Picos de Europa Episode 1

In October 2024 I took a trip to the Picos de Europa on a 4 night tour organised by MSL Tours Ltd. The tour was self guided and based at Gran Hotel Suances. This is episode 1 and features the first day circular ride along the N-621, LE-2703, LE-2711, N-625 and AS-114.
Please feel free to comment, and if you like this video, please consider subscribing to my small channel. Thanks for watching!
Mark rides a Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer
Action Cameras are all DJI Osmo Action 4's
Handheld camera is a DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Microphones are DJI Mic 2's
Drone is a DJI Mini 4 Pro
All music and sound effects are from Epidemic Sound
Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored nor supported in any way. Any product featured or reviewed in this video I have personally purchased.

[@johnwelbers4248]

Thanks for sharing that 😎🏍️💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦🍻from bc

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you for watching. 🙏

[@GCG-p1z]

Searching for information about Chigee (excellent video), I ended up on your channel. I saw this video, and I see that you passed through my land (Portilla de la Reina, Posada, Oseja,...) in the province of León. Some very fun roads! Enjoy your trip! Greetings!

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you so much! I’m going to be doing another video about the Chigee soon having used it for a few months, and it has been excellent. You live in a beautiful area, and I hope to come back next year with my wife. Thanks for watching 😁

[@sidwallace6053]

Another series I’m looking forward to watching mate

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you very much. I hope you enjoy them.

[@GSHants]

Great day that, a few more miles than I’m comfortable with in a day, but each to their own….as for the anxiety, completely normal, have been to Picos many times, and for me it’s getting on and off that boat…still gives me the shivers each and every time 🙈look forward to next instalment

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you so much. I know what you mean about getting off the boat. I had to back my bike up about 20 feet on the slippery deck which wasn’t fun.

[@davidreed6817]

Another great effort GB, strange not hearing Sue in the background though, I refuse to go on a ramp unless I get make it to the top without having to stop, looking forward to the next one 😊

[@GreyBiker99]

@@davidreed6817 Thank you so much. To be fair, it was strange being away without Sue, and the first time I've ever done it. I did miss my wingman for sure. We are planning to both go back next June/July so I can show her how great the Picos are.

[@forestboy54]

Well done mate. Picos is one of my favourite places to ride. Been taking groups on rides there for a good ten years, never get bored with it and proper old Spain. 👍FB

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you, and I’m glad you are on the mend now mate. I’ve fallen in love with the place. It’s beautiful and I like that no one speaks English so it feels authentic. I’m returning next year with my wife to explore some more and do some of the Pyrenees too.

[@stephenlord2541]

Mate, I travelled that road on a sickle so many times. Yeah, they constantly improve the ride with seemingly never ending road works… I know where I'd want to be if it came to a toss up between M25 and the road to Potes. Thanks for a great vid. be safe.

[@GreyBiker99]

😆 you’re not wrong when it comes to a choice between the N-621 and the M25! The sections they have completed are wonderful now, so it’ll be worth it in the end. Many thanks for watching 🙏

[@Banditmanuk]

The Picos is a biker's paradise. Mrs & I have done it a couple of times now, so recognised many of the roads and miradors

[@GreyBiker99]

I totally agree. I’m hoping to take my wife next year too, so she can enjoy riding her bike along those amazing roads. Thanks for watching.

[@kelvinharrison6702]

Brilliant.i have done Pecos 4yrs on the bounce. nice to watch it again look forward to the nxt 👍

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can't wait to go back with my wife next year.

[@JIMMER15]

Great video and your bike sounds amazing, smooth and a great noise too!

[@GreyBiker99]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed watching. I’ve done a lot of experimenting with mics so I’m really pleased the sound of the bike is coming through.

[@Fozzy1964]

Great video, thank you.

[@GreyBiker99]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching.

[@ianspence3769]

Great video. Fantastic scenery and roads. Can you tell me what sat nav you are using in this video please?

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you so much for your kind comment. It is a stunning area for sure. I use a Chigee AIO-5 play display which is one of the CarPlay systems and the navigation app is called Scenic.

[@ianspence3769]

@@GreyBiker99 thanks for the info. Look forward to viewing more of your content

[@glennglenn101]

The AS 114 is a great road.

