Are the Picos worth doing on their own?

[Jug]

Just chewing over the idea of a sneaky holiday in September.
I'm wondering if the Picos alone are worth the cost & hassle of the ferry down there & back.
I'm guessing we'd want about 4 full days riding around that area... so what do you think, would it worth the cost of getting there & back?

[Ming]

You might struggle to get a sailing as Brittany ferries are pretty much fully booked. Wife and I are going mid September Sunday to the following Wed which are the only sailings Plymouth to Santander. You can do it from Portsmouth but it's an extra 6 hours on the boat. Plymouth one is 18 hours, which we take as part of the holiday. Decent meal and wine in the evening, sleep through the Bay of Biscay (if you're lucky......) and you're in Santander early evening. Decent roads within 30 mins. Loads of places to stay. Any road is going to be a blast. We've done it for the last 4 years and still find some decent riding.

[Jug]

Cool, but we might of left it too late..
Doh!

[Ming]

And I don't think you could only go for 4 days. There's only one sailing a week from Plymouth.

[Nellywelly]

Try going the other way. Plymouth to Santander then ride back to Roscoff. There is a ferry crossing nearly every day from Roscoff. And not as busy as Santander ferry. We have done this both ways and found some brilliant places to stay and excellent roads. The pyrenees are really good for a play on some good roads. You should be able to do that in 4 days.

[Ming]

You may have trouble even getting to Spain as there has been widespread disruption after the Pont Aven caught fire a few weeks ago. Loads of people have had their crossing cancelled. Not even sure my trip in September will go ahead

[chr1s]

Frickin hope not, I’m going in Sep too

[Ming]

Frickin hope not, I’m going in Sep too

What sailing are you supposed to be on Chris?

[chr1s]

Aye up Andy, I’m on the 5pm from Portsmouth to Santander on the 27th.... all good for that one apparently

[Ming]

Well, ours in early September from Plymouth is still listed as going but trying to sort a backup plan in case they cancel suddenly. I sure as hell ain't crossing to France and riding to Portugal and back!