Looks like you over-nighted at Cauterets.. Those Pyrenean mountain roads are made for riding.. The Cirque de Gavarnie is another 'must visit' as is the Pic du Midi (all 9400ft of it).. Best avoided if you suffer from vertigo.
@FxRiderST Our biggest disappointment was not being able to ride the Col d'Abisque as it was closed when we were there mid-June. It opened shortly after, I believe.
Aubisque is fantastic - all the way from Laruns to Ageles-Gazost. BUT - I'm not such a fan of the opposite direction - something about the drop on the right that is more intimidating than all other cols I have done.
I also use 95 petrol. If the bike is set up for 95, (which all modern road bikes and cars probably are) there is little to be gained by using a highr octane fuel. If you have an older vehicle (e.g. my Ford Escort from 1983) you could adjust the ignition timing a few degrees more advanced, then with the 98 petrol you would get a bit more power. I was in that area last September, and I too got overtaken by a cyclist on the way down the pass. My son came down from Scotland on his 1970s Suzuki GT 380 (3 cylinder 2 stroke). Everywhere we parked up his bike got lots of attention. I find about 600 kms (400 miles) is enough for a day's ride, if you want to enjoy a break. I have done over 900 kms, but that is very tiring, and I certainly would not want to do the same the following day!
Hi Tony, Great trip, you showed of the beauty of the Tourmalet really well. Cauterets and nearby gavarnie are my favourite towns in the Pyrenees. Cauterets has two cable cars (one in town and another at Pont d'espagne) but again May is normally maintenance time between winter/summer seasons. I have lived nearby for over 20 years and still not made it up the cable car to the observatory. If you ever go back, be sure to book on line, once open it's incredably busy. Great stuff, carry on! cheers Arthur.
Another interesting and enjoyable vid! I cycled the Tourmalet several years ago (along with many of the other Pyrenean passes). Seriously hard work going up, but a ton of fun coming down... 80kmh, overtaking cars and vans!
I particularly chuckled at your fuel light anxiety as it’s even worse than my wife’s ! 😂😂 I rode my old GS on zero miles for about 20 minutes looking for petrol once and even I was a bit twitchy…
I always use e98 in my bikes as e95 can cause plastic fuel tanks to swell and other issues. Furthermore, one of my bikes (v85tt, big air cooled twin) suffers from engine pinking made worse by e95. Great video.
I always used 98 in my BMW's , as they appeared to give better mpg and felt crisper on the throttle. I still use 98 in my Honda ADV350 which rewards me with 80+mpg on tour.
Hi. Nice videos. A relaxed style you have. Top stuff. I noticed you have the same helmet as mine. How do you record your audio? I have a mic fitted to the gopro that lifts with the flip up front. I also have a boom mic from my cardo that stays fixed. I missed out on the Tourmalet in May due to snow. Going back next year. Fingers crossed. Keep up the good work. 👍
That’s exactly how I do it Rob - the mic is connected to the list up front. I wish you better luck when you return… and thank you very much for your kind words 😃
😂😂😂 I made full use of my Tena Man when the cyclist section came up 😂 but good for you, I would do exactly the same!! With regards to earlier with your visor lowered or not… I expect people to suffer for their art irrespective of how beautiful their eyes are… I want to see them streaming in order to give the views I would like to see, sheer drops or not 😂 but seriously, great views! and any areas of disappointment you may perceive are met with wondrous views round the corner for your vicarious viewers so all’s good😀👍 With regards to your fuel octane query, bearing in mind I am far and away from a seasoned biker, I believe your bike has 95 fuel recommended but 98 wouldn’t be a problem for it. Got this from the brain I wish I had… “Gasoline with an octane rating of 98 is more resistant to self-ignition than gasoline with an octane rating of 95. 98-octane gasoline is generally thought to give more power than 95-octane gasoline.” Was getting a little concerned after 4 days with no post from you but I realise it must take a fair bit of time putting these video posts together!? in between doing your main challenge! I also have a picture in my head of you in the hotel bedroom with a drum machine and keyboard writing and playing the music to go along with your video, so talented 😂. Great views and honest down to earth commentary! Look forward to your next post! Take care, enjoy and ride safe as you do!
I'm very sorry to hear that, although I understand from someone I spoke to at the top (a local cyclist) that it can often be foul weather May/June :-/ I hope you get to go back :-)
@laterrider We definitely need to go back. The col de Aspen was also shut at the top. The road we wanted to take back into Spain from France to Laruns also closed. Just a couple of weeks later it's all open! We only went this early as it was my 60th.
I use 98 in France by preference, as it does give better mileage and should be less methanol included. BUT - I always check the comparative price with 95 as sometimes the difference is too great to justify. The only cablecar I have seen running - is the one from Lac de Fabrege up to the 'Petit Train d'Artouste' - which is worth a morning or afternoon off the bike. Scenery on the little train is pretty much what you see from a bike BUT - a different angle/elevation. (Don't bother with the hike up to the reservoir - it could be the most dangerous thing you do on your bike trip ). I also always ride with two fingers over brake - it steadies throttle and also I feel I am less likely to 'grab' brake. Clutch I also tend to do the same - prob just habit.
