The group at Rocamadour, great to have a mixture of regulars with many new faces on the tour
Daybreak at Ouistreham
We start with a briefing at Ouistreham
“As usual we were not disappointed at BN European Tours` organisation and preparation for this trip to the Pyrenees and Picos – thank you both. We were impressed, as always, by the great roads – I loved the big sweepers through the Cantal mountain area and the views in the Auvergne – and Terry enjoyed the challenge of the bends and twisties – of course delighting in his freedom on the Picos ride out! We so loved the Spanish countryside and wonderful variety of conditions and views and were glad to complete our ride this time, on leaving Fuente De!
The hotels were great, breakfast varied but always plentiful – The Grand at Mont D`Or has to be the best ever though! The selection of evening restaurants and activities was greatly appreciated by us both (the Rioja and beer brought something extra special of course) and the scales this morning proved how well we had been supplied throughout the trip! Thank you for the thoughtful and interesting days with opportunities to explore something of the culture in both France and Spain – Lourdes and Potes so different – and I loved the pool, though missed Jen very much that day!
Our biggest appreciation has to be to John this time. Thank you John for your constant care and consideration of everyone in the group, for your positivity and sense of humour which never wanes. The riding was superb, reminders and encouragement fair, and so the company was fun and the settings were capitalised on. Can`t wait until our next trip!”
Please scroll to the end to read Fran’s Pillion’s Poem
Terry (14th trip) & Fran (10th trip) Stanfield, BMW R1200 RS, Hampshire
It’s raining & Keith has summer gloves!
Coffee stop
” Hi John, Jen & everyone, arrived back home safely after a brilliant tour…the hotels were very good, the food excellent and the routes taken were a delight to ride…”
Ken Clark, 1st tour, BMW R1200RS, West Midlands
Lunch stop
Courteous overtakes please!!
We have planned fuel stops – don’t deviate from the route!!
Our first hotel
Terry enjoying a beer
Dinner is included tonight
In a local restaurant
So how much do they weigh?!!!
Breakfast area
“Hi John, I really enjoyed the tour and it was everything I’d hoped it would be – plus some. Great hotels, fantastic roads, great restaurants and a feeling of confidence that whatever could happen would be managed professionally. I’ll definitely be touring again…difficult to think of any areas that could be improved…thanks for a great tour”
Roland Jacob-Lloyd, 1st tour, Triumph Tiger 800, Oxfordshire
Always a morning briefing
Ray enjoys a cappuccino
Pretty villages
Our next vehicles perhaps?!
Lunch stop
Dan & Andy enjoying pizzas
“Yet another great holiday – touring the Pyrenees, Picos & Volcanoes. Magic roads, hotels, food and company. All pulled together expertly by John & Jen. Tour number 10 for me and I’ll be back soon. Thank you” (John’s 5* Google Review)
John Young, 10th trip, BMW R1250 GSA, Norfolk
Heading into Vulcania
Ice cream stop
Terry & Fran dine with Dave & Lin
Andy heading into town
Spiral staircase in our hotel
A great breakfast
Ready for the off
Andy – BMW R1250 GSA
Please fill up at fuel stops!!!!
Fabulous views
Dan – BMW XR 1000
Arriving at the Puy Mary
Backmarker John Y
And the rearview!
What a view
Jeff
Lunch on the Puy Mary
Mike enjoying a crepe
Terry enjoys a blueberry tart…
Which is a bit tart!!
David & Lin
Jeff again
Alec
Fran & Terry
Not quite gorillas in the mist!!
Afternoon coffee stop
Monsieur was a bit flustered!
Rocamadour – our next stop
“It’s built into the cliff” – “No sh*t Sherlock”!!
The Group at Rocamadour
We stay in the old town
John’s leading this tour
View from our hotel
Wander through the old town
Dinner is included in a local restaurant
Which way did John go…left or right???
Rocamadour by night
A misty start
Morning briefing
Parking at coffee stop
Keith
Time for ice creams – Ken, Ray…
and Terry too
John – your leader!
View from hotel at Lourdes
Fran & Terry enjoy a dark Leffe
See the nightly procession
Ride out the next day
Misty on the Col d’Aspin
David & Lin
Mike – Ducati Multistrada V4S & Alec – BMW F800 GT
Ken – BMW R1200 RS with Mike
Keith – BMW R1250 RT
Jeff – BMW R1200 RT
Andy – BMW R1250 GSA
Dan – BMW XR1000
Stop for photos
Those who went on the ride
Friendly local!
Col de Tourmalet is misty too
Terry & Fran stayed in Lourdes
Visit the grotto
Dinner is included tonight
In front of the Cathedral
Leaving next day
Into the Pyrenees
John’s taking photos
Roland – Triumph Tiger 800
Paul – KTM 1090 Adventure R
Andy again
Keith
A local joins in
Dan
Ray – Honda V5S
Terry & Fran – BMR R1200RS
Backmarker John Y
Great roads
The 2022 Group
Lunch in the Pyrenees
Now in Spain
Tapas anyone ?
Lunch stop
At our hotel take the lift…
Down to the car park
A free night in Logrono
We start in one tapas bar
Do they know what they’re ordering??
A great waiter
Head into the back streets
More tapas & rioja
Coffee stop next day
Heading into the Picos Mountains
Our sticker’s there!
The Group in the Picos
Lin & David
Roland
Keith
Jeff
Alec
Backmarker John Y
Visit the Fuente De
Masks still required
Those who went up
Plus John
Fab views
Our final hotel
Has a great swimming pool
A ride-out the next day
Stunning scenery
John’s Tiger 900
Lovely!
Another local enjoying the roads
Lunch stop
John Y has octopus!!
Fran spent the day in Potes
Dinner is included the last night
Fran’s written a poem (see below)
Not the penguin joke again!!!!
Ray has van aerial disease !!
Alec uses a toilet brush !!
While Paul uses a rabbit cos it doesn’t stick!!
Jeff doesn’t know if he’s coming or going
John Y welcomes everyone to Barbados…
Next day back to the port – Terry & Fran
Dan
Ken
Paul
Mike
Ray, Mike & Dan
And that’s all folks!!!
Thanks to everyone for a very enjoyable tour, we hope to see many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen.
Fran’s “Pillion Pleasures”
Friday: Thunder & waterproofs, poppies & plums; Bourgouille Vineyards, 5 euros of fun!!
Saturday: Eggs & bacon breakfast, ice creams in the sun; Auvergne truffard, the Grand Hotel – a good one!
Sunday: Breakfast to die for, Puy Mary parking in luck; Misty twisty descent and Rocamadour duck!
Monday: Wheat fields and dwarf beans, Gascoigne vines to give Floc; Cool shade of plane trees, Leffe a plenty – holy water from rock.
Tuesday: Breakfast at leisure, day off for us; All ate by river – steak, port, beer, wine – no fuss!
Wed: Vallee d’Orsau, Pyrenees views; Barrages and streams, no hassle re queues; Border crossed, “Hola Spain”, Logrono evening – will come back again!
Thursday: Fast roads, stork fly past, cafe in bandstand square; Picos getting closer, cable car for those who dare!
Friday: Ride-out in mountains or stay and explore; whatever we did, we are left wanting more!
Postscript: Feeling heat rising with my thighs clenched round my hot lover…a strong desire to get my clothes off, to feel the touch…the explosive squirt…of a cold shower!! Then, to lay back on fresh, cool pillows and surrender…to Terry’s snores!!! Time to send todays photos to Jen – and hope to see you all again!
[Brilliant, thanks Fran, missed seeing you & Terry on the tour & thanks for all your photos which contributed to the review xx]
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