Road bike tour routes in Northern Spain?

[sfcyclists1948]

My sons and I will be doing an 8-day tour in Northern Spain at the end of July this year.  We'll be renting road bikes and carrying minimal gear.  We plan to stay in small hotels and hostels.  We're looking to ride between 45-55 miles per day.  We don't mind some climbing, but don't want to be climbing all day, every day.

Any suggestions for routes?

Thanks.

[raybo]

Here are 2 links to information about bike touring in Northern Spain.

Ray

[sfcyclists1948]

Thanks, Ray - very helpful.  Have you ever cycled in Spain?  In late July, the temperatures in the south are unbearable for cycling, but the Pyrenees may be too relentlessly mountainous for our liking.  Not sure about Galicia, Asturia or Cantabria.  We're also considering cycling from Barcelona/Girona north into France for some rolling scenery, then returning across the Pyrenees.  Lots to consider.

[Galloper]

There is a Eurovelo route which roughly follows the old pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostella.   Northern Spain is fairly hill but if you stick to coastal and valley routes you should be OK.   Get hold of the Michelin Regional Maps, they're pretty good for finding quieter roads, look for the green highlighted roads, they're scenic routes.

[Galloper]

Lots of route info here on the CTC web page -

http://www.ctc-maps.org.uk/routes/ctc_sheets

[indyfabz]

Get hold of the Michelin Regional Maps, they're pretty good for finding quieter roads, look for the green highlighted roads, they're scenic routes.

+1 on the maps.  Another good tool is the Rough Guide travel book series.  There is one for Spain and possibly one devoted to northern Spain.  I planned a 7 week tour of southern Spain using the Michelin regional map for the area and the Rough Guide to Andalucia.  Finally, for help with general information, get in touch with these folks:

http://www.spain.info/en_US/

They have various regional offices in the U.S.  They sent me reams of information for the areas I was planning to visit, including lists of lodging/camping options that contained rates.