With regard to your question about 95 octane or higher, I believe 95 octane E10 now has more ethanol in it which absorbs moisture and can cause fuel systems to clog up if left for a long time. 98 or even 99 octane E5 has less ethanol. On modern engines you shouldn’t really see much difference, perhaps a little less performance with E10. But I am happy to be corrected.
Think the petrol thing is a real mix of factors 95 or 98? I’m not sure but think that’s the octane or burn level measure nothing to do with the more recent added ethanol. Ethanol has been added in recent years at 5 or 10 percent but this is also not quite true as it means up to 5 or 10 percent. If you watch auto shenanigans he does several videos measuring various petrol station fuel for ethanol and finds many have much less than the 5 to 10 some in fact didn’t have any at all. More than one comment in a comment, top gear did an experiment many years ago Jeremy did it running a car down in neutral then running down in high gear, used petrol in neutral none in high gear that’s clutch out. Cyclists in Tour de France usually beat the motorcycles and can reach 60 to 70mph.
It is pronounced Tour-ma-lay , Stunning views and one of my favourite passes. Looks like you hade great weather to view it too.
I was very lucky with the weather on this day 😃
Another great video Tony. We're going there in September, so this is very inspiring 👍
Thanks so much! You’re going to have an awesome time 😃
Thank you, you were quite right with your ‘awesome col du Tourmalet’ Stunning scenery, with a lovely waterfall thrown in too.
It’s a very beautiful place Isn’t it 😃
Looks like you over-nighted at Cauterets.. Those Pyrenean mountain roads are made for riding..
The Cirque de Gavarnie is another 'must visit' as is the Pic du Midi (all 9400ft of it).. Best avoided if you suffer from vertigo.
Thank you so much for those two suggestions. I’ve added them to my list and will be sure to check them out when I go back there… thank you 😃
That pass looks stunning!
It was incredibly beautiful 😃
This is the first video I am watching from you! I thoroughly enjoyed it, will definitely be watching more! Thank you sir.
Thanks so much - I’m delighted you liked it 😃
This route contains of several passes in a row. My favorite is Col d'Abisque.
Good tripp.
Cheers.
It’s an incredibly beautiful area Isn’t it 😃
@FxRiderST Our biggest disappointment was not being able to ride the Col d'Abisque as it was closed when we were there mid-June. It opened shortly after, I believe.
Aubisque is fantastic - all the way from Laruns to Ageles-Gazost. BUT - I'm not such a fan of the opposite direction - something about the drop on the right that is more intimidating than all other cols I have done.
Fingers crossed it will be open when you go back 😃
Yes - that drop is a tad scary 😳
I also use 95 petrol. If the bike is set up for 95, (which all modern road bikes and cars probably are) there is little to be gained by using a highr octane fuel. If you have an older vehicle (e.g. my Ford Escort from 1983) you could adjust the ignition timing a few degrees more advanced, then with the 98 petrol you would get a bit more power.
I was in that area last September, and I too got overtaken by a cyclist on the way down the pass. My son came down from Scotland on his 1970s Suzuki GT 380 (3 cylinder 2 stroke). Everywhere we parked up his bike got lots of attention.
I find about 600 kms (400 miles) is enough for a day's ride, if you want to enjoy a break. I have done over 900 kms, but that is very tiring, and I certainly would not want to do the same the following day!
Thank you so much for your helpful and interesting post… and I can completely understand why your son’s bike gets lots of attention 😃
Hi Tony, Great trip, you showed of the beauty of the Tourmalet really well. Cauterets and nearby gavarnie are my favourite towns in the Pyrenees. Cauterets has two cable cars (one in town and another at Pont d'espagne) but again May is normally maintenance time between winter/summer seasons. I have lived nearby for over 20 years and still not made it up the cable car to the observatory. If you ever go back, be sure to book on line, once open it's incredably busy. Great stuff, carry on! cheers Arthur.
Thanks so much Arthur - you live in a stunning part of the world! 😃
Another interesting and enjoyable vid! I cycled the Tourmalet several years ago (along with many of the other Pyrenean passes). Seriously hard work going up, but a ton of fun coming down... 80kmh, overtaking cars and vans!
80kmh!!! That’s amazing - and it must be a ton of fun coming down… not that I could do the “going up” bit 😃
Really enjoyed this video Tony. Made me want to buy a GS again! Stay safe! 👍🏻
Thanks Andrew 😃
Another great vid! Really enjoying your tours and it’s certainly giving me some ideas!!
Thanks so much Simon you are very kind to say so :-)
I particularly chuckled at your fuel light anxiety as it’s even worse than my wife’s ! 😂😂 I rode my old GS on zero miles for about 20 minutes looking for petrol once and even I was a bit twitchy…
At least I’m not the only one then 😃
I'm with you. I have a 2 month old R1250GSA. Bought in in preference to the new 1300.
