BN European Tours

Black Forest & Vosges Mountains Tour 17 – 23 August 2011

Another great group with fabulous scenery in the Vosges Mountains

“Our first tour with Bike Normandy – what an introduction! Good Hotels, Great Food, Fantastic Roads and a Brilliant group of people. It is easy to see why you get such a high level of repeat business. Thanks for all the work you put in to making this a really enjoyable trip. We were impressed by the way that you handled the unfortunate incidents that occurred during the trip and the continued support shown to the individuals involved throughout the remainder of the tour. As I said our first tour as part of the Bike Normandy family but it won’t be our last! Thanks again” Shaun BMW K1300S and Chrys BMW F800ST

“Well done on running your first Black Forest Tour. The location of the hotels was spot on, particularly the Black Forest hotel in Schluchsee; the tour group was, as usual, a great mix of characters including some old friends from previous tours – and you even managed to organise perfect weather! See you again on a future tour” Mick & Chris, Pan European.

  

The shape of things to come ?            The van gets a puncture the first morning !

 

We all still set off on time…                                 The bikes line up at lunchtime

“Thanks once again John & Jen for yet another lovely holiday. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and it was lovely meeting old faces and getting to know new ones. Whilst the trip was marred by a couple of incidents that were not your fault, you dealt with them admirably which goes to show that you take pride in what you do and care for the people on the tour. The scenery and roads were fantastic and we look forward to coming on another Bike Normandy holiday” Barry & Lindy, VFR 800.

 

Take lunch in the shade…                                 Dinner the first night in Belgium

 

Our hotel in Belgium with bike parking opposite

 

A briefing each morning before we set off.                             Fabulous roads…

“Another great holiday with such beautiful scenery. Everything was up to your usual standard…obviously the hold-ups were beyond your control and I will look forward to coming on future tours.” Graham, CBR1000RR

“The roads were good, the hotels were very good and the scenery was stunning. The B500 was brilliant – it’s no wonder that it has a reputation – and generally traffic wasn’t too bad. The ride-out on the rest day (just the four bikes) was memorable, as was the trip to the waterfalls on the Rhine. The food was good, varied & nice – virtually all the plates were picked clean. I think you handled the incidents very well & was pleased to see how you followed up on the condition of the two men instead of forgetting about them once they were in hospital…” David S, CB1000RA

The group in Luxembourg with Viandan Castle in the background

 

Pretty scenery on the way to lunch in Germany

 

More great roads…                                           Our hotel in Baden Baden, Germany

 

Out on the town in Baden Baden

Fantastic scenery in the Black Forest

 

 

Visit the largest cuckoo clock in the World

  

Our hotel in the Southern Black Forest.   

 

Barbara celebrates her birthday !                              Superb views over the lake

 

On your day off – relax around the lake or take the steam train to Titisee

 Alternatively visit the stunning High Rhine Waterfalls in Switzerland

 

Only John & Jen and David S ride over to the Waterfalls 

Take a boat trip to get up close !

 

David S enjoying the traffic free roads in the Black Forest

 

Jen rides pillion taking photos of Andy “Big Boy”, then David B, David S & Andy

Brilliant roads to ride…

Barry with Chris W – should they really be let out on their own ?

 

Time for a few drinks before dinner…

 

Barry tells some tall stories !                       More fab scenery in the Black Forest

Group photo heading out of the Black Forest

 

Pretty villages…                                                                       hidden gems…

 

“Pan’s People” enjoying iced coffees…   Shaun & Chrys with Black Forest Gateaux

  

More spectacular scenery in the Vosges Mountains in France

 

Stop on top of a “Col” for lunch

 

John R exposes more hidden gems !

 

Barry keeps cool with the air pump down his trousers !         Drinks in Epinal

Final night – our hotel overlooks Pierrefonds Castle…          

 

Our last supper

 

Speeches during dinner…

 

Followed by jokes and Rita gives a demonstration of the “marker system” !

 

“The Penguin” finishes the evening !

 

Secure parking for the bikes….                                        John G gets a puncture !

 

Then Alan G gets a puncture – caused by a 6 inch nail !

