“Probably” the best Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Tour to date! Another great group, fantastic weather & amazing sights – no apologies for the number of photos which follow…
Before the tour starts Ros & Andy’s bike has a puncture!
We start with a briefing
Then get Andy to a garage for a new tyre!
Ros & Andy rejoin us at coffee stop
“Hi John and Jen, thanks for another great trip, great riding, some fabulous views, hotels were clean, unique and well located and of course your support with the punctured front tyre was very much appreciated, thank you.”
Ros (5th trip) & Andy (6th trip) Moseley, Honda Blackbird, Warwickshire
Afternoon coffee stop
It’s dry now
Come on Jackie – jump!
This morning we didn’t think we’d be in the pool!
“Hi John & Jen, I would like to say it was an absolute pleasure to meet you both and I had one of the best holidays I’ve ever had – the organisation, the hotels and the routes chosen by yourselves were second to none. What a fantastic mix of excellent and exhilarating riding roads, the sort of thing every motorcyclist strives to find and ride. I also have to say what a fantastic group we had, loads of fun banter and tales told. It was also a fantastic opportunity to spend an extended period to bond and ride with my father (“Stoner”), although I must admit there were times that I wish I had a leash on him to stop him racing off chasing the locals on their bikes through the countryside and a tracker to find him when he wonders off on one of his “little adventures”!
Rest assured when the opportunity arises I will be booking another trip with yourselves, as I feel the attention to detail and inclusion of everyone on the tour forms a real family atmosphere which I hope has gained me friends that I will see again over the coming months and years. Once again thanks for all you did for dad and myself, it definitely made it a holiday to remember.”
Adrian Stone, 1st tour, KTM 990 Adventure, Cornwall
John & Daryl comparing scars!
Jon W joins in
“We’ve just returned from the Italian Lakes and Swiss Alps tour. It was amazing in every way (weather, roads, scenery, hotels, food and the others on tour). John and Jen put so much effort into researching the roads, places to stop for drinks/lunch and hotels and it really shows! Our only concern was how we’d pack all our clothes and shoes into the panniers 😉 the rest is all under the skillful control of John and Jen. Thanks to you both for another fantastic tour!!!”
Audrey and Rees Hewson, 4th tour, BMW R1200RS, Cambridgeshire
Andy D’s in the pool
and so is John
Drinks before dinner
“Hi John & Jen, I just do not have a clue on how to describe the holiday with enough superlatives and not sound condescending. Perhaps the best description for me is that I could not have found any other event that could have served to bond my son & I so well.
Hotels: no complaints. The three selected for extra days were just perfect. I now know what the perfect Lasagna should taste like. And learnt how to hang washing with no peg marks! In such a scenic area with beautiful weather wherever you took us would have been Ace. The routes chosen gave us the winning Royal Flush. You know I have been with many companies and frankly enjoyed them all. BN’s Ace up the sleeve is having a luggage van. Not only carried but available throughout the day.
Thank you both for all the effort you put into your events they shine because of it. I am just pig sick to think I could have gone to Portugal with you [since booked for 2020]. Great stuff you two, I will keep coming while I can”
[Please read “Stoner’s” further tribute to the Gang at the end of the review]
John “Stoner” Stone, 4th tour, KTM 790 Adventure S, Cornwall
Dinner is included tonight
“What a cracking tour it was too, fantastic weather, plenty to see, great off bike socialising with a great bunch of fellow riders and pillions👍🏍 Now done this trip 3 times and it has never failed to deliver. I may be back!! Well done John & Jen on another great tour 🏍👍😊”
Andy Dunmore, 7th tour, Honda VFR800, West Sussex
John welcomes everyone to the Tour
Always a morning briefing
Coffee stop after some great roads
“Hi John & Jen, thanks for a wonderful holiday!! I absolutely loved it all. Breathtaking scenery, incredible roads, wonderful hotels and great company along the trip. I was a little nervous that my Suzuki Bandit wouldn’t make it but she did and I’m so proud of her!! I, myself, as a bit of a non-biker, really grew in confidence along the way and now consider myself a better biker for the experience. You and Jen were incredible from start to finish and I look forward to another wonderful trip in the future so thanks again for some amazing memories. All the best”
Brian Keeler, 1st tour, Suzuki Bandit 650, London
En-route to lunch (thanks Jackie)
Jen’s in the lead again
Wayne & Carole are “back-markers”
Pretty lunch stop
“Hi both, we would like to thank you for a fantastic tour, we really enjoyed it. Seeing such fantastic scenery blew our minds away. A tour of a lifetime would sum it up. We are keeping an eye out for next year’s tours so you will have to put up with us again and if you think our back marking skills are up to it we would be happy to do it again. See you both soon.”
