We thought the 2019 tour was the best so far but maybe this one tops it! A great group, fantastic weather & amazing sights – again no apologies for the number of photos which follow…
We start with a briefing
We ALWAYS regroup for any motorway
Charles rejoins us !!!
“Hi all, well this is my first feedback as it was my very first tour and what a experience! John and Jen – what a fantastic couple with so much experience and organisation for the trip and such patience and kind manners. If you are deciding on doing a tour, then BN European Tours are the company to use.
Hotels all organised in fantastic locations with great food provided on the nights that the whole group ate together. I did France, Italy & Switzerland on the tour – what an experience, views and roads to take in.
As I would class myself as a good rider, the advice I would give anyone is to make sure you can ride a motorcycle properly before doing a tour, as it is long days and you must keep up with the group. BN has a great system so no one is left behind, with a back marker who makes sure everyone is ahead…Fantastic experience, excellent time and what a nice group we had.
And you John and Jen, see you guys next year for my next tour with BN European Tours.”
[From Caimin’s 5* Google review – thanks!]
Caimin Bourne, 1st tour, BMW F850 GS Adventure, Berkshire
Morning coffee stop
Spotted at coffee stop
“Dear John & Jen, after so many delightful trips with your company it is difficult to find even more superlative comments which it so richly deserves. Motorcycling in all it’s aspects has been my life so I say thank you for the encouragement that is showered on me by all your customers – they are all true motorcyclists.
This year’s trip was no exception. The van in my eyes is so very appealing as riding free of luggage is so enjoyable and far safer. No other company to my knowledge has this. Hotels great, so many enjoyable evenings dining together as a group. If you have not experienced BN Tours you must – GO. Even if it’s only to learn about the World Expert on Wasps…!! Thank you BN and thank every one of you on this Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Tour”
David “Stoner” Stone, 8th tour, KTM 790 Adventure, Cornwall
Local sights!
Approaching lunch stop
Lunch stop
John’s leading the tour
“Stoner” KTM 790 Adventure
“Hi John & Jen, another brilliant tour! This trip had everything, good roads, varied riding – fast, slow, twisty and straight, good weather, good company and…oh yeah, good guides! The options of a toboggan and helicopter ride spiced things up nicely as well. Optional days out were great and well worth the indulgence, although locations always meant there was something interesting to do if you fancied a day out of the saddle.
As a single room rider the hotels were good to excellent, breakfasts were all very good and the pre-arranged dinners were all excellent.
With some demanding riding at times, it is important that you are an experienced rider. Or as Dirty Harry once said “A good rider always has to know his limitations!” Best wishes to all”
Reece Compton, 6th tour, Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport, Essex
Russ – Honda Africa Twin
Greg – Triumph Tiger 800 XRX
“Dear John, Jen and everyone on this amazing tour,
Honestly, the best trip I’ve ever been on, including previous Bike Normandy trips, those with other tour companies and holidays organised by friends. I particularly enjoyed the mountain passes in Switzerland and the cool, clean air with the opportunity to ride on the Bernina Express thrown in for good measure. Certainly memories I will treasure for a long while. The hotels were brilliant, from the first night with a swimming pool to Hotel Mxxx with it’s amazing views, simple and clean rooms and a railway station in the grounds; the lovely hotel in Stresa, overlooking the lake and the similarly stunning views from Hotel Lxxx in Bxxx, a gateway to the fun roads of Switzerland.
Booking such good weather was a stroke of genius too, I think we were all very lucky to see the mountain passes in all their sunlit glory. Finally a well matched group of riders, no one too fast or too slow, all there to enjoy the journey and have a enjoyable time every evening once the bikes are put away. Thank you. As always the luggage van and marker system worked well and no one needs to worry about getting lost or having to carry their heavy bags with them throughout the tour.
Thank you again, it was brilliant.”
[Hotel names redacted as top secret!]
Charles May, 11th trip, BMW R1200 RS, Wiltshire
Mick C – Kawasaki ZX12R
Frank – Honda Cross Tourer
Jeremy – BMW R1200 GS
Mark B – KTM 1290 Adventure
Mark Y-D – Kawasaki Z1000SX
Caimin – BMW F850 GS Adventure
“I enjoy long days and some challenging riding, however I was initially apprehensive about signing up for this guided motorbike tour. My potential concern was finding myself amongst a bunch of young track day boys with whom I had absolutely nothing in common. John spoke to me and quickly allayed my fears, assuring me that I would not be the oldest as that crown was already taken by an 83 year old, who subsequently turned out to be a complete superstar, a very fast rider and one of the loveliest gentleman I have ever met.
