Has anyone done the Trans Euro Trail (TET)?
Discussion
I've gone down a bit of a rabbit hole whilst looking at Desert X's and wondered if anyone has done the TET, particularly the stretch that goes across Spain (Santander I think) toward Portugal? It's something I would love to do, but don't trust the Youtube as my only source of information. If you've done it, would something like a Desert X be too big/much? I've seen people suggest Honda CRF300's as the ideal bike. Any other tips, or sources appreciated. Ta
There's also Adventure Country Tracks (ACT). The website shows routes in the Pyrenees and Portugal.
The summary for the Pyrenees route is:
EXPERTISE LEVEL Beginners with off-road experience
LENGTH 1160 km
TRACK TYPE Tarmac, Gravel, Rocks, mud (in wet season)
RECOMMENDED DURATION 5 days
ACCOMMODATION Camping and small hotels
I don't know if this is accurate, but I formed the impression that the routes may be big bike friendly.
The summary for the Pyrenees route is:
EXPERTISE LEVEL Beginners with off-road experience
LENGTH 1160 km
TRACK TYPE Tarmac, Gravel, Rocks, mud (in wet season)
RECOMMENDED DURATION 5 days
ACCOMMODATION Camping and small hotels
I don't know if this is accurate, but I formed the impression that the routes may be big bike friendly.
A lot of it will depend on how good you are at handling a bike off-road. Killian Mirabet does stuff on his Africa Twin that most would struggle to do on a trials bike, so the Desert X would be capable of doing most of the TET I reckon, it's all down to you.
Teapotone has just released a video of a group ride on green lanes around my way, most of the guys are on CRF300Ls, they are all normal guys, and it shows how much of a toll it takes when you're not used to it.
Teapotone has just released a video of a group ride on green lanes around my way, most of the guys are on CRF300Ls, they are all normal guys, and it shows how much of a toll it takes when you're not used to it.
Alex@POD said:
A lot of it will depend on how good you are at handling a bike off-road. Killian Mirabet does stuff on his Africa Twin that most would struggle to do on a trials bike, so the Desert X would be capable of doing most of the TET I reckon, it's all down to you.
Completely agree with this. See also Pol Tarres and the Tenere 700. He rides that like it's a powered mountain bike, but on the other hand, I did the Illyria Raid on my Tenere and it was really tough (I've ridden enduro bikes for a long time, I wouldn't say I'm particularly brilliant but I'm capable).I've done some of the Southern England sections of the TET on the T7, since the Illyria, and never yet found anything I couldn't get up or down but I think some of the sections are tougher.
Ref enduro bikes, only other thing to bear in mind is that the TET sometimes has some fairly long road sections, which are a little less fun on an enduro, which is why I've stuck to the T7 for it - so far! Husky 701 might be a good compromise?
I have no knowledge of the TET specifically, but from what I've seen of 'greenlaning' in the UK, some of those trails can be very deep mud, especially a double track with two big tyre ruts.
Personally I wouldn't want to take something significantly over 300lbs into that terrain, so CRF300L/450RL or KTM/Husky 500's. Although it's always a compromise, as a lighter bike on the trails is less comfortable on the road. For me I'd always err on lighter on the trails, as it's just more fun.
That's why I swapped my Tiger 900 Rally Pro for the CRF450RL.
Personally I wouldn't want to take something significantly over 300lbs into that terrain, so CRF300L/450RL or KTM/Husky 500's. Although it's always a compromise, as a lighter bike on the trails is less comfortable on the road. For me I'd always err on lighter on the trails, as it's just more fun.
That's why I swapped my Tiger 900 Rally Pro for the CRF450RL.
Funnily enough I have just come back from there doing just that on a KTM 500 EXC.
The loop S of the Pyrenees (track13) is best done in an anticlockwise direction and I would have managed on a bigger bike, it can be done in a day and was great fun, not really taxing in any way.
Some of the other stuff though I could only have done on my 500 (perhaps a 690, maybe), in particular there was a bit S of Santander with a v steep climb with deep washed out ruts criss crossing it and a tight turn halfway up.
Did some stuff in France too including a steep climb in deep sand, now way would I be able to get a bigger bike up that, not sure how the sand managed to stay there, it was v steep and v deep!
Overall, can recommend and intend to be going back but a 690 sized bike would be as big as I would dare take.
The loop S of the Pyrenees (track13) is best done in an anticlockwise direction and I would have managed on a bigger bike, it can be done in a day and was great fun, not really taxing in any way.
Some of the other stuff though I could only have done on my 500 (perhaps a 690, maybe), in particular there was a bit S of Santander with a v steep climb with deep washed out ruts criss crossing it and a tight turn halfway up.
Did some stuff in France too including a steep climb in deep sand, now way would I be able to get a bigger bike up that, not sure how the sand managed to stay there, it was v steep and v deep!
Overall, can recommend and intend to be going back but a 690 sized bike would be as big as I would dare take.
Biker9090 said:
There is a REALLY busy facebook group for it with seemingly endless knowledge on the subject. Seems people are doing it on all sorts.
Just to add, the Facebook group is also excellent for support. I've seen some really great stuff, from helping out in accidents to mechanical issues.Whatever you do try make sure it's up to the challenge. Half the failures I see on the group are things that could have and should have been sorted beforehand.
