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| Aussie_Al | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 20 | | Location | : | Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 18 Apr 2012 - 23:35 Post title : Suggestions if you please.... | | | I have had an idea I hope you can help me with...
Several years ago I decided to go to Hawaii (Oahu) and took one of my daughters with me (I have 3, I call them D1 D2 D3 oldest to youngest)
Well D2 and i had a wonderful 4 weeks travelling through the HI on a bike rented from "Big Kahuna" (as you would) BUT, unfortunetly I've started a trend... The others (especially D3) wants to go on my next "world bike riding" jaunt.
Except, I'd love to hear from people who live in other countries (other than Oz) about you'r biking adventures....
Al'
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| BlueNose | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 07:05 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Aussie_Al) | | |
Aussie_Al wrote:
Except, I'd love to hear from people who live in other countries (other than Oz) about you'r biking adventures....
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Europe offers up a patchwork quilt of different cultures and forms that make for a wonderful riding experience. A weeks touring can take you through 10 countries and all they have to offer. Been doing tours for a few years now and hopefully many more to come. Get yourself booked up, plenty of options. The only regret you'll have is not doing it sooner.
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| magpie | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 07:26 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: BlueNose) | | |
Ivan ,
You are a Wordsmith extrordanaire 
" patchwork quilt of different cultures " .......love it 
Have you published your own poetry by any chance ? 
Rob
P.S. Good footy match on on Friday night our time.....Aussies verses the Kiwis..
I nearly enjoy us flogging them as us flogging you 
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 07:42 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: magpie) | | |
magpie wrote:
Ivan ,
You are a Wordsmith extrordanaire
" patchwork quilt of different cultures " .......love it
Have you published your own poetry by any chance ?
Rob
P.S. Good footy match on on Friday night our time.....Aussies verses the Kiwis..
I nearly enjoy us flogging them as us flogging you
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Rob, our special brand of culture is wasted on this lot mate!
Rugby League is a pure sport and I confess the Aussie brand is the purest internationally (at the moment). But Leeds are the World Club Champions flogging JDee's team Manly (thought it would be worth printing again). 
That will be a great game buddy, will see if I can pick it up somehow.
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| magpie | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 07:58 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: BlueNose) | | |
Ivan,
With all the IT savvy people we have here , there must be someone who can arrange a link or copy of the game for you.
Can't have you missing out.
Rob
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| magpie | | Jupiter | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 1,507 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 08:24 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Aussie_Al) | | |
Al ,
Sorry about hijacking your thread.
Magpie
| Magpie - "I dream of a better world.....where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned "
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 09:57 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Aussie_Al) | | | Wyoming and Montana left me with many memories - I shall be returning there. As Ivan has mentioned Euroland offers a massive variaty of scenery and some great riding. Britain has lots of great areas and all reachable in hours - the Scottish Highlands take some beating as do the quaint Yorkshire villages.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| weasel | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 150 | | Location | : | Thornbury,Bristol, South Gloucestershire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 19 Apr 2012 - 19:35 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Aussie_Al) | | | HI AL , Have a look at my photos , of Wales in March , its not always like that mind , the following week it snowed , but beautiful , and really good roads , they are better roads than in south west of England surface wise , unfortunately. Also the people are nice , mostly.Better in the spring / summer.
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ride till your tyres fall off
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| Calveitro | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 09/04/2011 | | Posts | : | 196 | | Location | : | Dongara, Western Australaia, Australia |
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| | Posted : 23 Apr 2012 - 10:42 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Aussie_Al) | | |
Aussie_Al wrote:
I have had an idea I hope you can help me with...
Several years ago I decided to go to Hawaii (Oahu) and took one of my daughters with me (I have 3, I call them D1 D2 D3 oldest to youngest)
Well D2 and i had a wonderful 4 weeks travelling through the HI on a bike rented from "Big Kahuna" (as you would) BUT, unfortunetly I've started a trend... The others (especially D3) wants to go on my next "world bike riding" jaunt.
