Black Forest & Vosges Mountains Tour 25 – 31 July 2012
A really fun group made this another memorable tour as evidenced by the photos below – we don’t think a review has ever had so many!
“Well, what can I say. The Black Forest Tour was superb. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Never had so much fun with my trousers on! The organisation exceeded your usual high standards and everything went very smoothly. The use of the van made daily traveling much easier. The balance of riding & leisure time was spot on and it was nice to have a rest day. You deserve a lot of credit for planning out such superb routes and roads, something for everyone. Very well done! (P.S. I’ve attached a booking form for the Monte Carlo or Bust Tour 2013 and sent you the deposit…)” Ken Cullern, GSXR 750 .
A briefing before we set off Riding into Belgium
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Our hotel in the Ardennes Ray & Dawn relax in the garden
.“We have just completed the Black Forest 2012 Tour which has all the elements of an amazing tour. High standards of hotels with plenty of character, excellent food, amazing routes with brilliant roads and stunning scenery. All blended together with Bike Normandy magic which is John & Jen! It was great to meet up with good friends from previous tours and meet new ones. We always know we are in good hands when we ride with you and have no hesitation in booking our next tour in 2013. The Black Forest Tour is Wunderbar!!!!! Danke Schon!” Kath & Chris Adams, BMW K1200RT .
Pete brings the beers & we all enjoy pre-dinner drinks
.“Just wanted to thank you for a great week. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it. The research that you do into the trips obviously does the job 100% – well done – a credit to both of you. Once again many thanks” Paul Horton, Honda VFR800 .
Dinner is served in the hotel conservatory
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“A well thought out and organised tour, travelling superb roads with spectacular views and scenery. Would recommend the tour to anyone…thanks for yet another spectacular tour – long may they continue”
Ken & Sue Wright, Triumph Tiger 1050
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Early morning mist in the valley – the view from our hotel
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“Martin & I had the best time, everyone was so lovely and I don’t think I stopped giggling all week. The roads are just perfect for getting the most out of the bike – something we can never do at home – Martin was like a Cheshire cat all week. Germany is just like I imagined, beautiful scenery, wiggly roads, clean, colourful and every house looked like something from a chocolate box. We couldn’t have asked for better weather…I now officially look like a piece of Black Forest Gateau!!!! but I don’t care, it was so yummy and worth every pound I put on…My childhood dream wish was granted when my cuckoo clock arrived 3 days after we got home. Thank you for another fabulous holiday, I can’t thank you enough, all your hard work and effort made everything perfect. It’s the little details that make the best memories! Oh – and I beat you Jen on the toboggan run! Yaayyy! Ha Ha!”
Sue Dunn & Martin Askem, BMW GS1150
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Bikes parked behind the hotel Ready for the off… . “Just wanted to say what a great time we had on the tour. We were a little concerned when we spoke at the NEC & Jen said most of the people on the tour had met on previous tours and we were the only new faces, but it quickly became obvious that no matter who we spoke to we were welcomed into conversations, meals and drinks. It is hard to imagine the amount of work that must go into researching these tours but it showed in the smooth running throughout. I had never ridden to the marker system before but it was second nature before we had left Calais and not having to worry about navigating or keeping up with the person in front made for a safe and relaxing ride. Even when you were forced to deviate off your route due to deviations or cycle races it was taken in your stride. The hotels were all well chosen and situated. Anyway, a brilliant time with a great group of people and of course a wonderful pair of backmarkers! Thanks and hope to see you again soon” Keith & Mary Hillier, Yamaha XJR 1300
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Mary & John with cream cakes Rita & John – our “back-markers”
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We had loads of fun on the 2012 Black Forest Tour, many thanks to John & Jen for putting together such a terrific package of accommodation and great biking roads. Everyone on the tour seemed to get on so well, it was enjoyable to ride with such a friendly bunch of people. The evening meals included in the tour were superb, and the Black Forest Gateaux surpassed our expectations.
Put simply “another absolutely brilliant holiday with Bike Normandy””
Steve & Jean Canning, Yamaha FJR1300.
There’s only one way to cool down in 40 degree temperatures !
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“We’d like to say thank you again for another exceptionally well-organised bike tour, with some wonderful scenery, lovely food & a great bunch of fellow bikers (where do you get them from?) What fun we all had and Ray laughed so much he wet himself -no he didn’t – but he said he hasn’t laughed so much since the last trip! John & Rita did another fantastic job of keeping us all on the right track & ensuring no-one went astray. A huge thank you to one and all! Best wishes and many thanks”
Dawn & Ray Pierre, BMW 1200RT
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Our hotel in Baden-Baden Ray with a rather large beer!
