Monte Carlo or Bust! 21 – 29 August 2012
A photo opportunity at the end of the Gorges du Verdon – fantastic scenery,
glorious weather, superb roads and a great group made for yet another
fabulous tour – thanks to everyone!
*“This is definitely one of the best holidays of my life. John & Jen are amazing organisers and nothing is too much trouble for them, they really do aim to please and have all bases covered. The roads were absolutely superlative. We all have our favourite type of road and this trip takes in all sorts. There are the tight and twisty Gorges du Verdon and the Route Napoleon, there are also the wider and more more sweeping Gorges de l’Ardeche. The roads in the Auvergne were my absolute favourite however as there were some great flowing bends. Do you want scenery? You won’t be disappointed with some of the vistas afforded by this trip: Millau, amazing in so many ways…the Pont D’Arc, the Gorges, the fields of drying sunflowers, the Puys; just beautiful. One of my highlights was an amazing warm swim in the Med on the Cote d’Azur – the water was unbelievably warm. As for the hotels, these again were amazing, well chosen and comfortable. Those that served us evening meals were excellent. Food, wine and service were all top-knotch. Not five-star but excellent nonetheless. All in all this tour lives up to its name. There are indeed some long days but I thoroughly enjoyed them and the roads are definitely twisty! It is really incredible value for money – don’t just think about it – do it – you’ll love it!” Doug Lothian, Yamaha T-Max
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We start with breakfast in Honfleur Barry cooling off at lunch!
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“Another fantastic Bike Normandy Trip! Great Roads, Great Hotels, Great Food and of course Great Company!! It was lovely to meet old faces as well as new ones and for all to get along. Your hard work is recognised and very much appreciated and you must have the winning formula as we will see you next year!!”
Barry & Lindy Jackson, Triumph Sprint GT
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Drinks the first evening at Loches
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“Thanks for the Monte Carlo or Bust bike trip. Yet again a fantastically well organised and researched trip. The roads and scenery were all incredible, the back marker system worked great, all I had to do was enjoy the ride at my own pace, view the spectacular scenery and totally enjoy the whole Monte Carlo or Bust experience”
Ian Longley, BMW F800ST
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Full body armour!
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“Have finally found a spare 10 minutes to be able to thank you for a wonderful tour. Your organisation and attention to detail was fantastic and the roads you chose were amazing, the riding was incredible, both enjoyable and challenging by turn. I’m sorry John but the best riding I enjoyed was actually following Jen but that is no reflection on you, I just seemed to be in better shape those days. The hotels were very well chosen and the food was excellent as was the company. I was a little apprehensive coming on my own but I needn’t have been and I did enjoy myself both on and off the bike. Overall the whole experience was sublime, extremely good value for money and would I come again – most certainly; would I recommend Bike Normandy – most certainly, I already have. I hope you two have a chance to relax and enjoy some well-earned time off but I hope you are planning some great routes for next year – I am already saving up and hope to see you at the NEC. Thank you again, best wishes”
Alison Daniels, BMW K1200 GT
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Ian & Graham clearly have good taste in shirts! Just what is John doing?
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“…the Millau Viaduct is a must and your choice of roads was brilliant, all of which were our main reason for going. Was it value for money? Most definitely! I will add that it all went better than I had expected and it was a holiday to remember for all the right reasons. I’d be delighted to come on another of your tours and hope to see you again – I wish you both a great end to the summer – you have earned it in my opinion”
Pete Dawkins, Ducati Diavel – and having read the review…
“Great pics and I had a chuckle at Harv and me being named and shamed! I’ve said it before but thanks again for what was the very best holiday in many years. I will never forget it and want you to know that I fully appreciate everything you did to make the whole experience a real pleasure. Cheers”*
Having done 10 tours with us John G is rewarded with a BackMarker hi-viz jacket!
