Black Forest & Vosges Mountains Tour 17 – 23 June 2013
The group in the Vosges Mountains
*
“Excellent trip – great roads, superb hotels, nice food and a bunch of nice people. As ever, your care in preparation, the marker system with back-up van, and you guys (including John & Rita) make for a brilliant trip. Thank you – I look forward to booking on another tour”
Nick Strapp, BMW 1200RT
*
“We would like to thank you again for an awesome Black Forest Tour. What a great route and a fantastic way to see such a beautiful part of the world. Having the van with us carrying luggage really allowed us to ride the bikes unhindered on great roads. A big thanks to John & Rita too for extra back-up. A few weeks have passed and we are still thinking of the lovely hotels, riding, people and adventure that was The Black Forest Tour. Many thanks”
Ian & Sarah Hill, Triumph Rocket lll
*
Ready for the off…an overcast start in Calais All the bikes lined up at lunchtime
*
“Many thanks for another great week, thoroughly enjoyed the tour again and knackered when I got home. The rides through the Ardennes, Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains were the high points for me, the scenery was beautiful (perhaps I should have taken a few more photos rather than charging on!) The accommodation was very comfortable and the food was good, there were some very pleasant balmy evening meals outside which is always a treat. I thought the organisation was slick even when the weather threw in some googlies – heaven that was hot! Thanks again”
Rod Wrenn, Triumph Explorer
*
Rod & Nick at afternoon coffee stop Nigel, Mark, Rob, Tim & Terry
*
“Thanks for a great trip, as they say “Carlsberg don’t do bike trips, but if they did……..”
I will leave the others to talk about the great roads, organisation, company etc. but what is harder to describe is the “added value” that going with you brings. It makes a real difference and puts everybody’s minds into “holiday mode”. We will be back”
Kevin & Sandra Boot, Pan European ST1300
*
Mark & Karen David, Sarah & Ian, Joy
*
“Many thanks once again for another great trip. The group were all so easy to get on with and we thoroughly enjoyed their company, as we say “like minded people”. The roads you use were an excellent mix and great to ride – we’d never find them on our own! Cheers for now”
Vic & Jackie Hill, Triumph Trophy
*
Our hotel in the Ardennes
*
“A great tour – it lived up to all my expectations. Thanks for all the effort you put into researching so many challenging and thrilling roads, after all it’s the riding we come for! Wonderful days and chilled evenings made for a brilliant week away. The planning, hotels and luggage van made it all stress free – at least for us! Hope to see you again in 2014”
Nigel Billingsley, Kawasaki ZX6R
*
Drinks before dinner – Paul & Janis, Rita & John Rod enjoys a beer
*
“Many thanks for a great tour, I had a great time. Trying to add the B500 to my route to work, but it’s proving a bit tricky!”
Terry Blumire, Honda 954cc Fireblade
*
All the “single” boys Sarah, Jackie & Vic, Ian
*
“Had a fantastic time – great roads, good food, great company and above all a really good laugh from beginning to end. Marker system, especially our backmarkers and your organisation were great as usual even under difficult circumstances. Balance just right between riding & coffee breaks etc…all in all it was great. We’re all looking forward to the next “Tour or weekend at your farmhouse” Cheers”
Mark Smiles, Triumph Speed Triple
*
Dinner the first night – here’s to a great holiday !
*
“Thank you so much for making our week a great one! Excellent tour with fantastic roads, great group of people, lovely food & hotels. The marker system works a treat & many thanks to John & Rita as back-markers. The van was a real asset & we’d have been lost without it! We look forward to seeing you next year”
Mark & Karen Hughes, Aprilia Tuono V4R
*
The other end of the table…clearly Kevin didn’t have enough dessert !
*
Drinks after dinner – Vic & Jackie with David & Joy; Kevin & Sandra with Janis & Rita
*
All the boys Karen & Mark
*
The fabulous view from our hotel
*
Breakfast in the hotel conservatory
*
Our pink ladies! Rita, Sandra & Janis Always a morning briefing before we set off
*
*
Lunch stop – what a whopper !