Except, I'd love to hear from people who live in other countries (other than Oz) about you'r biking adventures....
Al'
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I'd better put a plug in for NZ. I spent my youth riding all over the South Island of NZ. It's next to impossible to find a road that isn't perfect for a bike. Plenty of variety in the countryside and stunning scenery.
The advantages are it's close and the exchange rate is currently pretty good. AU$1 = NZ$1.26. I try to spend 2 or 3 weeks there every year but usualy travel by car. A couple of years ago I rented a bike to relive a bit of my youth and had a great time. Downside is Bike rental isn't cheap and it pays to take your wet weather gear (average rainfall in Milford sound is 7m/yr).
If you are into the tourist stuff the South Island has Queenstown. I usualy avoid it but spent a few days there a while ago. Spent my time with; jet boat trip, helicopter flight through the gorges, white water rafting, bungy jumping and best of all, aerobatics in a Tiger moth over the lake. Queenstown is the worst kind of soulless tourist trap but if you don't mind your bank account being bled dry it can be a bit of hedonistic fun. Once you escape it you can go and see the real NZ.
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| Aussie_Al | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/03/2012 | | Posts | : | 20 | | Location | : | Sydney, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 00:42 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: mat1600) | | | Thanks for the replies guys, I'll take them all on board. We will be travelling for 1 month in Jan 2014 (where ever we go) in a northern hemisphere winter, I have that to consider also.
I have been reading that the old route 66 in the U.S is becoming popular with riders again..... Any thoughts??
Al'
| | Post edited by Aussie_Al on 25 Apr 2012 - 00:43 |
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| Couchman | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 30 | | Location | : | Singleton, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 01:40 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Aussie_Al) | | | Al, my partner and I did a tour in the U.S a couple of years ago with a group called Eagle Riders starting in Las Vegas and riding through Death Valley - Mamoth Lakes - Yosimite - San Francisco - down the Californian coast to LA. It was a fantastic experience and the group from Eagle Riders were great to deal with. Costs included hire of bikes (HDs of course), accomodation, fuel and breakfasts. Well worth a look at their website as they have lots of different tours available.
| Foran Razorbacks, chrome fork leg lowers, T'Bird chrome clutch cover, chrome side panels, chrome lever kit, teardrop drilled stem mirrors, long haul rider & passenger seats, quick release sissy bar kit, cs4 saddlebags. Just for starters.
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| Leethal | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,407 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 04:00 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Couchman) | | | Just checked the site, they seem to have most of the Triumph range, including the Bird.
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| Couchman | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 30 | | Location | : | Singleton, NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 04:22 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Leethal) | | | They seem to have extended their range a fair bit since we went there, but for us even though I ride a T'Bird and my partner rides a BMW we decided that whilst in America we had to hire HDs for the fun of it.
| Foran Razorbacks, chrome fork leg lowers, T'Bird chrome clutch cover, chrome side panels, chrome lever kit, teardrop drilled stem mirrors, long haul rider & passenger seats, quick release sissy bar kit, cs4 saddlebags. Just for starters.
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| easyrider | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,066 | | Location | : | NSW, Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 09:43 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Couchman) | | | Anyone been on the Route 66 tour ? if so whats it like ?
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| Steve | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/03/2011 | | Posts | : | 480 | | Location | : | Chesham, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 11:08 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: easyrider) | | | I've looked at the site and the route 66 is the one I'd fancy. Not done it though.
Probably not the best route scenically but it's gotta be the best known. Getting your kicks etc,.
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 25 Apr 2012 - 11:51 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Steve) | | | Been warned away from the 66 - not as exciting as other places in the states. Had chance to do it but chose otherwise.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Jun 2012 - 13:11 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: mat1600) | | | Late to the party here, but had a few thoughts on 66.
