European Connections
For the third year in a row RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders East Yorkshire (E-YARD) organised a European Tour, cheekily called the Tea Bag Tour (there are several reasons!) for 2019.
A meet and greet before fueling and boarding was arranged at Mount Pleasant in Hull where Rosie waved the intrepid travellers off
Traveling out from Hull on Pride of Brugge the eight bikes and ten members arrived in Zeebrugge on Saturday 7 September
Traveling through Belgium without touching any Autoroutes, lunch was taken at Arras.
The first night was spent in the beautiful city of Nancy, France
Sunday saw an early start as the group head south toward Southern Germany.
A ride down the famous from Baden Baden along the B500 to Freudenstadt saw the weather turn from pleasant to torrential rain! Arrival at Ruchti's Hotel in Fussen was late due to the terrible weather, but wet kit off was followed by pizza and beer in the town centre!
The following day started wet but improved as Ivan and Hoody rode out of Germany and into Austria riding the picturesque Plansee road from Reutte to Ethal and then onto Garmisch-Partenkirschen
Others spent the day exploring Fussen or visiting Munich - apparently it all got a bit messy!
There was of course, cake....
A turn in weather on Tuesday saw the whole group out riding, Brackie and Libby heading to Italy and detours due to snow up to Stelvio!
The rest of the team did the Plansee again, before the Zugspitz Arena and Warth.
The final day riding in before heading north again head into Austria covering some of the most stunning passes in the area, more cake and then even more passes!
Wasselone in France was the next stopover, again, avoiding Autobahns.
A brief stop to honour the fallen as the group visited the Maginot Defence Line
A visit to Saarbrucken Motorrad BMW catching up the service team who had rescued Hoody's bike the year before when he broke down was enjoyed and publicised by the dealership!
The penulitimate day was a ride from Wasselone to Stoumont in the Ardennes, Belgium staying at the brilliant Ardennes and Eiffel Adventures with mien host Neil Leigh
Neil is an avid motorsport fan, owns a MotoGP bike, is a track instructor and has a house full of memorabilia. The crowning glory was the sound of motorcycles practicing for the days racing at Spa-Francorchamps, about 2 kilometres from his house. Mist in the early morning air added to the atmosphere!
Heading north on the Autoroute, a break was taken in the stunning 'Venice of the North' beautiful Brugges.
Boarding the Pride of York for a night passage back to Hull, there was end of trip shenanigans as everyone cruised back to home!
Andy was our "Little Unicorn Princess" and was rewarded accordingly!
The whole team received a "friend" from Andy - but they got a little frisky after dinner!
A final goodbye as the team left the ferry and the plans for next year commence!
