Picos, Pyrenees & Volcanoes Tour 29 June – 6 July 2015
A fantastic tour with a great bunch of people…glorious sunshine every day and Heather – our most innovative marker ever!
 We start the Tour in Santander |
 Where after a short briefing we set off |
| “What a great biking holiday. My second tour with Bike Normandy and my first time in the Picos de Europa and the Spanish and French Pyrenees and the routes chosen were mind blowing. What made this tour doubly enjoyable for me was the great group of people on this tour. That’s all of you lot. I couldn’t have asked for a friendlier group of fellow bikers – even though when on the bike I mostly saw you from a long way behind as you disappeared over the horizon. But then I’m used to that!” David Craxton, 2nd trip, Honda Deauville
“Just to let you know that Kieron, me and the 5 Sausages arrived home safely!..I seem to have got a reputation for shopping – just cannot think why?!!! I am sorry to report that I am still hunting for those elusive cherries! At least we all enjoyed a few at the top of the mountain. We both thoroughly enjoyed yet another amazing tour with you all and are really pleased to have made the leader board at last! As usual John and Jen’s tour routes provided us with superb, twisty roads, flowing bends, magnificent scenery, fabulous hotels, wonderful food and brilliant company to share it all with. We have made some lovely friends and cannot wait until our next tour to meet up with them all again. John and Jen, you are amazing hosts and thanks for organising everything so well. We felt we were just one part of a big happy, biking family…looking forward to keeping in touch with you all and will, at some point sort my photos out – although Jen, you did a brilliant job of summarising all our exploits! P.S. Perhaps you could organise a cold chilled box in the back of the van in readiness for my further purchases next year!!!!! Best wishes to all” Sharron & Kieron Haines, 3rd trip, BMW K1600GTL |
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 The bikes parked up at lunch |
 The prettiest lunch stop |
| “John and Jen, thanks again to you both…I really enjoy your tours and this one was no exception, in fact I have to say despite the issues in the first days, it is the best so far…
This tour for me delivered everything I expected. It makes a big change for me to join a tour and to just turn up and ride my bike. You showed us some of the best roads in Spain and France, spectacular views and scenery, and I loved every second. The hotels were fantastic and to go the whole week without a drop of rain was even better, even the extreme heat didn’t faze me. This was my third trip with BN and I will be back for more next year (if you are not fully booked). Thanks again to both of you for a wonderful holiday.” Paul Butler, 3rd trip, Suzuki Hayabusa |
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 Steve K’s BMW (!) overheats in the Picos |
 We all enjoy a beer at the hotel |
| “Hi John & Jen, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour even though I missed 2 days! I will have to return to do the Pyrenees another time” Steve King, 2nd trip, overheating BMW K1200S!!!! “Hi everyone … many thanks for a wonderful and memorable holiday. As always John and Jen never let us down.” Steve & Kirsty Eaton, 4th trip, BMW S1000XR |
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The fabulous view from our hotel
“Dear John & Jen, just to say thanks again for a great holiday! Glad to hear that John was not badly hurt…some people will do anything to stay in an air conditioned van! I think it was great how everybody pulled together when situations went a bit awry and it made me feel very proud to be with such a great group of people. Thank you all!” Martin Clist, 2nd trip, Triumph Street Triple RX
 Steve finally arrives with backmarkers Terry & Fran |
 Sharron enjoys a huge Gin & Tonic |
| “Ian and I had such a fab time, as they say all good things must come to and end unfortunately. I cried saying goodbye to you all at the petrol station and again when I was on the ferry although that was mainly down to relief of getting the ferry as Phillips managed to get us lost 3 times on that one journey – no marker system you see!! We’ve been wearing our BN t-shirt/vest with pride over the weekend, promoting it around not so sunny Exmouth!.. Anyway we hope that we will see you all again as some stage on various tours.” Heather & Ian Phillips, 1st trip, Suzuki GSX650F | |
 Time for drinks before dinner |
 The wind-up spider (2011 Tour) is still going strong! |
| “Thank you John and Jen for another great tour with Bike Normandy – lovely roads, scenery and accommodation but, as always, the company makes it the fun, supportive experience we so value. An incident ridden tour but the resilience and optimism of John and Jen rubs off on everyone and folks rise to the occasion in solidarity. Our own problems with the bike were, and continue to be exasperating, but our overall remembrance of the street party welcome at Rocamadour, and the care shown on the rest of the tour, will carry us forward to our next trip. See you next summer!” Terry (8th trip) & Fran (6th trip) Stanfield, Triumph Sprint | |
 Dinner together our first night |
 Our hotel in the Picos Mountains |
 Always a morning briefing before setting off |
 Heading into the Picos de Europa Mountains |
 Fantastic roads & scenery |
 Steve’s BMW overheats again so recovery is called |
 The chicks came to see the broken-down BMW! |
 Paul on top of Fuente De |
 Kirsty on top of Fuente De |
Most of the group take the cable car up Fuente De
 Steve E, Marian & Dave stayed at the bottom |
 Terry’s Triumph won’t start – breakdown is called! |
 Super views as we leave the Picos |
 We all end up in the same tapas bar in Logrono |
 Stunning lake as we head towards the Pyrenees |
 Lunch in the Pyrenees |
 Where David C discovers a puncture! |
 Mark with Martin |
 Ian & Heather with Steve & Kirsty |
 Watch out for the locals ! |
 Not pictured – the barking sheep dog ! |
 Meet the horses on top of the Col |
 More fab scenery |
 Lovely little foal |
 The ponies take great interest in the bikes |
 Steve & Kirsty |
 The pony inspects the Trike |
 Kieron runs to rescue David’s Honda Deauville |
 The three ponies were rocking the bike! |
 Paul decides to move his Hayabusa ! |
 Enjoy ice-creams & cherries on the Col |
The Group on the Col D’Aubisque – missing Terry, Fran & Steve K
 Kirsty points out the Bike Normandy sticker ! |
 Jen leading on the Street Triple R |
 Martin follows on his Street Triple RX |
 Paul on his Suzuki Hayabusa |
 Ian & Heather on their Suzuki GSX650F |
 Steve F on his Moto Guzzi Griso |
 Steve & Kirsty on their BMW S1000XR |
 Mark on his Honda VFR800 |
 Kieron & Sharron on their BMW K1600GTL |
 David C on his Honda Deauville |
 David & Marian on their Yamaha Midnight Star |
 At Lourdes, Martin thinks John needs a hug! |
 Matching shirts and party twizzlers! |
 See the nightly procession |
 Many fewer than in previous years |
 Sharron realises she has lost her cherries!! |
 Kirsty rubs the Knob on John’s shoulder ! |
Sharron & Kirsty cool down in 34 degree heat!
