This looks like a terrific route in general, full of places I’d love to see again. I especially like that you’re going over the Hourquette d’Ancizan.

I’ve got a couple of suggestions you might consider though. First, I’d start in Bilbao rather than Biarritz and in fact wouldn’t go to Biarritz at all. It struck us as just a big name touristy hotspot and and the coast between there and Saint Jean de Luz felt pretty featureless - but that’s us, and that’s pretty old news too at this point. Seeing the Fenwicks’ description of it from last week didn’t change my mind on it though. Instead, I’d cut west toward Saint Jean de Luz from somewhere inland, maybe by way of Espelette and Saint Pee Sur Nivelle.

Secondly, I might think again about following the Mediterranean coastline between Collioure and La Selva. I know the Classens just rode it and it’s definitely spectacular, but it’s also pretty exposed without any real bailout options. They went at a pretty quiet time of year and I’d be anxious about how much worse the traffic might be at the time it looks like you’re considering.

Well, and one more thought. I like your route through Navarre and Aragón, but you might rethink your overnights and stay in Olite and Sos del Rey Catolico instead of Sanguesa.

The Pyrenees are so amazing. Wherever you land, I’m sure it will be incredible.

I agree with Patrick on this. It’s a wonderful cycling area, even given that Col d’Agness is where Rachel and I lost each other for a scary period of time.

I'm hoping to be able to do the mid-afternoon menú del día most days as our main meal. What has happened in the past is by the time we are checked in and cleaned up, we've missed the window for a proper meal. I like the Andersons' approach, eat first, but Al may take some convincing. He will still need more than a snack in the evening, though.

Ooh! I've added a day ride from Biert (which I'd selected as a stop due to the presence of an interesting-looking cyclist accommodation, Les Deux Velos. And an alternative route to St-Lary. It's such a beautiful area! And of course I want to see everything! Poor Al, this trip is getting longer and longer.

Hey Jacquie. You might want to dip down to Oust and Seix and head towards Aulus-les-Bains and head over Col d'Agnes and over Port de Lers. This was a beautiful area and well worth exploring. Col d'Agnes alone is well worth it. Looks like an amazing trip.

We found the Spanish mealtimes too out of sync with our systems so we mostly went to grocery stores and ate prepared sandwiches, etc. The very few times we ate in a restaurant we ate their midday (around 2 to 3 pm) meal, and snacked earlier and later as needed. It seemed to work for us.