The group on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Our first “proper” tour of 2021 provided brilliant roads, lovely scenery, top hotels and glorious weather – great to be back riding in Europe at last!!
The ferry to Santander
We start with a briefing on board
Adrian – KTM 990 Adventure
“Stoner” – KTM 790 Adventure
“BN – what a brilliant motorcycle holiday Company. My feet have just about touched ground after two wonderful contrasting trips. We lucky patrons of BN are bathing in the memories of great rides…I did Ireland and have just completed Spain & Portugal. Both of these trips I SO enjoyed. BN have the mix 100% right. BN people seem to draw together and enjoy a mix of roads that any m/bike rider is in heaven to experience. And Great Hotels, what a bonus on any trip to be able to enjoy the day and know your evening meal is organised – all you have to do is attend with new found friends.
I have always said BN scores over all other companies in many ways and I have tried quite a number. I know we can all carry luggage but it is so liberating to ride free and find a safety deposit van to park your helmet in when a stop for coffee or lunch is made. Brilliant. If you love riding bikes I say do it with the Mrs as BN are the best for looking after pillion girls. Now after a couple of days to cut the hedges & kill the weeds I will then browse next years offerings from BN.”
John “Stoner” Stone, 7th tour, KTM 790 Adventure, Cornwall
“Backmarkers” Terry & Fran, BMW R1200 RS
Rob – Kawasaki H2 SX SE
“Hi there Jen & John, congratulations on completing the first post-covid tour for us. It was wonderful to be back in Europe, safe and secure, having another fab experience with you both.
A lovely group of people, bonding together through common concerns, but so enjoying good roads, lovely hotels, plentiful food and wonderful countryside. You haven’t lost your touch and we hope the effort hasn’t exhausted you too much. Thanks for trusting us to be back markers again we’re looking forward to seeing the review!”
Terry (13th trip) & Fran (9th trip) Stanfield, BMW R1200 RS, Hampshire
Hi John & Jen, thank you for a most wonderful holiday. The help you gave with the paperwork when preparing prior to going was invaluable.
Hotels and food were of a very high quality, and to have so many meals and drinks included was a bonus. The routes and roads will not be forgotten along with the quality of riding skills and leadership demonstrated by you both. The friendships I have made within the group will add to the memories and I hope we will meet up again some time. Wishing you all the best in the future.”
Rob Damant, 1st tour, Kawasaki H2 SX SE, Leicestershire
Chris B – Honda GL1800 Goldwing
Guy & Sue – Suzuki V-Strom 1000
Bryan – Triumph Sprint GT
Stuart – Triumph Tiger 800
“Overall, this tour to Spain and Portugal exceeded my expectation in all respects. John & Jen are tireless in their efforts to ensure all are looked after. Throughout they ensured the riding standard was safe, predictable and consistent but was appropriately progressive. By the end of day 1 the group had bonded, social dynamics and riding etiquette showed we could be confident to ride for ourselves, trust the marking system (clearly described by John), and most importantly, our fellow riders who were a great bunch. The van backup/luggage carrier/tool box was a major asset. Very highly recommended.”
Bryan Symons, 3rd trip, Triumph Sprint GT, Hampshire
Lynne – Triumph Street Twin
John G – BMW R1250 RS
Chris & Christine – BMW GS Adv
Eric – Diversion 900, Gary – Street Triple RS
“Hi John & Jen, our thanks for what was a really great first trip for us. There were certainly some quick riders on the tour and they were a joy to watch and follow. Being two up I did occasionally feel that I had to push harder than I normally would so as not to fall back too far, particularly when on the motorway sections, but always felt in connection with the Group due to the excellent back marker system.
The hotels were very good in our view, and the central locations really worked well. We also very much enjoyed the remote Quinta and would have enjoyed an extra night there – the location was great and the roads to reach it even better. Food was fantastic and more than enough on all occasions – we even very much enjoyed the last night meal (a little lighter which was appreciated) and the entertainment was hysterical! The support van (and help with my puncture) was much appreciated.
Looking forward to travelling with you again (we are looking at your “menu” for 2022) and hope to see you both at the upcoming show at the NEC. Kind regards”
Chris & Christine Horsley, 1st tour, BMW GS Adventure, Bedfordshire
“Just returned from my 2nd tour with BN and will be returning next year for sure. Excellent riding on well planned and researched routes around Northern Spain and Portugal. Great hotels, great food, great people at a good price. What is there not to like? See you next time John and Jen 
“
Gary Moult, 2nd tour, Triumph Street Triple RS, Cornwall
Andy & Ros – Honda Blackbird
All luggage in the van
John’s in the lead today
Regroup after customs
A later ferry arrival means
we have to ride motorway
“We returned home safe and sound after what was an amazing trip. As always good quality, comfortable hotels, in some great locations. One of our favourite hotels was in the centre of Santiago de Compostela followed closely by the rest…Food was abundant with lots of choice and local menus and mostly great quality.