 Our next stop is at Rocamadour |
The group still minus Terry, Fran & Steve K
 Our hotel is down in the old medieval town |
 Dinner is included in the hotel restaurant |
 Kirsty crawls under the table for a cig |
 Dave & Kieron with more matching shirts ! |
 The welcome committee await Terry & Fran ! |
 At last! After 360 miles they arrive! |
 They rejoin the group after 3 days in Santander! And then the fun & games start |
 With the route on his back Terry parks up
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 John whispers to Sharron… |
 who passes it on to Kieron… |
 who passes it on to Mark… |
 who corners Martin!.. |
 who corners Kirsty… |
 who doesn’t seem to mind!!! |
 Kirsty passes it on to Heather… |
 who passes it on to Steve… |
 who passes it on to Paul but by now is nothing like the original joke!! |
 So John has to start the joke all over again by telling Marian |
 who tells Ian… |
 who tells Terry… |
 who completely cracks up… |
 but eventually passes it on to Steve F |
David C escaped, Dave B and Jen managed to avoid being caught!! We were all in stitches and have not laughed so much in ages!
 After 3 days in Bilbao Steve K arrives at 1.00am! |
 All present & correct in the morning |
 Another lovely day |
 Terry & Fran back as “backmarkers”! |
 Coffee stop in the shade |
 Before we head into the Volcanic region |
 On top of the Puy Mary |
 Bikes parked up at the top |
 Lunch stop |
 Our next stop in the heart of the Volcanoes |
 Dinner is included |
 Peach. Champagne & Blue Curacao cocktails |
 Dinner is in the new Bistro |
 Still with sunlight streaming in |
 Ice lollies all round |
 A free day to wander round the town |
 Stroll down to the market |
 John samples the local sausage |
 As does Kieron |
 Sharron buys sausages… |
 then macaroons… |
 then jewellery…and it didn’t stop there!! |
 Kirsty buys a hat… |
 But then thinks about turning brunette… |
 as does “rock-god” Kieron !! |
 No comment !! |
 We all know he’s a qualified poser!! |
 Drinks & afternoon desserts! |
 Drinks in the hotel lounge |
 Terry & Mark ride to the Puy de Dome |
 Super views from the top |
 Make sure you take the train up though !! |
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 Most of us dine together |
 Enjoy local specialities |
 Fab desserts |
 Selfie with dessert ! |
 Live music in the park |
 The whole group ! |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
 Kieron thinks he’s a morris dancer! |
 Drinks before dinner |
 Dinner is included |
 Our final evening together |
 John says a few “thank-you’s” after dinner |
 And presents a helicopter to Mark!! |
 Paul says some kind words and presents gifts… |
 John gets a first-aid kit!! |
 Fran wrote a poem “No Rocamadour duck…F*ck!!” |
| Fran’s poem in full:
Without an alarm we can remain calm, With an alarm we were fucked! No mountains or col and then worst of all, we missed out on the Rocamadour duck – FUCK! |
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 How did Fran know it was a marrow?? |
 Kirsty takes a turn |
Following John’s accident (thanks to a diesel spill) on day two we really appreciated everybody’s patience, help and assistance in ensuring the Tour carried on…Paul for leading the group until lunch, Steve F and David C for riding as back-markers, Kirsty & Sharron for manning the van. Fortunately John wasn’t too badly hurt and rejoined the group that night. In view of his performance in tumbling down the road, the group had their own presentation on the last night…
Marks for artistic impression – SEVEN !!
Execution – a TEN!!!
 Mark and his helicopter with Ian whose T-shirt won’t let Mark forget he didn’t see three of them !! |
The group on our last morning
 We wave goodbye to Ian & Heather who leave for Roscoff |
 Now back at home Ian spends all day cleaning his Suzuki ! |
 After lunch back at the BN ranch the rest of the group depart from Caen |
Despite John’s accident, two breakdowns, a puncture, Jen riding with a broken gear lever and at times sweltering heat (unlike last year!) this tour was made such a success by the fantastic group of people taking part. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future trips. Ride safe, John & Jen.