Picos, Pyrenees & Volcanoes (in reverse) 11 – 19 June 2017
We always say that we get the nicest people on our tours and this one was no exception. A great mix of regulars and new faces made for a brilliant tour – thanks to everyone
 We always start with a pre-tour briefing |
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 Rod & Jackie with their luxury seat cover! |
 There’s always one – or two – who haven’t filled up!! |
 All the bikes have to stop as John’s gloves were in the van !! |
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| “We have just returned from one of the most memorable holidays in our 23 years of holidaying together! Picos, Pyrenees and Volcanoes Tour.Thanks to John and Jen, we will treasure some very special memories for very many years to come.When you plan a holiday, you generally take care of the details such as travel insurance, holiday clothes, spending money etc. However, what would you do if you booked a biking tour and you fall ill half way through?! You’re left unable to ride your motorbike and you’re in the middle of France with 14 other riders moving through the French countryside with a different hotel every night or two. BN European Tours had it covered! Because the BN tours are so well organised, it meant that the quality of our holiday wasn’t compromised at all – I was able to drive the luggage van (which follows the tour for the duration), and while Jen led the group John put on his leathers and rode our bike which meant my husband Vince was able to relax in the van (well, sort of – given the fact I’d not driven in France for more than 10 years!!) Within 24 hours, we were back on our bike and feeling so very grateful that we’d chosen a professional company who didn’t hesitate in coming to the rescue so we could concentrate on getting well again.John and Jen are the perfect hosts, a pleasure to spend time with. They clearly love what they do but what we really appreciated is that they genuinely care for you and do everything they can to ensure your precious holiday time is spent thoroughly enjoying the spectacular roads and dramatic scenery, photographs just don’t do it justice. Climbing up high into the Picos mountains and negotiating the twisties was a real thrill and the second-man drop off system with a back marker was a huge success – we didn’t lose a single rider along the way but it also meant that with the varied experience among the group, everyone got to ride at their own pace without feeling either held back or under any pressure.We had no idea what to expect but we were more than a little delighted with the excellent choice of hotels which ranged from a simple French boutique style in a quiet town through to the more modern in the middle of a buzzing city, where you could step right outside in search of tapas bars on the doorstep. The camaraderie and friendships that were formed was priceless! Happy memories made from sharing stories as we laughed together getting to know one another.Traveling with BN European Tours means you’re in safe, experienced hands where the details are always taken care of so all you have to do is relax, unwind and enjoy the exhilarating ride!One of our best holidays by far and we can’t wait to book another one!” | |
| Tracey & Vince Farmer, 1st tour, Honda CrossTourer | |
| [Wow! Thank you so much for the fab feedback, we look forward to seeing you both on another tour – J&J] (since booked on the Rhine in Flames & a short break in September) | |
 Pretty lunch stop |
 John leading on our Street Triple |
 All lined up at coffee stop |
 Refueling in high temperatures |
| “If John and Jen did motorcycle tours they would probably be the best in the world…… Oh…. hold on….they do ….and they are! I have just returned from the Volcanoes, Pyrenees and PIcos tour and what a stunning holiday it was. It was the best holiday I have ever had. Not only do John and Jen find the most fabulous roads through gorgeous scenery, they have everything else sorted. Great hotels, fabulous towns and villages for coffee stops, lunch stops and our nightly stop overs. The logistics they put in behind the scenes cannot be understated and it makes for a truly relaxed and easy holiday for the participants. The fact that both John and Jen ride and use a van which follows us everywhere really came into its own this year when some members became ill. Everything is just sorted allowing things to continue as normal. This was my second trip with John and Jen and it will definitely NOT be the last. I have so far attended alone but I need not worry about being Billy no mates. Everyone has always been friendly and welcoming which makes for an amazing social holiday as well. I cannot recommend them highly enough 5 Stars just does not do them justice.” | |
| Phil Ashworth, 2nd tour, BMW S1000XR | |
| [Again – thanks so much for the fab feedback Phil – see you in September! J&J] | |
 Still hot at almost 6.00pm |
 Our first hotel |
| “Jen/John, a great big thank you for taking care of us, your professionalism ensured all would go well – all destinations, routes, accommodation and meals were superb. Flexibility afforded by the “marker” system ensured no-one got lost yet the experienced could still have “fun” on the chosen route – a system that suits both the novice AND experienced rider. | |
| Jen and John both being riders understand the needs of their customers (I use this term loosely as I felt they become friends) all routes were carefully chosen to maximise fun, give maximum appreciation of the local area and maximise spectacular scenery. Any issues anyone had were very quickly sorted, Jen/John make sure everyone is ok and informed of the days events and any tips at a daily briefing. | |