There was a good selection of roads to ride along, twisties, nice long sweepers, mountains, national parks, the N304, fantastic scenery and a visit to the Sandeman port vineyard – amazing. A great opportunity to make new friends and catch up with those friends we have ridden with before. Looking forward to catching up with you all again soon. Thank you John and Jen for another great trip.”
[we’ve deleted the name of the hotel in Santiago de Compostela as a rival tour company would have their customers believe there are no good hotels there! – J&J]
Andy (8th trip) & Ros (6 trips) Moseley, Honda Blackbird, Warwickshire
Drinks in a local bar
Dinner is in a local restaurant
Cider poured in the traditional way
John starts the joke telling
The old town was buzzing
“An eventful trip for us but that is the joy of biking! We both did enjoy the trip with the excellent hotels and roads I never thought I would ride. These trips have really improved my riding even as the slowest rider I was never too far away as I did mark a few junctions this time!
We both loved the hotel with the outside pool as we felt that we almost had exclusive use. The last hotel did not work so well for the last night entertainment but it was in a lovely square in the town.
Thank you so much for helping us throughout the holiday, the support van was a real help for us to continue. This was my 8th trip and I am already planning next years. Big thanks”
Lynne Wareing, 8th trip, Triumph Street Twin, Lancashire
Morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Statue to all immigrants
Stop for a photo shoot
The group on the Camino de Santiago
Absolutely fabulous roads
Jen’s leading today
John G – BMW R1250RS
“Hi John & Jen, as mentioned to you both the tour exceeded my expectations and I was very impressed by the way it was run. The hotels were better than I expected and the food quality was excellent but often too much. The exception to this was the food at the final hotel and I am sure you were not happy with that.
Some days I wanted to plod along other days to ride faster. You operated an excellent marker system which allowed both speeds…allowing the faster riders to ride at their pace was good for all of us and if you were observant you could see them coming and allow them to pass safely, which they always did. At times you mentioned the group being strung out. When the lead rider is one of the faster riders that will happen but I never felt I was stationary too long when marking.
Any one of the tour party was great company at any of the stops or evening meals and I enjoyed the company of all the group, which is important on a tour such as this one. Finally having the van to put luggage in was great.
Overall I give you a 10.”
John Gordon, 1st tour, BMW R1250RS, Hampshire
Eric – Yamaha Diversion 900
Lynne – Triumph Speed Twin
Guy & Sue – V-Strom 1000
Terry & Fran – BMW R1200RS
View from the van
UNESCO town walls
Afternoon coffee stop
Our next 4* hotel
Lots of us enjoy the fab pool
A free night in Santiago de Compostela
Lovely areas
Back streets to explore
Buskers
Octopus anyone???
Something’s going on…
There’s live music
Our hotel by night
Amazing breakfast hall
Our morning briefing
After an accident, Stuart’s in a hire car!
Morning coffee stop
We stop to admire the view
Stuart & Lynne
Sue & Guy
“Stoner” & son Adrian
Picturesque lunch stop
Feeding frenzy at lunch
Border control entering Portugal!
Ride through a National Park
Gorgeous scenery in Portugal
6 nights in Portugal
The HUGE pool at our next hotel
John jumps in
Jen’s still swimming
Drinks before dinner
Many love this quinta
We’ve arranged a surprise…
Mateus Rose all round
Cheers!
Dinner is included tonight
This was the starter!!!
John’s up again!
Inside the quinta
Breakfast area
Morning briefing
Chris & Chris
We stop at a huge dam
Morning coffee stop
Brilliant twisty pass
Adrian – KTM 990 Adventure
Overtakes the van
Did we mention the brilliant roads?!!
Pretty lunch stop
Our next 4* hotel for 2 nights
In the old capital Guimaraes
The UNESCO old town
Lots of restaurants to choose from
Fabulous fish
Drinks on the house
Next day is a day off…
Many of us take the train to Porto
We didn’t buy here!
Don’t jump!!
Head down to the river
Colourful buildings
Music on the quayside
We stop for sangria & calamares
Shame it’s a dull day
All the port houses
The local beer
Sample the different Ports
Brilliant sculpture
Lovely buildings
Another busker
Up at the Cathedral
Back at Guimaraes
The Birthplace of Portugal
John gets a haircut!
Others stayed to explore Guimaraes…
The old town walls
The Castle
Thanks Guy & Sue
Guimaraes by night
A political rally
The next morning…
Adrian’s KTM has a puncture
We catch up at coffee stop
Backmarkers Terry & Fran
We stop for another view…
It’s a “Titanic” moment!!
