Pyrenees Parador Tour 2024. Getting to Santander via Santoña Brittany Ferries. MT10 & Street Triple

[@bennettsbikesocial]

What a great tip, and happy birthday! Cheers, John

[@Banditmanuk]

@@bennettsbikesocial cheers John

[@Hinckley_Biker]

Really useful info on ferry cost, I'm thinking of doing this trip next year so it's good to get heads-up! I'm looking forward to watching the rest of your tour, great way to celebrate the big 6-0! Enjoy and have fun 😊

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks. I think my only advice if you follow the tour is to possibly do it a few weeks later. We do encounter closed roads later in the tour.

[@johnhorner769]

Looking forward to the rest of the series. The yellow MZ was nice to see, indestructible.

[@Banditmanuk]

I bumped back into the owner of the MZ on the return ferry. It had been perfectly reliable. Him and his pal on the Enfield had been camping, although the weather may have driven them to find a B&B.

[@PurpleOnThree]

Those bags are so cool! Very organized!

[@johnbellamy6449]

thanks for sharing Richard and Carol . The tips on packing and experiencing the time on the Ferry will be very usefull to riders wanting to do a trip for the 1st time . i would sooner pay like you have for the nice cabin and access to the other parts that you showed . years ago with no experience and no one to show us we had a trip to Belgium with a bike club we were in . not a well planned trip . happy birthday Richard and will enjoy your next videos .

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks John. We hope the vids will be useful to others. We still made mistakes on the trip. The biggest was that we were probably too early in the season, and some passes were still closed. Carol booked some brilliant hotels and these were great to arrive to each evening.

[@Saddlebags73]

I could always tell Carol was a fitness fanatic You guys are living the dream - I’m really happy for you. Belated happy birthday Richard 🍻

[@Banditmanuk]

@@Saddlebags73 🤣🤣 We're doing our best to enjoy life. You never know what's around the corner. Cheers and hope you're keeping well

[@adrianstrand1120]

Have a great time, loved the yellow MZ, that Burton lass will keep you on route Banditman 😀

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, she did a great job 👍👍👍

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

Happy birthday mate. I turned 62 on June 12th. Thanks for showing us around the ship. I've never been a a ferry, except for a short crossing between Dover and Calais, back in 2007. I'd like to do it one day. Maybe I'll ride up to the UK from France. Anyway, glad to see you guys on tour. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@Banditmanuk]

I was 60 on the 13th. So happy birthday to you. Never been on a ferry? That's because you lead this jet set flying life 😉 The ferry was very comfortable; almost like going on a cruise. I think you will like some of the Parador hotels we stayed in, one in Hondaribbia was a former castle right on the French Spanish border.

[@LordBilious]

Happy 60th Richard! I'm looking forward to the rest of this trip. Interesting angle to include the costings, which I think is a great idea.

[@Banditmanuk]

We weren't sure whether to add costings or not. If you don't, people ask. If you do, some people will say, "Did you really pay that?!!! The only thing I will say is we spent more than usual as a 60th celebration 🍾

[@crumblymal8479]

Well done guys really enjoyed the start of this adventure /trip and it all looked very nice and I guess not that cheap but sometimes it's just worth going that bit extra especially on a birthday celebration if ya can't do it then when can ya 😉👌👍

[@Banditmanuk]

It was a great start, although not everything goes to plan on this tour. Yep, we did throw some money at this holiday. At least I didn't have to pay for a big 60th birthday bash at home. Thanks for watching

[@MRTPR]

Some handy hints with the packing, the cabins looked very comfy. 😎

[@Banditmanuk]

@@MRTPR The ship was nearly new. Very comfortable. Almost like going on a cruise

[@mrcintheuk4641]

On the 8th April I booked 4th June Portsmouth - Bilbao on the Galicia, returning 13th June Bilbao - Portsmouth on the Santona, inside cabin, one person, one motorbike, for £751. It'll be interesting to see the varying prices charged. At that price it was about equal to driving down and back via the channel tunnel, using the peage, peage fuel prices and accommodation. I managed to dodge the poor weather (not booking any accommodation in advance) by staying in Pamplona first and then staying in Potes. The only rain I experienced was on the way down to Portsmouth and on the way back from Portsmouth!!!

[@Banditmanuk]

We did experience some rain but not too bad. You were there 3 days ahead of us. It's interesting you did the price calculation of riding down through France. My fuel costs are quite steep at 38mpg! Holiday days free were our main constraint. We did Potes and the Picos two years previously so we were anxious to see more of the Pyrenees. Sadly some of our planned routes were still closed, including a major detour from France back into Spain.

