A welcome beer in Baden Baden! Another fabulous tour with a fun group, great riding & good weather throughout.
Most arrive in Calais the night before
Decorations in the town
Dragon down at the beach
We start with a pre-tour briefing
Then collect Frank at Eurotunnel
Rich needed fuel!!
First stop
Parking at coffee
Cakes already…
We ALWAYS regroup for any motorway
Jen’s leading today
“Hi John & Jen, we had an amazing time! Apart from the amazing weather, the company was great and we enjoyed getting to know everyone. I must admit I was very apprehensive about the marker system, but true to your word, it worked a treat and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I never felt like I was lost, even when I was riding on my own for while through the Black Forest. It was reassuring to know there would be a marker at some point and you were free to ride at your own pace and speed.
Having the van was a massive bonus and found it really helpful, especially with the water on board and being able to store helmets and coats at stop-offs. You have thought of everything and you were very generous with carrying extra fuel and water as well as chain lube.
You were both the perfect hosts! We especially enjoyed your jokes John, which as you got more comfortable with us, got funnier! The little touches like the Beer in Baden Baden was a really thoughtful touch and well appreciated. You’re both amazing riders and drivers (keeping the van with the group as well!)
The Hotels were all amazing. I don’t think we can find fault with any of them. We particularly enjoyed the hotel on the first night where we all had the big dinner. The fact you had found places with secure parking meant we didn’t even bother chaining our bikes most nights. You have certainly done your research and it paid off. The food on the meal nights was tasty and we enjoyed all of it. I was grateful for the fact you exchanged my cream items, it meant I got to eat my pudding!
We are definitely interested in doing another tour with you guys, it has made me enjoy riding my bike again and I have certainly got the touring bug back, so thank you…we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Kind regards”
Susy (Triumph Trident) & Kev (Kawasaki ZH2) Carrington, 1st tour, Nottinghamshire”
Ian & Heather – BMW R1200R
Kev – Kawasaki ZH2
Frank – Ducati Multistrada
Julie – Ducati 695 Monster
Haydn – BMW R1250 GS
Lunch stop
En route to coffee stop
Ride down the circuit Chimay
Afternoon coffee stop
Lovely scenery this afternoon
“I’ve just completed the Black Forest Tour with BN European Tours and I can only say good things. John and Jen took turns as the lead rider, when one wasn’t riding the other was driving the support van with our luggage. The pacing and marking of junctions was spot on allowing everyone to enjoy their bikes performance and engine/exhaust notes without having to check SatNavs. There were lots of excellent roads but just as important are the hotels. These had off street secure parking and at one hotel in Baden Baden, the manager greeted us with ice cold beers before we even got to the front doors and on a hot (32 degrees) day of riding, that pint lasted micro seconds!
It becomes obvious very quickly that John and Jen have made huge efforts in finding these hotels for their evening meals, breakfasts and parking, with friendly helpful staff and along with a very friendly group of riders whom I’d never met before, the trip was excellent. Thank you. Kind regards”
Frank Ojo, 3rd tour, Ducati Multistrada, Kent
Our first hotel
Julie, Susy, Kev & Colin
Dinner is included tonight
Fran’s done 11 trips…
But now gets her 10 times top!!
“John and Jen, thanks for the great holiday, it was honestly one of the best holidays we’ve ever had.
Can’t fault any of it so therefore can’t really give you any useful feedback. The only thing I can think of is that maybe personally I’d have preferred 2 nights in Baden Baden instead of Schluchsee as the town seemed to have more to offer. However I really enjoyed the visit to the waterfalls on the ride-out so I don’t know how that would work!
We would definitely appreciate a heads up regarding your future trips as we’ll want to go on more, next year if we can fit one in but certainly the year after for sure. Thanks again”
Colin (Street Triple RS) & Julie (Ducati 695 Monster) Hill, 1st tour, Nottinghamshire
John wafts a towel for her!!
Fortunately Fran can take a joke!!
Always a morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Lunch stop
“Hi John and Jen another thoroughly enjoyable riding tour – thank you. Amongst all the great roads and routes along the way the B500 Black Forest run was my highlight! Hotels were clean and comfortable and – best of all – I didn’t have to choose them!
The 3 inclusive dinners were of an excellent standard. The after dinner speaker was on form as usual and the company of the others in the group was friendly, funny and unfortgettable – a great crowd!
The ride out to the waterfalls, although wet initially, was a great trip too.
I’ll be looking to see which trip to try next year and hopefully the bike I plan to take will start – unlike my Suzuki this year, but what a substitute I had in my garage (XJR1300) which surpassed my expectations (and Franks!)”
Simon Green, 6th trip, Yamaha XJR1300, Berkshire
Afternoon stop for ice-creams
Then beers at Baden Baden
Thanks Susy!
Heather & Fran (thanks Rich)
Many dine together (thanks Rich)
A free evening tonight
It’s a lovely town
“Thanks John & Jen for yet another great tour (our 11th to date). As usual everything was really well led & organised for us so we don’t have to worry about anything except riding our bikes. I know we say this every time but it really is appreciated how much effort must go into ensuring we all have a great holiday.
