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]