[@roger.monitor]

Yes I was wondering about the difference of riding or the ferry. In France go off the peage for fuel, supermarkets are the cheapest. Not difficult to find. Great review Richard and Carol.

[@mrcintheuk4641]

​@@Banditmanuk I find the Viamichelin web site handy for getting an indication of costs.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

This is gonna be a nice trip. The very offers a lot, but it is a bit pricey. I already know that it is gonna be fun watching. Waiting for the next one. Cheers.

[@Banditmanuk]

It was a great trip Gregor and yes quite costly. But you're only 60 once 👍🍾

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@Banditmanuk Exactly. I think the same. :) Remember, 60-ies are great. :)

[@youngeroldie5089]

It certainly looks as if you will be having a good time, what a way to celebrate your 60th, looking forward to the rest of the content.

[@Banditmanuk]

We certainly had a good time. The weather didn't always play ball, but we stopped in some amazing places.

[@ontheroadadventure]

Wow that looks better than the Pont Avon!

[@Banditmanuk]

Newer I think. Our favourite ship and crossing to date. It helps we weren't sea sick in the Bay of Biscay

[@CRAZYLEGSONABIKE]

Great vid both and very interesting regarding luggage and ferry costs. Look forward to the up and coming 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, unfortunately the weather and closed passes interfere with plans but we still have a good time.

[@mum-0217]

Ferry seems to have plenty of facilities and the room looks good. Happy birthday to you and ready for the next video. Thank you to the both of you. 🙂👍

[@Banditmanuk]

We were very happy with the ferry. Thanks for watching

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I'm pretty excited about this and upcoming vid on this trip. I’ve never travled on a fairy like this one and the details are quite interesting to me. I'm trying to watch my diet but the breakfast and bar was tempting me.😄 The shot from the back of the ship was beautiful. Congratulations on #60 ....still just a kid.

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks for the birthday wishes. Watching you guys shows that hopefully we've a few more years of riding motorcycles and acting like teenagers 😂

[@GreyBiker99]

That ferry looks a lot nicer than the Pont Aven I got from Plymouth to Santander a few weeks ago. That crossing was a little smoother too! I’m now thinking maybe we should go from Portsmouth next year as it’s a lot closer to Norwich as well. Great video work too, thank you. I hope one day I’ll be as natural on camera as you two are 😊. New sub here.

[@Banditmanuk]

@GreyBiker99 Thanks, what we do is just for fun and mainly just as a record of our trips for ourselves. I've happily subbed you as well. We enjoyed the ferry experience, including the Commodore lounge on the two night outbound. The ferry was much newer than the Pont Aven. There's things we would do differently (less main roads) and possibly later in the year As for being natural on camera, I guess we've been doing it a few years. I think the secret is just be yourself. We mostly record what we just chat between ourselves. Keep up the good work with your channel 👏

[@SOLOMOTOUK]

Good morning Richard & carol what a trip seems expensive but you have your luxury I must of been in the IOM when this came out 2 weeks ago enjoying so far thank you 👍😎🏍️🏍️

[@Banditmanuk]

@@SOLOMOTOUK we did indulge ourselves on this trip. It was my 60th birthday while away

[@SOLOMOTOUK]

@@Banditmanuknice one happy birthday 👍🏍️🏍️🙏

[@Tojj29]

Ahhh, good stuff, been looking forward to these. Good to see what you pack and how. We took the overnight ferry to France from Portsmouth, bit of a pain waiting to board back then as there was nowhere to get a hot drink or anything, hopefully that's changed. I see Carol kept those hips moving on the way over. Sounds expensive but it's a long sailing and I think you need a decent cabin to make it a bit more bearable. Look forward to the next one.

[@Banditmanuk]

We definitely blew the budget on this trip. It was difficult to fault Brittany Ferries on this sailing, staff were brilliant and plenty of food and drink. Unfortunately the weather wasn't so good when we arrived in Santander.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

I have fond memories of getting onto the boat to Spain. And then carrying all of my kit up stairs! 😅 looking forward to seeing what you guys get up to.

[@Banditmanuk]

It's exciting heading off. We hadn't done any of the forthcoming route before, different hotel each night. 🤣🤣 we waited for the lift, 3rd to floor 9 would have about done me in!

[@thewoodster8607]

You can't beat the three-course buffet style meal for 20 Euros. Big portions and good value. Thanks for showing us the way you two do it.