*
Jackie’s never seen such a big one !
*
After a lengthy diversion delays our arrival in Baden-Baden the beers are just what we need !
*
Our hotel in Baden-Baden with Ian’s Rocket lll parked outside
*
Dinner at Baden-Baden – Vic & Jackie’s group Tim, Mark & Rob
*
Breakfast al-fresco in Baden-Baden
*
Our morning briefing then we fill up before setting off on the famous B500
*
*
*
The fabulous scenery for those who missed it !! Re-group at the end of a section of the B500
*
Pretty coffee stop
*
How many cakes Rita ??
*
More great roads en-route to lunch
*
Paul & Janis with ice creams before we head off to see the largest cuckoo clock in the world
*
We see the cuckoo strike 4.00pm before a group photo (Paul missing)
*
*
We pay a euro to hear Edelweiss and John & Rita take to the floor with a waltz
*
Our hotel in the Southern Black Forest with a welcome beer on arrival
*
Under the pretext of feeling his shorts material Janis just can’t help touching Nick’s thighs, bum…
*
A familiar theme – the boys & beers ! You need eyes in the back of your head when Mark’s around !
*
Rita with Joy & David Vic, Ian, Sarah & Jackie
*
Warm enough for dinner outside
*
The next day being a free day some join the ride-out to Switzerland
*
The Boys on the Black Stuff !
*
Nigel – Kawasaki ZX6R
*
Rob – Triumph Sprint RS
*
Terry – Honda 954cc Fireblade
*
Some great twisties
*
Mark – Triumph Speed Triple 955
*
Nick – BMW 1200RT
*
Rod – Triumph Explorer
*
Mark & Karen – Aprilia Tuono V4R
*
*
*
*
The High Rhine Waterfalls in Switzerland
*
*
Mark has a Titanic moment ! Nick tries for that perfect shot
*
*
And last but not least – Tim – Daytona 955i – who rode as back-marker A kite awaits our return
*
Just how does he do it ? To the amazement of his mates Mark catches the local talent !
*
Late night drinks – did we really request the Bay City Rollers ??
*
Heading into the Vosges we stop for a photo opportunity
*
Group photo – sorry Sandra was missing but we had to avoid the coach party !!
*
Our final coffee & cake stop in Germany
*
What a choice !
*
Terry, Nigel, Mark & Rob Nick & Rod
*
Jackie & Vic Ian & Sarah
*
Paul & Janis And we can’t resist either !
*
The bikes parked up on the top of the Col Schlucht – take the ski lift to the top to ride down in the toboggans
*
*
*
*
And we all made it down safely !
*
John – or is it Frankie Howerd ?? Now we know why!!!!
*
Epinal with the Mosel River running through it
*
We discover that it’s “La Fete de la Musique” – bands are able to play in the streets all night !
*
*
Epinal by night
*
Rita & Jen showing a bit of leg after a demonstration of the “Wigan Slosh”!
*
Our hotel in Pierrefonds with our final dinner in a local restaurant
*
And then the jokes start – “Ith it Dithco?” Terry knows the difference between a Harley & a Vacuum cleaner!
*
Nick reminds John his name comes from an “Egg” ! Jen rowing down the river – is it up or down ?
*
John experiences “Professional” suicide ! Who would have thought Mark was a violent marker ?
*
Rob wishes for more Guinness and Paul dreams of a motorbike in a wetsuit !
*
David knows the Orchestra’s hardest piece and Ian knows a penguin who likes ice cream !
*
Jen cracks up before she’s even got to the punchline – and John tells yet another forgettable joke !