The luggage van is always a bonus so we can ride some great roads unencumbered. The B500 and Vosges didn’t disappoint. Some fantastic roads and scenery. Our back markers Fran & Terry did a fantastic job of collecting us up along the way making the marker system work a treat.
We also want to thank everyone for their company on tour. This was a really friendly group and we enjoyed meeting & riding with you all. It’s not only the riding but the company that makes for a great holiday. Hopefully see you again next year, best wishes“
Alan & Julie Grieves, 11th trip, Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peake, Norfolk
Our hotel by night
Breakfast in the cafe opposite
Morning briefing before we ride the B500
Any keys to hand in?? Thanks Haydn!!
Rich & Heidi
Wendy – Street Triple 765RS
Hi John & Jen, thanks again for yet another amazing trip. Amazing roads, beautiful views and a great group of people. Well planned routes and perfect places to stop! Hotels & restaurants perfectly planned!! We look forward to seeing you next year!”
Rich (4th tour) & Heidi (2nd tour) Ward, KTM 1290 Super Adventure, Gloucestershire
Colin – Street Triple 765RS
Rich & Heidi – KTM1290 Super Adv
Ian & Heather – BMW R1200R
Julie – Ducati 695 Monster
“Hi Jen, John, thank you so much for a fantastic two weeks doing back-to-back tours. We thoroughly enjoyed both trips. Your planning / organisation and patience is what makes the trips so successful, hence why we keep returning. The hotels, food, wine, cake and great company with like minded people make the tours so much fun.
This was our 8th and 9th tour and will definitely book a 10th next year to enjoy more stunning roads and scenery. Nothing is too much trouble for either of you if any issues arise which for us is peace of mind. Thank you so much to you both. See you next year.”
Heather & Ian Phillips, 8th trip (9th on following 5×4 tour!), BMW R1200R, Devon
Simon – Yamaha XJR1300
Frank followed by Phil
Chris – BMW R1250GS
Richard – Yamaha Tracer 900GT
Haydn – BMW R1250GS
Susy – Triumph Trident
Kev, Paul & Linda, then Jen
Alan & Julie – Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peake
John was up a look-out tower
It’s a fabulous road
“Thanks you from the bottom of our hearts, Jen and John, for including us as back markers for the Black Forest and Vosges Mountain Tour this year. We thoroughly enjoyed being with such a sociable group of riders and pillions – they all made the trip that much more enjoyable – though we are never short of laughs on a BN Tour!
As always the routes, stops, and hotels were varied and well chosen, your thoughtfulness and support unquestionable, and your company delightful. The food was glorious!
We do not tire of riding the B500 and other Black Forest roads, with the wonderful views from high up and along river valleys. The Vosges Mountains were of similar joy, the stops and surprises as well! The sweepers and twisties of France and the Ardennes provide great warm up, and the variety, to the last day, is so good – thank you again. A bientot”
Terry (15 trips) & Fran (11 trips) Stanfield, BMW R1200RS, Wiltshire
Terry & Fran – BMW R1200RS
Haydn’s GS on the B500
Alan & Julie
Susy
Kev – Kawasaki ZH2
Richard
Chris
Julie
Colin
Phil – KTM 1290 Superduke GT
Wendy
Rich – without Heidi!
Here’s the van…
Ian & Heather
Paul without Linda!
Haydn
Backmarkers Terry & Fran
Simon with his XJR1300
Frank with his Multistrada
What a great ride!!
Coffee at Freudenstadt
Such a pretty town
Chris & Haydn with cakes
Hi John & Jen, thanks for a wonderful tour, Haydn and myself had a fantastic time. Would it be possible to let Haydn, me and one of our friends Andy know when the next Black Forest tour dates will start – we are very interested in doing this again next year. Once again thanks. 
“
Chris Nash, 1st tour, BMW R1250GS, Gloucestershire
Jen on our Street Triple 765R
Phil
Colin
Susy
Kev
Haydn
Paul & Linda – FJR 1300
Richard
Julie
Wendy
Ian & Heather
Rich & Heidi
Alan & Julie
Terry & Fran
Pretty villages
We pay a euro (no expense spared!!)
Take your partners…
For a waltz!
Ian & Heather
Julie & Colin
Linda & Paul
Susy & Kev
Fran & Terry
We go to see the cuckoo clock…
Largest cuckoo clock in the world!
The suspense is unbearable!!!
We get two strikes!!!
Triberg for lunch
Ian & Heather
Fran & Jen
John spotted this…
As well as the speed camera!!
More fab roads
Our hotel for the next 2 nights
Rich & Heidi’s room
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
Colin & Kev enjoying…
Black Forest gateau !!
John’s telling jokes again!!
Colin can’t bear it!!!
But Julie & Susy loved it!!!
Next day many go for a ride-out
Even though it’s a bit wet…
Wendy’s in front
Wendy
Really great roads
Shame it’s wet…
Phil
Jen’s view as pillion
Kev’s riding Susy’s Trident
Ian & Heather
Richard
Brothers Richard & Simon
We stop for a coffee break
Smiley Ian!