Final lunch stop at Albert with time to visit the 1916 Museum

 

Graham enjoys his traditional cream cake !                        Fond farewells at Calais

 

 

There were two separate, serious accidents on this tour – the first time this has happened on a Bike Normandy European Tour. Both were “own fault” accidents with no-one else involved. Unfortunately this resulted in several late arrivals at our hotels which could not be helped. We would like to thank all participants on the tour for their assistance and patience whilst we dealt with the emergency services. We wish both Dennis and Ray a speedy recovery.

 

 

 

 

Picos, Pyrenees & Volcanoes Tour 14 – 21 July 2011

Fantastic views, great bunch of people, what more could you want ?

“Our third trip with Bike Normandy was everything we expected and more. The roads were brilliant, locations fantastic, scenery amazing, food tasty, our fellow travellers great fun to be with…and of course our hosts were wonderful. The tours are so well organised and the adventure keeps getting better and better with every one. Whatever tour we attend with Bike Normandy, it never fails to amaze us…wading through over 800 photos is keeping us on a high. Special thanks to John & Rita for keeping us all together”.  Jane & Steve, BMW K1200 LT

The luggage van meets you off the ferry…then straight onto the fabulous roads in the Picos.

” Thank you so much for a fantastic tour, as this was my first trip abroad it was better than I ever expected, all the hard work you both put in really shows – for me even the rain didn’t dampen the tour! The Picos, Pyrenees & Volcanoes tour is a brill experience with some brill people. Hope to see you next year…Bike Normandy fan Marty!” Marty, Suzuki GSX1400

Get to know each other over a few drinks… followed by dinner the first night.

“Just to say thanks to you both for another well researched and organised tour with good routes, lots of beautiful scenery, appropriate hotels and good stop off points. The most memorable moments for me were:- The Picos and Pyrenees Mountains of course. Roads with more hairpins than a forties hairdo; The Col d’Aubisque, scary enough on a motorbike…the Tour de France guys must be really tough and/or mad to cycle up and down it; The nightly pilgrimage at Lourdes, very moving whether you have a faith or not; The laughter and ribbing which never seemed to stop; Amazing how the current model of Goldwing goes round corners; Discovering that the only way to keep up with Jen is to be on a wet road and have half the air mysteriously disappear from her rear tyre – will remember this trick for next time! And finally the impromptu cabaret at the “Last Supper” – John & Rita’s diatribe on the various arm and hand signals used by the “markers”…and subsequent character assessment – or maybe that should be assassination – of those using them was brilliant! Regards ’til next time” Peter, BMW GS1200

John W swaps his wind-up spider for a bottle of wine…Riano lake by night

“Once again you have provided great roads, great company and lots of laughs…particularly enjoyed the Pyrenees…” Mick & Chris, Pan European

“Thank you both for a wonderful trip around the Picos, we really enjoyed the routes and, of course, the company was brilliant…” John & Mary, BMW GS1200

View from the top of Fuente De in the Picos

Fabulous views… pretty coffee stops…

Tapas in Spain…more fantastic roads…

Complete mixture of roads through the Picos…lift to underground parking in Logrono

“The Picos & Pyrenees tour was my second trip with Bike Normandy. After experiencing the quality of the first, delivered in such a professional way by Jen & John, there was no doubt that I would be back. It was just a question of when. The tour started with a meet up at the ferry port of Santander…after informal introductions, a briefing about the drop-off marker system and a fuel stop we were off out of Santander and into the Picos. From then on the tour just got better. Breathtaking scenery, mountain passes with hairpin bends and long sweeping curves through valleys. Regular stops for fuel and refreshments in interesting and picturesque locations ensured both bike, rider (and pillion) were kept in fine fettle. But the best bits were the routes. John & Jen place a lot of emphasis on research they undertake to plan the routes suitable for biking. Riding the routes just proves what a passion they both have for biking. Clearly they know what works and they take care to provide it. The other big plus is the facility to drop your luggage in the van…leaving the bike unencumbered and the rider free to enjoy the riding experience. John & Jen’s subtle and professional choreographing of the tour ensured all were able to enjoy the full experience, including social, cultural and most important of all, the riding. Would I go again? I have already booked the Monte Carlo tour for 2012. If it’s half as good as the Picos tour it will still be a great adventure. But it won’t be half as good, that’s because of the work that has been put into the background research and preparation for each tour. Cheers”  Rob Hughes, Honda Goldwing 1800  [wow, thanks Rob, see you next year! John & Jen]