*
“And I love you all !!” Nick offers thanks for a great tour on behalf of everyone
*
Our final view of the fabulous castle at Pierrefonds
*
And that’s all, folks ! Another great tour as evidenced by all the photos. A really nice bunch of people, good riding, good weather, good food & drink – what more could you want ? We hope to see many of you again on a future tour. Kind regards, John & Jen
The group in the Vosges Mountains
*
“Excellent trip – great roads, superb hotels, nice food and a bunch of nice people. As ever, your care in preparation, the marker system with back-up van, and you guys (including John & Rita) make for a brilliant trip. Thank you – I look forward to booking on another tour”
Nick Strapp, BMW 1200RT
*
“We would like to thank you again for an awesome Black Forest Tour. What a great route and a fantastic way to see such a beautiful part of the world. Having the van with us carrying luggage really allowed us to ride the bikes unhindered on great roads. A big thanks to John & Rita too for extra back-up. A few weeks have passed and we are still thinking of the lovely hotels, riding, people and adventure that was The Black Forest Tour. Many thanks”
Ian & Sarah Hill, Triumph Rocket lll
*
Ready for the off…an overcast start in Calais All the bikes lined up at lunchtime
*
“Many thanks for another great week, thoroughly enjoyed the tour again and knackered when I got home. The rides through the Ardennes, Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains were the high points for me, the scenery was beautiful (perhaps I should have taken a few more photos rather than charging on!) The accommodation was very comfortable and the food was good, there were some very pleasant balmy evening meals outside which is always a treat. I thought the organisation was slick even when the weather threw in some googlies – heaven that was hot! Thanks again”
Rod Wrenn, Triumph Explorer
*
Rod & Nick at afternoon coffee stop Nigel, Mark, Rob, Tim & Terry
*
“Thanks for a great trip, as they say “Carlsberg don’t do bike trips, but if they did……..”
I will leave the others to talk about the great roads, organisation, company etc. but what is harder to describe is the “added value” that going with you brings. It makes a real difference and puts everybody’s minds into “holiday mode”. We will be back”
Kevin & Sandra Boot, Pan European ST1300
*
Mark & Karen David, Sarah & Ian, Joy
*
“Many thanks once again for another great trip. The group were all so easy to get on with and we thoroughly enjoyed their company, as we say “like minded people”. The roads you use were an excellent mix and great to ride – we’d never find them on our own! Cheers for now”
Vic & Jackie Hill, Triumph Trophy
*
Our hotel in the Ardennes
*
“A great tour – it lived up to all my expectations. Thanks for all the effort you put into researching so many challenging and thrilling roads, after all it’s the riding we come for! Wonderful days and chilled evenings made for a brilliant week away. The planning, hotels and luggage van made it all stress free – at least for us! Hope to see you again in 2014”
Nigel Billingsley, Kawasaki ZX6R
*
Drinks before dinner – Paul & Janis, Rita & John Rod enjoys a beer
*
“Many thanks for a great tour, I had a great time. Trying to add the B500 to my route to work, but it’s proving a bit tricky!”
Terry Blumire, Honda 954cc Fireblade
*
All the “single” boys Sarah, Jackie & Vic, Ian
*
“Had a fantastic time – great roads, good food, great company and above all a really good laugh from beginning to end. Marker system, especially our backmarkers and your organisation were great as usual even under difficult circumstances. Balance just right between riding & coffee breaks etc…all in all it was great. We’re all looking forward to the next “Tour or weekend at your farmhouse” Cheers”
Mark Smiles, Triumph Speed Triple
*
Dinner the first night – here’s to a great holiday !
*
“Thank you so much for making our week a great one! Excellent tour with fantastic roads, great group of people, lovely food & hotels. The marker system works a treat & many thanks to John & Rita as back-markers. The van was a real asset & we’d have been lost without it! We look forward to seeing you next year”
Mark & Karen Hughes, Aprilia Tuono V4R
*
The other end of the table…clearly Kevin didn’t have enough dessert !
*
Drinks after dinner – Vic & Jackie with David & Joy; Kevin & Sandra with Janis & Rita
*
All the boys Karen & Mark
*
The fabulous view from our hotel
*
Breakfast in the hotel conservatory
*
Our pink ladies! Rita, Sandra & Janis Always a morning briefing before we set off
*
*
Lunch stop – what a whopper !
