The group in the Volcanoes: a tour with temperatures ranging from 8.5 to a sweltering 42 degrees yet we all had a great time.
We start with a briefing at Ouistreham
Straight onto country roads
First coffee stop
“The Picos Tour (in reverse) was my fifth with BN European Tours. As ever, the organization, roads and fellow bikers were all excellent. Really nothing to complain about and much to recommend. However, it is only when the going gets tough that having John and Jen in charge really matters. We had breakdowns, extreme weather events and a diversion but they were not really a problem for John and Jen. They just handled the situation with minimum fuss. Problem solved! Had I been on my own or with friends the outcome would have been very different. Anyway, I have already booked my next tour with BN European Tours. That is the best recommendation I can make.”
John Savage, 5th tour, Honda VFR800, Peeblesshire
John’s in the lead today
Planned fuel stops
| Jen & John, the pictures look great. The format of the tour made for a relaxing stress-free trip. from the moment we were collected from passport control, till we passed through passport control on the return sailing. we were looked after and treated like one of your own. Not only did we all enjoy the tour, but we came away having made a few more friends. I’d happily ride with you all on a tour again in the future. | |
| Hotels were excellent (thanks for the fan!), the hotel food was great. The marker system worked much better than I thought it would and kept us moving through the day. The choice of roads was excellent, the knowledge of the towns we visited was great. Your ability to deal with issues that arose was demonstrated and in no way impacted our enjoyment on the trip. | |
| This trip was great value for the money and we’re keen to see how your Portugal & Spain trip goes – although both Eddie and Leo have adopted an “A” team mentality… “you’re not getting me on that boat fool”! I’m sure they’ll come around or we will ride to the start!” |
Maurice Smith, 1st tour, BMW R1200 GSA, Lanarkshire
Leaving lunch
Afternoon coffee break
The new Scottish contingent !
Lovely scenery
| Hi John & Jen, just wanted to say thanks for another enjoyable tour – we both had a great time riding some fantastic roads with stunning scenery with no stress on our part. All organised for us so all we have to concentrate on is riding our bike. That’s the beauty of going on tour with BN European Tours. Their organisation is excellent and no worrying for us as to where the next petrol, coffee or lunch stop is. We stayed in some good hotels in great locations with dinner and wine included on some nights. | |
| Once again we met a great group of like minded people and we would like to thank everyone for their company on tour. We enjoyed riding with you all. Hopefully we will meet again on future tours. | |
| The bike is now clean – new tyres to be fitted next week and then we are ready for our next adventure with BN on the Spain and Portugal tour in September (Our 7th Tour with BN European Tours). Can’t wait. See you soon” |
Alan & Julie Grieves, 6th tour, Ducati Multistrada, Leicestershire
It’s Maurice !
17.40 & still 29 degrees
Bikes parked opposite our first hotel
Drinks before dinner
Ken heads to the bar…
Erm – what drink would you like Sue ??!!
Nigel & Mandy
| “Hi all, finally getting around to checking in from “Norn Iron”. We had an eventful run to Holyhead that evening to say the least, we were finally beaten by the rain around midnight and decided it was safer to wait in a motorway service station ’til daylight lol. It took us two full days to shake off the feeling that we were walking on a bouncy castle, a very interesting feeling indeed! | |
| John and Jen, thanks for organising everything and thanks so much to all our fellow travellers for your company, you’re a lovely bunch of people and we hope to bump into you again some time. Best wishes to all,” |
Nigel & Mandy Ford, 3rd tour, Suzuki V-Strom 1000, County Londonderry
Dinner is included tonight
Wow! Ken’s done 20 trips !!
And another thing…
Sue belatedly gets her “10 Times” T-shirt – but she’s actually done 16 trips!
Coffee after dinner
Sue & Ken
So many trips!!
“Hi John & Jen, thanks for another fantastic tour. As always, great roads, company, super hotels and John’s jokes..! The Pyrenees and Picos mountain ranges, for me, were some of the best roads I’ve been lucky enough to have ridden. Be great to go back and spend some more time enjoying the fantastic scenery and brilliant twisties. And as it turns out, the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain!! Roll on Portugal & Spain next year. Can’t wait!! Cheers Simon”
Simon Brown, 7th trip, BMW S1000 XR, Surrey
Always a morning briefing
Ready for the off
Ken & Sue are our “back-markers”
How cute! Mandy & Sue
Morning coffee stop
Gorgeous flower displays
Lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
It’s getting warmer…
Ice creams all round
“Good tour. Thank you very much. I will be back.”
Stephen Wood, 1st tour, Honda Africa Twin, Gloucestershire
We ride into the volcanoes
The fabulous Chateau de Murol
Lovely lakes
Volcanoes everywhere
A band is playing near our hotel
Dancing in the street
Drinks in a local bar
Pete thought the breadsticks were chopsticks!!
