Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION

Although there is time to relax on the coast and in the Pyrenees Mountains the tour does have quite a few riding days with reasonably high mileage. The riding as always can be challenging so would better suit an experienced rider but if you are a competent first timer and accept the above this tour should not present a problem. Filled with amazing biking roads, incredible scenery and superb accommodation this tour offers a unique touring experience.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 240 Miles
The tour starts as you cross the English Channel via the Euro Tunnel and using mainly Autoroutes and D roads you make your way to your first hotel located in the Loire Region of Northern France.

Day 2: 195 Miles
Following breakfast your onward journey continues to the Limousin region and its capital Limoges. This beautiful medieval town has a history dating back over 2000 years with the gothic Saint-Etienne cathedral located in the heart of the old quarter. En-route to the hotel you will visit the ruins at the martyr village of Oradour-Sur-Glane.  On Saturday 10th of June 1944 soldiers of the SS Panzer Division drove into Oradour and killed everyone that they could find, a total of 642 men, women and children. The village was then looted and every building, set on fire. To this day there is no universally agreed explanation as to why the SS acted as they did, or why they chose Oradour for their attack

Day 3: 140 Miles
Today the route becomes increasingly twisty as you ride the back roads through Millevaches En Limousin national park. The park is located in the Massif Central region of France which attracts bikers from all over Europe. The great roads continue as you enter the Midi-Pyrenees on your way to your hotel in the village of Rocamadour. Famous for its sanctuaries and more especially for its Black Virgin the village clings to the side of limestone cliffs and towers over the Alzou canyon.

Day 4: 160 Miles
The great roads continue as you head directly south through the limestone cliffs and canyons of the Causses du Quercy national park. Your destination is Carcassonne which is one of the most impressive fortress towns in the world. Built on an outcrop of rock on the east bank of the Aude this historic walled city was completely restored in the 19th century and now stands proudly as the once impregnable stronghold of the Middle Ages. The hotel is just a short distance from the main gates where you can explore the castle with its many bars and restaurants.

Day 5: 130 Miles
Spain is now your next destination so leaving France behind you now head cross-country to the Mediterranean coast. The spectacular coast-line which runs from the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée to the Del Cap de Creus national park offers an incredible biking experience and one you will not easily forget. Your final destination and base for the next three nights is a fabulous coastal hotel located directly on the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 6 & 7: Ride-out 128 Miles
Although you may now wish to just relax and unwind, the roads in this area are without doubt some of the best motorcycling roads in Europe. The G1-682 coastal route has been voted by many bikers as “The best road they have ever ridden”. This road is included as a ride-out in your tour pack.

Day 8: 225 Miles
Leaving the coast behind you now head north through Catalonia to the Mountains of the Pyrenees. This spectacular National Park is a wild and untouched region and contains some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in all of Europe. The Pyrenees are some 300 miles long and form one of the world’s great mountain chains, stretching from the Mediterranean in the south to the Atlantic in the north.

Day 9: Ride-out 95 Miles
Today you are free to explore the local area or take the supplied ride-out which features the best of the French Pyrenees. The ride-out climbs over the incredible Col de Aspin, Peyresourde and Tourmalet which are reputed to be amongst the toughest stages of the ‘Tour de France’.

Day 10: 165 Miles
Today you enjoy the fabulous N-260 which twists and turns all the way from the Balearic Sea to the Pyrenees. In order to experience the very best of the area the route eventually turns north and crosses back into France via the incredible Col du Pourtalet. Youur hotel is located at the edge of the Aspe and Ossau valleys in the heart of the Béarn region of France. With sauna, hot tub and swimming pool this is an ideal place to sit back and relax or for the more adventurous there is the Cathedral of St Mary to explore.

Day 11: 100 Miles
Although the shortest riding day on the tour the route is no less spectacular as you climb the Puerto de Larrau Pass on your way back to Spain and your last overnight stay in the historic city of Pamplona. Famous for the yearly ‘Running of the Bulls’ the city has the Plaza del Castillo at its centre which is a meeting point for locals and visitors alike. Set in the Taconera Park gardens your modern 4 star hotel is conveniently located next the historic centre of Pamplona.

Day 12: 155 Miles

Although this is your last riding day before reaching the ferry the scenery and great roads just keep coming as you navigate the Navarra and Basque regions of Spain towards Santander and our overnight ferry back to Plymouth.h.

Day 13:
Arrive Plymouth 14.00 pm

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

"Just wanted to thank you for yet another great tour my sixth and counting !! As I have come to expect from Global Tours the roads, scenery, hotels and  food  were of the highest standard.
Thanks once again Pete  ~ Spain & Portugal

"Ever so many thanks again for a superb tour - lovely roads and lovely places to stay. I’ve just made deposit payment for the Italian Lakes trip next year and am so looking forward to that"

All the best, Dave ~ Spain & Pyrenees