Hi all we can't join the Meeting in Sort, so we have been in the Pyrenees the week before. Here's our small report. Enjoy First a little overview: Normaly, when we do this tour, we went on the highway for 2 days and reach Spain. This time we made it differend. "Holiday from the first day on". Se we went to Plansee - Lech Valley - Hochtannbergpass - Lake Konstanz on small roads. Still a lot of snow at 1700 m at this time of the year From Lake Kostanz we start to cross Swiss in the more north area. This is lower but even fun. before Luzern Luzern center from Luzern to Interlaken, place of Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch. Lake Brienz Tina resting After 2 slow days we reached the Rhone Valley. Les Diablerets Hopping over the Col de la Forclaz takes us to Chamonix. Place of Europe's highest mountain - the Mont Blanc. Here some impressions: Mer de Glace far high big From here up to Megeve. We wanted to pass Col de la Madeleine, but still was closed, because too much snow. :-( - So we went to Grenoble. In the mountains behind the first thunderstorm tried to catch us, but we won with a 5 min advance. Thunderstorm comming from left side Next day we took the highway for a short while to reach the pyrenees. On a break we saw this. not 501 - a 403 At Narbonne we left the highway torwards the Pyrenees. We followed the beautyful D 613 to reach Ax les Thermes. Normaly we would went to Andorra from here, but not this time. Impressions between Narbonne and Ax Flora small houses Cols fantastic playgrounds for children comfort - instead of tent Next day we wanted to follow the route of the great pass-roads of the Tour de France. But some heavy rain let us go out and use the highway between St. Gaudens and Pau. Tinas new friend Fabio Casartelli died here - Tour 95 near Pau From Pau on we decided to go to Spain. Next days we played with the rain. Most time we won - sometimes rain won. We take some time in the area "Embalse de Yesa" - Pamplona - "Valles de Roncal". here some pics french - spanish border looking to France this is not Aragon this is Navarra near Roncal down to Yesa Embalse de Yesa looking for vultures (Gyps fulvus) we spent the night in this town impressiv I think we have only 4 of 3000 pics of Tina without helmet. this is one. We tried to meet up with Aurel, but the weather was too bad in his area. Even sometimes in our. So next day we reached the spanish desert. A favourite place of Aurel. Pics from our crossing of "Bardenas Reales de Navarra". entry view warm most photographed in the middle far to go wow rain shows up impressiv We had a great time there. So next was to go in small steps to "Jaca-area" - "Sort-Area" and of course "Castellbo". Next set of pictures taken between Bardenas and Campo. Uncastillo more Flora Mallos de Riglos typical fun sports Mallos from other side breathtaking "San Juan de la Pena" Geologists love this I love this view some towns are empty since a while snow - still a lot for this time of the year water other fun sport - Canyoning near Ainsa We spent 2 nights in Campo and had a good tour in the area. To Ainsa down to Barbastro and up on the other valley - so much differend locations. Landscape changes so often. Here some pics. Sierra de Guara Salinas de Hoz Graus down from Barbaruens (we wanted to go off-road, but locals said "too dangerous"). Last small step was to go to Castellbo. The place we spent so many times. It's a small jump to Andorra from there for shopping and filling gas. We know the most tracks in this area. "Mucho aqua" was what we get told first, so some tracks might not be possible. Let's see the pics. near Espui Col de Canto - Sort in the Valley Castellbo - our view behind Civis - going to Andorra - avoiding border-control Andorra - going to Ordino So much tarmac - but, here it is - our off-road-day. Down to Col de Nagro - passing Col de Boixols - going to Tremp - and then crossing Serra de Boumort - End in Organya. Pics please - yes above Tremp begin of the Serra rocks view typical curve at the top better view over the top ;-) the way down not so wet Tina is preparing the track She thinks it is not wet enough, so more please down in the valley :-( finally - time to go home - 4 days left, so we are not in a hurry. We get down to Perpignan (in rain and very cold) - followed the Med. Sea - crossed the Camargue - visited the film festival in Cannes for 15 min - passed Monaco - and followed the italian coast to Savona. Next day in Rain up to Milano - Como - St. Moritz and last night in Zernez (Swiss). Home via Ofenpass - Reschen - Landeck - Fernpass - Garmisch. Last set of pics: La Grande Motte Arles near Cannes Indiana Jones - next door - didn't see him looking down to Monaco Italy - typical look last night at the "south" Zernez Reschen - lost town. So - that it was. We hope you enjoyed the pics. If you have any questions regarding this tour - feel free to ask us. have fun Andreas + Bettina
Phenomenal pictures! Every year we watch the tour de France and it makes me want to go, but man, you pictures inspire more than just 'want' - I think I'll start planning a European trip in 2012 or so. I can't wait to see more of your trip!
Great report and pics. Thanks for sharing. Now you have to visit the desert of Tabernas in Almeria, SE of Spain. I'll be waiting for you.
Thanks for your kind replies. duhgee: keep me informed - it's worth a visit. maropa9: yes, you are right. This is a area i've been not so often. Last year i was close. Look at http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238474. ;-)
Fantastic pix......and always good to talk with a fellow Peugeot 403 enthusiast.....pix taken in 1966.......
Fabulous ride report. I have the area around the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau on my list of places to see someday, just because I've claimed Mönch as "my mountain." Beautiful, just beautiful. --Doug Moench
Wow! Great pictures. Thanks for posting them <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
nice ride u had here ! thanks for showing only the beach of La Grande Motte this is where I live and I must confess ..... the look of the town is.... special. Nice shots.... especially the one without helmet /thierry
Superfotos!! Another place you should visit is the south of Aragón; the "Maestrazgo". Worth to spend some days exploring it, especially with your bike!
Lovely photos from what looks like a spectacular ride. Thank you for posting them for us to see and dream about...
@ vander: Maestrazgo - have been in Albarracin - close but not in the "real area" @kktos: you inspired me with your ride-report - traces of kimangao. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319704&highlight=traces (for the others don't know the link) ok, got some more pics left. Fernpass - close to home Rapperswil - Suisse les Diablerets for Olirider and funhouse 2 at Col de Port Oloron Sainte-Marie - close to the Pyrenees near Roncal 3 big birds - sorry for shaking - no stativ rice - not in Asia - near Bardenas 2 more - waiting for dead animals this is fun -- near Ainsa historic bridge behind Espui - typical style - watch the roof of the house in front Col de Canto for those loving flower pics another view of La Grande Motte - kktos - watch the alt. 6m below sealevel. ;-) Flamingos and Salt Aigues-Mortes Lake Rose - Senegal ;-) --- no - Southfrance one more from Arles even Arles - you know who painted this? Franken van Gogh Italy - Imperia we hope you enjoy our "little extra". have fun Andreas + Bettina
Andreas and Bettina strikes again . Love your RR, as always great pics and nice ride , thanks for sharing
Thanks a lot! Next stike might be Estland, Letland, Lithuania and Finland in August / September. We will see. Should also go on with "Bavaria, Austria - Reports". Still have to learn a lot in "making better pics". Andreas
Andreas, when u were here: Les Salines d'Aigues Mortes you were at 1 minute of the location where Kimangao took his picts, at the begining of the RR. It's called Pointe de L'espiguette. If you dont know the place, next time u'll here, I'll show you And your bilder are wunderbar. /thierry