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Baden-Baden by night Breakfast in the morning sun
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“Fantastic tour, well organised, great bunch of people creating a warm & friendly atmosphere. As a pillion and first time on a Bike Normandy tour it delivered very interesting locations, well balanced ratio between riding and free time. Having the back-up van was a godsend for off-loading the riding gear. The “2nd man drop-off” is a must for me – I’d rather look at scenery than a map. The group meals with wine included made it fun and exceptionally great value for money. The extensive research that you do beforehand is apparent in the outcome of the tour, along with the thoughtful little touches that make a big difference i.e. welcome drink, ice creams and cold shower at the car wash!”
Paul & Sue Newman, BMW 1200GS
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Fantastic scenery in the Black Forest
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Regroup at the end of the B500 Paul & Pete pull in
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Coffee at Freudenstadt
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Mary & Keith enjoying ice-creams
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Visit the largest cuckoo clock in the world
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As the clock plays Edelweiss, John E & Sue D attempt a waltz!
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Thousands of cuckoo clocks to choose from at Triberg lunch stop
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The prettiest scenery
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Drinks at our hotel in Schluchsee Sue & Paul Newman
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The view over lake Schluchsee – and an even better view of Pete & Paul!
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Steve & Jean, Rita & John G Mary & John W, Ray & Dawn
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John E, Robert & Janet, Sue & Paul Sue & Ken, Kath & Chris & Ken C
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Keith & Mary, Sue & Martin Ted & Lyn with Pete & Paul
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All enjoying the fabulous Black Forest Gateau as Paul demonstrates!
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Sue with Ted Paul with Lyn
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The fun & games start – first Sue N – then Chris joins in !
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John E tries to remember how to fold a chicken!
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For some reason Ray thinks he’s Napoleon & Mary H turns into a belly-dancer!
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Lyn with Mary H Martin, Pete & Paul
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Martin & Sue with a very attentive Pete! Sue – our WI “flower of the month” !
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What an evening! Luckily the next day was a rest day!
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On a ride-out to Switzerland Pete & John W Paul, Martin & Pete
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Martin, John W, John & Rita Fab open roads
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The wonderful High Rhine waterfalls in Switzerland
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(Paul missing – sorry!) The brave few take the boat across to the falls
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Steve finally gets his wish – to go “back-marker”! John & Rita, Martin, Pete
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Back at the hotel chill out in the pool The steam train to Tittisee
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Chris & Kath – proud to be Welsh! Always a morning briefing
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A drizzly start as we head out of the Black Forest
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Clear skies as we stop for coffee and CAKES !!!!
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Sue & Martin Keith, Sue & Mary
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Pete & Paul Ted
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Steve, Dawn & Ray, Jean John E, John & Rita, Jen
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More superb scenery as we head into the Vosges Mountains
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John & Rita bring up the rear as we climb the Col
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At the top take the ski lift up & come down in a toboggan! Are we mad?
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Sue & Ken – who almost forget to raise the barrier !
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Sue D, Sue & Paul Mary H & Jean are the first to brave the descent!
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Followed by Sue & Paul Sue D gets off to a flying start to beat Jen!
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Jen would rather be on her GSXR 750! Ken & Sue
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John E makes it down safely – but where’s Pete ???
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Pete “gets his knee down” flying off the toboggan!
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John & Mary Watson (Soon to be!) Sue & Ken Wright
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Chris & Kath Adams Vosges Mountains
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Ken Cullern with his GSXR 750
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Heading out of the Vosges Drinks at Epinal
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More pretty lunch stops
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Our hotel at Pierrefonds Drinks with the castle in the background
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Just what are Ken & Chris up to ?
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Our last dinner together at Pierrefonds
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Paul’s got all options covered! Then spins a tune on his wine glass
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Soon everyone is having a go! Sue skillfully describes the various “markers”!
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Ken W gives a thank-you speech Ken C takes the stage as the resident comedian!
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The jokes continue – John G as “the Pope” followed by Steve
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John W takes his turn then John E gives another rendition of the “Penguin”
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The spectacular view of Pierrefonds Castle from our hotel.
Breakfast at Pierrefonds on our last day
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More cakes! We do worry about these two!
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A really fantastic trip for us too – we look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours.