Testimonial Monte Carlo or Bust ! 28 April – 6 May 2018
The group in the Gorges de l’Ardeche. A truly fantastic start to the year, a fab group of people, great riding and good weather when it mattered most !
 We start with a pre-tour briefing |
 Stop to see the Tiger Tank” |
| “The holidays when you laugh until you cry are the best holidays ever! Thank you all those on facebook and all the others not on fb who helped to make our trip a fabulous one! So much fun, great roads, great hotels, great scenery and the best company ever! Thank you – we had a blast!” | |
| Tracey Farmer, 4th visit, Pillion on Honda Goldwing, Gloucestershire |
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 Parking at lunch stop |
 Pretty villages |
 Sandwiches in the sun |
 You won’t run out of fuel! |
| “Hi John & Jen, just a few words to thank you for a memorable trip around La Belle France. Well organised, good hotels, good food, good company, (mostly) good weather. Overall, excellent!” | |
| Reece Compton, 1st tour, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Essex | |
 Our first hotel in the Loire |
 Drinks on the terrace |
 Many visit Chenonceau Chateau |
 Nicky in the Grand Hall |
 Go down to the kitchens |
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| “Just finished a wonderful bike tour – Monte Carlo or Bust with John and Jen. Great roads, great company and great hotels. Even a few days of bad weather didn’t dampen our spirits. This was my second tour with BN European Tours. Can’t wait for my third.” | |
| John Savage, 2nd tour, Triumph Sprint GT, Peeblesshire, Scotland | |
 At our first hotel Jen braves the pool… |
 It’s all of 19 degrees C!! |
| “The Monte Carlo or Bust Tour was brilliant! Wayne and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute even though it started off pretty wet, but you can’t order the weather. It turned out sunny and the roads were brilliant, scenery breath-taking! Also enjoyed everyone’s company. Well done to you both for another great trip, looking forward to Black Forest in July!” | |
| Carole & Wayne Williams, 3rd visit, BMW K1600, Wales | |
 Hot air balloons overhead |
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 John welcomes everyone to the tour |
 It’s Janet Short’s 10th visit ! |
 Dinner is included tonight |
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| “This was one of the best, great company and a great trip” | |
| Chris Nash, 5th visit, BMW R1200GS, West Sussex | |
 Always a morning briefing |
 Waterproofs on this morning! |
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 At lunch we all pile in the same café! |
| “Thanks, John and Jen. Really pleased with the tour. Great caring leadership. You both make an exceptional team.” | |
| Paul & Pauline Hill, 1st tour, Honda Crosstourer, Somerset | |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
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 Back-marker Chris Nash |
 Wet roads as we head down to the dam |
 Great scenery – even in the wet |
 We ride across the dam |
| “Thank you all for a great trip.” | |
| “Stoner” – David Stone, 1st trip, KTM 990 Adventure, Devon | |
 Drinks in the bar at our next hotel |
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 Dinner is included again tonight |
 This time in a local restaurant |
| “Another great tour with John & Jen. Well organised, fabulous roads, great company and made lots of new friends as well as catching up with old ones. All in all a brilliant time! 😎 | |
| Nicky (& Marc) Rowley, 2nd tour, BMW R1200GSA, West Midlands | |
 Road Closed !! |
 Lovely scenery |
 We approach the Millau Bridge |
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 Some walked up to the viewing area – shame on those who didn’t have a good excuse (Jamie!) who didn’t!! |
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| “Another knockout tour! Great roads, even better hospitality and great company! Can’t wait until the next one. Thanks again John and Jen.” | |
| Rich Ward, 2nd tour, KTM 990 SMT , Gloucestershire | |
 We ride over the bridge |
 Then through the Tarn gorges |
 Jen’s in the lead today |
 Janet on her Kawasaki Ninja KRT |
| “Thanks J&J for a brilliant tour, they get better and better! One of the best groups of people too. Thanks also for making my big birthday extra special xx“ | |
| Janet Short, 10th visit, Kawasaki Ninja KRT, Somerset | |
 John S on his Sprint GT |
 Vince B on his BMW R1200RS |
 Wayne & Carole on their BMW K1600 |
 Vince & Tracey on their Honda Goldwing |
 Ian on his BMW S1000 XR |
 Marc & Nicky on their BMW R1200 GSA |
 Dry roads to start… |
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| “Thanks John & Jen for a fantastic holiday. Superb organisation and attention to detail as usual. Great hotels too.” | |
| Nigel Short, 17th trip, BMW S1000R Sport, Somerset | |
 Then it turns wet… |
 Still great roads |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
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 Uzes town centre – for those who didn’t venture out! |
 We dine underneath the arches! |
 Some enjoy cooking on hot stones |
 Our morning briefing |
 Beautiful tree lined roads |
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 Lunch stop in Provence |
 Market with local produce |
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 Afternoon coffee stop |
 Instructions before we ride some motorway |
 We ride through Nice |
 “The World” luxury liner in Nice |
 We all pile into a local bar! |
