Basquing in the Sunshine

As we wind our way up through the narrow gorge, the rocky track sweeps to the right and opens onto a truly vast landscape. Below us, a tiny church squats on the valley floor surrounded by grazing cattle and wild horses, dwarfed by the soaring cliffs above. 

Our route takes us along a glorious trail that hugs the contours of the lower hills before rising to a high point and picking up a narrow ridge to head down the enormous valley between towering walls of stone. This is Picos de Europa National Park in northern Spain, and it is one of the most wonderful places in which I have ever ridden a motorcycle.

Over the past four years, my mates Chris and Matt and I have been slowly ticking off all the British sections of the Trans Euro Trail, or TET. 

This trail, created and curated by an army of enthusiastic and dedicated “linesmen,” allows riders to explore just about every country in Europe. The routes combine both incredible tarmac and spectacular off-road sections to deliver a unique and highly enjoyable riding experience. From Salisbury to Slovenia, Corsica to Cornwall, the TET entertains riders from all over the world.

With the UK sections completed last year, serial trip planners Matt and Chris turned their eyes to mainland Europe for the next adventure. Although northern France might have been the closest and easiest option, the lure and reputation of the Spanish TET seemed far more attractive than the flatlands of Normandy. 

Motorcycles & Gear

2024 KTM EXC450

Helmet: Alpinestars SM10, LS2 Aura goggles
Jacket & Pants: Alpinestars Enduro
Boots: TCX Pro 2.1 Motocross
Luggage: Ogio backpack and drinks reservoir, SW-Motech
tankbag, Rally Rider Bocaina pannier system
Comm System: Cardo Packtalk Edge (for music only!)

So, after months of pouring over maps and ferry timetables and pondering bike and transport options (not to mention the delicate task of synchronizing vacation dates and obtaining partner permissions), The Spanish Trip was on. Joining us for this adventure was Alex, who is a competent mechanic and, perhaps just as importantly, had access to a van big enough to transport four bikes to the Basque Country. 

Perfect. 

And So It Begins 

In a plan that I could hardly object to, Alex and Matt had volunteered to drive the bikes the 1,000 or so miles from Bristol to our starting point in Bilbao. Meanwhile, Chris and I would fly down on the regular shuttle service from our home airport. 

Arriving some hours before the van, we get to experience the sights and many welcoming cafes and bars of Bilbao before heading to our hotel to meet our fellow riders. With a few hours of tinker time to finally prep the bikes ahead of the journey (and a beer or two to toast the start of our trip), we get an early night.

Bright and early the next day, we get kitted up and assemble outside the hotel at 8 a.m. sharp. As to the bikes, we are riding a mixture of ancient and modern machinery.