Jen and John had the trip planned and organised to perfection, therefore all we had to do was enjoy the riding, the first class food, the fabulous hotels, and some stunning off-bike experiences, all shared in the company of new friends. Following an accident (non-bike related), I only have sight in my right eye and this makes it harder for me to read the road and judge spatial distance. The entire group were absolutely lovely and graciously took it in turns to guide me up the passes at an enjoyable pace that I wouldn’t manage if I had no one in front of me to follow. Thank you everyone. Throughout the trip I think that there was a point where each of us unintentionally gave John and Jen an issue to trouble shoot – [a long list!] – John and Jen took it all in their stride and graciously facilitated a solution to everything.
I can honestly say that there is nothing I can recall that could have been improved by John and Jen other than the turning the tour van into an ark during the relentless torrential rain on the last day. They run a brilliant tour company and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. I will certainly be signing up for next years trip if they have space for me.”
Sue Worthy, 1st tour, KTM Duke 690 R, Dorset
Sue – KTM Duke 690 R
Mick & Judy – BMW F900 XR
“How did we end up on this tour? Well, it was recommended to us by Jeremy Davies who had been with BN before. So after some research we booked it and went to Motorcycle Live to meet John Eggleton. After a long conversation we were convinced this was for us. We were not disappointed. The research that BN put into the tour is amazing. Hotels, routes, cafes and activities off the bike are all carefully chosen with a few surprises. When you first meet your fellow riders you wonder if you will get on with them, no need to worry. You all have one thing in common, bikes. And what a fascinating bunch of people we met from all walks of life. First time we had used the drop off marker system, no need to worry, no one is left behind. Charles our back marker sweeps up. Although this is a biking tour it is also a holiday so take some time away from the bike to explore the local towns. We hope to be on another tour next year and catch up with you all. Take care all and stay between the hedges.”
Mick & Judy Thompson, 1st tour, BMW F900 XR, Herefordshire
Charles as backmarker – BMW R1200RS
Quaint towns
Afternoon coffee stop
(Thanks Stoner)
Our first hotel
Jen & Charles in the pool
Charles doesn’t quite get it!!
John & others are in as well
Drinks before dinner
“Good evening John and Jen and of course to all who read these e-mails. I would echo the comments Reece left in that the tour was well organised with enough time off the bikes. The day by the pool at the Italian lake was very welcome – it is, after all, a holiday not one long motorcycle ride. Again, as Reece mentioned, the bobsleigh thing was fun as was the helicopter flight…My second tour with BN and not the last. Both times the group have been great company, the tours well organised, and enough to do off the bikes. I look forward to seeing the people from each group again, and of course hearing John’s jokes one more time
.“
Greg Flatt, 2nd tour, Triumph Tiger 800 XRX, Suffolk
Charles gets his 10th trip t-shirt on his 11th trip!
Some more well-dressed men – thanks Jeremy & Stoner
Greg shows Jen how to play…
Stone, paper, scissors!!
“For those that remember John and Jen Eggleton when they were WVAM members they have now moved back to the UK from France, and run BN European Tours. I have just returned from the above 12 day tour. I have over the years been with a couple of tour companies to take the strain and avoid the hassle of sorting routes/hotels and returned disappointed, usually because of the large group size, GPS routes, excessive motorways, and “do your own thing see you at the hotel” approach. This was the first time I used this tour company. Their touring set up is head and shoulders above the others that I have used. If you apply to go on a trip that is “technically challenging” and they have never ridden with you before, they will phone you to have a chat so that you fully understand what type of roads you will be riding, this is for your own safety and enjoyment, as well as for others in the group. Group sizes are limited.
What is obvious is that they want riders to have a good, safe, and enjoyable time. The tour starts with a briefing explaining certain road signs and the “drop off system”. Once on the road you realize how much time, effort and research, with the routes, cafe and fuel stops they have done. Motorway work is kept to a minimum and was never used in Switzerland so there was no need for a vignette. John leads, and there was one person employed to be the permanent back marker, whilst Jen followed in the van carrying every ones luggage [we usually alternate but Jen was not riding after suffering a broken wrist – J&J] As John is an experienced advanced rider [we both are!] the pace was always spot on, and there were no wrong turns. The hotels were good, with secure parking, plenty of variety for food and bars away from the hotels own restaurants. There were “days off” to either take a boat across the lakes or take a helicopter flight to the see the glacier at the Eiger mountain, which I did.
I returned from this trip “all cornered out” and felt that I had been on a proper motorcycle holiday and then some. The group I was riding with was fast moving, non complaining and friendly. It is understandable why they have such a good reputation and have so many returning customers. I have no hesitation in recommending them”
[Frank’s post on the Wey Valley Advanced Motorcycle club’s forum]
Frank Ojo, 1st trip, Honda Cross Tourer, Kent
Dinner is included tonight
John starts the joke telling
Judy can’t bear it!!