Street entertainers in Logrono…morning briefing before we set off…

Day three – heading into the Pyrenees

Ride up to the top of the Col d’Aubisque

Meet the locals – no way down until the cattle move on…

Nightly pilgrimage at Lourdes

John & Mary light candles to remember lost friends…

John W & Jen with makeshift umbrellas !  Plenty of restaurants to choose from

Is Martin dressed for the rain or is he going to war ?

Impromptu music festival at Marciac…hotel nestling in the cliffs at Rocamadour

Dinner chez Anne-Marie at Rocamadour

Barbara & John R – John G & Steve with their new friends !

Sue just can’t stop laughing about Martin’s episode in the toilet !!

Stuart & Sam…                                                    Rocamadour by night

On top of the Puy Mary

Gorillas in the Mist !!

Cocktails with dinner at La Bourboule

The brave few venture out in the rain !         Lost in the Volcanoes !

Comfy enough ?                                                      Steve enjoys a meringue at coffee stop.

The Last Supper at Le Mans

We don’t know what was going on but there was definitely something in the water…

Sue & Martin…                                                          Rita & John…

Lyn & Ted with Rob looking for tips…           Rob gets in on the act !

Steve & Jane…                                                            Sam & Stuart

Richard can’t escape Sam & Lyn…                    then Sue joins in as well !

While Marty & Dave get friendly….                   John R tries it on with Traci !!

Even we get drawn in!  John & Rita give a fantastic demonstration of the marker system!

John & Barbara, Mick & Chris – a.k.a. “Pans People” enjoying the cabaret

Last day – heading back to the port

Our thanks go to everyone who made this such a great tour.

Special thanks to Steve for recovering many of the above photos from my corrupt SD card.

WW1, Belgium Ardennes & Luxembourg Tour 16 – 19 September 2010

The Tiger takes in the scenery !

“The whole tour was absolutely fantastic. The hotel accommodation and food were excellent, the roads you took us on were brilliant…you must love what you do as it was so well researched and executed. The King & Queen of bike tours, long may you both reign ! “
Tony, Triumph Tiger

We meet you at Calais

“This trip was a departure from our usual four days/
three nights at John & Jeanette’s farmhouse in Normandy. All the route planning, accommodation and sightseeing were organised by J&J and what an excellent job they did. It was obvious from the start that a lot of time and effort had been invested at the pre-planning stage to ensure we experienced brilliant biking roads as well as some magnificent scenery. The hotels they selected were perfect for our purposes, friendly staff, comfortable rooms, excellent food and well-stocked bars! I would have no hesitation in recommending Bike Normandy for this sort of trip…in fact we’re already thinking of another one next year”
Mike, Daytona 955i (on behalf of 9 riders from Kent IAM)

Gary gets a puncture on day 1

Theipval Memorial to the Missing

Mel in the trenches at the Newfoundland Cemetery

Lochnagar Crater

Last Post at the Menin Gate

The Menin Gate at Ypres

Chill out and enjoy the view

“Thanks, really enjoyable trip which will keep me going all winter but it struck me how professional you guys are…all your hard work in terms of twisties research, hotel location and quality, good grub etc – the roads were great and the marker system meant we could all ride how we wanted to which suited me down to the ground. Thanks again for a great riding experience – you’re the best.”
Alan, BMW Adventure

I swear the display said I had 28 miles left …
…Alan, who’s BMW ran out of fuel !!!

Now don’t spill any…

They’re all “Kwakers”

“Firstly, thank you for an excellent trip. It has been a long time since I have done a journey like this and did I miss a trick – yes I did. From the start you could tell the whole thing was very relaxed…the riding was steady and as described, you went at your own pace with no fear of getting lost or being left behind – nothing changed in this respect for all of the trip – perfect !! You guys have obviously done your homework very well and I can only say it was appreciated. As for the hotels, excellent. Local hospitality, local culture, just what I like. And the riding – great roads with one corner flowing to another…I haven’t had that much fun on a bike for years. Would I like to do it again sooner rather than later, yes I would…thanks again for the trip, the organisation, everything…”
Steve, Suzuki Marauder

Tony gives a speech during the last supper at Sedan

Mike commandeers a whole pot of wild boar !

