CATALUNYA MOTO GP 2005

[Dark Angel]

...Ar-rrr...

So just out of curiousity how many of you are coming over from the UK.

...It's a bit "higgledy-piggledy" with six potential attendess all going in (not necessarily) different directions to arrive at (approximately) a common destination at a (seemingly) agreed time... :dunno: :}

Rhino=John&Emma
Fodder=Paul&Mrs Fodder
DA=Eric&Lorraine

w;;v ...Thanks for the alert, Gatso... :k

...See y'all soon!! :-:

DA :yo:

 

[Gerrard]

DA

Hi Ya Eric.
Yes from our end it will be
Zippo....Paul & Trudi.
Gatso......Jim.
We will arrive sometime Friday night.as I have got to get my bike Dyno-ed at a Power Commander site at Valencia on the way up to you....So as with you, none of our times will be exactly......which sounds alright by me.
Talk soon Peeps. w;;v :beer:

 

[Dark Angel]

...Well...

...This evening we'll be sorting out our "resting places" for after the racing . Lorraine's keen to get out and about a bit, so we'll be booking into a couple of the Paradors to ease us on our way back to Santander. :-:

We've also had a few laughs, reading the tale of a second visit to Spain that lets you in on a few "do's and don'ts"; it's a gentle, ably written account and one that's well worth reading as it also gives plenty of information on what to expect and where to stay for the uninitiated. Have a read and see what you think!

http://www.sprint-st.org/tours/spain_2002_index.html

18 days to go! R#?

DA :beer:

 

[D.S.]

P.P.S. Paul and I also have a 1000 kilometre ride to the circuit
so we will be going real slow so as not to get nicked too.... :rolleyes:

not a bad bit of advice. The Motogp at Catalunya is actually heavier policed than Valencia & Jerez, due to the Autonomous Police being in attendance as well as Traffico (Guardia Civil) and National police, however let's keep this in proportion, it ain't nowhere near as bad as attending any UK bike event. My advice would be to watch your speed within 20 kms of the circuit and if you insist of sticking to mainstream routes (motorways & N roads) you should expect the unexpected.

 

[Dark Angel]

Accomodation...

Just found these places -

http://www.paradores-spain.com/

You can buy "Five Day Tickets" that give you discounted prices and allow you to move around the country. Couldn't resist the opportunity so we've decided to book in at the following as it will enable us to get plenty of touring in with a guaranteed place to stay.

9 June Parador de Lerma (2.5 hours from Santander - 30 mins from Burgos)
10 June Hotel Belpuig (Hope this is still OK, John)
11&12 June Parador de Cardona (1 hour from Montmelo)
13&14 June Parador de Bielsa
15 June Parador de Sos Del Rey Catolico

Fods&Rhino - any thoughts on staying overnight in Plymouth, or are ya just gonna blast down "on the day"...?

DA

 

[D.S.]

11&12 June Parador de Cardona (1 hour from Montmelo)
13&14 June Parador de Bielsa
15 June Parador de Sos Del Rey Catolico

all very nice mate - good choices :bow:
if you're dining at the Sos Del Rey, try the lamb (el cordero al Chilindron) :lick: if I remeber correctly, there's garage parking there too.
The parador at Bielsa is in the Ordesa National Park and the scenary is stunning, but the Cardona Parador is the most stunning I've ever stayed at - it's a converted castle :bow: with great views from the top of a hill.
Your taste is unquestionable DA :bow:
If you haven't stayed at a Parador before, be assured that the service is second to none and everything is good quality; excellent value for money IMHO.
Here's a few piccies from the Parador at Ronda where we stayed at last month and the views from our room. BTW, you can get four poster rooms at the Cardona :beer:

 

[Dark Angel]

Cheers, DS...

:beer: Thanks for the info. Sanchez - and for your recommendations (you're obviously a man of good taste, yourself!) :bow:

...I hope we can all get together for "social evening" while we're over there in just ...

16 days time​

:yo:
...Have a look at these places, guys...They look (and sound) fan-TAS-tic

http://paradores-spain.com/spain/plerma.html

http://paradores-spain.com/spain/pcardona.html

http://paradores-spain.com/spain/pbielsa.html

http://paradores-spain.com/spain/pscatolico.html

DA

 

[Fodder]

What are you like Eric! Slag me off for my hotel in Barcelona then book yourself in for a 4/5 star ?Parador? crawl around Spain!.........I?m sure Lorraine will be a happy cat though??

My plan to date is???.

9th June ? no idea yet, though I'll probably book something in your neck of the woods?..maybe even the Parador?? keep up with the Jones syndrome!
10th June Hotel Belpuig (hopfully, John?)
11 ? 12th June, Hotel Crista in central Barcelona
13th - 14th June, somewhere in Ainsa, hopefully the Posada Real (about 10 miles down the road from you Eric!)
15th June, Stopping at a mates house near a place called Arredondo, about 45mins from the ferry.

Unfortunately I?m working the day before the ferry so I?ll have to blat down on the day. The ferry is at 16.00 (I think) and you need to be there at least 45mins before departure, so say 15.00. Plymouth is about 328 miles from my place. Keeping a average running speed up near 70mph it?s a minimum about a 5hr ride, that?s not accounting for fuel stops/breaks/traffic/etc. You?re lucky if you can average 50mph between my place and south of Manchester??.then there?s Birmingham!

