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Biking in Spain, truths and myths.

John Mack.

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
What I'm saying is avoid the paint on the roads at ALL costs!!
A couple of my mates can vouch for that as well!
Been back about 4 weeks and still can't stop thinking about it. Would recommend this place http://www.homeaway.co.uk/p837931 Bikes were safe from prying eyes, had to back them down a wee lane though which was interesting!

BoysBikeHoliday2012115.jpg


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@tu*

John.
 
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ChazUFO

Guest
I'm heading to Spain in abut 8 weeks time, then crossing over into France after a couple of days riding along the N260.
Anyone got any experience of the route and the temperatures we're likely to see early/mid June?

Currently browsing summer clothing but as I've got to spend a bit on the bike before I go I'm wondering if I can get away with what I've got. Also which bit of kit would be better!
Plain black leather pants or Gortex unvented HG trousers
RST vented leather jacket, or Gortex HG vented jacket
HG stuff is waterproof so covers all conditions so might be the better option.
Any words of wisdom? Abuse? :)
 

4_4_2

Registered User
take the leathers, they breathe much better than gortex when its hot. buy a cheap all in one oversuit for if it rains, (mine was an oxford one for about 40 quid) it folds up into virtually nothing and has only leaked once in a monsoon in France. Even the boys in HG gortex had them on over the top and they were still soaked to the skin...

edit, wear a thin undersuit (those Aldi ones sold recently are ideal) under the leathers, sounds daft but it helps to soak up the sweat and you can get your leathers on and off much easier.
 
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stevefatnfastCBR1100xx

Guest
Chazufo

Are you going to Spain by boat ? if so let us know how it is as Im planning that for next summer possibly just do Northern Spain, will be in Canet Roussilion Region South of France for 2weeks in June 2 of us on XX's and a slug GTR14 8rfl@

will be riding back up through Western France love the place
 
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ChazUFO

Guest
We're going from Plymouth to Bilbao, along the Pyrenees, up into France and then up to Le Harvre for the ferry to Portsmouth.
I'm planning on doing a write up with pics and maps of where we go. Used Bike magazine (now bust) did a write up on the N260 in Spain. 311 miles (or so) of fantastic twisties which is the inspiration for the trip. That and having a friend in Puivert in the Languedoc region we can go see for a day to relax and recharge.
Have you seen the "bestbikingroads" website? They've got some really useful route info there for France and elsewhere in Europe
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/motorbike-rides-in-france-/france-__804.html

Been using this to plan our route home from Puivert. Some sweet routes all over France in there by the looks of things.
Once we're getting closer to the off I might start a new thread and put up our planned route, then follow up with a full write up once we've done it. Listing what we got right, what we didn't, what I'd change for another time, what we forgot, etc.

We're arriving in Puivert on the evening of 12th June, leaving there the morning of Friday 14th and getting the ferry back on the Sunday night.
 
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John Mack.

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
take the leathers, they breathe much better than gortex when its hot..... wear a thin undersuit under the leathers, sounds daft but it helps to soak up the sweat and you can get your leathers on and off much easier.

Think you've just contradicted yourself there.......
Toured the last 4 years on the continent and I'm glad it wasn't in leather :dunno:
 
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stevefatnfastCBR1100xx

Guest
I've plotted a rideout route near Quillan which is close to where you are, we leave UK 8th June overnight at Clermont Ferrand then arrive Mar Estang Sunday 9th, spending 10 days there then travel back up via Limoges 1st stop, onto Nr Orleans 2nd stop then home after that, do some sightseeing on the return journey @tu*

oh and I wear ventilated leathers with the EDZ undersuit that whicks the sweat away, carry 1 piece oversuits with us just in case
 

John Mack.

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Ok, so what would you wear?

What I've worn is HG Goretex stuff and a waterproof over-suit when a prolonged downpour is on the cards.
I rated leather gear once-upon-a-time but when you're sweating your tits off and feel uncomfortable because of it then your riding is affected....been there.
I'm not saying leather's had it's day but I'd say it's better at keeping you warm than comfortable.
@tu*
 

Dark Angel

Still kickin' it!
take the leathers, they breathe much better than gortex when its hot. buy a cheap all in one oversuit for if it rains... Even the boys in HG gortex had them on over the top and they were still soaked to the skin...

edit, wear a thin undersuit (those Aldi ones sold recently are ideal) under the leathers, sounds daft but it helps to soak up the sweat and you can get your leathers on and off much easier.
8rfl@

No disrespect intended here, but this has gotta be a fookin wind-up!

