Pyrenees on a 500

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Arrived back at the hotel in Cambo-les-Bains, France
YIhfzUB.jpg


and the Mezeler MC360 survived  :thumleft:
X7oYAN6.jpg


What a nice trip this was! I really enjoyed every bit of it  :ricky:
The bike performed great, I did not need to add any oil and the extra airfilter was never fitted, as I travelled alone (no dust)
 
Notes to myself:
- Have the cone valve forks adjusted: it was way too harsh in some conditions
- The tower was awesome on this trip as I felt super relaxed behind it on the tar stretches
- The seat was a winner too
- Coyote bag was too big as it hindered my hooliganism sometimes. I would rather take the Mojave, no cooking shit, and have breakfast/dinner at a place where I can have coffee and booze
- Shake the tent and use a sheet, attached to the bike, under which to sleep
- All my 3d-printed parts lasted well. Even going down on the handguard was no issue
- the concern I had about the chain rubbing the frame, is a non-issue
- I would solo this ride on a bigger bike with knobbies, but there are a couple gnarly sections and if your skill is a bit lacking, you will kak
- RAM Wireless phone charger/mount is great.
- 500 averaged above 20Km/l

Other noteworthy shizzle:
Covering distance in the EU is actually a pleasure. On my return trip in the cage with bike on trailer, I drove 1350km and stopped only twice.
I got home and felt actually OK. (I could drive more)
I attribute this to:
1) The entire French section from North to South (+-1000km) is a 3-lane highway with 130Km speed limit
2) People only use the fast lane if needed. Irrespective of how fast you go, you go do that in the slower lanes
3) This means I would sit in the slow lane. When approaching a slower truck, the dude in the middle lane, who is closing in on me in turn, will anticipate my move and in preparation already move into the fast lane, allowing me the space to overtake via the middle lane. The implications of this 'hive mentality' on my state of mind and ultimately physical status, was remarkable!
4) on day 7, i still wanted to ride. This was different to how I felt on day 7 with the 990. But ok, I covered twice as much distance on the 990. Still like the 500 way more for adv
 
Couple of Q's....

- no cooking kit: tinned sardines & bullybeef for lunch/brekkie next time?
- sheet instead of tent: if it rains, will such be enough?
- did you ask for & get, hence ate, any rabbit there?
- foodswise, what stood out most (and scroo the French highway restaurants ;) here)?
 
voorvel said:
My route led me to  Cerco de Artajona
St6AW2m.jpg


8)
What it used to look like (At some stage)
principal-el-cerco-de-artajona.jpg.jpg


In the year 1085 the fortress began to be built by the canons of Saint Sernin de Toulouse and it was completed in 1109, due to its strategic location it suffered many battles for its control and was rebuilt on several occasions, especially in the 14th century during the reign. of Carlos II the Bad
People in SA can say what they want,  but Europe is an awesome place for riding,  different culture and experiences.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 
BuRP said:
Couple of Q's....

- no cooking kit: tinned sardines & bullybeef for lunch/brekkie next time?
-> Sardines here and there will do, but the idea would be to have breakfast and dinner in a pub or so.
- sheet instead of tent: if it rains, will such be enough?
-> something like a 'boer tent', is what i need. Will still have my tine inflatable mattress
- did you ask for & get, hence ate, any rabbit there?
-> sorry to disappoint but my wife is the rodent eater in the family
- foodswise, what stood out most (and scroo the French highway restaurants ;) here)?
-> dishes from local produce. Normally i dont eat peppers etc, but I really liked their versions of it

Pepper filled with mince and other goodies:
rMYFphJ.jpg


and of course this:
Whole-jamon-REC.jpg


Could not get enough of it  :drif:

 
voorvel said:
and of course this:
Whole-jamon-REC.jpg

Ah, ja, great stuff that, hope you also got the garlic-soaked version of it. Dunno how they make it but man o man, it bursts with flavour  :thumleft:
 
I don't believe that I did!

Great, now I have a reason for going back  O0
 
awesome, ek sien uit na die "northern spain adventure" trip!
 
You should come sooner, and come chill with me in NL (y)
 
join us next year in the Pyrenees from 26 to 31 May

In, deal, ja, moerse, graag, lekker, befok! 👌
Maarruhh, enige idee waar ek n 500 of so kan huur? Neem tenminste aan dis weer n 500-trip, glo nie jy/julle ry graag teer nie. Kit & luggage het ek natuurlik...
En wie's 'us'?

Sal jou later n PM stuur, moerbesig nou (y)
 
In, deal, ja, moerse, graag, lekker, befok! 👌
Maarruhh, enige idee waar ek n 500 of so kan huur? Neem tenminste aan dis weer n 500-trip, glo nie jy/julle ry graag teer nie. Kit & luggage het ek natuurlik...
En wie's 'us'?

Sal jou later n PM stuur, moerbesig nou (y)

n Paar SA dudes in NL.
@daemon en @Pumbaa ry 890's
Sal moet kyk watse bike huur opsies daar is. Beter om iets in Spanje te huur, skiem ek
 
wow.. amazing place, amazing riding.. how about a Wild Dog tour? Ill start shaking my piggy bank
 
wow.. amazing place, amazing riding.. how about a Wild Dog tour? Ill start shaking my piggy bank

Great idea.
We can go south, towards Spain, east for Balkans, or catch a ferry to Norway and Sweden.
 
I once being very productive at the office plotted a route in the Tabernas Desert in southern Spain visiting all the spaghetti western locations. That would be cool as well
 
I once being very productive at the office plotted a route in the Tabernas Desert in southern Spain visiting all the spaghetti western locations. That would be cool as well

please share.
I will be heading past that in end Dec/ begin Jan, on my way to Morocco :cool:
 
Top