Cool….. it’s interesting how many GS riders (myself included) are not big fans of the latest 1300GS 🤔
I always use e98 in my bikes as e95 can cause plastic fuel tanks to swell and other issues. Furthermore, one of my bikes (v85tt, big air cooled twin) suffers from engine pinking made worse by e95. Great video.
Thank you - I didn’t know that - really helpful 😊
Nice vlog!!!!
Thank you 😃
Re fuel: the GS is designed to run on both. You will hear lots of different opinions about this. 😄😄😄😄 Lovely scenery.
Thank you - I appreciate that - I did wonder if I should change to the 98 but I won’t bother now 👍
I always used 98 in my BMW's , as they appeared to give better mpg and felt crisper on the throttle. I still use 98 in my Honda ADV350 which rewards me with 80+mpg on tour.
Thanks Jonathan - that’s really helpful 😃
Hi. Nice videos. A relaxed style you have. Top stuff. I noticed you have the same helmet as mine. How do you record your audio? I have a mic fitted to the gopro that lifts with the flip up front. I also have a boom mic from my cardo that stays fixed. I missed out on the Tourmalet in May due to snow. Going back next year. Fingers crossed. Keep up the good work. 👍
That’s exactly how I do it Rob - the mic is connected to the list up front. I wish you better luck when you return… and thank you very much for your kind words 😃
😂😂😂 I made full use of my Tena Man when the cyclist section came up 😂 but good for you, I would do exactly the same!! With regards to earlier with your visor lowered or not… I expect people to suffer for their art irrespective of how beautiful their eyes are… I want to see them streaming in order to give the views I would like to see, sheer drops or not 😂 but seriously, great views! and any areas of disappointment you may perceive are met with wondrous views round the corner for your vicarious viewers so all’s good😀👍
With regards to your fuel octane query, bearing in mind I am far and away from a seasoned biker, I believe your bike has 95 fuel recommended but 98 wouldn’t be a problem for it. Got this from the brain I wish I had…
“Gasoline with an octane rating of 98 is more resistant to self-ignition than gasoline with an octane rating of 95. 98-octane gasoline is generally thought to give more power than 95-octane gasoline.”
Was getting a little concerned after 4 days with no post from you but I realise it must take a fair bit of time putting these video posts together!? in between doing your main challenge! I also have a picture in my head of you in the hotel bedroom with a drum machine and keyboard writing and playing the music to go along with your video, so talented 😂. Great views and honest down to earth commentary! Look forward to your next post! Take care, enjoy and ride safe as you do!
Thanks so much for your very kind words they ares much appreciated 😃
I'm so envious. We found this col closed mid June and the weather was awful the day we rode past
I'm very sorry to hear that, although I understand from someone I spoke to at the top (a local cyclist) that it can often be foul weather May/June :-/
I hope you get to go back :-)
@laterrider We definitely need to go back. The col de Aspen was also shut at the top. The road we wanted to take back into Spain from France to Laruns also closed. Just a couple of weeks later it's all open!
We only went this early as it was my 60th.
Well I sincerely hope you get to go back - I'm sure you will :-)
I use 98 in France by preference, as it does give better mileage and should be less methanol included. BUT - I always check the comparative price with 95 as sometimes the difference is too great to justify. The only cablecar I have seen running - is the one from Lac de Fabrege up to the 'Petit Train d'Artouste' - which is worth a morning or afternoon off the bike. Scenery on the little train is pretty much what you see from a bike BUT - a different angle/elevation. (Don't bother with the hike up to the reservoir - it could be the most dangerous thing you do on your bike trip ). I also always ride with two fingers over brake - it steadies throttle and also I feel I am less likely to 'grab' brake. Clutch I also tend to do the same - prob just habit.
Thank you so much for your helpful reply…. and I wish I’d known about the train - sounds like it would have been amazing 😃
With regard to your question about 95 octane or higher, I believe 95 octane E10 now has more ethanol in it which absorbs moisture and can cause fuel systems to clog up if left for a long time. 98 or even 99 octane E5 has less ethanol. On modern engines you shouldn’t really see much difference, perhaps a little less performance with E10. But I am happy to be corrected.
Thanks so much Steve that’s really helpful 😃
I found in Italy that 98 was cheaper than 95
Thank you
What time of year did you do your trip?
Late May/early June of this year
Think the petrol thing is a real mix of factors 95 or 98? I’m not sure but think that’s the octane or burn level measure nothing to do with the more recent added ethanol. Ethanol has been added in recent years at 5 or 10 percent but this is also not quite true as it means up to 5 or 10 percent. If you watch auto shenanigans he does several videos measuring various petrol station fuel for ethanol and finds many have much less than the 5 to 10 some in fact didn’t have any at all. More than one comment in a comment, top gear did an experiment many years ago Jeremy did it running a car down in neutral then running down in high gear, used petrol in neutral none in high gear that’s clutch out. Cyclists in Tour de France usually beat the motorcycles and can reach 60 to 70mph.
Thank you so much for your VERY helpful response!!! 😃
The cyclists over here are pretty amazing - I don’t know where they get their strength from 😳