4 x 4 (Four Nights in Four Countries) – on Motorbikes! – July 2013
The group in France
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“Thanks again for a fantastic tour. The hotels were brilliant, the roads were brilliant and the organisation was, as always, brilliant. Fortunately the sun was also “brilliant” for all five days.
Dry, twisty roads in Europe…you can’t beat it. Well done to both of you. Looking forward to seeing you again on the Monte Carlo Tour in September”
Ken Cullern (7th trip), Suzuki GSXR 750
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Tony leaves it to the last minute to fill in his paperwork! After a pre-tour briefing we set off from Calais
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“Thanks for the 4×4 Tour – I must sound like a broken record with these reviews but the trip was excellent. It was very well organised, the roads were fantastic, the hotels were very good, as was the company. This is yet another of your trips that I will probably do again the next time you run it”
Allan Gray (14th trip!), BMW S1000RR
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Tony, Chris, Graham & Pete, with the bikes all parked up for lunch
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“Thanks for a great riding holiday – best track day I’ve ever been on and it lasted for a whole five days!!”
Nigel Short (10th trip), KTM 990R Supermoto
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“Thank you both very much for a fantastic biking trip, it was superbly organised by both of oyu and on the strength of that I would like to book on your Black Forest Tour in August 2014 – if there are any spaces left!”
Andy Goodrick, Triumph Tiger 1050
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“Thank you once again for your guidance on the 4×4 tour – excellent roads, places visited, food & very warm weather. Taking home some nice memories. Will be back again sometime soon!”
Bradley Hart, Yamaha Super Tenere
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Very serious business this game of cards!
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“Thanks again for the excellent 4×4 trip – had a really good time & everything was up to the usual great standard. Sorry I got lost again but at least it was on the roads this time [previously Chris has got lost in the hotel!] and proves the drop-off system works well!! Best regards”
Chris Lee (3rd trip), CBR600F
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“It goes without saying that we, the “Birmingham 6″ had a great time. Pete’s accident put a dampener on things until we heard he was OK and going home the next day – from then on we were back on track and enjoying the riding and company to the full. From me personally and being used to organising long and short distance trips, I thought that the routes were great…the selection of hotels and locations was superb…the food at both hotels where we had evening meals was to die for – duck and wild boar are now on the menu! The scenery in the Mosel and Rhine valleys was spectacular and even more so in the fine weather we endured as it did get a bit hot at times! Great to have met you both and experienced one of your tours…many thanks”
Roger Edwards, Triumph Explorer
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Andy finds the best way to cool down in the heat!
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“Thanks for another great tour, this was my 11th time with you so you must be doing something right. I thought the 4×4 was one of your best and would happily do it again. Brilliant riding roads through lovely countryside. As always you picked good quality hotels and most of all excellent company and lots of laughs…Ken absolutely made the last night with his repertoire of jokes. No wonder I keep coming back to Bike Normandy for more…see you in September for the Monte Carlo tour…can’t wait!”
Andy Biggs (11th trip), Kawasaki ZZR 1400 “BGll BOY”!
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“Appreciation from myself and I’m sure all the other guys from the Midlands to say thank you for looking after our “SIX” and an enjoyable trip – really good with good organising, great roads and more importantly good company. Totally shattered so the routes must have been good! Will inform some of the guys who like to go to the Continent every year and hopefully bring some business your way…best regards”
Graham Pearman, VFR 1000
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“Just to say thank you for the great 4×4 trip. Looked at my photos today and they made me smile – thanks”
Adey McDowell (4th trip), Triumph Tiger 1050
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Our hotel the first night in Belgium
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Drinks before dinner then our first evening meal together
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Breakfast in Belgium before our morning briefing
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We stop to refuel – but where’s Chris? Having ridden past a “marker” Chris is soon brought back to the group!
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Chris on his CBR 600F
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The prettiest coffee stops – now in Germany
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Nigel & Ken seek out the shade…the Maastricht Zundapp Club arrive in town
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Graham chills-out at coffee stop…Ken, Allan, Nigel & John
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Bradley, Adey & Andy B, … Chris, Graham & Tony
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Alan K, Steve (a.k.a.”Bobby Ball”), Roger, Pete S, Pete C & Andy G…our hotel in Cochem, Germany
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Beers all round on our arrival
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More drinks before dinner…we hit the red wine!
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We wander into town and spot Allan, Ken & Nigel (Andy B missing) up on a restaurant balcony
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Help please! What does this one mean ??? Graham wants some dressing with his salad
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“Come into my bar!” Chris and the lads hit the town!
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The group in Germany (Tony & Pete S missing)
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Fabulous view of the Rhine before we stop for coffee at Boppard
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We move on to lunch at Bernkastel – gorgeous cherry waffle !
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Our hotel in Luxembourg
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Another very welcome beer!
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Alan & Steve take a stroll up to the Castle
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Nigel enjoying dessert! Our hotel by night
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The group in Luxembourg
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Viandan Castle, Luxembourg, then we move into the Belgian Ardennes
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The group in Belgium
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At our hotel in France, drinks before dinner
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Our final dinner together
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Nigel is presented with his “Been there, done it 10 times” Bike Normandy t-shirt !
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Then the jokes start – Ken goes first, then Jen, followed by…
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Ken…then Alan K, followed by…
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Ken again! then Roger, followed by…
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Andy B…followed by…
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KEN again !!…then Allan G, followed by…
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The Bike Normandy Players ! “How much? £10 for two beers!!” Nigel takes the stage followed by…
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Steve – a.k.a. “Bobby Ball”, then Jen again, followed by…
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Allan again, then Bradley (sorry for dark pic Brad), followed by…
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Steve & Alan perform a double act…Alan then gives a solo performance!
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We get to see the Penguin joke yet again – and this time John drops his boxers !!
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Our hotel sits alongside the Fort in Sedan
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With secure parking for the bikes in the hotel garage
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Another great tour…great company, great roads, good hotels, plenty of food & drink & not a drop of rain all week. We’re flattered to see so many repeat customers on the tour and pleased everyone had such a good time. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours – John & Jen.