Sedan Fort & Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial

WW2 sights – including Pegasus Bridge, Landing Beaches, St Nazaire, Oradour sur-Glane & the Falaise Gap

Hi John & Jen
I just wanted to say how fantastic the whole trip was
and I mean absolutely everything!
Thank you both! I can honestly say I have never
enjoyed a holiday so much. We’d like to book on the
Sancerre trip next year please – if you have spaces left!
Kind regards,
Sally Hurman (pillion TDM 900)

Dear John & Jen
Just like to say thanks for a great holiday which Janet and I enjoyed
immensely. Superb organization and attention to detail as usual.
All the best
Nigel & Janet Short (Harley)

Dear both,
It was all fantastic… everything that you mention in the email!
The balance of biking to sightseeing, hotel quality to food,
and that unpredictable factor, the group. Everybody gelled
and I think enjoyed the entire week. Great balance and variation
of ability. I hope that you too enjoyed the trip,
I know that you both worked very hard
but it was all appreciated, and a resounding success.
Please continue to organize such events and you will not have
problems filling them..it’ll be just the same and we’ll all be back!!
So include my name in your tours next year, I’ll definitely be there.
Tim Langford (Ducati Multistrada 1100)

Hi John and Jen
Just a quick note to say how much Chris and I enjoyed the tour.
The choice of sites was great with Oradour being particularly moving.
As usual the organisation was superb, the choice of hotels could not
have been better and as on our previous Sancerre trip with you last
year a great group of people. We did wonder if the group may have
been a bit large but, you managed to get us all round pretty much
on schedule so well done.
All the best and thanks again for a great tour.
Mick and Chris Warling (Pan European)

Dear John & Jen,
Firstly, it was absolutely great to meet you both for the WW11 tour which considering this was our first holiday of this type, we thought it was superb. I said at the time, when things go as smoothly as they did, it shows that a great deal of time, effort and planning has been done in preparation for the event which from our experiences of that week would be difficult to surpass. It is easy to see why you have clientele that return on a regular basis. We think we were very lucky also to be a part of the group we were with; the whole group seemed to gel right from the start and we for sure we will be joining you on another of your trips in the near future. Below is some feed back on your specific questions: The hotels were fantastic and the locations were lovely particularly the Two Magots: the meals were superb. Parking facilities were brilliant; I never had any fear for the safety of the bike, in fact I never even used the disk lock not to mention the chain that we took also. All of the sights visited were interesting and thought provoking, particularly Oradour and Montormel. For me Oradour was one of the most moving historical monuments I have ever seen. Marker system; Brilliant, I’ve never seen the system work so well Value for money; Prior to the event we though it perhaps a little expensive but having experienced the experience, absolutely no problems with the price. Once again thanks for a brilliant time. Many thanks
Peter Wright (TDM 900)

I truly had a super time, enjoyed every minute, even taking the wrong turning out of one of the towns just to prove that the marker system was infallible!!
Altogether it was a great trip very well thought out and planned. How much time is involved in sorting out all those cross-country roads is quite something. Generally good value hotels and the food excellent, especially the last evening. All the guys taking part were great company even those high speed sods who wanged past just as I WAS HAVING A QUIET DOZE AND ADMIRING THE COUTRYSIDE.
Thanks both of you for a great time, look forward to another trip. Au revoir for now
Geoff Bishop (CBF 600).

(One of the “high speed sods…” complete with rear gunner!)
Just a quick note to thank you for another “fantastic” holiday and tour. Traci and I really enjoyed the trip; making new friends, the scenery, meals and general relaxed atmosphere. Hopefully it will not be so long again until we book for another trip. All the best,
Dave & Traci Wakefield (Hayabusa)

Intro to Arromanches

Hard work this sightseeing!		John gets the high chair!