Having once missed a ferry due to road conditions (and had a couple of near misses), when heading for South coast ferries I always give myself plenty of time. In this case I?ll probably set off ridiculously early in the morning, not sure what time yet, but very early. I?d much rather do this than end up having a stressful ?shit! I?m going to be late for the ferry? run down there.

 

[Dark Angel]

...Well...

...I?m sure Lorraine will be a happy cat though??

...I think I mentioned (in an earlier post) that Lorraine had one or two "suggestions" which, I must say, she expressed most elegantly...but with surprising force... :blush:

Having acceded to her requests I'm hoping I'll be able to walk without support for the first time this week...And the Doctor says that the headaches and dizziness (caused by receiving too many blows to the head) should also have disappeared by the time we get under way... :}

Accordingly, I think we'll probably travel down to the ferry on the day before we're due to board (so I'm told!) to keep the stress down to manageable levels (more expense! :B). It would be good if you could doss down with us at the Parador, though - have a think about it!

See ya at the ferry - if not before, M8!

DA

 

[RHINO]

Eric,
The e-mail you sent me said you wanted a room for 10th right through :dunno: ..... I shall call and cancell all bar the 10th then.

The rooms are booked and he's paid 100 euros deposit (for all the rooms NOT each room)....... If anyone else is changing their mind on staying in the Bellpuig hotel then please let me know ASAP.

 

[D.S.]

there's a rumour circulating that having survived "The Ring" crew, there's another baregbird captain attending the GP

 

[Dark Angel]

...Soz, M8...

Eric,
The e-mail you sent me said you wanted a room for 10th right through :dunno: ..... I shall call and cancell all bar the 10th then.

The rooms are booked and he's paid 100 euros deposit (for all the rooms NOT each room)....... If anyone else is changing their mind on staying in the Bellpuig hotel then please let me know ASAP.

...I guess I'll have to take full responsibilty for messin' you about...

...(But SHE made us do it, my Precious. It was HER... with her questions and punishings...

...We didn't wants to...

...But she made us do it...!!)

...If money's been spent needlessly I'll make it right...(Don't tell HER!!)

...And you're gonna have to match me, beer-for-beer on the boat - I'll get 'em in...

COME on...:beer:

DA :bow:

 

[RHINO]

No getting me drunk and throwing me overboard so you can have my RED bird :t ........ I'll see your pint and raise you 2 more :beer:

 

[Gerrard]

GP

Hi John.
The accomodation for us will stay as we said, we will arrive Friday night as planned, after the trip to Valencia for the Dyno thingy.
I know you want to see your family but I will still go for a rideout if you still want to and commitments allow. :beer:


Dirty Sanchez.
Hi Joe.
Will you be staying on after the GP for a few days if you are we could meet up and go for a rideout as we will be staying on till at least Wednesday morning before we head home? :beer:

 

[Dark Angel]

...That's a worthy wager...!

No getting me drunk and throwing me overboard so you can have my RED bird :t ........ I'll see your pint and raise you 2 more :beer:

Lorraine: "Hoo-hoo-oo! I wouldn't like to be in your shoes, Eric!!"

...But there's no place I'd rather be than on that boat...

...Knockin' back a good few bevvies with a coupla mates...

...and on me way ta CATALUNYA! :beer:

...Stay safe...See ya soon! :yo:

DA :}

 

[D.S.]

Hi Joe.
Will you be staying on after the GP for a few days if you are we could meet up and go for a rideout as we will be staying on till at least Wednesday morning before we head home? :beer:

sent you a PM :beer:

 

[Inspector]

Dunno where you heard the rumour Joe

But it is true, flying down from Brussels on Friday night and returning Monday morning.

Some nice chap who spoke Spanish managed to confirm my internet booking that stalled when it said my card was invalid and the help desk wouldn't speaka da English...........I owe you one Joe :bow:

There weren't many seats left but managed to get 3 just by the start / finish line (All the bends were completely sold out)

So hopefully we can meet up for a beer at some point over the weekend, I will be staying at my mates pad just by the Olympic village and he and his Mrs will attend their first Moto GP . :yo: :beer:

 

[D.S.]

word of advice to those attending for the first time.

Going by car? Leave plenty of time to get there & don't even think of leaving with all the lemmings at the end of the GP. Leave it for at least 1.5 hours. If the BMW race is after the GP, you'll at least have that to entertain you.

Going by bike? It's no so bad getting parked up but again don't leave at the end of the GP, it really isn't worth it - it'll busy and very, very dusty. Take a chill pill and enjoy the beemers or just poeple watch :} .

If you're intending to leave stuff on ya bikes make sure it's secure. If you're proposing to wear leathers to the race, make sure you've got a change of clothing & a cap 'cos it normally gets fooookin hot.......(can be hotter than Malaga in July Paul ). There's always room for ya kit bag underneath ya seat once inside anyway.

Take plenty of water, prices aren't too bad (this ain't rip off Britain) but it can get busy.

Finally, follow the old bills instructions, however bizarre they may appear to be !!!! :bow: :beer:

 

[Inspector]

Don't suppose

You know how long a walk it is from the nearest station to the track as we were thinking of getting a train from the centre, It looks a fair trek from the maps I've seen but I suppose a taxi will take just as long because of all the traffic ?

 

[D.S.]

You know how long a walk it is from the nearest station to the track as we were thinking of getting a train from the centre, It looks a fair trek from the maps I've seen but I suppose a taxi will take just as long because of all the traffic ?

never been by train Dave and ya right, it does look a fair distance!
Addition to above advice list.
Going by train? Take walking boots :}