Wayne & Carole Williams, 5th tour, BMW K1600GT, RCT – Wales
Pavement parking at lunch stop
Mike & Tracey – Kawasaki Z1000SX
“Hi John & Jen, many thanks for another wonderful trip – fantastic group of people that made the tour really enjoyable. Switzerland and the Italian Lakes was stunning and we had great weather. (Cannot believe Tracey did the toboggan – she did scream the whole way down!) Thank you John and Jen for a truly excellent tour.”
Mike Sanders (7th trip) & Tracey Reading (6th trip), Kawasaki Z1000SX, Somerset
More great roads
Afternoon stop by a lake
Ice creams for Daryl, Steve & David
Son Adrian & Dad “Stoner”
A beautiful setting
Us !
Ros & Andy
Jackie & Jon
Who needs a helping hand !
“Great tour, good fun company. Switzerland was amazing, hotels great, best one yet and run faultlessly by John and Jen despite some challenges – marker pointing in the wrong direction!!!! (Won’t mention your name Adrian!!) and a tricky puncture to sort out. Put your feet up you two and have a beer xxxx
Oh there is one complaint – please please please don’t tell the “International Expert on Wasp Noises” joke again !!!!! 😆😆” [Is that because you laugh too much ???? – John]
Jon & Jackie Watson, 3rd tour, BMW K1300S, Berkshire
Anyone would think you were on holiday!
Relax in the shade
Our next hotel
Drinks in the hotel bar
“Hi both, thanks again for another fantastic tour and don’t forget if you have rider & pillion space for Portugal tour next year count us in”
Vince & Tracey Farmer, 7th tour, Honda Goldwing, Gloucestershire
Explore the back streets
Carole’s filming
Annecy by night
Hall of mirrors or a true reflection?!
Ready for the off
Atmospheric this morning
Pretty coffee stop
Tracey found the cake shop
Rees & Audrey with huge cakes
They’ve nearly finished
Don’t try & hide it David!
Fab scenery
Wayne & Carole
We’re heading up there…
Andy & Ros – Honda Blackbird (thanks Jackie)
More hairpins than a 40’s hairdo!! You MUST be able to cope with these!
Super scenery
Lunch at the top
Guess who!
The group on top of the Petit St Bernard Pass – note Andy D’s new friend!
Jackie & Jon
John’s leading today
More hairpins on the way down
Fuel & motorway instructions
En-route
Fuel & re-group at services
Well that’s what the van said!
The pool at our next hotel for two nights
Jon, Jackie & Jen are straight in
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
“Stoner” loves the Lasagne
The next day is a day off the bikes, with lots to do – either take a boat trip to visit the Borromeo Islands, visit the Palace, take a cable car for fab views of the lakes (if not cloudy!), explore the old town of Stresa or just relax around the pool.
We take a boat trip
Thanks Captain!
We visit Isola Madre first
Coffee or beer ?!
Explore the back streets
Lots of restaurants
It has to be pizza!
A cheat photo of the island
Look what the boys found!!
They were so amused!!
Next we visit Isola Bella
Time to visit the Palace & gardens
Vince didn’t want to get in!
A lovely morning (thanks V&T)
We all take the local ferry
The group on the ferry
Enjoying the view
Jackie & Jon
Pavement parking at coffee – eventually!!
Lake Lugano
Andy D needs a bump start
Others enjoy ice creams
Parking for lunch stop
Ros & Andy chillin’
Lunch is by beautiful Lake Como
Quaint back streets
Loosening our chain at fuel stop
That’s what the sign said
Jon uses the air pump to keep cool!
Approaching St Moritz
At our next hotel for two nights
Drinks on the terrace
Another interesting Honda fact!!!
Dinner is included tonight
Boys will be boys !!
Some had great rooms (thanks V&T)
The Bernina Express stops at our hotel
The next morning most walk to the Glacier – it’s this way !!!
Daryl’s at the 1900 marker
David’s at 1940
Steve’s at 1960
Adrian’s at 1970
Amazing view as we approach the Glacier
David
But we’re brave bikers!!
