MY HUSBAND STEVE WAS facing a landmark birthday in August and wanted to celebrate on a motorcycle. He discovered IMTBike.com while researching tours online. IMTBike is based in Madrid, with additional offices in Barcelona, Bilbao, Malaga and Lisbon — we figured these guys know Spain (and adjoining Morocco and Portugal.) IMTbike offered “The Perfect Pyrenees Tour,” which perfectly coincided with Steve’s birthday. The Pyrenees border northern Spain and southern France and are known for well-maintained but challenging roads and twisty mountain passes. The tour takes six riding days to travel 900 miles, but the total tour is eight days, including Barcelona and a rest day.
Steve contacted IMTBike owner, Scott Moreno, an American expat, who happily answered questions during several conversations. We wanted to know about weather to determine the appropriate clothing for Barcelona (where the Pyrenees Tour begins and ends) and the mountains, and what motorcycles were available. Since IMTBike is an official BMW Motorrad partner, they offer BMW models ranging from the G310R up to the K1600GT.
Steve discussed with Scott my hesitation riding the Pyrenees. I’d gotten my license only two years prior, and I worried
