa mountains that I decided a little more space was required. I purchased a cargo net, strapped it to the topbox and stuffed it with two bags of bits n bobs. Unfortunately this rather quickly ended up looking like your ageing Aunties sagging tits in a pit vest, hanging over the back of the said topbox, so this time we are more prepped with two new 20 ltr tube bags and a tank bag, more than ample me thinks!

Just had new brake pads and a pair of Michelin Road Pilot 4 GTs fitted to the steed so we are fit and ready for some seriously big hills (4000m)ish.

With a bit of spare time on my hands during the Xmas holidays I like to study Google Earth and Maps, put together a basic route, (flexi) and then pick out the places to stay each night using Booking.com. This time there will be a few one nighters, a few two nighters and one three nighter at the beach. The general idea is to play all along the Pyrenees mountain range from coast to coast taking in Spain, Andorra and France, with just the one night staying in the French side.

Now lets just be clear, I'm a Plasterer from Dodworth, near T'Barnsley in Yorkshire, the son of a miner and I'm not posh, so fancy Paradors are not on the agenda, camping with Her Ladyship onboard is also a no no, I'm not rough either so scratching pits are also out. I've done this before and with a little online research its amazing what superb, friendly, quality little places you can find for around the 30 euros a night mark, that's double or twin ensuite with breakfast and secure bike parking, jobs a good 'un. I will try to get piccies of each place en-route and give location and if you're still remotely interested and reading on, you will be able to see on the map such places.

Part 2

Coming Soon ....

Steve 'Jagster' Jagger
Dodworth's answer to Judith Chalmers