Mike & Tracey at the 2015 marker
View looking back
We climb over rocks
And reach the Glacier
David & Steve
Mike
Tracey
David
Adrian
Taking selfies
Brian’s made it!
So has Rees
Us
Heading back
Rees, Jackie & Jon, Audrey
Andy & Ros with Carole & Wayne
Andy at the 2010 marker
Rees & Audrey at 2005
Rees & David
Andy stops for a drink of iced water
This afternoon many choose to ride to the Stelvio Pass, or do their own ride, others take advantage of the ticket to ride the Bernina Express…
Vince heads to Austria
Sunken church at Graun Im Vinschgau
Back at the hotel many then choose to go for a ride-out
Adrian on his KTM 990 Adv
Take the rack railway to the viewing point
Steve on his Triumph Street Triple R
Andy M with Rees
“Stoner” on his KTM 790 Adv S
Andy M followed by Rees
Rees is in the lead
Fabulous hairpins
Rees followed by Adrian
More hairpins
We stop for refreshments
Coffee & cakes !
David & Steve
Rees
Andy M & Andy D
Jon & Jackie ride as back-markers (thanks Jackie)
Andy D in the lead
Daryl
So who didn’t see the speed cameras???
Tunnels
Start of the Stelvio Pass – 48 hairpins !!!
Brian on his Suzuki GSF 650
Orange boxes David – not blue !!!
We passed Stoner taking photos…
Then he flies past us !!
Just a few bends !!
Us – thanks Adrian
Us again – thanks Adrian
Andy D heading up on his VFR 800
Andy M on his Blackbird
Jon & Jackie on their BMW K1300S
Stoner gets a lift up to place our sticker !!
Those who made it to the top !
David has a new Bernese – “Stelvie”
Jen has a Marmot for Otto
Rees followed by Steve
The view going down
David on his KTM Superduke 1290 GT
David followed by Daryl
Andy D riding in train lines !!
Fab roads
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included again tonight
Not that joke again !!!
Morning briefing
Leaving St Moritz
Brilliant roads
Lovely scenery
So pretty
Adrian has a problem
Coffee and a surprise…
Mike has a new toy…
Take the ski-lift up…
The brave ones – then take the toboggan down
The long way down…
John goes first
Daryl goes next
Mike & Tracey – she screamed all the way!
Wayne & Carole
David’s next
Then Adrian
Followed by Stoner his Dad
Steve’s turn
Jon & Jackie
Ros is braving it alone
Followed by hubby Andy
It’s Vince next
Then Brian
Andy D followed by Jen
Here’s Mike & Tracey – a fab ride!
Wayne & Carole loved it
David
Adrian
Stoner
Steve
Jon & Jackie
Ros
Andy
Vince
Brian
Andy
And finally, Jen
Lunch on the Oberalp Pass
We stop on the Susten Pass
Fab photo opportunity
Wayne & Carole arrive
All the bikes
Huge glacier at the top
Any chance of a group photo ??? (thanks Jackie)
The group in the Susten Pass
Lots of bikes out today
Wayne & Carole (thanks Jackie)
Fab rolling clouds (thanks Jackie)
Our next hotel for 3 nights
Drinks on the terrace
How many for fish???
Great food
Dinner is included tonight
John explains the options for the next days
A beautiful morning
Enjoy coffee on the terrace
Chicken in a basket !
Parking for our bikes
Most of us go for a ride-out
Vince & Tracey with Daryl
More fabulous roads
We head up the Grimsel Pass
Adrian & Daryl
Huge dam
And another
More twisties
Stoner & Adrian
And again
Thousands of cyclists
A welcome at the top
The group on the Grimsel Pass (only Mike & Tracey stayed to have a day round the lake)
Marmots at the top
So cute!
Coffee stop in the sun – prev years we’ve had snow!!
Rees & Audrey
A brilliant Pass
The Furka Pass in the distance
Jen’s view as pillion today
So many hairpins
David & Steve
Fab roads
Steve, Daryl & Andy
Andy then Vince & Tracey
Andy, Vince & Tracey again
and again…
Amazing view at the top of the Nufenen Pass
We stop for a photo opportunity
Stoner, Adrian & John
Race the cyclists downhill!
Lunch stop
A cobbled pass
Yes, we’re riding up there
Daryl – KTM 1290 Super Adv
Daryl again
And again…
Fabulous views
Another cobbled pass
Heading up the Furka Pass
We stop for another photo opportunity
Us
The group on the Furka Pass (thanks again Jackie!)
