Testimonial Picos Pyrenees 2016 - BN European Tours Ltd

Picos, Pyrenees & Volcanoes Tour 25 July – 1 August 2016

Fab roads, fab weather and a fab group – what more do you want for a fab biking holiday!

“Hi everyone, just want to say from Matt and I a big big thank you for a fabulous 8 days. The tour was brilliant, so organised and such beautiful places. Thank you Jen and John for being professional, sincere and caring. As to the group, you are such a lovely bunch of people and we appreciate all the help and support you gave to us. Wish we had more time to get to know you all better. Next tour, I might have another husband, maybe an old codger with a Goldwing. One that will sit still and doesn’t do hurdling !!!!!!!! [see later J&J] Lol. Love him really Xx Take care everyone and thank you.” Matt & Shirley Ilott, 1st tour, KTM Super Adventure
in Santander we’re treated to a free concert	John & Andy Wilson with beers in the square
“Dear John and Jen, we wanted to send our thanks to you both for a wonderful tour. We both enjoyed it very much, and have written a little limerick of thanks for you … There was a motorcycle holiday company called Bike Normandy Who are above all others quite deservedly They put in much time To make tours sublime And for that we thank them wholeheartedly! ” Audrey and Rees Hewson, 1st tour, Triumph Explorer
Scottish Andy attempts to barter – in Spanish!	Andy & Jen teach the locals the Slosh!
“Hi John & Jen, thank you for a great holiday…the roads and scenery were incredible, excellent hotels and a brilliant bunch of people on the tour and some good laughs. Thanks to Jen and John for going out of their way to sort things, it was a brilliant tour” Mike Sanders, 5th tour, & Tracey Reading, 3rd tour, Kawasaki Z1000SX
“P.S. Hope Right Said Fred’s knee is ok, and of course the back markers even though we didn’t get a chance to speak to them”
Sue & Ken Wright join us for breakfast	A traditional procession passes by
..	..

We meet you off the ferry with a pre-tour briefing	Lovely scenery en route
“Hola, a very belated thanks to John and Jen for a great trip, all so organised and the back up van being invaluable. Nothing seems to put you into panic mode not even the accident of Ken and Sue, who I’m pleased to note are now back in the UK and hopefully now on the mend. Thanks to everyone for your company it was a pleasure to meet so many nice people and we have some great memories. Hope to see you again on another BN European Tour. Best wishes,” Gordon & Alison Barr, 2nd tour, Honda Crosstourer
At lunch Rees discovers a puncture	A rare sight – John doing exercise !(oops!)
Bikes parked up at lunch stop
“Wayne and I would like to thank you all for making it a wonderful holiday. Regards to all xx” Wayne & Carole Williams, 1st tour, BMW K1300GT
We head off into the Picos Mountains	Taken through the van windscreen!
Stunning scenery	Ken & Sue riding as “back-markers”
The superb view from our first hotel
Parking behind our hotel
Drinks in the hotel bar	Jill passes round the olives

Dinner is included tonight	.
John sets the bar [low!] for jokes on the tour	The spider is still going strong! (see 2011 Tour)
A misty start to day 2	Always a morning briefing
A surprise at coffee stop	Is it worth going up?
It still looks really misty…	But look what awaits above the clouds!
Ian, Shirley & Matt, Brian, Rees & Audrey	Jackie & Brendan

The skies clear	Afternoon coffee stop
Matt organises a group photo then leaps the fence to be in it….
He won’t be entering the Grand National any time soon as he falls at the second fence!!!!!

Secure underground parking at our 2nd hotel	Bikes take the lift down !
Cathedral in Logrono	Well spotted Audrey !!
Rees & Brian are not sure what they’re eating!	Our second tapas bar…
Our third tapas bar…	Explore the back streets
Wayne on his BMW K1300GT	Kelvin on his BMW RT1200
Mike with his BMW S1000XR	Morning briefing
Carl riding as back-marker	.

Stunning scenery after coffee stop	We head towards the Pyrenees
Pretty lunch stop	.
We always fill-up every 100 – 120 miles	Still snow on the peaks
.	Watch out for the locals!
.	Spot the bear paw-prints!
Bikes winding up to the top of the Col	Matt & Shirley on their KTM Super Adventure
Audrey & Rees with creamy coffees	Coffee stop on top of the Pyrenees
Ian, Jackie & Shirley decide to race to the top	So where’s Ian ??

They don’t give up!	They made it !
.	.
The group on top of the Col Where a group of youngsters want to be in the photo!
Heading down off the Pyrenees	.
Drinks on the hotel terrace	When in Lourdes!!! Matt still has a bad knee!
See the nightly procession at the Cathedral	Just who is that in the wheelchair?????
The congregation builds up	.
.	.

Kelvin & Jill with ice-creams	Really large beers!
.
Preparations for a jazz concert	Coffee stop
Malcolm & Kari on their Harley Fat Bob CVO	Andy on his Piaggio MP3
Sunflowers everywhere	Our next stop is Rocamadour
The group minus Gordon & Alison who made their own way to the hotel
The quaint tourist train	Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included again tonight
We wake up to a spectacular sight	Three hot-air balloons take off
Matt watches them float away	John waits to be fed by the house martins!

Another gorgeous morning	Coffee stop
.	A poorly kitten adopts Audrey
.	James’ rear tyre isn’t going to finish the tour!
Lunch is in the Volcanic region
Lunch on top of the Puy Mary	.
The view going down
Gordon & Alison on their Honda Cross Tourer	Not ideal Brendan – we ride on the right!!!
Dinner included our first night in the Volcanoes	We start with the hotel’s “Fairy Cocktail”

John drops his shorts telling the “Penguin” joke…	Just as the waiter walks in !!!!
A rainy start to our day off	Local morning market
John takes Brian to get a new front tyre	James to get front & rear tyres
After experiencing a vibration, Andy’s Piaggio is given the once-over	Brian fits his front wheel while John weights down the rear!!
We then go for a ride-out – Shirley on the back of James’ Ducati Streetfighter 848	Jen rides pillion to take some photos ………….
Mike on his BMW S1000XR	Rees (Explorer) with Ian (Street Triple)
James in the lead	Still in the lead…
.	We head towarde the Puy du Dome

. .
We take the train to the top	.
Super view from the top
.	.
.	Brian (Blackbird) & Ian
Drinks in the hotel bar	.
Audrey chooses a huge dessert	Then she’s the first to be “branded”!

With more black spots appearing – Shirley’s next !	Who’s next to make a mistake??
Shirley’s out !!	Ian stumbles and is branded!
And the winners are – Rees & Gordon !!	Coffee stop the next day
Lunch stop	A rare sight – Us !!
Whole town closed for a “vide-grenier”	.
Dinner is included our last night	John thanks everyone for a great tour
Matt says some kind words on behalf of the group	John’s telling jokes again…

Just how did Ian & Brian know it was a marrow??!!	Carole takes a turn
Jen goes next	Then Kelvin
The t-shirt shop is open !!	A final talk before some leave for Calais
Emotional goodbyes !	John A on his BMW K1300S
John gets baguettes for lunch	Lunch back at “Bike Normandy”

Thanks to everyone for making this another great tour. We always say that we attract the nicest people on our tours and this was no exception. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future trips. Ride safe John & Jen.

(Unfortunately Ken & Sue had an “off” with Sue breaking her arm. She has had an operation in Spain and is due out of hospital today (4 Aug) – they hope to continue with their planned trip to Italy in their motorhome)