Christine & Chris
Jen’s taking a group photo
The group alongside the Douro
Chris B with his Goldwing
Ride the N222
Stunning views
As we head up to Sandeman’s
Lunch is included
They make Mateus wine
Stoner’s flirting again!!
Followed by a guided tour
Grapes being delivered
Grapes being pressed
Steam train passes by
Our next 4* hotel
In a medieval village
Fran & Terry have a balcony – we didn’t!!!
Fran & Jen
Hotel by night
A lovely sunset
We arrange a Port tasting
Rob, Chris B & Fran
Hands up for wild boar!!
Dinner is included
Stoner’s had a great day!
Morning coffee stop
It was at times !!!
Parking at lunch stop
Stop to view another dam
You MUST be happy riding hairpins
There are high-concentration twisties
Sweepers to our next stop
Torre – Portugal’s highest spot
Our next 4* hotel for 2 nights
Has an indoor pool
Dinner is included both nights
Breakfast area
Terry relinquishes the orange vest!
Chris & Chris ride as backmarkers
Some go for a ride-out
Some of the best roads we’ve ridden
Fantastic roads!
Stunning scenery
Jen rides pillion to take photos (thanks Ros)
Adrian
Great sweepers
Andy & Ros then Gary
Andy & Ros then Gary again
Andy & Ros
Stoner
Rob
Brilliant bends!
Rob then Stoner
Rob marks the junction
Adrian
Up in the mountains
Villages tucked away
Portugal we love you!
Andy & Ros
Here comes Terry
Terry
Terry then Adrian
Chris B
Chris B again
That’s where we’re heading
Stoner
Stoner then Adrian
Pretty lunch stop
Stoner enjoying black pudding
The town swimming pool
Our sticker’s there!!
Rob
Gary
Stoners’s backmarker as the vest matches his KTM!!
Gary
Gary then Terry
A circular route
Rob
Rob again
A pool competition
Rob’s taking this seriously!
Spot the difference – levitation?!!
Andy photobombs Jen!
Andy
Ros
John
Gary
Jen
Adrian
Adrian again
Eric
Chris
The winner is – Andy!
A lovely sunrise
Chris’s BMW has a puncture
Lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
In wolf country!
The setting of our final hotel
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included
John thanks our backmarkers…
Fran & Terry
Then the jokes start…
Chris H takes a turn…
He likes windscreen wipers!!!
Chris B goes next
Then we have a Mr & Mrs contest
We need a decision Terry!!!
No match…
A match !!
Stuart & Lynne
Another match
Oops – no match
Final match
Guy & Sue are next
No match
A match
And another match
And for a bit of fun…
Good mates Rob & Chris
No match
A match !!
The winners with 9/10 matches – Stuart & Lynne
Chris B has another joke
Lynne takes a turn
Fran’s written a poem
Fab! Poem is at the end of review
The square by night
Chris’s puncture repair is leaking
Then Rob’s H2 has a puncture!
Coffee stop
Heading back to Santander
All back to the port
Here’s Rob with a new tyre!
We’re on the new ferry Galicia
Adios Espana y Portugal!
Fran catches us working…
Thanks Fran!
Here’s Fran’s brilliant poem:-
Queueing for stamp in hot sunny Spain, then motorway moments, mountains and rain.
Tapas treats and busy streets, first night in Oviedo before riding Camino.
Wild crocus, walkers and wonderful views, then swimming at nunnery, morning breakfast between pews.
Eucalyptus scent, twisties on Wednesday, first cobbles to Quinta and Mateus Rose.
Clear day for dam and stunning 344 ride, lemons and grape vines, later eating outside.
Secure night in our bank and breakfast in bed, no bike – train & cable car to Porto instead.
Saturday onwards – puncture, vineyards and Douro, then cobbled rise for lunch ‘n winery tour-o.
Riding cut short to Medieval hotel, sunset and port – food made us swell!
Good roads and twisties to high mountains and views, hot sunshine, high altitudes and hotel with views.
Free day, negative testing, ride out for Terry, but me – I’m resting.
More food and good wine, t-shirt hard sell, tomorrow to Spain, all will be well.
Down windswept mountain and motorway buffeting, to wonderful twisties, sweet chestnuts and…
I’ve run out of breath, and out of time, but thanks John and Jen for making EVERYTHING rhyme!
And that’s all folks! An eventful tour with three punctures and two accidents (nobody hurt) – we hope these incidents didn’t detract from what we consider to be one of our best tours – with fantastic roads to ride, great hotels, breaks, days off & fabulous views. Thanks to everyone for their contributions to making this a really enjoyable trip, we look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen.
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