The Group in Luxembourg – a wet tour but a great bunch of guests still made for a fun trip
We start with a briefing at Calais
Bye bye Russ – his Ducati has broken down !
“Hi both, as a newbie and on my first tour I was a little apprehensive as to what to expect, but I needn’t have worried. Every single thing about the tour was excellent…winding roads, fun company, yummy food and amazing hotels. At a group dinner one evening, we were all rolling around in absolute hysterics … and this was a group of people who had only known each other a few days! (Some people have a very naughty sense of humour I have found out – you know who you are!! J)
The trip was a massive amount of fun and yes it rained, but overall, it only added to the experience. John and Jen have thought through every detail which is incredibly reassuring and they are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everyone has a great time. I want to say a massive thank you to them both xx
Here’s to the next trip (although we have a little way to go before we get to the heady heights of the top of the leaderboard!)
Rachel Collins, 1st tour, pillion with Greg on Kawasaki Z1000SX, Surrey
Bill’s taking no chances…
We have NEVER before held a briefing indoors!
It’s raining !!
“Hi folks, – from Clare – “I didn’t think I’d love touring on the back of a bike – in fact, was worried – but I absolutely did.” We had a really great time! Reminded me a little of ducks on the water, we all blithely go from place to place smiling, eating and having fun, while the pair of you put in all of the effort behind the scenes. Great choices of hotels, lovely roads and brilliant hosts. As soon as we can find the money and the time we’ll be along again!”
Adam Roylance & Clare Lusher, 1st tour, BMW R1200GS, Derbyshire
Morning coffee stop
John’s leading the tour
We ALWAYS regroup before & after any motorway
“Our kit may have been dampened but our spirits were not! We had a great time. See you next year”
Greg (2nd tour) & Rachel (1st tour) Collins, Kawasaki Z1000SX, Surrey
Lunch stop & it’s stopped raining
A fete is taking place
Street artists
“Great pics, thanks Jen. It was all so lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves – as always. You two are THE BEST!” [scroll to the end to read Fran’s “Autumn Glory Diary”]
Terry (12th trip) & Fran (8th trip) Stanfield, Triumph Sprint GT, Hampshire
Leaving lunch
Dry roads…
There were some !
So who DIDN’T see the huge wild boar ???
“It was another splendid tour and a lovely group of people to share it with. The weather helped add to the fun of it and memories helped by the hotel letting us use his boiler room to dry off the kit worked a treat. The pools and hotels as always did not disappoint and the monastery was a real added treat at the end of the trip. Look forward to meeting up with you again. Thanks again.”
Lynne Wareing, 7th trip, Triumph Street Twin, Greater Manchester
Bill, Ron & Gary
FINALLY they get it !!
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
So who can guess the vegetable?
Gary’s played before !!
Van carries all your luggage
Always a morning briefing
“Hi John and Jen, I know the review is now live on the web-site, but I just wanted to add my comments on what was a great tour. As a ’newbie’ I was somewhat apprehensive as to what I was getting into…especially as I was travelling alone!! Meeting a few of the group at the Ibis in Calais and going out to dinner with them was lovely as they all made me very welcome and we had a nice dinner and a chance to get to know a few of the group. Terry and Fran were especially friendly, and I had a similar sense of humour to Greg and Rachael, so I relaxed immediately!!
The hotels were all very different and all really good. The food at all was excellent. The [secret] museum hotel was of course the ‘piece de resistance’…I had the pool and the spa to myself on Thursday morning, the super friendly receptionist let me check out at 12:00 if I wanted…As I mentioned, I will definitely do another tour…but such choice, what a problem! Once again, many thanks for a superb trip.”
Keith Warrington, 1st tour, BMW R1250RT, Hertfordshire
View at coffee stop
All the bikes at coffee stop
Not much business today
Smells so good !!
Wet roads again…
Shame as these are great roads
Afternoon coffee stop
The hardy ones! We’re missing four who gave up at lunchtime & went straight to the hotel
At the hotel it’s straight in the pool…
The best way to warm up!
Lynne takes a pummeling!
It’s a fab pool
Drinks in the hotel bar
Many choose to dine here
Next day – blue skies!
Lovely scenery
More great roads
Fab open sweepers
We ride through vineyards
On dry roads !!
Gorgeous scenery
Ride alongside the Mosel
Seen at fuel stop
Through pretty villages
Lunch stop
Super architecture
Pavement parking
Demolition works
John leads on our Street Triple R
Greg & Rachel – Kawasaki Z1000SX
Tony on his BMW R1200RT
Gordon & Alison – BMW R1250GS
Adam & Clare – BMW R1200GS
Bill – Yamaha FJR1300
Lynne – Triumph Street Twin
Keith – BMW R1250RT
Stuart – Triumph Tiger 800
David – Yamaha Tracer 900
John – Yamaha Thunderace
Gary – Triumph Explorer
Bryn – KTM 1290 Adventure
Ron – BMW R1200GSA
Terry & Fran – Triumph Sprint GT
Fab DRY roads !!
Bryn
Lynne
Coffee stop
We pass a deer farm
Approaching our hotel
Jen with Adam & Clare
Dinner is included tonight
The next day is a day off
Explore the old town
Take a boat trip
Visit the castle
The van is clamped – 10 euros !!
We’re given a peach tree
Ready for the off…unfortunately Adam & Clare’s BMW broke down later & they had to call breakdown
Pretty coffee stop
Lovely autumn colours
Lunch stop
Leaving lunch
More good roads
Approaching our hotel
Our final hotel
A surprise in store
Another lovely pool
A real pummeling !
Lynne
Stuart
Drinks before dinner
Keith with Greg & Rachel
John, Tony & David
Rachel, Ron & Gary
Dinner is included our last night
John says a few words of thanks…
to Terry & Fran our fab “back-markers”
Fran has a poem for us all
We’re presented with ducks!!
Gordon takes a turn
Then John shows Gordon…
How to waft a towel !!
Alison’s not impressed !!
The van has two passengers!
Our final morning briefing
All back to Calais
| Fran’s “Autumn Glory Diary” | |
| S is for Saturday`s start of the tour. Soaked well before the wind swept sixty! St Quentin lunch and afternoon sweepers to arrive in sunny Sedan. | |
| Sunday – no rest – sweepers in the sodding rain – some gloves binned – sodden and sick of it, but saved by the boiler room. | |
| M is for Monday and memories made: magic road surfaces, meandering views, Mosel vineyards, meal at hotel – well masticated and lubricated – and much joy at staying dry. Marvellous! | |
| Tuesday lie ins and lazy breakfasting – travel and treats, trains, castle and cable cars, curry wurst or cake – too much choice! | |
| W is for Wednesday – winding roads wet on and off, chilly wind, wayside stops – sad goodbyes – cake and a wet, wet, wet surprise! | |
| Thursday brings thank yous and thoughts of new tours, things to remember – and things to forget – thrills – no spills – but thorough satisfaction at such a pleasing tour. | |
| P S We loved every minute – great roads, good company, lovely hotel experiences and brilliant organisation as always. Thanks John and Jen. Love from Terry and Fran.
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| Thank you Fran for your great contribution!
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Thanks to everyone for making the best of some poor weather and still having a great time. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen. |
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