I'm thinking about my 1st trip on the Tenere.

Plan is to take the Eurotunnel, blast through France and then take it a little easier across northern Spain then into the North of Portugal finishing just south of Porto. Had looked at Portsmouth - Santander, but decided I like riding my bike more than throwing up on a ferry.......

Four days should do it nice 'n' comfy. Planning on 10hrs a day on the road, 8'ish hrs riding, 2'ish hrs for stops. So I should arrive at wherever I'm heading about 17:00 which should give me plenty of time to find somewhere to stay. Not going to lug camping gear, just use cheap hotels, Formula 1 etc. Taking a cover for the bike so it's less noticable...hopefully !

Planning to leave on 20th March, staying a week in Portugal (the better half is flying down) then taking 5 days to come back via Andorra (if the snow isn't too bad in the Pyrenees).

Think I have most things covered, will be using soft luggage, I have my tool kit sorted, most of the spares I'll need.

Any suggestions?


Nick.

Nick,
I did the run from Home to Gib last March, the rain through France was awfull, and it comes in straight off the Atlantic so the run Gascogne may well test you to your limits if the weather is against you, take as many spare gloves as you can, even the waterproof ones will give up eventually.

5 days to get to Porto ?? wus! Managed to get from Miranda do Douro to IJmuiden in 25 hours...

Seriously, don't attempt it, nearly killed me and took a week to sort myself out after.

Have a read through my site, Destination Gibraltar - it might give you a feel for some of your trip south.

In reality, the ferry from Bilbao to Southampton isn't that much quicker than riding your bike and taking the tunnel - you are right to ride rather than sale. I've done both, and for me the tunnel gets my vote every time now.

If you haven't already, get a handlebar bag - they are great for keeping the toll money in, and they don't let the wet in, I've a Hein Gericke one but there are lots available. There's loads of stuff I could go on about, but you've probably though of most of it.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Funny, I'd say the opposite... the ride is technically quicker than sailing (36 hours), but as you say GULG, it's soul destroying riding like that, and particularly if the weather is bad!

However, if you factor in the fuel/tolls/hotel/and tyre wear (there and back will ruin anything semi-knobbly), then the boat looks increasingly attractive. Especially at that time of year...

The P&O Portsmouth/Bilbao route is excellent (if you can bare the odd hen party) and sets you up nicely for the best part of northern Spain and into Portugal... oh hell, if you haven't read it, get TBM issue 159-161, it's all in there...

xxx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

Thanks for the replies.

I was concidering riding down through France then coming back on the ferry, but as it's my 1st trip i wanted to maximise the time riding, I need the practice !!

I'll be on Tourances, so tyre wear will be a good thing as I'll need some TKC's when I get back....

Just need a few ods and sods and I'm ready for the off. I'll do a loaded up ride either next weekend or the one after just to see what it feels like. Will be using some small soft panniers and a 30ltr roll bag. Also bought a Kriega US10 and the tank harness to use as a tank bag, fits nicley !! (Thanks Tripletom)



Nick.

I managed to circum-navigate Europe on one set of Tourances, when I got home they were knackered (cut, split in places etc, but they still had about 2.5mm of tread left. They do tend to last, pity that, I want these ones off my bike but they've only covered arounf 1000 miles, so a long way to go yet....

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

I'd say the Tourances will be ideal for that sort of trip/mileage... I've just stuck another set of TKCs on my bike and wasted them on 2000 miles of dull highway here in Florida (had about 40 miles of dirt one day, oh happy day!) - the rear is pretty much half worn now, so will need replacing again before I get on to the TAT...

The TKC really is the best 50/50 tyre out there for this bike, but won't last as well as the Tourance on the tarmac, obviously... however, I've finally started to consider tyres in the same way as oil and filters - they are just another consumable, and if the bike feels better on fresh rubber, I'd suck up the cost and fit the tyres you want (unfortunaly, TKCs are one of the few bike parts that actually cost more here in the US than in the UK...)

for info. I used a Metzler Karoo2 on the front of the XR last year around Europe, and that lasted well (the whole trip, around 6500 miles). The rear was a Dunlop 908RR which was surprisingly good on the tarmac too, and lasted for around 4000 miles which I thought exceptional for such an aggressive tyre... problem is the 908RR is only available in 18 inch rear...

However, due to the amount of tarmac you'll be riding, I agree that wearing out those Tourances in Europe is a great idea, then fit some TKCs!

xxx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

Just enjoy a nice road trip on the Z. It sounds like a nice, fun trip. Take it easy, no need to go mental. Dont forget to take loads of pictures!

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Avoid France

Have a great time Nick!

I love Portugal! - If you can, try and ride some of the roads around Castello Branco in the north - awesome biking roads!

Good luck!

xxx

ps. it's too late now of course, but for anyone else, I'd really recommend taking a set of cush-driver rubbers (not expensive) as part of your spares collection if you are going on an extended trip... likewise a spare clutch lever - trying to ride with no clutch is not fun!

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

If you left home at 6am I am too late with this post but Good Luck Nick!
Have a GRREAT time and give us more pics.

Barry.

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