NEWSLETTER - JAN '08

It’s been nearly a year since the last one so time to write another newsletter…

Last year was our most successful ever - we only had three days in August and five in September without guests! We had lots of returning visitors, over 60 bikers have been back at least 3 times in the five years that we’ve been open and it was great to meet people for their first time here.
The MCN London Motorcycle Show at Docklands Excel last February was a success for us so you’ll find us on stand S454 between 31 Jan and 3 Feb 2008. There will be more bikes at this year’s show as most of the major manufacturers are exhibiting. Please come and see us and perhaps talk to others who are interested as we’ll be hoarse by the end of the show!

We’ll also be promoting our NEW LONGER TOURS to the Sancerre wine festivals and Rouen.

Chateaux and Sancerre Wine Festival, with visits to some fantastic chateaux in the Loire and Cher valleys - Wednesday 21 to Tuesday 27 May 2008, and again between Wednesday 27 August and Tuesday 2 September 2008.
Our 6 nights are spent in small friendly hotels, some have swimming pools, all have character. Included are breakfasts, evening meals with wine on 4 nights (the 2 nights in Sancerre are at your leisure), entry to the wine cave at the festival, entry to the chateaux and a van for all of your luggage. We will cover up to 180 miles in a day at a leisurely / moderate pace. The cost is £565 per person in a shared double or twin room, there are a few single rooms available for an extra £150 and unlike other tour companies we are limiting the group to a maximum of 14 bikes.

The chateau at Chenonceau

Rouen Armada

Monet’s Gardens

Rouen Armada, when over 40 vessels are moored on the quayside prior to the Tall Ships Race. Included are visits to the picturesque fishing port of Honfleur and Monet's House & Gardens at Giverny - Monday 7 to Thursday 10 July 2008. Accommodation is in a small hotel overlooking the famous cathedral with it’s cast iron spire. Breakfasts are included as is one night’s dinner with wine at our favourite restaurant – we still visit Rouen on our rare weekends off! On the other two evenings you’re free to discover the restaurants  among the 16th century timber framed buildings of the old city.
We’ve booked a small boat that will enable us to admire the tall ships from the Seine before the evening firework displays.  Again this will be a leisurely /moderate trip and limited to a maximum of 14 bikes. We will not ride more than 130 miles in a day so it will also suit the less experienced rider. The cost is £295 per person in a shared double or twin room, some single rooms are available for an extra £95.

Further details can be found here. The Rouen Armada trip is already half full.

Short on road breaks
This is our core business; the price in 2008 is £239 per person for a 3-day/2-night break including guided riding, breakfasts, four course dinners and all evening drinks. Additional nights are possible.
We’ve already taken many bookings for the summer, a calendar showing available dates can be found here.
Please let us know if you want to join a like-minded group – we always ask for the pace of riding and whether you want to ‘see the sights’ or just ride the fantastic traffic free roads. We do not ride on motorways but choose the sweeping A roads and never-ending twisty Bs.

What some of our on-road guests had to say…

“I never really had any idea what fun was possible with clear roads, clear skies and your expert guidance. Absolutely wonderful!” - Adrian, Derbyshire, October 2007

“Brilliant hospitality, great roads, FAB!” - Sara, Berkshire, September 2007

“Was recommended to us – Now recommended by us” - Kevin & Steve, Doncaster, August 2007

 “Thanks for a truly memorable weekend riding some of the most amazing roads. The whole experience was superb…” - Pete, Kent, July 2007

Our stand at Excel 07

2 groups join forces

Robinson’s MCC – again!

We’ve swapped a couple of bikes, my Triumph 1050 Sprint was replaced by a FZS1 Fazer, and my old style Fazer is for sale with a view to getting the new CB1000R. Jen changed her 2004 yellow / black blade for a… 2004 yellow / black blade !! But the new one has 35,000 Kms less on the clock.

Off-Road

I competed in my first off road race in May – Le Croisiere Normande  – a 2 day event that covered approx 230 miles. I finished 251st out of 357 starters, at least I completed the course even though I broke a rib 30 miles from the finish and the last special stage. Jen wasn’t too fed up (not) but I was back on the road bike 5 days later leading a group of our quickest guests - Les Fantastics. After that race the KTM 250 2 stroke had to go and I now have a 4 stroke version which is much easier to ride.

What some of our on-road guests had to say…

“Thanks again for a fantastic weekend, the rides were brilliant, your hospitality was out of this world …and please pass on our thanks to the most helpful guides we have had in about six years of tours”
Mark (uktrailrides), Bucks, October 2007

“We all felt it was the best trip we have ever been on…” Bob, Southern TRF Group, October 2007

“Simply the best off-road trail! Food, hospitality, service…the works!!” Ian, Bristol, March 2007.

We’ve opened up another area for our guests, both involve riding locally to us on day one (although riding different lanes) then there is a choice on day 2 of either;

The Suisse Normande – March 29/30 & April 12/13 - where you’ll find forests, rocky paths, technical climbs, stunning scenery and an opportunity (if you want) to try some parts of La Course Infernale.

The Seine - February 23/24, March 15/16 & April 5/6 – where it’s muddier, with deeper water and tunnels. We also ride along the banks of the Seine to have lunch at Honfleur and visit a sand motocross track.

Both cost £239 per person in a shared twin room including 2 nights accommodation, breakfasts, four course dinners and all evening drinks. We have jetwashers, and a drying room that works!

Down down deeper & down

Southern TRF

Let me out!

“ the reason that I did the race again was because it's different to anything in the UK. There is not another race that I know of where you do a hare & hounds section, an enduro stage, a motorcross track and trail riding between the stages, it's also set in a beautiful region. "

The cost is £210 PP which includes race entry, race licence, 1 nights accommodation, breakfast, a four course dinner, all evening drinks and John on hand to help with scrutineering the day before and refuelling etc on race day.

The Farm
Our trees only produce apples every two years, so we weren’t able to make any more cider last autumn. There’s only 50 bottles left from the year before as guests have drunk so much. If we were to have made some Calvados three years ago then it might be ready for drinking next year!

We’ve now got 13 sheep (one was killed by a hunting dog) who keep escaping from the orchard, so we’ll have to sell the rams as it’s Chop and Minty who lead the others astray.

A bientot
John and Jen Eggleton.