Itinerary
Motorcycling to Spain: From Solo Christmas Rides to Exploring the Picos de Europa
I’ve toured Spain by motorcycle many times. In fact, my very first trip was a solo tour one Christmas, heading to visit my in-laws in southern Spain.
Back in the late 1980s, my mother and father-in-law had decided to retire and join the many expats setting up home in the Costa del Sol, Andalucía. One year, during a visit to us in Lancashire, they invited the family to their villa in Spain to celebrate the Millennium.
The idea was proposed rather last minute between my then wife and her parents. However, one crucial point had been completely overlooked. If the in-laws were to drive my family to Spain, how on earth was I supposed to get there? The dates clashed with business commitments I’d already scheduled, and last-minute flights to Málaga at that time of year were prohibitively expensive.
It also occurred to me that, even if there had been space in their small, slightly tired French jalopy, I’d be wedged in alongside my mother-in-law and two screaming kids for days on end, with my regimented father-in-law at the helm, playing the part of Captain Mainwaring. Not exactly festive cheer.
I suggested to him that I’d make my own arrangements to get to Spain…..and that was that. On 21st December, I headed to Portsmouth to catch the Pride of Bilbao to Santander, aiming to ride south in search of better weather.
As it turned out, when I arrived at their place in Torreblanca, I was met at the gate by good neighbours of my in-laws, frantically waving and shouting, “Mucha problema, mucha problema!” Apparently, the car in which my father in law were driving had broken down near Burgos in northern Spain. Thankfully, everyone was safe, and a breakdown service was on the way. With time to kill, I walked into nearby Fuengirola for a well-earned San Miguel…
But back to the point: when most people disembark the ferry in northern Spain, they make a mad dash to one of the Costas south of Barcelona. What’s often overlooked is the beauty of north-western Spain — especially Galicia and the Picos.
In May last year, I spent a few days in Lugo and Santiago before heading south into the Douro Valley. I often find myself skirting the edge of the Picos de Europa, missing out on some of the best roads like the superb N-621 and N-625.
This year, however, I’ve changed things a little. No more touring Portugal and Galicia, this time, I’m dedicating quality time to exploring the Picos de Europa.