Greg takes a turn
The masseuse loves the bikes!!
Always a morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Reece has come prepared!!
Leaving coffee
John’s leading
Greg marks the junction
Here’s Mark B
En route to lunch stop
Pavement parking at lunch
A riverside stop
Don’t all go in the same cafe!!
Parking afternoon coffee stop
By a lovely lake
Sue & Reece enjoy ice creams
As does Caimin
Jeremy , Stoner & John
Mick C with Mark B
Mick & Judy
Anyone would think you were on holiday!
Mick C with Jen
Our next hotel
Drinks in the hotel bar
Explore the back streets
Lots of restaurants to choose from
Busker with such an attentive dog!
A free night
Most dine in the same restaurant!!
Annecy by night
Fabulous street artists
Morning briefing & van takes luggage
Leaving Annecy
We ride round the lake
En route to coffee stop
Prettiest coffee stop
Caimin stops for photos
Lovely scenery
There goes Charles
You MUST be happy with hairpins
This is for competent riders only
Mick & Judy
Sue is following Charles
We’re NOT stopping here!!
Lunch stop
Top of the Petit St Bernard Pass
Stoner with Sue
Charles following Stoner
Lots of hairpins
Fuel & motorway instructions
En-route
We stop for a break
Judy’s bum needs a massage!!
Nearing our hotel
The pool at our next hotel
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
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, hire your own boat, explore the old town of Stresa or just relax around the pool.
Another lovely morning
Stoner arranges a boat trip
All aboard
Jeremy’s Captain!!
How relaxing
We sail round the islands
Sue
Great views of the Palace
Stoner’s loving this
So much so he’s stripping off!!
Amazing cliffside buildings
Everyone loves Stoner!!!!
A boat speeds past…
We get a soaking !!!
Matched Jen’s bikini!!
Drinks round the pool
Mark Y-D, John, Mark B & Frank…
Take a boat to the islands
Drinks first – Frank
Mark B
Lots of market stalls
Lovely views of Lake Maggiore
Visit the Palace
And the gardens
Peacocks
The boys are relaxing
John’s in the pool
A free night (thanks Reece)
We walk into town
Lots of restaurants
Another busker
A gorgeous evening
The Palace by night
Next day we take a ferry
Pavement parking at coffee
By Lake Lugano
Lunch is by beautiful Lake Como
Quaint back streets
Reece pointing the way!!
2 local girls join the group
Climb the Maloja Pass
Approaching St Moritz
Approaching our next hotel
Our next hotel for two nights
Drinks on the terrace
The Bernina Express passes by
Dinner was included this night but sorry no photos!
Amazing view from our hotel
Which way are we going?!!
Some of us walk to the Glacier
Jen at the 1960 marker
Simply stunning
We can see the ice…
We climb over boulders…
We got so close…
Greg, Mick, Jen & John almost made it
Mark B
Those who tried…
Mick & Judy took a leisurely pace
For comparison purposes…
This is the Glacier in 2015
Back then it was huge
Heading back
Train didn’t stop – so Charles…
Stoner & Jeremy are rescued by the van!!
Most then go for a ride-out
Super sweepers
Take the train up there
Ride alongside rivers
Jeremy leading the pack
Jeremy followed by Charles
Great roads
Tunnels
Charles followed by Sue
Charles is having a day off…
Sue
Jen’s view as pillion
Sue followed by Stoner
Ditto
More hairpins
We stop for coffee & cakes
A pretty tight fit!!
Greg followed by Mick
Caimin rides as back-marker
48 hairpins on the Stelvio Pass!!
Great views riding up
Caimin
We’re going up there
We catch up to Jeremy
And Reece
Reece
Reece & Jeremy
Russ (thanks Stoner)
Thanks Mark
Caimin at the top
Sue puts our sticker up
Those who did the Stelvio (plus Mark)
Stelvio buddies
There’s a Golden Eagle
Heading down
Greg
Charles & Reece
Charles
Mick
Mick again
Fab bends
Stoner’s loving it!
Mark B
We see the Bernina Express
Ride through tramlines
Heading back
Stoner & Greg
Stoner & Mick
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included again tonight
Then the fun & games start
We want the tallest…
Most aesthetically pleasing…
& able to support a banana!!
Making progress
The guys are confident…
But it’s short lived!!!
Pretty but not strong enough!
The winners!!
Sue declines the courgette!!!
For more photos please click HERE
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