*
Jackie’s never seen such a big one !
*
After a lengthy diversion delays our arrival in Baden-Baden the beers are just what we need !
*
Our hotel in Baden-Baden with Ian’s Rocket lll parked outside
*
Dinner at Baden-Baden – Vic & Jackie’s group Tim, Mark & Rob
*
Breakfast al-fresco in Baden-Baden
*
Our morning briefing then we fill up before setting off on the famous B500
*
*
*
The fabulous scenery for those who missed it !! Re-group at the end of a section of the B500
*
Pretty coffee stop
*
How many cakes Rita ??
*
More great roads en-route to lunch
*
Paul & Janis with ice creams before we head off to see the largest cuckoo clock in the world
*
We see the cuckoo strike 4.00pm before a group photo (Paul missing)
*
*
We pay a euro to hear Edelweiss and John & Rita take to the floor with a waltz
*
Our hotel in the Southern Black Forest with a welcome beer on arrival
*
Under the pretext of feeling his shorts material Janis just can’t help touching Nick’s thighs, bum…
*
A familiar theme – the boys & beers ! You need eyes in the back of your head when Mark’s around !
*
Rita with Joy & David Vic, Ian, Sarah & Jackie
*
Warm enough for dinner outside
*
The next day being a free day some join the ride-out to Switzerland
*
The Boys on the Black Stuff !
*
Nigel – Kawasaki ZX6R
*
Rob – Triumph Sprint RS*
Terry – Honda 954cc Fireblade
*
Some great twisties
*
Mark – Triumph Speed Triple 955
*
Nick – BMW 1200RT
*
Rod – Triumph Explorer
*
Mark & Karen – Aprilia Tuono V4R
*
*
*
*
The High Rhine Waterfalls in Switzerland
*
*
Mark has a Titanic moment ! Nick tries for that perfect shot
*
*
And last but not least – Tim – Daytona 955i – who rode as back-marker A kite awaits our return
*
Just how does he do it ? To the amazement of his mates Mark catches the local talent !
*
Late night drinks – did we really request the Bay City Rollers ??
*
Heading into the Vosges we stop for a photo opportunity
*
Group photo – sorry Sandra was missing but we had to avoid the coach party !!
*
Our final coffee & cake stop in Germany
*
What a choice !
*
Terry, Nigel, Mark & Rob Nick & Rod
*
Jackie & Vic Ian & Sarah
*
Paul & Janis And we can’t resist either !
*
The bikes parked up on the top of the Col Schlucht – take the ski lift to the top to ride down in the toboggans
*
*
*
*
And we all made it down safely !
*
John – or is it Frankie Howerd ?? Now we know why!!!!
*
Epinal with the Mosel River running through it
*
We discover that it’s “La Fete de la Musique” – bands are able to play in the streets all night !
*
*
Epinal by night
*
Rita & Jen showing a bit of leg after a demonstration of the “Wigan Slosh”!
*
Our hotel in Pierrefonds with our final dinner in a local restaurant
*
And then the jokes start – “Ith it Dithco?” Terry knows the difference between a Harley & a Vacuum cleaner!
*
Nick reminds John his name comes from an “Egg” ! Jen rowing down the river – is it up or down ?
*
John experiences “Professional” suicide ! Who would have thought Mark was a violent marker ?
*
Rob wishes for more Guinness and Paul dreams of a motorbike in a wetsuit !
*
David knows the Orchestra’s hardest piece and Ian knows a penguin who likes ice cream !
*
Jen cracks up before she’s even got to the punchline – and John tells yet another forgettable joke !
*
“And I love you all !!” Nick offers thanks for a great tour on behalf of everyone
*
Our final view of the fabulous castle at Pierrefonds
*
And that’s all, folks ! Another great tour as evidenced by all the photos. A really nice bunch of people, good riding, good weather, good food & drink – what more could you want ? We hope to see many of you again on a future tour. Kind regards, John & Jen