The group on top of the Col D’Aubisque in the Pyrenees – with an afternoon of torrential rain, lots of sunshine & a few “issues” we still had a great tour.
We start with a briefing at Ouistreham
Lunch stop
“We have just finished this tour and can’t fault anything. The effort and research you put in to run the tours are greatly appreciated. The hotels were great. The meals that were including were delicious. The routes we took were awesome, with the best scenery. Coffee and fuel stops were planned to perfection. We thoroughly enjoyed the company of all the group. Great fun! Thank you both once again. We had an amazing time with you. We hope to be back again next year. Kind regards”
Ed & Viv Farquhar, 4th tour, Kawasaki Versys 1000, Banffshire
Ride past Chinon
Lovely scenery
We’re absolutely soaked! Jen & Marcus
The rain hasn’t stopped!
We dine at the Casino – dry at last!
Dinner is included tonight
“My first trip to the Pyrenees and Picos on a motorcycle, and wow, there were some brilliant roads through the mountains and hills. Quite demanding at times, wouldn’t recommend this as a first trip abroad, but some exciting riding to be had for sure.
Hotels were all `OK` to `very good`. Rooms at some hotels offered better facilities than others, but all perfectly adequate for a night or two’s stay. No choice on the included meals (unless you advise beforehand) but I have always found them to be excellent, and with plenty of options on accompanying drinks. Getting the group together a few times also gives you the chance to get to know your riding companions and exchange stories. Breakfasts I can’t possibly comment on as I rarely managed to get out of bed in time! Along with the roads, riding & cuisine, throw in a good bunch of fellow riders & pillions made this a very pleasant trip. Thanks.”
Reece Compton, 13th tour, Ducati Multistrada V4, Essex
John kicks off the jokes…
Our hotel by night
Always a morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Cute – thanks Sara
Yes Chris – I got your bum!!
“Well what an eventful trip! You both dealt with the group’s unforeseen mishaps with calmness, kindness & professionalism – going above & beyond (as usual) making sure everything was sorted out satisfactorily. Some fantastic hotels, delicious meals, stunning scenery, brilliant roads and a great bunch of people all made for a wonderful tour. We both thoroughly enjoyed being “back-markers” and are looking forward to booking again next year. Don’t understand why anyone would go away with any other tour guides!”
Dick Hallsworth (11 trips) & Sara Sheppard (7 trips), Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro, Norfolk
Lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
We’re heading into the volcanoes
Our next hotel
“Thanks again for another great tour. We found the routes well planned as usual with an assortment of windy, quiet and busy roads. We were oblivious to most of the deviations! The hotels and meals on the whole were good. I know there were some comments made in relation to the last hotel but to be honest the route/ride out/location was higher on our priority list. All hotels on the tour provided beds, showers, toilets, parking for the motorbikes etc. Our opinion is that we’re on a biking holiday with little time spent in the hotels so as long as the basics are covered we’re happy. Hope to see you soon”
Bryan & Jackie Huish, 4th tour, BMW R1250 GS, Bristol
There’s a fabulous breakfast
Morning briefing
We ride up to the Puy Mary
There is bike parking
Coffee / lunch stop
Delicious blueberry pie
You can climb to the top
Simon’s got a t-shirt
Come on Chris !!
The group on the Puy Mary
“Really enjoyed the tour, thanks. I think it was well planned and run. It was a pleasure to meet yourselves and others on the trip. Let me know about upcoming trips next year especially Black Forest…hopefully get a few others to join in as well.”