[@Banditmanuk]

I'm afraid we blew the budget on this trip! Spain is still the place to head for value for money food and drink within the Euro zone. Thanks for watching

[@davidmatthews3093]

@@BanditmanukThat makes people think that it’s a cheap place to live but it’s not, wages are fairly low and personal taxation is very high.

[@Banditmanuk]

@davidmatthews3093 Honestly, I don't think either of our comments indicate that Spain is a cheap place to live and work. It's simply cheaper for us as UK tourists to visit than many central European countries.

[@PurpleOnThree]

I love ferries! Hope to be on one for a good length of time like you. Happy birthday, Richard!

[@Banditmanuk]

@PurpleOnThree Thank you much 🙏. Where's your ferry heading

[@PurpleOnThree]

@@Banditmanuk Oh, I'm not planning on any ferry...I'm just saying...I hope I get to be on one that long! My last ferry ride was only 5 minutes long across the Yukon River last year...

[@davidlutton4560]

Great introduction to your special 60th milestone trip and informative ferry details. Certainly quite expensive, but when you consider the country, culture and scenery you're being transported to, it eases the pain a bit. I wish both of you safe and enjoyable travels and will look forward to your vlogs with great interest. Take care for now.

[@Banditmanuk]

Cheers David. Yes the ferry isn't cheap but for us short on holiday, it makes sense. Appreciate the feedback

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Great vid Richard and Carol! We sailed on the Santona coming back from Santander last October - a nice ship but a long crossing. Really looking forward to this series as we’ve never used Paradores before! 😀

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks. The Santona is a nice ship. Everything still looks new. Yep, midnight on the Friday to 7.00am Sunday is a long crossing but at least you can get a full day's riding on the Sunday. I'm sure you two would love Paradors. Each very individual, quite often re-purposed historic buildings.

[@Flummoxed-B4]

We have just watched your video. We stayed in Hondarribia too, and rode the same roads as you but in the opposite direction 😂 video to come from there later in this series. 👍

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

@@Flummoxed-B4 excellent! Really looking forward to seeing it! 😀👍

[@Ormsmoto]

I missed a trick on Sunday at Prescott. I should of wished you happy birthday!!! Belated best wishes mate, a great milestone. - Enjoyed this vid too 👍

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks. Yes getting to 60 concentrates the mind, makes you realise you've got to get all the trips and adventures done, while you can.

[@GSHants]

Been looking forward to this, can’t wait for the trip to begin proper, have often considered taking the fancy lounge access option, but have never done it, hope you enjoyed. We also do love a Parador, I’m guessing that’s Sos Del Rey coming up, can’t wait, that’s a lovely one and a great place to walk around too.

[@Banditmanuk]

Wow! You guessed right. I'm just going through the footage of Sos Del Rey. Don't want to give too much away, but you see the view from our room window right at the very end of this vid It's a lovely town to walk around. It still wasn't our favourite Parador. That's still to come.

[@mikethebikemt07tracer]

Hi guys. Lovely video as usual. After seeing the Aerolite bags I went on Ebay and £18.99 secured a pair of bags that arrived today. Very impressed with the quality of them for the price point. Tried them in my Shad panniers immediately, great bit of kit. Thanks for the info. Mike.

[@Banditmanuk]

Hi and thank. Funny you should mention the bags. The proper shad inner bags we originally ordered with the cases finally arrived. Now we're home! Those Aerollite did the job well. Carol will be happy that someone found the info useful

[@stevef8763]

Looking forward to following you both, have a safe and enjoyable tour.

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, appreciate you watching

[@baylatron]

Great video guys but damn that ferry was expensive! Hope you have a great time 👍

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks. Yep, the ferry is a big chunk of change. Staff and facilities were excellent 👌

[@theoldman9709]

Great video, looking forward to seeing the whole series. All the best and Happy birthday.

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, appreciate the good wishes 🙏

[@5coaly]

We did that trip last year with the commodore lounge. I thought it was very civilised even tho pricey! Happy 60th Richard!!🎉 Mine is next month. Are you two at Prescott Hill bike fest tomorrow?

[@Banditmanuk]

Yes, we liked the lounge very much as well Thanks and happy 60th for next month And yes we're at Prescott in the morning. I'm easy to spot.... 6ft 3 overweight with an action camera in hand. Be nice to say hello.

[@5coaly]

We were there last year (it was very hot that day!🥵) Sadly I can't make tomorrow as I'm actually working! Just started at the GWSR Toddington steam railway cafe. If you're passing, pop in and say hi and grab a coffee!...my treat! 'm there all day from 10 til close at 4.30. 👍 Julie

[@steveinskip4897]

Well packed! Hope you packed your water-proofs. It’s been a rubbish start to the Summer down here. Best of luck!