The best pic of the tour !!!
The proper view !
Down the Furka & back up the Grimsel
Steve on his Street Triple R
Yes, up there as well
Brilliant empty roads
Andy, Adrian & Stoner
Daryl & Andy
Vince & Tracey on their Goldwing
Drinks when we get back
A free night, we head into town
Rees has a work-out !
Local wood carvings
Another beautiful morning
Adjusting Brian’s Suzuki’s chain
Jen rides, John’s pillion
We ride past Interlaken
Lovely houses
Pretty villages
We visit the Trummelbach Waterfalls
Coffee first …
& cakes – Audrey has a meringue!
Those who visited the Waterfalls
Take the lift up inside the mountain
Amazing force of the falls
The photos don’t do this justice
Jon & Jackie getting sprayed
Mike & Tracey half way down
A great visit for 10 euros
Then we do something we haven’t been able to in the previous four tours – a helicopter ride over the Swiss Alps. Eight of us flew in two groups – absolutely stunning scenery & worth every penny!
Brian that’s a rucksack not a parachute!!
First up Jon, Jackie, Jen & John
Jackie & Jon
Us
Pilot points out the mountains
WOW !!
The North face of the Eiger
WOW !!
How many WOW’s !!!
Amazing glacier
Top of the Jungfrau
Our route (thanks Rees)
Coming in to land
David, Brian, Rees & Audrey go next
Away they go
David’s up front
Rees, Audrey & Brian
Back on dry land
We set off for lunch
Brian
Rees & Audrey
Fab views of the Eiger
Grindelwald for lunch
The mountains in detail
Riding back to our hotel
Andy flummoxed? Never!! (thanks David!)
Drinks when we get back
Stoner’s been missing for hours – chasing locals!!
but at least his washing’s dry!!
Daryl’s getting ready to go out
Jackie & Jon dine at the hotel
Drinks on the terrace
A beautiful sunset over the lake
We find a restaurant with live music
Reserved tables for breakfast
Breakfast area
So cute !
Sadly we have to leave
Another lovely morning
Coffee stop
Lunch is still in Switzerland
Such pretty scenery
Fab views of the Needle & Mont Blanc
Afternoon coffee at Chamonix
L’aiguille (needle)
Mont Blanc
John’s in the lead – we ALWAYS re-group before & after any motorway
Beers at our next hotel
3 wise monkeys – Stoner just gets it!!
A free night
It’s Ros’s birthday!
The hotel wanted a photo of our bikes
The region is known for its chicken!
Morning coffee stop
It’s Jackie’s birthday!
Lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
Approaching our final hotel
Across the Loire
Drinks – after dinner (thanks Vince)
Dinner is included our last night
Huge thanks to Wayne & Carole
Stoner says a few words of thanks to us…
The Swiss Italian Lakes Gang 2019. Thank you to all for accepting me again into your company.
Andy the talking librarian.
Vince, the smartest “Farmer” I know. Some tractor !!!
Rees who can brake like no other – Struth! Audrey, the perfect passenger didn’t move a muscle when on board.
Dangerous Brian – a teacher that learnt a lot and didn’t moan about being cut up.
David the fastest road block in the Alps and a Frustrated Daryl.
Mike and Tracey saved money going to Gretna to buy a new bike?
Andy and Ros just get it on song when I run out of revs.
Then of course the Atomic pair Jon & Jackie – Bless her – who’s not worth a back rest? BOOO (Jon the underpants have gone to the bin).
Then we have the Welsh circus crew whipping us along at the back. Thank you Wayne, Thank you Carole.
Lastly father and son Stoner. Father – brilliant trip especially the day off ! !
Adrian – Jealousy oozes following the 1290 KTM’s
Jen, thank you for a nice quick ride – you know when. John, best ever demo of The Hollering Dance I have seen. It actually saved the day for me at the Peage – thank you – Mr.“Stoner”
More bad jokes…
John presents some awards…
To Steve for crossing the most white lines!
David the biggest “Faffer”!! (Andy a close 2nd!)
More jokes – David
Steve
Wayne has a few to tell
And that’s it…a final lovely morning
With coffee & lunch stops en-route we’re all back at Le Havre for the ferry. Thanks to everyone for a brilliant tour and for sending lots of photos – it’s only when looking back through all these you see just how much we packed into the 12 days. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen.
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