Old Gits 2021 - Norther Spain

[black-k1]

To go ahead assuming the COVID rules allow. Currently fully booked but happy to take details of people who'd be OK to go on the stand-by list in case there is any drop out.

[black-k1]

Well, trying to (again...) arrange a trip to Spain during a pandemic has proven to be ... a challenge. Herding cats and pushing water uphill suddenly seem easy.

That said, there is still a core group set to travel to Spain in June for a week of sunshine and stonking roads. However, some have pulled out meaning there are spaces on the ferries and rooms available in the hotels. As the ferry bookings are non-refundable, some of those pulling out are offering their booking at £330. That's for a return crossing, bike and rider, with a single occupancy cabin for the rider. However, these spaces are limited.

We depart Portsmouth at 22:15 on Thur 10th June and return to Portsmouth at around 20:00 on Sun 20th June. We have 3 nights in Pamplona and 4 nights in Oviedo, all booked in 4* hotels, B&B with single occupancy rooms. The total hotel bill for the week will be less than £500.

If you are interested in taking on one of the places made available, or would like further information on the trip, then please let me know ASAP.

[black-k1]

... And COVID has beaten us again. 

This years trip is now postponed to June 2022!

[richtea]

That's a shame, especially as Spain is 'amber' isn't it?

You could join us on a gentle potter around Wales instead. Hardly a replacement in weather terms, but we're not bad company.

[Phmode]

Bugger!

[black-k1]

It's frustrating but there is little we can do.

Thanks for the Wales offer. I would have been very interested only a group of us had suspected that this was a real possibility so we had a plan B, a week touring Scotland, including the NC500, booked for the same time. I'll shall be pointing out to the others my ancestral family seat, assuming we can see that far through the rain, as we cross the bridge onto Skye.

[Phmode]

Still a bigger though. You 'might' avoid the midges, just 

[black-k1]

Touring Scotland seems to be a choice between rain or midges. I'm not sure which is the "least bad" alternative! 

That said, there are some amazing roads and some stunning scenery. And, of course, there is the odd distillery, hopefully close to some of the hotels we have booked. 

As it's been almost 2 years since I last did a trip away on the bike involving an overnight stay, like many I suspect, I almost don't care where it is just as long as I can do some miles on some nice roads and enjoy "the craic" with some mates.

[TomK1300s]

I did over 1000 mile in Scotland last week no flies and very little rain, a lot of new roads covered in the six day riding, the only trouble from now is the number of caravans and camper vans on the roads.

[black-k1]

I did over 1000 mile in Scotland last week no flies and very little rain, a lot of new roads covered in the six day riding, the only trouble from now is the number of caravans and camper vans on the roads.

Sounds like a good trip. I hope we're as lucky with midges and weather.  As for campers/caravans, I must admit, an optional extra of a .50 Cal. would be something I'd consider fitting to my bike! Do you think it'd go on a RAM ball mount?   As long as they read and take notice of the signs that say "use passing places to allow overtaking" then we'll be OK.

[Matt]

Ah Scotland will be nice, keep us informed how it goes! We can compare traffic and weather .

In my experience of midges I found that much like escaping a bear, you only have to be less of an easy target than your nearest neighbour! So stand next to the most heavily breathing person and they'll pretty much ignore you! On my first trip to Scotland my dad was forever complaining about the midges, and I was the opposite, didn't have a single one come at me! How I laughed . Then I went back on my own on the bike and they got their on-behalf-of-father revenge.

[richtea]

As long as they read and take notice of the signs that say "use passing places to allow overtaking" then we'll be OK.

I've only been once on bike - 2019 - and with 9 of us comng at them headlights on they nearly all gave way, but it does break the flow somewhat.
The exceptions were farmers/ farmer's mums in well-used Isuzus - they take no prisoners, and probably rightly so. 

[richtea]

In my experience of midges I found that much like escaping a bear, you only have to be less of an easy target than your nearest neighbour! So stand next to the most heavily breathing person and they'll pretty much ignore you!

• Never wear yellow (might not actually work for midgeeees, but looking like a massive attractive flower is a basic no-no)
• Never be the tallest in the pack (that's me stuffed)
• Slap on Avon Skin So Soft
• Don't stop (TBH the little terrors see to that anyway)

[Phmode]

I remember seeing a lrogramme on the box about an invention to rid the world of midges. It was solar powered vacuum cleaner with an aerosol attractant that it puffed out every once in a while.

It managed to attract and suck in something like 10,000 midges in an hour when they tested it. They reckoned they were working on a portable version to stick on cafe tables, your picnic rug etc...

The patent was probably bought out by Anthisan and buried for all time.

[Grumpy jase]

In my experience of midges I found that much like escaping a bear, you only have to be less of an easy target than your nearest neighbour! So stand next to the most heavily breathing person and they'll pretty much ignore you!

• Never wear yellow (might not actually work for midgeeees, but looking like a massive attractive flower is a basic no-no)
• Never be the tallest in the pack (that's me stuffed)
• Slap on Avon Skin So Soft
• Don't stop (TBH the little terrors see to that anyway)

Not sure on the yellow, my experience is that dark colours are bad, and light colours are good with midges.  I've also had good results with a regular intake of Marmite for the 2-3 weeks before going.

As for campers, I have one, so might be biased, but it is the new ones (rentals) that you have to watch out for and that's cars as well as campers.  I spent seemingly miles behind one car with RH indicator on and no chance to overtake during my last run around the NC500.  They clearly had no idea what the signs said, but then my Mandarin is pretty shaky as well, and I'm not sure I would know their local customs for driving either.