Dinner at Bayeaux

		Coffee stop en-route
On board the submarine		“take her down captain”

642 inhabitants massacred at Oradour-Sur-Glane

Always time for a beer…

Dinner at Oradour-Sur-Glane

John & Barbara lead the attack!! “Bike Normandy” support vehicle

Rouen Armada including Honfleur & Monet’s House & Gardens at Giverny – July 2008

If you’re reading this and didn’t come on the tour
then you missed a treat!

“Dear John & Jen, hope you are both well, just a short email to say a very
big thank you. It is very difficult to express my gratitude to you both for
a fantastic few days. The whole trip was superb, from our first meeting
at the ferry to our departure (which came too soon). Before booking
with you I read through the testimonials from previous tours and
I can now confirm what your previous customers say FANTASTIC.
It was our first time with Bike Normandy but it certainly will not be
our last. The whole trip (Rouen Armada) was so professionally organised
and coupled with your fantastic hospitality was a joy from start
to finish. I feel it also worth mentioning the rest of the people
on the tour who were a delight to ride with, it so much
reminded me of the old saying ‘There are no strangers, just friends
you are yet to meet’ they truly were a great bunch…

Many thanks and look forward to seeing you both on our next visit.”
“Rochdale” AKA Tom & Peter AKA Mel Gibson

“Thank you ever so much again for a really superb break –
a really balanced experience – superbly planned, excellently executed
and fantastic value for money – please put my name down for the next Armada in
2013 – however, I look forward to seeing you again many times before then.”
Daffyd Phillips, Oxon

Grand Turk – UK		Amerigo Vespucci – Italy
Tenacious – UK		Pont Gustave Flaubert – 6th Bridge
		Cuauhtemoc – Mexico
Sorlandet – Norway		Cisne Branco – Brazil
Ride-out to Honfleur		Memorable Headstone
JR Tolkein – Holland		Cuauhtemoc at dusk
Normandy Weather!		Let the music play on…
Mexican officers & crew provide		the on-board entertainment!
Nightly firework displays		Cuauhtemoc at night
Water Lilies at Monet’s Gardens
Monet’s House at Giverny		Lunch at La Roche-Guyon
Château de La Roche-Guyon		JR Tolkein – Holland
Tea & Cake Stop		I spy…
The Last Supper!		Are you really going to eat those snails?

“Rochdale” aka “Mel Gibson look-alike” hadn’t decided whether he’d come dressed
as the restaurant curtains or Monet’s pixels on the Cathedral!!

“Rochdale” insisted there was a lone hair somewhere on his chest!!!

Discover Rouen by night

Monet’s pictures in pixels on the Cathedral		Playing with fire…

Le Gros-Horlage

Le Vieux Marché – the Old Market Place

The Joan of Arc Cathedral
The next Rouen Armada will take place in 2013.
Book your places now!!
More pictures from the 1th July Parade as the ships
leave for Liverpool and the start of the
Tall Ships Race

		Christian Radich – Norway – at dawn
Pogoria – Poland		Sorlandet – Norway
Cuauhtemoc – Mexico – at dawn		Pont Flaubert fully open
Statsraad Lehmkukl – Norway		Mir – Russia
Thalassa – Holland		Amerigo Vespucci – Italy
Amerigo Vespucci – Italy		Crowds gather to watch the parade
JR Tolkein – Holland		Atlantis – Netherlands

Mexican crew get ready to depart

What everybody’s been waiting for…
Cuauhtemoc sets sail with crew up the masts!

Entertainment everywhere

Châteaux & Sancerre Tour 21-27 May 2008

“I would like to agree with what a few people have already said on your website. It is one of the most enjoyable tours I have done and as Anne mentioned before we left it was the most enjoyable trip she has done.

In my opinion the most important aspect of any bike holiday is the roads and you certainly picked really good ones. I’ve not ridden so many good roads back to back for a week before. It’s obvious you must have spent a lot of time researching the routes we travelled.

Next on my list is good accommodation and good food. Your trip ticked both those boxes. Last on my list which you can’t easily control, but we were lucky with, was the very friendly group of people making the trip and the glorious weather.