 It’s Janet’s birthday – the jokes start!! |
 A free night – some opt for pizzas |
 Villefranche by night |
 A lovely morning the next day |
 Jen, John & Ian enjoyed a swim |
 We await the bus to Monte Carlo |
 Stroll through the “posh” shops |
 See the flash cars outside the casino |
 & the fab boats in the harbour |
 It has to be done…cocktails in the VIP area! |
 Take the Bateau Bus across the harbour |
 See the super yachts |
 Fab views of the marina |
 You can visit the palace |
 See the changing of the guard |
 Explore the back streets |
 Nigel replicates his “Picos” pose !! |
 Lunch in the old town |
 The stands being erected for the Classic Car Race |
 “Dilbar” the largest yacht in the world at £600 million |
 More flash cars |
 A remote-controlled BMW !! |
 Inside the casino lobby |
 Us !! |
 Beers – thanks to Vince B winning at the Casino ! |
 Another free night to explore Villefranche |
 Lots of restaurants to choose from |
 Breakfast area in our hotel |
 Two cruise liners this morning |
 A group photo – back on the bikes and it’s not raining !! |
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 Heading out through Nice |
 A glorious morning |
 Route Napoleon – John followed by Jamie |
 Daryl on his KTM 1290 Super Adventure |
 Paul & Pauline on their Honda Crosstourer |
 “Stoner” on his KTM 990 Adventure |
 Great roads |
 Twisty enough ? |
 The fab setting for lunch stop |
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 Ugh Vince !! |
 Gorgeous scenery in the Verdon |
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 John’s in the lead on our Street Triple R |
 Rich on his KTM 990 SMT |
 Reece on his Suzuki V-Strom 650 |
 Mind your head ! |
 Super scenery |
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 The lake at the end of the gorge |
 A GROUP photo please ! |
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 And we’re off… |
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 John S & “Stoner” at coffee break |
 Pretty village stop |
 Drinks in the hotel bar |
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 Dinner is included tonight |
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 John’s tells the “Madeira Cake” joke… |
 Tracey’s heard it before !! |
 We ride round the original Arc de Triomphe |
 So scenic |
 Amazing views in the Ardeche |
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 The fab Pont D’Arc |
 The Group in the Ardeche |
 Sunny coffee stop |
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 Jen’s in the lead today… |
 followed by Jamie on his Speed Triple R |
 Nigel on his BMW S1000R Sport |
 More great roads |
 Sandwiches ordered for lunch |
 We head into the Volcanic region… |
 where there is still snow on the peaks |
 Drinks in a local bar |
 Different beer taps ! |
 We enjoy a traditional local dinner |
 The next day – always a morning briefing |
 We ride out through the volcanoes |
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 So who’s in the wrong lane ?? |
 More great roads |
 Street parking at coffee stop… |
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 Ian chilling at lunch stop |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
 Arriving at our final hotel |
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 Jen, Janet & Ian enjoy a swim |
 Come on in – it’s lovely (and heated!) |
 John ventures in as well |
 Nigel & John S enjoying a beer |
 Rich, Jamie & Vince B |
 The gorgeous gardens of our hotel |
 Drinks before dinner |
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 John thanks everyone for a brilliant tour |
 Dinner is included our last night |
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 John has whispered to Janet who picks on Jamie… |
 She’s laughing so much she can’t speak!! |
 Eventually she passes on the joke… |
 but so badly that John has to repeat it !! |
 Jamie picks on Tracey |
 Tracey targets Wayne (Wayne it’s not “courgettes”!) |
 Wayne passes it on to Nicky… |
 Who aims for “Stoner” |
 Who’s really shocked !! |
 Stoner heads for Carole |
 She cracks up ! |
 Carole passes it on to Nigel |
 Who really doesn’t like it !! |
 Nigel collars Pauline… |
 who then targets Chris |
 John thanks Chris for riding as “back-marker” |
 Thanks Chris ! |
 Stoner thanks everyone for making him so welcome |
 John S says some words of thanks to us… |
 Presenting Jen with a gift voucher for botox ! (not really!) |
 and John with a gift from everyone – Thanks to all! |
 John shows Vince how to waft a towel ! |
 Carole takes a turn… |
 Then Nigel – no-one wanted to go fishing !! |
 Ian’s up next… |
 Janet takes a turn |
 Then Wayne |
 Reece is up next |
 Followed by Vince B |
What a fab evening – with loads more joke telling and everyone taking part this was a great end to the tour… |
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 Another glorious morning |
 Nobody wants to leave ! |
 It’s the last day… |
 Stoner has a slow puncture ! |
 Lunch stop on the way to Le Havre |
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 John arrives back at the port with Stoner |
 All back in good time for the ferry |
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And that’s all folks ! What a great bunch of people to start off the season. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours…and as a P.S. |
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We’ve heard from Glen (who had to return home ill after day 1) – he’s on the mend and is pursuing a claim against his insurers for the repatriation of his motorbike. |