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Hi There. I am planning a trip to Northern Spain in the next couple of weeks to ride some of La Vuelta stages. Your tips are absolultly brilliant. Muchas Gracias Hombre!

Hi, Any chance I could get some more info on what this kind a trip cost in avarage. Where would be the stays, would there be tenting or air bnb or hotels. Thanks

Really useful tips and tricks,,its just a shame I never saw a vid like this before I did my european tour in May

I'd suggest stop worrying about things and just get out there. You'll soon learn what you need and don't need, how to pack items etc. Starting off (UK)... budget items would be a trip to Millets. Eurohike Tamar 2 or Avon 3 DLX tent, snooze 200 or 300 sleeping bag, cheap foam mat, upgrade pegs to rock ones from Aldi... bring pegs, bungie chords, a tent light or torch... get out there!

We are going next year 4 of us - going Santander then Spain & Portugal- have you any ideas or good routes to try out & good roads - been to Pyrenees last 2 times and now fancy Portugal cheers

Great idea! 👍

In your suite of excellent & very helpful Top Tips, this one is a really good one. All too often we only find these things out when we're already in a mess. That's exactly the wrong time to discover that no-one will help. Thanks.

Good advice to check...I'd check n make sure they'll cover repatriation too..💪😇

I used to use a Coleman petrol stove many years ago for the same reason you stated - I always had fuel available in the bike. Easily accessible fuel then - just pull the petrol pipe off the carb & fuel away. Not so easy now with fuel injected bikes, but still "do-able". Be aware though that the various additives in pump fuel will eventually block the vaporising tube. When that happens the only cure is a replacement vaporising tube - I used to carry a spare new one with me after the first time I had a blockage. Not so much of an issue if you use the recommended Coleman fuel. Best wishes.

Brilliant information. Thanks. ps I am a exped kayak paddler.

Great advice. It's also worth noting that a lot of European breakdown policies will only cover repatriation of the bike up to the market value of the bike (or what they deem the market value to be) in the event of a breakdown or accident which renders onward travel impossible. I went to Spain in June (met you on the ferry on the way out) and as I have an older bike from 2007 I opted for a much more expensive policy which had unlimited repatriation costs, since I knew they'd just value the bike at about a grand (even though it's probably worth about £3k) and write me a cheque rather than bring it home if it broke down. For about £230 it was a pricey policy but I scoured the small print and was confident they couldn't wriggle out of their obligations to return the bike home despite its age and value. Fortunately, I managed to make it through the trip without mishap, but I didn't think it was worth scrimping on the insurance even though you're essentially paying for something you hope you will never have to use.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🍀

brilliant as always.

I was there last year careful to aproach at the correct speed but one set i encountered went red anyway, after about 5mins i drive past it still red

Good video, thanks.

Lovely roads, and enjoyed the video, music combo

And very few cars.......even better

Hi Oly, thanks for this video, I'm using this ferry for the first time in September. Please can I ask, do the bikes unload first?

I love your top tips. many thanks for video!!!! I particularly enjoyed your second top tip min 2: 20 " just because you find 1 hole, don't stop" got me out of trouble many a time

Same when I used that ferry, loads of bikers on it. Bike well tied down.

A nice helpful video. Thank you.

Confirmed! I was just there, and parking was quite easy.

Tunnels ...where you rev the arse of your bike just for the sound 😇😅 They can get bloody cold too 🥶

They are short of funds !

If you want people to follow your journey you will need to either put them in a playlist or put episode numbers in the beginning of the title.

Thank you ! Just planning my journey now and fell onto your very helpful tips ! I believe I would have been going round in circles if it wasn’t for your video 👍👍 all the best and thank you once again.. Paul

Hi Oly thank you first time thinking of riding in Spain aged 64 your top tips are so helpful 👏

Help please Can I use my paper driving licence in Spain ?? Or do I need a IDP thank you for your help

I use my sat nav as a Speedo as well you are so right about speeds in tunnels

Good tips .thanx

We have usually seen the police in the morning on the edge of town stopping riders/drivers. Usual stuff checking early morning drink drivers and docs etc. This happend again when in the Pryenees in June. Speaking to locals they love to stop foriegners as we tend to drink in bulk the evening before!!!!!!