I was also very impressed with the drop off system you use which was new to me. It worked extremely well with virtually no chance of anyone getting lost. I also liked the way you both were happy to adjust the riding pace dependant on how the first bike in the chain wanted to go. This avoided any pressure on riders to maintain a certain pace but ensured those that wanted to could “push on” when they wanted.

Both Anne and I will not hesitate to book another trip with you and I will definitely try one of your weekend breaks based at your home. I can’t wait to get my Fireblade on the amazing roads you know. I suppose I should actually answer the questions you asked so here goes:

• Hotels and Restaurants were very good. The best were superb and the others were still very good.
• Anne did enjoy the Chateaux visits but I was there for the riding. I think I might have mentioned that a few times during the trip…
• Stops were ok for me but since one couple needed an unscheduled visit behind a hedge perhaps they might need to be slightly more often. I suppose it depends how much you drink the night before.
• There can never be enough drinking time on a trip but as we need to fit in sleep, eating and riding it was fine for me.
• Bike parking was excellent.
• How can the roads, hotels and food you provided not be good value. I never heard a single word from anyone that suggested any part of the trip was not good, both in quality and value.

These answers are not meant to suggest I get a free holiday, they’re simply the truth. I have not been on any previous trip – and I’ve done dozens – where the hosts were as good as you two.
Best Regards and thanks.”

Allan & Anne Gray, Honda Blackbird, Essex

Tiger Tank en route

Lunch Break

“The tour organised by Jen and John was very enjoyable and good fun, I would highlight the following reasons why.

Every day we were presented with terrific routes of, mainly rural, good biking roads that had obviously been thoroughly researched and planned beforehand. Stringing together such consistently good routes is not an accident; it must have taken a huge effort to locate them all.

Worth mentioning is our hosts use of the ‘drop off’ system of organising a group run, with a leader at the front and a sweeper at the back, it ensures that no one gets lost, everybody can travel at their own pace and even overtake if they so wish. In my opinion, so much better than some operators, who simply give their guests a map with a cheery ‘see you in the bar tonight’ to get them through the day.

We stayed mainly in family run typically French, character Hotels, which gave us a better flavour of La Belle France.

The support van was a godsend as luggage could be taken off the bike and also providing a convenient place to dump leathers and helmets at stops and when visiting Châteaux’s and wine centres.

We were fortunate to have a disparate group of interesting people who very quickly gelled into a fun loving, noisy rabble, who also happened to be good company so there was plenty of laughter, piss taking and general ribaldry.

Thanks to John and Jen for organising such a great time and I for one will be more than willing to go on another tour organised by Bike Normandy.”

– Peter Rankin, the SAGA lout, BMW, 1200GS

Chill out at Chambord		Chambord Château
One of many laughs…		Sancerre Wine Cave

“The beauty of the Bike Normandy tours is that everything is organised and led for you, this leaves you to concentrate on, and enjoy, what you are there for – the biking.

The routes and hotels are planned and booked for you so you just roll up each day after enjoying the great country roads, change and meet in the bar/pool/restaurant and talk and laugh about your day, and enjoy the company.

The ‘drop off’ system with a leader at the front and a sweeper at the back works and you travel at your own pace. The support van was an excellent idea, providing the ease of dumping gear and touring Châteaux’s cool and encumbered

Thanks Shifty John and the fast Lady for organising such a great holiday. You would never have known this was the first time for them for this type of holiday, and Pans people will be going again. We will also be joining another of their short breaks as the last of those was brill also.”
– John and Barbara(von) Rasch, Pan European

Wine Introduction…		Wine Induction!
Ding Dong!		Open Wide…
Knights of Sancerre!		Cooling Off

“Thanks once again for a great tour. A fantastic holiday with superb rides, great company, good food and top class organisation. We will be back.”
– Mick and Chris Warling, Pan European, Kent

Will this meringue fit in my mouth? Yes!!

“Just to say that I enjoyed the whole trip. It was very well organized, good company and wonderful roads. I will be looking at your website next year and you may very well see me again.”
– Graham Mincher, GSXR 750

Chédigny Rose Festival

Secure Parking – behind locked gates		More Boozing!
Not really here for the Châteaux!		Coffee Stop
Hotel at Gacé		Peter had told his wife he was on a SAGA holiday!!