Has anyone been to.........

[Boomer]

Picos De Europa on a biking holiday. I was thinking of going there next year.

What are the roads like?

Where is a good place to stay?

Any other info would be great.

 

[gypsy]

some info here
http://www.asturiaspicosdeeuropa.com/english/picos.html

 

[Boomer]

thanks Gypsy

I found that site as well. What I am really keen to know is what the roads are like. Some of these mountainess areas have great scenery but the roads are not so good for biking.

 

[gypsy]

not sure if Allan had a close look at that area this year?

 

[gypsy]

download "google earth" and have a look
stunning

 

[ianrobbo1]

not sure if Allan had a close look at that area this year?

Mieow!!!! you bitch!! :}

 

[D.S.]

Picos De Europa on a biking holiday. I was thinking of going there next year.

What are the roads like?

Where is a good place to stay?

Any other info would be great.

Boomer, just fookin do it mate. IMHO, the best biking roads in Europe, although in order to get the weather, go between the months of June - September. The Pyrenees are good, the roads around Andalucia excellent, the Napoleon route superb, Switzerland and Italy good also, but the Picos just kick ass mate. In respect of accomodation, just go with the flow mate. I wouldn't book any accomodation, because you'll be commited to it and you might find the journey times between planned stops tougher going than expected. There are plenty of places to stay, so don't worry, it's not Iraq after all. Cangas de Onis is a bit mainstream for my liking, but whatever grabs ya goat (which you'll see plenty of btw).
The surface is very good in most places but (and I know I'm probably stating the obvious) just remeber to go "wide" into corners in order to max ya vision, 'cos there is a high % risk of gravel and/or poor car drivers encrouching on your side of the road.

 

[nitehawk]

Been there this summer :bow: The roads are equal to or better than the ones here although there is a fair bit of farming activity so you need to be wary of slow moving vehicles mud on the roads etc (pretty much the same as anywhere).

The weather is similar to here so it depends on when you're going as to what riding fun and scenery you'll see. Generally the area has been opened up for tourism so the roads are good and facilities better. I would recommend Late May to Mid August.

Some great places to see when you're round and about are Villaviciosa and Rodiles Beach. Small but very quaint areas, unspoilt by tourism so far. Learning a bit of Spanish would be to your advantage as Northern Spaniards don't tend to be fluent in English, not to the same degree as Southern natives anyway.

You should have a great time, the Spanish are very bike friendly and the cops in Northern Spain are great too as long as you don't take the piss. Ride like a Spaniard and you'll be fine. There were no cameras or speed traps when I visited.

The area is having loads of infrastucture put in so you may be better of with an updated sat nav system as I don't think accurate maps will have been published yet. Major areas are easy to find but some streets etc were a bugger with the map 'cos the towns have some new one-way systems.

If you are booking with P & O, get a quote without any voucher first (MCN and BIKE 20% discount) When I booked, it was cheaper without the discount voucher !!

Hope this helps :yo: Go for it !!

 

[Boomer]

Thanks Chaps

Thats made my mind up for me. I have done Spain many times before but not that area.
Sanchez, I know what you're saying about accommodation but we will be six blokes wanting 3 twin rooms so I might take the risk and pre-book. Yeah yeah, I know bein a poof