[@Banditmanuk]

We did indeed. I went fully Rukka and Carol packed hers. The subsequent videos will highlight the weather issues and closed passes. Not everything goes to plan!

[@richardkheder4903]

Hope you had a great Birthday. Safe riding to you both and look forward to the next video.

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks very much. The next vid from the tour will be sat 6th July as we have a Prescott Bike festival going live in the morning. Appreciate the comments and good wishes 🙏

[@davidmatthews3093]

Thank you for being honest about the cost of the ferry not everyone is.

[@Banditmanuk]

We've nothing to hide. We definitely spent more on this trip than usual. Mainly as a celebration of my 60th. Thanks for watching

[@paullee6663]

It gives me the heebeegeebee's filtering between trucks on the motorway in stationary traffic! 🤣 Looking forward to this series! Being a Tour de France fan the weather has always put me off, as I see you've touched on in some of the comments. I found the weather can be a problem if you 'have' to move everyday for accommodation reasons. (I did the same when I went to Santiago de Compostella in 2019) (FIO Pont Aven wanted just short of £1000 return for the second week in July for one with a motorcycle and a basic cabin)

[@Banditmanuk]

We certainly didn't enjoy the filtering. We were doing that for about 45 minutes. Scary at times, especially when occasionally a car driver will narrow your gap as you are in it! Without exception the HGV drivers were more observant and always gave room if they could. The weather wasn't kind, but wasn't terrible. Just bad enough to disrupt much of the on bike filming. We had all the hotels booked as we had the crazy idea of just using Paradors. They were beautiful and gave us something to look forward to each evening. Ferry prices..... !!

[@paullee6663]

@@Banditmanuk I thought you may have sailed into Bilbao as you were doing the Pyrenees, I presume you wanted to stay at that Parador? Nice luggage set up. 👍 Actually the two night crossing makes more sense than the Pont Aven now you've explained it. Bit of a bugger if you get delayed though, as I was once.

[@goodtobegeek]

Great trip!

[@Banditmanuk]

@@goodtobegeek Thank you

[@darrenhall6509]

I don`t think that price is bad. We pay about that to take our camper to Caen from Portsmouth with the same ferry company. You have to pay more coming back as its up hill and the boat uses more diesel. Happy Birthday.

[@Banditmanuk]

😅🤣 arr that explains why the return is more. We still rated what Brittany Ferries gave us. Service was brilliant, and the ship was nice.

[@ticthedog6095]

Great video and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. The ferry prices are getting prohibitively expensive. We’re you travelling along the M40 on the 17th May as I was going in the opposite direction and the queue went on for miles

[@Banditmanuk]

It was Friday 7th June, and before we set off, we checked Google maps and knew there was a problem. Unfortunately, all alternatives took just as long, and we assumed rightly we would be able to filter through the traffic, which we did for about 10 miles! Yep, prices just keep going up. I guess it's supply and demand. My problem is I can only spare 1 week away from me business in the summer and if I want to see the Pyrenees, riding down and back through France just takes too long.

[@05gt99]

Really enjoyed that looking forward to the rest of the series. Happy birthday Richard. Which top box does Carol have on her Triumph?

[@Banditmanuk]

Carol's top box is Givi V40NT monokey 40L mounted on an SW Motech rack. She's had it ages and works well. Thanks for watching and for the birthday wishes. Blimey 60, how did that happen??

[@michaellilley6725]

Heavens to Mergatroid Banditman, those ferry prices are enough to make a Scotsman hang up his kilt. £400 to sleep on a bench for the night and another £200 plus just to have access to the bar 😨 Still it was a birthday treat and I hope it proves memorable for yourself and Carol, I look forwards to seeing the rest of the trip 👍😊

[@Banditmanuk]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Cheap it isn't! We're just spending the kid's inheritance. We figure do what you can, while you can.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

@@Banditmanuktotally agree with you there Richard! 👍

[@SwenglishSteve650]

Hi from Sweden Banditman & lady found your channel through the shout out from 'The all year motorcyclist' & sent you a sub, will be catching up on your adventures, I started a small channel myself this year & have been setting up my bike for touring, but am a noob to YT in comparison, but it's fun 😁, Cheers & Ride safe 🤛🤜

[@Banditmanuk]

@SwenglishSteve650 Hi and hello. The shout out by the all year motorcyclist is very kind of them. Good luck with your channel. Cheers and best wishes

[@NooBiker]

Congratulations and best wishes on your 60th 🎉🎉🎉 This is something I want to do in the future when I can afford it and have the time to do it, so thanks for the information and details. You got quite "tired and emotional" at the end of the first day 😂🍻 I just wish Carol would slow ride with both feet on the pegs and using the rear brake but good work with the filtering. Those bikers boarding: growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional 😂😂

[@Banditmanuk]

If Carol has any bad habits, she's learned them from me. I must have picked the only bit out of about 10 miles of filtering with her feet down. We chatted to that group of lads (middle-aged men actually). They were a laugh. I asked if any of them thought about bringing their wives along? God no! They couldn't think of anything worse!