You?ll sweat yer bollox off in leather ? take it from me! :-:

My HG gear is six years old and has been worn virtually every day since I bought it ? winter and summer/home and away - and that includes 4 years as a full-time DAS/Advanced motorcycle instructor.

It?s totally knackered now - but it?s still warm and waterproof in winter and cool enough to have taken me and the Mrs through Spain, France, Italy, Germany etc. without complaint ? hot or cold - wet OR dry.

Get some decent Goretex kit ? not the cheap stuff ? and away you go! @tu*
 

Mikeyzf

Registered User
When I rode to Spain in '09,I went end of May/beginning of June,and wore my Dainese goretex suit with liners removed..I have to admit,I found it pretty uncomfortable.At the end of each days riding,my T shirt was wringing with sweat.In 2011,I went in August and used RST kevlar jeans,and a Richa deep summer vented jacket like THIS ONE.It's basically a mesh jacket with body armour.I found it so much more comfortable.
As for waterproof stuff,I took an oversuit,and only needed it for a couple of hours in France..
I'm off again on May 24th..Can't wait..@tu*
 

Jono

Super Sponsor
Read Only
+1 for DA's answer, we wore HG Goretex for our jaunt around the Picos last year....thank god:bow: leathers in 30+ degrees? No thanks :neenaw:
 
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ChazUFO

Guest
I've got a Performance Shell HG Gortex 2 piece suit from about 3, maybe 4 years ago. the jacket is vented on the shoulders(front) and mid back(rear). The trousers have no ventilation at all....
Retail at the time was around £600 but got it half price.
Does this sound like it's going to be ok? I think the jacket should be,,,, not convinced about the trousers...
 

Jono

Super Sponsor
Read Only
I've got the HG Tricky Goretex jacket and trousers, venting on the jacket, must be similar to yours, none on the trousers, that's what I wore with a very thin long sleeved wicking type top. You are gonna be hot whatever you wear, unless you ride early morning or late evening only. That kit was fine for me, have toured most of Europe, southern Germany. When we did the Picos mountains, then along via San Sebasti?n and up through France to the channel ports, it was hot, but that kit was OK, especially when you get moving, and if you hit bad weather as we did just after arriving at Bilbao, you don't have to faff around putting on waterproofs etc, just keep going.......and smile, relax your on holiday:-0)
 

robsbird

red ones are faster
Club Sponsor
Me I always wear my leathers as I can not be done with the goretex filling up with air and flapping about and patting you no the back at speed

I just wear thin wind stopper under them makes easy work of getting then off

But do have an all in one wet suit to go over to hand with two bags to go over feet to just slip wet suit on with out faffing about makes easy work of it
 

Jono

Super Sponsor
Read Only
There ya go, each to his own I guess. Hopefully your Goretex jacket is like mine and fits properly :-0), go with what your comfortable in, and enjoy @tu*
 

Dark Angel

Still kickin' it!
... riding along the N260.
Anyone got any experience of the route and the temperatures we're likely to see early/mid June?

HG stuff is waterproof so covers all conditions so might be the better option.

Why not just get yourself a decent pair of Gortex vented pants? I stress the decent bit here, because a lot of Gortex-tagged stuff is low-grade and not as breathable (or waterproof) as the really good stuff, which must be close to military grade nowadays.

Properly-adjusted, there's no flapping around and with good ventilation you'll be a lot more comfortable than wearing leather because there's less weight bearing down on you.

With the recent HG "troubles? there really are some fantastic bargains available ? worth every penny, in my experience. @tu*
 
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ChazUFO

Guest
Cheers DA, though with the current financial climate chez moi new kit at that price isn't an option,,, so wish it was! Shouldn't really be getting the Bird or going on this trip, but it's been postponed for the last 2 years and I'm going come hell or high water!
Looks like I'll be going in my reasonably decent, if not top grade Gortex kit. Though if I can find a pair of vented pants at a decent price which still offer good protection,,,, maybe HG will go nuts and reduce prices even further like they did a couple of years ago.
 

Dark Angel

Still kickin' it!
... with the current financial climate chez moi new kit at that price isn't an option,,,
brok3

The current financial climate is ex-ACKLY why I?m singing the praises of the gear I bought so long ago and which has served me well for easily more than 200,000 miles.

It wasn?t cheap when I bought it ? but I haven?t needed to replace it ? which is reminiscent of a certain very-well made motorcycle that has a few dedicated followers around the world, eh? :-0)

Whatever you decide, go and enjoy yourself ? that?s the main thing. @tu*

And while you?re enjoying yourself, enjoy the fact that you?re DOING it, while so many "normal" folk just talk ? and dream ? and do so much less than they are truly able to do.

There?s no such thing as ?normal? biker? :-:
 
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