Chris Stainton, 1st tour, Suzuki Bandit 1250, Lancashire
Jen stops to get photos…
John’s leading on our Suzuki GSXS1000
Gary – KTM Superduke 1290 GT
Reece – Ducati Multistrada V4
Avi – Triumph Tiger 800 XRX
Chris – Suzuki Bandit 1250
Steve – Kawasaki Versys 1000
Paul – Suzuki V-Strom 650
“Hi John & Jen, thanks very much for a great tour, your organisation and the drop off system worked well for me. Some great routes and scenery. I particularly liked the apartment I had on the first night at the hotel Au Clos Paillle. It was spacious with all the necessities. So far as towns, Rocamadour and Lourdes stood out. As for the stop in Riano, all be it in a beautiful location, think I would have preferred to be in Leon as when not going on the rideout (my fault) maybe more to do. As I say no complaints at all. Thanks again hope to see you in near future. Best Regards”
Paul Silk, 2nd trip, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Middlesex
Simon – Suzuki GSXS 1000F
Followed by Reg – Harley D Street Glide
Then Mick & Judy – BMW F900 XR
Ed & Viv – Kawasaki Versys 1000
Richard – Yamaha Tracer 900GT
Karen – Triumph Tiger 800 Sport
Bryan & Jackie – BMW R1250 GS
Robin – Triumph Tiger 660 Sport
Dick & Sara – Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
At afternoon lunch / coffee stop…
Reece isn’t overdoing it Mrs C !!!
Wheel bearings have gone on Simon’s bike!
“Hi Both, another great tour and thoroughly enjoyable. The group were very friendly and made me feel very welcome (both with their concerns with my breakdown and welcoming me back after 2 days whilst my bike was repaired). Routes – wow – we’ve done a few tours now and I can say that the routes on this one covered all aspects of entertaining riding – I loved it! The hotel accommodation was excellent in the main. Breakfasts varied greatly and the final hotel for 2 nights would be at the bottom of the breakfast listings (and sadly the evening meals provided). As ever I’m already looking forward to booking the next tour and catching up with my favourite jokes (and perhaps the new turkey joke from Chris!) Thanks again for your help along the way, Kind regards”
Simon Green, 8th trip, Suzuki GSXS 1000F, Berkshire
Lovely scenery
The group (minus Simon) at viewing area
Sara & Dick
Stunning Rocamadour
John taking pics
Viv spied the van…
Our hotel’s in the old town
With secure garage parking
It’s so pretty
Drinks before dinner
While Avi went exploring
Climbing up to the castle
Dinner is included again tonight
Rocamadour by night
A lovely morning
Two hot-air balloons rise up
Reece is chillin’ again Mrs C !!
Chris wants to get his brakes checked
Ride through vineyards
Parking at lunch stop
There are lots of cafes
Richard
Ed & Viv
Steve
Paul
Bryan & Jackie
Afternoon coffee stop
Our next hotel for two nights
Is in Lourdes
Where the one-way system changes every 2 weeks!
Walk down to the Cathedral
To see the nightly procession
Cheers! Chris, Steve & Paul
Next day many go for a ride-out
Jen’s pillion today (thanks Viv!)
Ed’s out without Viv!
Steve
Robin
Chris
Bryan & Jackie
Reece
Heading into the Pyrenees
Avi marks the junction
Steve
Chris
At lunch stop there’s a market
It’s so pretty
Jackie & Bryan
Gary’s riding as back-marker today
Avi
Us !
The van was not welcome!
That’s where we’re going…
Reece
Brilliant roads
John & Avi
John’s adding our sticker!
Avi’s loving it!
“Hi Jen & John, A HUGE THANK YOU to you both for a fantastic tour!
After attending your presentation at the DAWDAM outing, I was very keen to join your tour of France and Spain riding the Volcanoes, Pyrenees and Picos. As expected a bit of apprehension about the tour…till I met you both and the group. At the briefing, I noticed the attention to detail and that spoke volumes of the experience you guys have doing these tours…my mind was at rest! No apprehension.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the tour with a fantastic bunch of like minded fun loving group…guided by you both. The reassurance of the van following, the ease of riding without heavy luggage on the bike, the hotels, meals, banter and the twisties…all came together to make a memorable experience! What a lovely group of people I have come across! Thank you.
Your assistance and patience in helping those who needed help hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you.
I think this is the beginning of a long journey travelling with you both to different destinations, making more friends and memories. Apologies for the delay in the response and a very big THANK YOU again. Best wishes”
Avi Patole, 1st tour, Triumph Tiger 800 XRX, Somerset
Stunning scenery
Reece & Avi are ready to go!