[@NooBiker]

@@Banditmanuk I wish my wife was interested in motorcycles 😞

[@dreamcrusher112]

Ferries are so pricey! 4 trips on the eurotunnel return for the price of 1 ferry return. Wild. Do people actually just sleep in the chairs?

[@Banditmanuk]

Yep, ferry prices have gone crazy. People were definitely using the room with sleeping chairs. We spotted one or two folks who looked like they slept on the bench seats in the quieter parts of the main lounge.

[@ianhamilton1872]

Liked and thanks as always...

[@Banditmanuk]

cheers Ian 👍

[@lipglosshelmetsandhim]

Happy birthday. prices vary on supply and demand, I know after changing our date for this year, they hiked the price by nearly £200 because so many booking that same date.

[@Banditmanuk]

Cheers Heath. Hope you're getting better weather in the Pyrenees than we did

[@lipglosshelmetsandhim]

@@Banditmanuk much better!

[@PurpleOnThree]

Looks like a pretty nice room on the ferry! Slightly drunk, lol

[@alexmorgan3435]

At the end of April I went Portsmouth Bilbao with BF for the first time. I think I paid £148 one way. I chose one of the lounge chairs £8 in the separate dedicated lounge next to the Premium lounge. Never again. The room was freezing and chairs so uncomfortable. I slept out in the open lounge. Also choose your crossings carefully as the ones going from the UK Portsmouth to Spain BF deliberately makes longer by about 7-8 hours so you have a second night on board. I believe BF is now owned by the Chinese. When BF first started this route the crossing was around 21-22 hours so you only needed one night on board. I am going again in October but this time I going Plymouth to Santander which is a shorter crossing. I would much rather ride the extra distance to Plymouth than spend more time on the ferry. I think their prices are EXTORTIONATE and much prefer riding up or down through France over say 2 or 3 days to or from Dieppe or the Eurotunnel.

[@Banditmanuk]

@@alexmorgan3435 In my previous comment I mentioned we booked this whole tour to coincide with my birthday. We probably did the expensive option here but enjoyed the experience. We remember when Portsmouth to Santander was a one night crossing. One of our early Picos vids saw us getting to Potes early evening after the ferry docked. We were told by BF that going slower was done for environmental reasons as the ships used less gas. There is of course way more opportunities to sell food and drink on a two night crossing. We've done the ride down through France before and it's a trek and in parts boring. I'm very busy with my business in the summer and can only get a week away. Difficult to do the Pyrenees in a week riding down and back through France.

[@alexmorgan3435]

​@@Banditmanuk Yes I guess you are right. I shouldn't be too critical given you were travelling as a birthday celebration. Yes parts of France are boring but not all of it. The Charente and Loire make good stopping points. There's always a few chateaux to visit en route. And I guess both you and Carol riding the cost is double although I am sure you could get very reasonably priced AirBnBs. For me I ride solo and tend to camp which I like so I can keep cost down. I realise others have different demands and priorities. I still think BF's prices are extortionate though. DFDS are far more reasonable. Anyway thanks for replying. ATB.

[@martinroberts5577]

Which puncture repair kit are you using? Thanks.

[@Banditmanuk]

It's an Amazon special. Think it's there listed as car/van tubeless tyre repair. In a black bag. It has glue, sticky straw repairs, a hole reamer, an insertion tool and small blade.

[@martinroberts5577]

@@Banditmanuk thank you. Loved the episode. Excited to watch the series.

[@MrBeracah]

Hi carol is yours the new 750 street triple and if so what are your thoughts when comparing to the 675 bike? Many thanks

[@Flummoxed-B4]

Hi, mine is a 2016, 675 bike, I did try a new 765 version a few weeks ago, which I enjoyed riding, but I don't have any plans to change, mine does everything I need.

[@MrBeracah]

@@Flummoxed-B4 Thks. Yes I would agree with you there isn’t much difference be Tween them to justify the expense changing.