We set off & now it’s dry
Wendy
Phil
Colin & Simon
Colin & Simon again
Fab dry roads!!
Frank
Paul & Linda
Ride through vineyards
Simon
Colin!!!
Those who rode to the High Rhine Waterfalls in Switzerland
Swans have six lovely cygnets
More chicks
Fab waterfalls
Great view from the top
We spied Paul & Linda…
Who took the boat trip to the middle
An issue with the brolly!!!!
Us!! – thanks Heather
Heading back
Kev & Simon
Phil & Wendy
Great roads
Drinks when we get back
It’s a lovely town
With lots of flower displays
Head down to the lake
Others took a boat trip
And the train to Titisee
Julie with Chris
Thanks Susy
Cheers!
It’s a free evening
Terry has a volcanic pizza!!
Others dine in the hotel again
A wheelbarrow of meat
A selection of 3 meats
Fab desserts (thanks Julie)
Thanks Fran!
Briefing before we set off
A lovely morning
Pretty villages
We stop at a viewing area
The group leaving the Black Forest
Heidi & Rich
Lovely scenery
Fran & Terry
En-route to coffee stop
Morning coffee stop
And cakes!!
Susy & Kev
Frank with Chris & Haydn – again!!
Colin & Julie too
Paul & Linda
Julie & Alan
Simon & Richard
At lunch stop…
Take the ski-lift up…
Then toboggans down…Colin & Julie
Paul & Linda
Followed by Terry & Chris
Then Kev & Susy
Here’s Colin
And Julie
Paul
Chris has caught Linda
& Kev’s caught Chris!!
Terry
Susy
And finally John
The brave ones!!
We stop in the Vosges Mountains
For more stunning views
Wendy & Phil
Afternoon coffee stop
So who spotted this??? Thanks Heidi
Drinks at our next hotel
Stroll into Epinal
It’s a free night tonight
Thanks Susy
Epinal by night
Secure garage parking
Always a morning briefing
The coffee shop is shut!!
But the t-shirt shop is open!!
At least there are toilets!
Lunch stop
Leaving lunch
En-route to fuel stop
Pm coffee stop was also closed!!
Impromptu stop
Linda, Susy & Julie
Looks like Frank’s in the storeroom!!
Fabulous view from our hotel
For everyone- the castle without scaffold!!
From the other side – thanks Simon
Dinner is included tonight
We dine outside
John thanks everyone for a great tour
And to Terry & Fran for riding back-markers
Then the jokes start…
John goes first (no surprise there!)
Can you guess the vegetable???!!!
Julie had played before!!!
Fran had written some poems
See below for the text…
With one just for Susy!
Haydn
Kev
Jen takes a turn
Another lovely morning
Ducks taking a stroll…
But Frank sends them back!!
A stork sunbathing opposite
Final morning briefing
We stop at Albert
With time to visit the 1916 museum
& lunch before we head home
Thanks to everyone for great riding & for making this such a fun tour. Thanks too for all the feedback & for sending photos. We look forward to seeing many of you again in the future. Ride safe – John & Jen.
And here’s the text of some of Fran’s last night poems…
Last night of the tour so time for poems!
Late arrival, no muse arrives
Out of time
To make a rhyme.
But here`s a few from along the way,
This is all I can do and say.
Frank `Funky-Speak-More` (that really is part of his name) inspired this little ditty:
In trying to remember each name
I invented a potentially new game
But some were too rude, a few really lewd,
So I stopped – isn`t that such a shame!
A last day happening observed by us back markers:
Kevin of the cardi never gets mardy
When he has to tie his wife`s shoes.
He`s on bended knee, as proud as can be,
For the love of his Minion Suse.
Last day and Black Forest memories:
The road before coffee, and the last one, today
Shattered my teeth, and so pillions say,
“ Hey, slow down, for all of our sakes.
We want to get home without all these aches”.
The worst thing for ladies is the bouncing of Titis…
ee Lake was a train ride away,
When not riding in rain on Schuchslee free day.
We ate Apple Strudel and didn`t need lunch,
Bought cherries for the boat trip
But were then tempted to munch
On Kuchen again, so that was our tea
Out for the evening – pasta for me –
But volcano pizza, for our Terreee!
We were all stuffed, but so very cold
So back to the hotel, back in the fold
For beer and hot chocolate
And so up to bed
To dream of the waterfalls
To which we`d not sped!
Final round up:
Calais dream of John unpacked, Jen already on his back.
Woke, had breakfast, then must go,
Jen`s tolerance tank getting low,
For Rich – who should much better know…
Fuel faff before depart
Tunnel pick up, now we can start.
Jen in front for first day slips, until today, no more blips!
Riding good, with marking swell,
Now hoping you all return home well
Pleased and satisfied, smiling and fit.
Don`t forget the final bit –
Write reviews and send Jen pics,
View the website and book next trips!
Thank you John and Jen.
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