Ed
Avi & Reece
Ed
Avi
We ride up the Col de Tourmalet
Watch out for the locals
John’s adding our sticker again!
Those on the ride-out
Avi
Avi again!
Jen
Gary with Ed
Super views
Steve’s relaxing
Drinks at the top
Steve & Chris
Ready to go…
This was the weather at the end of May 2023!!
Gary follows us for photos!
Steve
Chris
Bryan & Jackie
Meanwhile, back in Lourdes…
Dick & Sara took the funicular railway
Thanks Sara!
Our morning briefing
We’re riding over the Pyrenees
Lovely little donkeys
Another brilliant road
Fab views at the top
We stop for photos
Avi’s still smiling!
Reg with his Harley
There’s a tiny foal
We stay here for a coffee
Steve puts up our sticker!
Jackie’s on a mission!!
The group on the Col d’Aubisque
Jen’s leading today
Still in the Pyrenees
Heading into Spain
Lunch stop
There’s a covered market
But after a downpour Robin’s bike’s sidestand broke!
Great scenery in Spain
Stunning turquoise reservoir
Drinks at our next hotel
We’re in Logrono
Step inside the Cathedral
Stop for tapas (sorry not the best!)
But quickly everything’s packed away…
We run for cover…
There’s a mini-tornado coming!!!!
An incredible change!
But it soon passes…
We head into the back streets
Where’s there’s a couple of bands
Six of us stayed out!
John, Sara & Dick have ice-creams
Morning briefing
Parking at coffee stop
Parking at lunch stop
Mick & Judy
Reg
Karen
Paul
We stop at a viewing area
The group in the Picos
Us – Jen’s leading again
Mick & Judy
Karen
Back-markers Dick & Sara
More fab roads
We did tell you it was twisty!
We visit the Fuente De
Take the cable car up…
Bryan & Jackie
The brave ones!
Plus John!
Sara & Dick
Great views
Sara spotted an eagle…
Jen’s photo from P&S Tour 2022
En route to our hotel
Avi’s bike has a great view!
A misty view from our next hotel
Drinks before dinner
From a wedding!
Dinner’s included both nights here
1st night vegetable soup, chicken & chips, chocolate or panacotta dessert
John has to tell a joke!
Another misty morning
Some go for a ride-out
A stork flies overhead
Not on this trip!
Simon
Coffee stop
More storks
A HUGE nest with chicks
Mum returns
Stop for lunch
The waitress was really helpful
Richard
Gary
Simon then Gary
Brothers Simon then Richard
Re-group after some real hairpins
Bryan & Jackie
Ed & Viv
Back at the hotel
There’s a market in the square
Time for some “dirty” beers!
Jen’s found a new friend!
The forecasted rain never came!!!
John thanks Dick & Sara our “backmarkers”
Then kicks off the jokes…
Reece is up next
Then Chris
Followed by Steve
We’re “treated” to the Penguin joke!
Viv found it funny!!
Chris’s up again
With a good “Turkey” joke!
Jen’s up next…
Dinner – a lovely salad, then salmon, then pineapple cheesecake
Sunrise in Riano
Steve’s in trouble – he’s still got his key!!
We say goodbye to Viv & Ed who are staying in Spain
Always a briefing
John’s leading…
Jen’s in the luggage van
Horses on the road
Twisty gorges through the Picos
Coffee stop
So who are they waiting for??
At lunch stop…
Avi & Reece share a huge paella
We have calamari & sardines
Motorway instructions
Thanks to Dick & Sara
Everyone back for the ferry
Including Chris! (but not Robin!)
And that’s all folks!
Thanks to everyone for making this a good tour, with good timekeeping, lots of fun & laughter. So many photos show how much we packed into the 9 days. Thanks to Dick & Sara for riding as “back-markers” and thanks to Avi, Sara & Viv for sending in lots of photos. We’re sorry a few were disappointed with the evening meals in the last hotel but others had no complaints. We hope to see many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen.
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