HIDDEN SPAIN

The second week in June finally arrives, and the annual foreign trip highlight for the last 11 years of three motorcycling buddies. Previously we’d ridden around France (becoming very expensive), Germany (superb, but a long trek to the southern states of Bavaria, Franconia and Thuringia) and the Czech Republic (outstanding, but the 800-mile ride in pouring rain to get there would test the resolve of any normal motorcyclist).

So as advancing years have softened the resolve of at least two of the party, the last three years have seen Spain as our favoured destination, starting with the Basque region. One year, the highlight was superb accommodation in a converted farm building; another year, the foothills of the Pyrenees and a trip into Barcelona; then eight days in Cantabria, Asturias and the Picos de Europa, with fabulous roads, great people and unforgettable food and drink. Following our theme of the ‘unknown Spain’, this year’s trip was to the province of Aragon in the central and eastern part of the country with overnight stops on the way there and back in Rioja.

All three of us now live to the south of Doncaster and comprise myself, a 67-year-old retired jack of all trades on a 2003 Suzuki DL1000 which over the winter I had treated to a full service, Jon Sykes clutch basket conversion and K&N air filter. John is our navigator, a 64-year-old retired copper on his tried and tested Yamaha TDM 900, and the still ably employed Tim (engineer, 56) was riding his 2012 Triumph Tiger 800. Each of us managed to make do with just a topbox and tankbag for luggage

– every year, having learnt what is essential and what isn’t, we carry less.

You’ve heard of the Costas and the Picos, but how is Spanish Aragon for a biking holiday?