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Not to be left out Rita is presented with the “Rear of the Year” award!!!*
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“Just a quick thank you for organising not only a fantastic tour, but excellent hotels and most of all stunning routes. Whether you ride fast or slow this tour had it all. We have had a sensory overload trying to remember all the good parts of the route and cannot think of anything we would change. Cheers.”
David & Traci Wakefield, Triumph Explorer*
Barry’s knees really shouldn’t be exposed to the world!
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“Really enjoyed the tour – worth all the research you did. Thanks!”
Nick & Sandra Mills, BMW R1200R
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Plenty of coffee & lunch stops en-route
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“Trolly Dolly” Jen restocks the van with water Scenic roads
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Fab view crossing the Barrage The welcome committee!
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Richard & Rob are enthralled by Sue’s handiwork!
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Doug with his T-Max in the Lot
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The group take in the view of the Millau Bridge
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A rare sighting of the Eggleton’s in a photo !
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After struggling with the parasol, Doug & Nick finally get it up!
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As do Graham & Harvey!
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Riding through the Gorges du Tarn
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Pretty coffee stops with super views
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Our third night is spent in a Chateau
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Drinks at the bar before a few of us stroll into town for dinner
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Photo stop at the Pont D’Avignon
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Our hotel at Villefranche-sur-Mer Sue on her balcony*
Villefranche by night
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Fireworks over the bay
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Take a morning swim before breakfast on our day off
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The view of the bay from our hotel
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This is it – Monte Carlo or Bust !
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Take the train to Monte Carlo where John spots his new Ferrari !
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Most of the group outside the casino
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We all chill out in the Cafe de Paris while waiting for the casino to open
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Drinks are served David, Traci & Doug
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John with a Pina Colada, Sue has a glass of Champagne, Orry, Barry & Lindy
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*Jen with her 2nd Caipirinha (never any photos of me!) *
Ian splashes out on an ice-cream Pete & Harvey can’t resist either*
Rita & John Graham, Rob & Ian
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And the lucky winner is? Rob emerges from the casino quids-in!
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The fabulous boats in Monte Carlo
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More ice-creams – this time it’s Rob & Richard’s turn
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Back to Villefranche and relax in the hotel pool
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Alison shows off her “mussels”! Dinner our 2nd night in Villefranche
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Morning briefing before we set off Doug with his sunshade!
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Pete – Ducati Diavel, Harvey – Speed Triple & Alison – BMW K1200 GT
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The superb “Route Napoleon”
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Stunning scenery at Castellane
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The amazing Gorges du Verdon
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The Bike Normandy brochure at the exact same spot where the cover photo was taken!
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Sue, Nick & Sandra, Rob Barry & Lindy at the end of the Gorges du Verdon
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Dinner at Chateauneuf-du-Pape
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Dinner is served (sorry Rita!) Harvey & Pete – the escapees – are recaptured!
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At breakfast Doug entertains with another Olympic t-shirt!
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The spectacular Pont d’Arc in the Gorges de l’Ardeche
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Our hotel in Le Mont Dore
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John in his new “mankini”! Harvey on his Speed Triple & Sue on her Ducati 999
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Graham on his Fireblade Richard on his BMW F800ST
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Orry – Ducati Diavel, Barry & Lindy – Sprint GT, David & Traci – Explorer
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Rob – Goldwing – and last but not least – Nick & Sandra BMW R1200R
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Another ice-cream stop!
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Richard dreams of being a trucker! Our final hotel
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Relax with a few drinks*
Or take in a swim Just what has Sue got up her jumper???*
Rita finally realises that Sue has been trying to poke her eyes out! *
Aperitifs are served before dinner Ian and Rob*
Lindy enjoys a Kir Royale Doug & Alison
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Our final candlelit dinner
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Rita wins 70€ even though she wasn’t at the casino! Barry’s speech
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Rita starts the jokes – Pete & Harvey hide in the bushes to avoid Nick
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Nick organises a “Nellie the Elephant”
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Breakfast on our last day
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Doug marks his final junction in his own inimitable way!
*The End!
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