| Myself and Julie would like to echo all the comments that have been made. All you guys made the trip fun and extremely memorable – we couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people for our first organised tour. A real family feel and good friends made – keep in touch!!!” | |
| Eddie & Julie Nicoll, 1st tour, BMW K1600GT, Scotland |
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 Parking opposite the hotel |
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 Lovely setting |
 Drinks before dinner |
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| “Thanks everyone for a great tour, we had a brilliant time with lots of laughs and couldn’t have met a better bunch of people to have experienced it all with. Special thanks to Jen & John for your hard work & efforts in making this trip so memorable and hope to experience more trips with you in the future.” | |
| Nicky & Marc Rowley, 1st tour, BMW R1200 GSA | |
 Dinner is included tonight |
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 A morning briefing before we set off |
 Coffee stop – all in the same cafe!! |
 Afternoon stop following a deviation! |
| “Hi All, lovely to meet and ride with you all, what an experience!! Thanks so much to John and Jen, so much organisation and planning to ensure we all had a great time. The hotels were lovely and the routes fantastic. Hope you all got home safely, and that we meet again in the future.” | |
| Steven & Karen Whiteside, 1st tour, BMW R1200 GS | |
 At our next hotel… |
 drinks before dinner |
| “Hi John & Jen, many thanks to you both for organising such a great trip! The riding was incredible, hotels fantastic and such a pleasure to share the experience with an amazing group of people! Being back at work has never felt so dull…” | |
| Neil & Ann Henderson, 2nd tour, BMW R1150 RT |
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 Boys with beers! |
 Dinner in a local restaurant |
 John translates the menu |
 Vince & Tracey, Marc & Nicky, Iain & David |
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Thanks to you both John and Jen for an excellent tour.” |
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| David Lindfield, 5th visit, BMW S1000RS | |
| [See David’s photos at the end of the review!!] | |
 Nice bit of leg Vince!! |
 Briefing in the hotel garage |
 Today we ride into the Volcanoes |
 We stop at the Puy Mary |
 Ian G (& Jen) climb half-way up |
 Lunch at the top |
 Ian G on his BMW S1000XR |
 Steven & Karen on their BMW R1200GS |
 Afternoon coffee stop |
 Nicky & Marc with Karen & Steven |
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 We’re sweltering at fuel stop |
| “What a great review Jen and John. Brings back great memories of the holiday, and what a smashing bunch of people we were with.“ | |
| Jackie & Rod Pritchard. 1st tour, BMW R1200 GSA | |
 Any bit of shade will do |
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 Bikes lined up at Rocamadour – but where’s David? |
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 He’s stopped to get an ice cream!! |
 We stop to look at the stunning view |
 The Group at Rocamadour |
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| “Review is great – thanks very much, Jen, for putting it all together, and to yourself and John for providing a great but exhausting experience. Big lesson learned: Don’t go on a European tour in summer wearing one-piece leathers!” | |
| Ian Heap, 1st tour, Kawasaki Versys 1000 | |
 Tahitian singers in town |
 Follow that train! |
 Drinks before dinner – Phil with Jackie & Rod |
 Iain, Neil & Ann, Karen |
 Alice, Steven, Peter, David & Ian H |
 Ian G. Steve & Phil |
 Marc, John, Nicky, Tracey & Vince |
 Dinner is in the hotel restaurant |
 New friendships |
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 Howard, Eddie & Julie & Catt were first to dinner |
 The next morning briefing…most importantly… |
 It’s Tracey’s birthday! |
 How embarrassing! |
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 Pretty lunch stop |
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 Vince is unwell so Tracey drives the van |
 John rides their CrossTourer |
 Afternoon stop in the shade |
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 A free night in Lourdes |
 See the nightly procession in Lourdes |
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 Fewer in number than previous years |
 A drizzly start but most go for a ride out |
 Ann stays behind as does Steven |
 Alice rides as backmarker on her Integra |
 Phil on his BMW S1000XR |
 The roads are now dry |
 Snap! Literally! Rod & Jackie |
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 Howard on his VFR |
 Marc & Nicky on their BMW R1200 GSA |
 Eddie & Julie on their BMW K1600 GT |
 Peter “Tuffers” on his BMW S1000XR |
 “Why is one white & one brown?” !! |
 We cross into Spain for coffee stop |
 Neil, Eddie & Julie |
 Pretty villages |
 Rod & Jackie in the lead |
 We start climbing up the mountains |
 Jackie takes 100’s of photos |
 Peter followed by Catt |
 Catt on her BMW R1200RS |
 Nice one Catt! |
 Misty as we continue to climb |
 Then we have a fabulous view |
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 We regroup before going to lunch |
 Another picturesque lunch stop |
 Not a lot open though! |
 We all have crepes |
 With Kites flying overhead |
 Can you photobomb a fuel stop?! |
 So cute! |
And for those who stayed in rainy Lourdes this is what you missed!! |
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 Catt in the lead |
 We arrive at the top – 2115m |
 Fabulous scenery |
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 Amazing views!  . |
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 Howard & Alice with the resident donkey |
 John with ? |
 Julie & Eddie sunbathing |
 We stop for drinks… |
 a good reason to extend the ride-out!! |