[@GreyBiker99]

Yes, it was lovely to ride.

[@djidan1466]

Looks great... May be going there for the first time next year with some friends, so interested in your views/opinions especially of the MSL Tour and the ferry. I'm just recovering from a fractured ankle at the moment. My Tiger 1200 GT Pro was written off, so at the moment I'm not sure what bike I'll be riding... Maybe another Tiger.

[@GreyBiker99]

Thank you for watching. I’m going back next year too, but taking my wife along this time and doing it independently. MSL Tours are great, but more of a booking agent than a tour. They book the ferry and the hotel, and provide you some routes but then you are very much on your own to do what you want and there are no guided tours or support vehicle etc. Rick is there if you need him though, and when I priced it up, booking through MSL saved me £100. The main reason I’m doing it myself next year is because I want to go late June, and I’d also base myself in Potes rather than Suances as that is a little too far east. I’m going to make sure I have an outside cabin next time too, as the inside ones are like prison cells and I don’t travel too well on boats. I have heard that if you book the hotel and ferry at the same time with Brittany Ferries that you can get hotels discounted, so that’s something else to consider. I hope your ankle heals fast and you are soon riding again! I am biased as I love my Tiger, so good luck with the hunt for a new bike 😁

[@djidan1466]

@@GreyBiker99 Hi thanks for the reply. Yes two of our group have been to the Picos once before, although I have never been. We had been planning to also go end of June/early July and yes I looked at MSL's prices and thought they seemed reasonable, but then I noticed the only dates they do are Oct. As you say, really just a booking agent but I suppose they can get additional savings that they can pass on.

[@djidan1466]

@@GreyBiker99 yes the Tiger is superb, I'd taken it to Lux/Germany twice (last year and this), but ithe crash happened just 300 metres from home and on my way to take the bike for it's annual service... typical!

[@djidan1466]

@@GreyBiker99 Good point about Brittany Ferries, that may well be an option to look at.... thanks... and safe riding mate!

[@rodneyrayner4178]

I think the MSL trip is great value when you also factor in it's half board, breakfast and dinner included with wine. Even at Spanish prices that can add up.

[@AndyGSATractor]

New sub here just had to watch as iv just put up my own picos tour series and I like to see what others did..

[@GreyBiker99]

Awesome! Thank you! I'll reciprocate and take a look at yours too.

[@GordonBohlmann]

Any advice on riding this area in mid March 2025 - anyone with experience? Concerned about snow/ice?

[@GreyBiker99]

Sorry I can’t help on that one. I think it may be a little early to be honest. A lot of the higher roads have snow poles along them so I’m guessing they do get snow in the winter.

[@js-gm2nu]

Cant comment on march but i`ve seen snow on the verges in early May...

[@js-gm2nu]

If or should i say when you go again would you use a organised tour again or with what you now know sort the trip yourself.

[@GreyBiker99]

I am planning to go with my wife next June and we’ll do it ourselves I think. Now I know what to expect, and have a few routes it’s a lot less daunting. I’ve also heard that it can be a lot cheaper booking accommodation and ferry at the same time with Brittany Ferries so that’s worth investigating. The tour I was on was self guided anyway so not much difference really. Thanks for watching 😁

[@js-gm2nu]

@@GreyBiker99 The organised tours seem to be a bit pricey but as you say its opened the door for you to go it alone....Its strange but your correct if you book all with BF it works out cheaper....Why you have to ring rather than online i dont know but the staff are helpful enough.

[@GreyBiker99]

@@js-gm2nu MSL Tours actually worked out about £100 cheaper than if I’d booked the ferry and hotel myself but the hotel was a little too far east I thought and they only go in October. I also thought it’s a bit unusual to have to ring BF, but I’ll be calling them soon to see what sort of deals they have.

[@trophyian]

@@GreyBiker99 I found Suances very nice but still a trek into the Picos before you hit the nice roads. When i went before with my wife ( 10 years ago) we stayed at a Hotel in Riano which was more Cental. Couldn't work out the bike you were riding. Best wishes from Ian,Swaffham !

[@GreyBiker99]

Yes,I totally agree that Suances is just a little too far east really. I think next year we will try to stay more centrally at somewhere like Potes or Cangas. My bike is a Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer by the way 😁