What fantastic views. .🏍️💨👍🇬🇧

Love it! I always watch these videos before a trip for ideas, for comparisons to my gear, and for insightful comments. Cheers

Excellent descriptions really great quality and informative video

And put in first gear as well!

I like your style of presentation, straightforward and informative with compact reasons for your choices. Very watchable, thanks.

In my experience, those of a liberal bent view a knife as a weapon. Those of a conservative bent view a knife as a tool. Now ask yourself, "how many times have I used a knife as a tool vs how many times have I used a knife as a weapon?"

Nice bit of kit, I am fortunate enough to have very good backpacking gear and I'm able to travel light, and also comfortable. It also makes a real difference in time when you have a small organized bit of kit. So often I see folks burdened with far too much, and also inappropriate gear, it not only takes away from the enjoyment, but can also be a safety issue. Thanks for sharing!

In England and Wales It is illegal (without lawful authority or reasonable excuse) to possess a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place. Unless it is a folding pocket knife with a blade Less than 3 inches long 7.62cm. The blade must not lock into place. Similar rules apply in most of Europe.

Seems to be an issue just at customs. I'm a Brit living and riding in Portugal for the last 10 years and wear a Leatherman on a belt every day. Yes, any locking blade is a no, no but "reasonable excuse" comes into play....So it then becomes an "effort -vs- reward" thing... Do you really want/need a bladed item for a 10 day razz around Europe anymore than you would around Blighty, or should you just carry correct tools?.....If you do, remove the blade from your multi-tool and stow them separately. Neither "separate" item is illegal then...(blade length considered).....

Great choices of gear! I have a Vango Tay 300 for bikepacking, a tiny self inflating mattress, which needs the bin, and a decent sleeping bag. Cooking equipment is a Jetboil system, always have a few canisters and the rest is as I need!

I went through Plymouth 2 weeks ago. The customs guy asked if I had a penknife or other blade. I said yes I had a multitool under the seat and he said as long as it remained there whilst on board that was fine.

I was stopped last year going into Spain. My registration was checked on a data base. Obvious I hadn't been drinking, as we chatted. They sent me on my way with a smile. Credit to their country. Polite, professional and just doing their job. Such a different experience to interacting with the power crazy UK wankers. You feel like a support puppy for their emotional problems and you have to take it, as they hang the imaginary speeding/dangerous driving offence over you straight away.

The answer is in Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Any locking blade is a prohibited item, as is a folding blade longer than 3 inches. That is subject to a lawful excuse/good reason defence so I would always carry one with my tools. It will not stop them trying to seize it but the last time I asked a customs officer if he had ever heard of Section 139 he just stared at me blankly 🙄 ….

The law is simple in the UK, you can carry a knife if you have a "good reason". If you have a folding pocket knife with a blade less than three inches long, that does not lock or have serrated edges or slogans of harm on it and you are not carrying it to cause harm or threaten harm, you do not need to demonstrate a good reason. This all applies in public places; if you are not in a public place the rules may still prohibit the possession of a knife (ferries, aeroplanes, night clubs etc)

Just because someone sells something doesn't make it legal to use or own. The problem is the locking of the blade (and also the length of it too)

I had my multi tool confiscated at Plymouth. They asked if I had a knife so I showed the tool as I thought nothing to hide it’s a tool! The reason given was the blade was over 4” and locked in the out position. I asked to see the supervisor who said he would keep it for me and I could pick it up on return, which I did, otherwise I’d have lost over £100 to replace. The advice he gave unofficially was hide / lock it away in the bike somewhere so it stays in the cargo decks not with you on board.

Thanks for the video. Nice tip

I have booked one for myself. What's the difference between the standard variant and the X variant

it's just a knife policy forced on law abiding people. Bade length(to where it goes in the handle) and if it locks are a factor. it is not exactly a great law as even one of these can do serious harm. Part of this is due a decline in a shifting mindset of the inner city, and how some who are coming in unfiltered have no problem finishing a minor disagreement by turning to a knife. as usual the kind and law abiding suffer. A decent thoughtful police officer though would not have a problem with it.