As requested here are some pointers from our tour we did in September 2023.
- Boarding in the Plymouth, bikes go on 1st, in Bilboa, they go on last.
- It will take you a couple of hours to get through customs in Bilboa, because there is always someone who has a problem with their passport.
I planned all my own routes and booked places to stay using booking.com. Only one of the places we wouldn’t go again. The place we stayed was fine, but the area was a bit rough.
Yes it can rain in Spain and Portugal, so don’t forget your wet gear.
We stayed in Potes, Leon, Braganca, Covilha, Zamora, Elvas, Praia Da Areia Branca, and Marvao. I would highly recommend Marvao as the views, hotel (there is only 1) are very very good.
Don’t forget there are lost of toll roads in Portugal and they are not clearly signed, or any toll booths. They are electronic, and read your number plate and charge you via that. I didn’t know and got a fine from a scamming firm Euro Parking Collection. Look them up on MSE, One show. But what I found was using this site entered my reg number and paid the 3 euros fine.
Have a search for a map of the roads that are tolls to make sure you know where they are.
I only came across 1 speed camera, and my sat-nav warned me of it.
Even though there are lost of businesses and shops that we have over here, not many people speak English.
There are plenty of petrol stations, and it is weird IMO that most have a bar selling alcohol.
Most locals ignore speed limits. But when we arrived in Potes for the 1st night, because it is popular with bikers, there was some coppers on the road into town pulling people in, I assume for speeding.