Our hotel by night
On the Puy Mary (thanks John S)
Lunch on the top
Blueberry tart !
Eddie taking photos
Jen leads on our Street Triple R
Then Pete on his Aprilia Tuono V4
Leonor on her Kawasaki Z300
Adrian & Carole on their Tiger 1200
Fab twisties on the way down
Paul & Becky on their BMW R1250 RT
Afternoon coffee stop
Water refills
It’s only 39 degrees !!
We cross the River Dordogne
Our bike is overheating!!
It’s now 40 degrees !!
We arrive at Rocamadour
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
Becky has a fan !
John shows Nigel how to waft a towel
Mandy & Nigel
!!
Rocamadour by night
Next morning – a hot air balloon
Fab !
An early start to avoid the heat!
Pete’s Aprilia breaks down
Our Street has to go in the van
John & Sue ride Ken’s V-Strom
Everyone takes their luggage
Simon rides as Back-marker
Problem fixed – our Street had a broken radiator cap
After a long, hot day, beers all round
A very welcome drink!
Many of us dine in the same restaurant
A day off – some go for a ride
Stephen on his Africa Twin
Stephen again
It’s Simon !
Grant on his Triumph Explorer
Mo & Leo mark the junction
Alan & Julie on their Ducati Multistrada
Pretty lunch stop
A huge market in the square
The Mairie
Our Street Triple is now working fine…
A pillion’s view
Mo’s in the lead
Mo & Leo on his BMW R1200 GSA
Mo & Leo again
On the Col d’Aspin
Friendly locals !
Stop for photos
Ken & Sue on V-Strom 1000 (thanks Simon)
Chris in front on his Explorer
Great scenery
Chris followed by Alan & Julie
Tunnels
Amazing views
Alan & Julie
Mo & Leo on the Col de Tourmalet
Stunning view
Those who came on the ride-out
Our sticker’s there !
Jen taking photos
Stephen on his Africa Twin
Hairpins on the way down
Chris
Our new logo !
More tunnels
Under nets
At Lourdes the nightly procession
You can join in
In front of the Cathedral
The next day, Sue’s dressed for the wet! (thanks John S)
Ride past the dam
Into the Pyrenees
Adrian & Carole (thanks Simon)
John S on his Honda VFR 800 (thanks Simon)
Lunch in the Pyrenees
Now in Spain
Tapas anyone ?
Ride alongside the stunning lake
Hola !!
Hola !
At our hotel take the lift…
Down to the car park
A free night in Logrono
We start in one tapas bar
Then head into the back streets
More tapas & rioja
The square at night
Boys will be boys!
For those who didn’t venture past the hotel !!
John S followed by Nigel
Morning chat – motorway instructions
A very wet morning
& Jen’s in the lead
Morning coffee stop
Lunch stop
Becky in the Picos, there is a view here !!
Mid afternoon & only 8.5 degrees !
Afternoon coffee stop
We regroup after some misty twisties
Our hotel is just round the corner
Lovely scenery
Parking by the hotel
The fab view from our hotel
Drinks before dinner
Eddie
It’s Mo’s birthday !
Dinner is included tonight
Breakfast
A gorgeous morning
Mo’s ready for a ride-out
Jen rides pillion (thanks John S)
Fab roads
Paul & Pauline on BMW R1200RS
Bungee jumping!
Nigel & Mandy on their V-Strom 1000
Paul & Pauline
Cangas for lunch
Another market by the church
Simon enjoys an ice cream
Then we pass him on the way back
Adrian & Carole again
Brilliant roads
Ken & Sue enjoyed a day off (thanks Ken)
Now that’s a Gin & Tonic !
All enjoying drinks in the sun
Ken & Sue, Jen & John
John thanks everyone for a great tour
Especially Ken as “Back-marker”
Who kicks off the jokes…
Dinner is included our last night
John S takes a turn
Paul’s up next
Then Nigel
Stephen has a few to tell
Mandy takes a turn
And Sue
There’s no stopping Mandy
Or Stephen
John’s up next
Oh Oh…
We’re treated to the Penguin joke!
Even our waiter takes a turn
Another beautiful morning
The t-shirt shop is open !
Final morning briefing
Heading into the mountains
Fantastic roads
But watch out for locals!
Glorious scenery
We take the cable car…
Stephen at the top
Stunning views
Stephen & John S brave the viewing platform
How many dare…
Mandy & Nigel
Alan & Julie
Mo has some special shots
And that’s it, everyone back to the ferry
New recruits at the bar
Calm after the roughest crossing ever…
Mo & friend!
Becky needs a sweatshirt
And finally, thanks Stephen
Thanks to all for some great riding, good timekeeping, lots of fun & laughter with everyone pulling together in some extreme temperatures! Special thanks to Ken for the use of his V-Strom for the day. We hope to see many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen.
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