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I am thinking of riding along the north Spanish / Basque coast from Bilbao to the west and back this summer. Anyone done it / know the area / got any recommendations? We are really wanting a softies tour but camping all the way so not too many or too big hills. I fear this area might lead to too much climbing but beyond that it looks great. Looking at early june ( or possibly sept)
thoughts / tips / experiences anyone?
Spain is the 2nd most mountainous country in Europe, it's very hilly even in the "flatter" areas.
Maybe look at the Camino for ideas?
Galicia is stunning, Asturias too. The seafood is sublime.
Oh - and can I have a moon on a stick as well please?
Criteria for the tour are direct flight from Edinburgh, not too many hills, not to much traffic, lots of scenery and sunshine 
good food
Did it in the car with family in 2008 - camping - loads of good campsites - glorious scenery - mountains and sea - but not flat. Well worth the effort especially if you can find some quite back roads - the main coast road was ok in parts for cycling - but a lot of fast unpleasant dual carriageway for most of it. Went as far as Santiago - great place.
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Galicia is stunning, Asturias too. The seafood is sublime.
an adventure! Great, great landscape. Endless mountains. Steep uphill stuff.
Clearly nothing for:
We are really wanting a softies tour
I would define this tour more: great mountain bike adventure tour.
We had a couple of weeks bike camping years ago - just checked and it was 1993 so not very current info and I can't remember exactly where we went....
We sort of spent 2-3 days with lots of climbing on little roads heading roughly south west from Bilbao. I think to Aguilar de Campoo / Cervera de Pisuerga. There was a wonderful view of the Picos somewhere near there then a long downhill to Potes. Few days in the Picos then back along the coast. Sorry that I can't remember anything in enough detail to recommend (we were young and on a budget so not eating out etc). Scrapbook says 380 miles. Quite green round there so expect a little rain.
Looking at google earth the actual road nearest the coast often is a tiny road with no traffic.. I don't care about a direct route just a scenic one
Last summer we did two "hard work" holidays especially our main one ( 70 plus miles walking thru fisherfield and torridon plus 20 miles canoeing then later a week canoeing down the dordogne). This year we want a cycle tour where we can wander along thru the scenery stopping for a nice lunch then a seista. Don't fancy all day flogging uphill with camping kit.
We have done a low countries tour before - this year we want sunshine. We have also done alpine tours with 4 hour climbs
I know I want a moon on a stick but sun. scenery, direct flight from Edinburgh ( or Glasgow or manchester) but no 4 hour climbs
Any other ideas?
your Cantabria tour, fun place, close to the Picos:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potes
In the area: fantastic hiking, fantastic biking, always steep, sometimes VERY steep, (endless distances...perfect for wild camping), beautiful little villages
to be avoides when the Madrid people make summer vacation. They flood the area...
town Potes: was so fun and neat we stayed a couple nights
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