I was born and lived near 66 for the better part of my life ..... well, younger life and it can be a great tour. It all depends on what you are after. If you want beautiful vistas, well it's probably not the best for that. If you want to experience 'Americana' then you'd be hard pressed to do better. From a myriad of roadside sculptures (attention getting and often times very weird fiberglass monstrosities), greasy spoons and quirky attractions, sprinkled along among quintessential American towns, it can make a great ride. Basically if you are drawn to the quirky elements of your own culture, you'll probably be drawn to 66. If you want to see big cities, museums that don't center around, bugs, snakes, lizards, the super natural, ufos or some other odd corner of interest, or if your main goal is beautiful landscapes, 66 isn't for you. Personally I've always loved it. There is always some quirky little dinner to stop in to and have what ever the local oddity is, have a meal in the presence of the local dinner crew (the old folks that seem to basically live in the dinners) and see the common places of America. Those are the same sort of places I look for in Europe as well.... sadly there is a distinct lack of fiberglass animals along the side of the roads here.
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| Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,407 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 02 Jul 2012 - 06:54 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: easyrider) | | |
easyrider wrote:
Anyone been on the Route 66 tour ? if so whats it like ? |
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Mate have you been watching Billy Connolly on Sunday nights, he is doing 66 on his trike.
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
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| TBRider | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 21/10/2011 | | Posts | : | 834 | | Location | : | Foothills, The Mountains, United States |
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| | Posted : 04 Jul 2012 - 20:41 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: mat1600) | | | RT66 (Will Rogers Highway), is ok but your not going to be able to follow it all the way. It's deteriorated and in some places nothing but an old field. It's nostalgia and Americana, making a bit of a come back but not quite there yet. Your biggest obstacle is; fuel stops and lodging. You'll have to jump off to get fuel in some of the more remote areas. If you're not camping, then you'll have to do the same. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.
Here's a shot of what you'll be riding on most of the way;
  
Here's where you can get more information; Link
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| | Post edited by TBRider on 04 Jul 2012 - 20:51 |
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| Leethal | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/01/2011 | | Posts | : | 6,407 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 05 Jul 2012 - 07:28 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: TBRider) | | | Looking at those roads makes me feel at home
I did some of 66 back in the late 90's, and as you say don't expect too much, it's one of those "been there done that" things. Mind you I would like to go back and do it by bike.
| Experience is something you get just after you needed it
1600,Foran Razorbacks, Meerkat bypass, Dyno tune, real headlight,plenty of chrome,switchblade pegs, Hagon Nitro shocks & Ikon progressive fork springs etc. Scorpion Western Low handlebars. PH adjustable fork caps.
| | Post edited by Leethal on 05 Jul 2012 - 11:52 |
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 05 Jul 2012 - 08:02 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Leethal) | | | Had a chance to do some of it and was warned to stay away. Glad I did, there are far better places in the US to ride motorcycles.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 05 Jul 2012 - 10:36 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: mat1600) | | | Route 66 is around 2500 miles. It's not 'all like' anything.
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| Sensiblepete | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 20/08/2011 | | Posts | : | 158 | | Location | : | Sweden |
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| | Posted : 05 Jul 2012 - 10:38 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: easyrider) | | |
easyrider wrote:
Anyone been on the Route 66 tour ? if so whats it like ? |
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No offence but my humble view is that there are much nicer roads in the US than route 66. But it all depends on what you want, if you are looking for an endless outdoor museum of Americana with a touch of Las Vegas Route 66 is the place.
But if you are looking for "Real America" then I can warmly reccomend travelling along Route 50. For me it was the best trip ever made in the US, here life is real no tourist stuff in sight. But there will perhaps be after printing this post
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| peteinalmeria | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 27 | | Location | : | Aguadulce, Andalucia, Spain |
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| | Posted : 16 Jul 2012 - 19:42 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Sensiblepete) | | | I see there's been lots of debate and good advice here.
I must throw in a recommendation for Spain and in particular the region where I live. Almeria. Superb, nearly everyday, riding in sun and warm weather. The temperature never gets lower than about 8C in the winter on the coast but can get a little too strong in the summer. I experienced 45 C the other day when riding back from Nerja! Almeria is a place where you can go skiing in the mountains behind or within 1 hour be in the Med swimming
Almeria is Europe's desert area. That made it an excellent choice for the famous Spaghetti Westerns and scenes for Indiana Jones, Conan the Barbarian, Lawrence of Arabia etc etc.