Different countries and areas area easier than others, you'll find stuff a desert X can do, but I think if you are going to fret about scratches/dropping the bike it's probably the wrong choice.
-Cappo- said:
Alex@POD said:
A lot of it will depend on how good you are at handling a bike off-road. Killian Mirabet does stuff on his Africa Twin that most would struggle to do on a trials bike, so the Desert X would be capable of doing most of the TET I reckon, it's all down to you.
Completely agree with this. See also Pol Tarres and the Tenere 700. He rides that like it's a powered mountain bike, but on the other hand, I did the Illyria Raid on my Tenere and it was really tough (I've ridden enduro bikes for a long time, I wouldn't say I'm particularly brilliant but I'm capable).I've done some of the Southern England sections of the TET on the T7, since the Illyria, and never yet found anything I couldn't get up or down but I think some of the sections are tougher.
Ref enduro bikes, only other thing to bear in mind is that the TET sometimes has some fairly long road sections, which are a little less fun on an enduro, which is why I've stuck to the T7 for it - so far! Husky 701 might be a good compromise?
Gnits said:
Funnily enough I have just come back from there doing just that on a KTM 500 EXC.
The loop S of the Pyrenees (track13) is best done in an anticlockwise direction and I would have managed on a bigger bike, it can be done in a day and was great fun, not really taxing in any way.
Some of the other stuff though I could only have done on my 500 (perhaps a 690, maybe), in particular there was a bit S of Santander with a v steep climb with deep washed out ruts criss crossing it and a tight turn halfway up.
Did some stuff in France too including a steep climb in deep sand, now way would I be able to get a bigger bike up that, not sure how the sand managed to stay there, it was v steep and v deep!
Overall, can recommend and intend to be going back but a 690 sized bike would be as big as I would dare take.
Thanks for this; I assume you can pick off bits of the trail that are rideable within one's abilities, but wondered what your exit options were at the point you decide it's too much? Presumably, back the way you came is the only route?The loop S of the Pyrenees (track13) is best done in an anticlockwise direction and I would have managed on a bigger bike, it can be done in a day and was great fun, not really taxing in any way.
Some of the other stuff though I could only have done on my 500 (perhaps a 690, maybe), in particular there was a bit S of Santander with a v steep climb with deep washed out ruts criss crossing it and a tight turn halfway up.
Did some stuff in France too including a steep climb in deep sand, now way would I be able to get a bigger bike up that, not sure how the sand managed to stay there, it was v steep and v deep!
Overall, can recommend and intend to be going back but a 690 sized bike would be as big as I would dare take.
smifffymoto said:
-Cappo- said:
Alex@POD said:
A lot of it will depend on how good you are at handling a bike off-road. Killian Mirabet does stuff on his Africa Twin that most would struggle to do on a trials bike, so the Desert X would be capable of doing most of the TET I reckon, it's all down to you.
Completely agree with this. See also Pol Tarres and the Tenere 700. He rides that like it's a powered mountain bike, but on the other hand, I did the Illyria Raid on my Tenere and it was really tough (I've ridden enduro bikes for a long time, I wouldn't say I'm particularly brilliant but I'm capable).I've done some of the Southern England sections of the TET on the T7, since the Illyria, and never yet found anything I couldn't get up or down but I think some of the sections are tougher.
Ref enduro bikes, only other thing to bear in mind is that the TET sometimes has some fairly long road sections, which are a little less fun on an enduro, which is why I've stuck to the T7 for it - so far! Husky 701 might be a good compromise?
I'm just back from 10 days on the French tet, on enduros
The lads I'm with did Portugal last year
If it's dry and you are an average rider a lot is perfectly doable on a big bike - I'd say 80%
But bits aren't - as long as you're willing to turn around and find alternative routes, I'd say give it a try
The lads I'm with did Portugal last year
If it's dry and you are an average rider a lot is perfectly doable on a big bike - I'd say 80%
But bits aren't - as long as you're willing to turn around and find alternative routes, I'd say give it a try
Latest 44Teeth video is from a Bridgestone test in Portugal on big adv bikes.
https://youtu.be/_InzAn0A8iA?si=-Zwtouhru_9cHnUk
In the video description, there's a link to the GPX files of the routes they took.
https://44teeth.wetransfer.com/downloads/68ac97394...
https://youtu.be/_InzAn0A8iA?si=-Zwtouhru_9cHnUk
In the video description, there's a link to the GPX files of the routes they took.
https://44teeth.wetransfer.com/downloads/68ac97394...
KTMsm said:
I'm just back from 10 days on the French tet, on enduros
The lads I'm with did Portugal last year
If it's dry and you are an average rider a lot is perfectly doable on a big bike - I'd say 80%
But bits aren't - as long as you're willing to turn around and find alternative routes, I'd say give it a try
That's encouraging actually and I think turning around sounds like something I need to accept as a possibility!The lads I'm with did Portugal last year
If it's dry and you are an average rider a lot is perfectly doable on a big bike - I'd say 80%
But bits aren't - as long as you're willing to turn around and find alternative routes, I'd say give it a try
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