 Not too close to the edge!! |
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 Neil on his BMW R1150RT |
 Are you alright? |
 Beware – cattle in the mist |
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 Marc & Nicky on their BMW R1200GSA |
 Tunnels… |
 & netting |
 Another free night in Lourdes |
 Jokes back at the hotel…”Steven’s fallen over”!! |
 Morning briefing in the hotel’s secure parking |
 We all have to stop… |
 Our planned route… |
 Road closed – with no advance warning!! |
 We soon rejoin the route |
 More great scenery as we head to the Pyrenees |
 Fab roads |
 Lunch stop in the Pyrenees |
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 Awesome scenery as Alice brings up the rear |
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 It’s getting hotter! |
 Simply stunning! |
 Truck stop for drinks!! |
 Nice bit of thigh there Vince!! |
 Outside our hotel in Logrono |
 We take the lift to underground parking |
 A free night to explore the lovely town |
 Just what have we ordered?! |
 Many of us dine together |
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 Phil’s happy! |
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 Rod enjoys some Sangria |
 The entertainment arrives |
 Jen teaches “Tuffers” the Slosh |
 He hasn’t quite got it !! |
 We stop for ice creams |
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 Phil approaches a young lady under a lamppost… |
 to take a 360 degree photo of us all |
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 We move on to another bar |
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 Then we head into the back streets |
 Rod & David choosing tapas |
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 And at the next bar – how many on Rioja?? |
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 Peter pays the buscar… |
 to hand his guitar over to Iain!! |
 Iain plays some Dire Straits |
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 Bikes out of the garage |
 Peter needs a new tyre! |
 Morning coffee stop |
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 Parking in the shade |
 Lunch stop |
 Steve enjoys a calamari sandwich |
 Tuffers is back with two new tyres |
 The group at the viewing area as we head into the Picos mountains |
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 All the BMW’s |
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 David on his BMW S1000RS |
 The surprise is the Fuente De |
 View from the top |
 Steven & Karen with Alice |
 Enjoy a drink at the top |
 Marc & Nicky with Peter |
 We ride over the Picos mountains |
 We pass on the way to the hotel |
 The fab setting of our hotel |
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 Dinner is included tonight |
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 Drinks outside after dinner |
 Party girls Julie & Ann ! |
 The Church lit up by night |
 The next day most go for a ride-out |
 David on his BMW S1000RS |
 A pillion’s view |
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 David with Steve behind |
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 More great roads |
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 At lunch any shade will do! |
 Street entertainment |
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 We try the local cider |
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 Dancing in the street! |
 Wander round the market stalls |
 First Holy Communion procession |
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 Enjoying lunch |
 Steve on his Honda CB600F |
 David followed by Peter |
 We disturb a young cow |
 Peter in the lead |
 Neil & Ann in the lead on their BMW R1150RT |
 It’s scorching hot so we stop for a drink |
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 Peter |
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 The super setting of our hotel |
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 Drinks back at the hotel |
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 New recruits – the t-shirt shop is open! |
 Resident Chow “Lusso” |
 Our last dinner together – John thanks everyone for a great tour and especially Alice for doing a fantastic job as “back-marker” |
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 Tracey says some kind words of thanks |
 The fun starts – Phil isn’t impressed! |
 Our Mr & Mrs competition…Rod & Jackie go first |
 Another match |
 Neil & Ann – no match! |
 It’s a match! |
 Vince & Tracey have a match |
 Another match |
 Good sports Peter & Phil take a turn!!! |
 It’s a match! |
 No match! |
 And after a tie-break the winners are – Jackie & Rod! |
 Eddie says a few words of thanks as well |
 Peter kicks off the joke telling |
 Cecil & Frederick take turns… |
 So how did Ian know it was a marrow?!!! |
 Ian G takes a turn |
 David goes next |
 Then Jen |
 And another… |
 David again |
 Steve takes a turn |
 Neil’s up next |
 Then Iain |
 Not such a Secret Agent – Alice our back-marker! |
 Everyone’s up early the next day… |
 to wave goodbye to Eddie & Julie |
 Our final morning briefing |
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 Heading back into the Picos |
 Alice in the twisties |
 Our final coffee stop |
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 David grabs 40 winks! |
 Phil’s knackered as well!! |
 Iain on his Daytona 955 |
 Ian H on his Versys 1000 |
 We finish off riding together on dual-carriageway to Santander |
 And that’s it – we’re at the port in good time for the ferry |
A brilliant tour with great weather too – thanks to everyone for the fun & laughs along the way – we look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen. |
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Thanks David !!!!!! |
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