Almeria has a superb bike track day circuit about half an hour away in a place called Tabernas. If you don't want to ride, entry is free. I go there often for photos.
Whats best for the bikes are the roads. Most of them are in very good condition and make for great riding.
Not too far away are the famous towns of Marbella, Puerto Banus, Granada and of course, Gibraltar.
There's loads of moto clubs down here. I try to go on many of their ride-outs and invites.
If anyone wants bike transportation info (or where to hire), routes, places to stay, what to see etc. don't hesitate to contact me.
In the meantime, take a look at the utube link.................
Link
| "You see, I don't know how to ride a motorcycle, actually". Henry Winkler (AKA - The Fonz)  I can't believe it! - My Hero!
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 16 Jul 2012 - 20:08 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: peteinalmeria) | | | What about Northern Spain ? I do like the (non tourist parts) south coast but never done the Northern areas.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| peteinalmeria | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/07/2012 | | Posts | : | 27 | | Location | : | Aguadulce, Andalucia, Spain |
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| | Posted : 17 Jul 2012 - 08:28 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: mat1600) | | | Northern Spain is excellent for biking too. Although I don't know it as well as the South Coast, I do know it has excellent places to visit. For example, Santander is much more than a port where you catch a ferry. The beaches are really great. Pamplona (famous for the Bulls being let loose down the streets) and the road to get there is a great tour. Further inland, Burgos and the route to Madrid. The coastal mountains of Northern Spain are superb for biking and touring Relatively close by is the Pyrenees and Northern Portugal. Both should also be considered in a tour.
BUT....................the problem is the weather. It's a bit like the English Lake District..................When the sun is out, fantastic. When it's raining or snowing, you just don't know when it will stop. I was in Santander 4 weeks ago (June) and it was heavy rain. And very slippy for the bikes!
Best time to see Northern Spain is July, August and early September.
My earlier point about where I live is that you can expect 10 months out of 12 without rain and can plan a holiday with a high level of confidence of what the weather will be like.
As for non-tourist areas, I agree with you and that's another reason why I like here. Strangely enough, not many Brits stay around Almeria (except a few in Roquetas de Mar). By far, most visitors are from Spain itself! then France, Holland and Germany. But we are not talking big numbers.
| "You see, I don't know how to ride a motorcycle, actually". Henry Winkler (AKA - The Fonz) I can't believe it! - My Hero!
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| Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,923 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Jul 2012 - 11:54 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Sensiblepete) | | |
Sensiblepete wrote:
easyrider wrote:
Anyone been on the Route 66 tour ? if so whats it like ? |
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No offence but my humble view is that there are much nicer roads in the US than route 66. But it all depends on what you want, if you are looking for an endless outdoor museum of Americana with a touch of Las Vegas Route 66 is the place.
But if you are looking for "Real America" then I can warmly reccomend travelling along Route 50. For me it was the best trip ever made in the US, here life is real no tourist stuff in sight. But there will perhaps be after printing this post
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I frequently ride route 50, Well....Florida state road 50 It does go coast to coast
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| feduke | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Jul 2012 - 13:58 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: Linkdog) | | | Rt 66 is called the Mother Road and it was. Here's some of the country you'd have to traverse to try to follow it now.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| DizzE | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Jul 2012 - 17:15 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: feduke) | | | Jeezus, Iron Man, is that her?
Brunette works. 
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| Gary | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 21/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 339 | | Location | : | Herford/used to be london, Germany |
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| | Posted : 20 Jul 2012 - 14:40 Post title : Re: Suggestions if you please.... (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
Rt 66 is called the Mother Road and it was. Here's some of the country you'd have to traverse to try to follow it now.
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Try the M25 that is the real Mother F—Ker road you go once clock wise and then ant clock wise now that is a patchwork Quilt of different Cultures 
| Big Bohr 1700 Thunderbird and now Storm owner
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