Day One
The tour will start when we all meet at Folkestone at the Channel Tunnel Terminal when we catch the train to France. This is an early start (appox 0700) and most who have to travel some distance stay in local B and Bs the night before.
We will then ride north to Ede/Arnhem, arriving at our hotel mid afternoon. We will then settle in and enjoy some of the local restaurants and bars.
There will be plenty of fuel and comfort stops on this part of the journey
Mileage for the day will be approx 280-300
Day Two
We will depart the hotel after breakfast and visit some of the famous locations from Operation Market Garden, including the landing zone, the Airborne Museum, the Airborne cemetery and of course
“the Bridge too Far”.
Minimal mileage as its all based around Arnhem
Day Three
After a leisurely morning and a good breakfast we will depart Ede and head to our next Hotel in the Alt Stadt (old town) of Soest in Germany.
Once we arrive at the hotel, we will park the bikes up in the garage and settle in to the hotel for the rest of the tour. The first port of call after booking in to our rooms is usually the bar, where we sit out in the sun enjoying the local German beer.
In the evening we will have a tour dinner in the Balkans restaurant next to the hotel, which is superb.
Mileage for this day is approx 160
Day Four
After a full continental breakfast, we will all meet at the hotel garage at 0845 to leave at 0900 for the days riding.
Firstly we will visit the Mohnesee, which is only a 15 minute ride from the hotel and spend an hour looking around the famous dam.
Once we leave the Mohnesee will ride up towards Buren on some lovely roads, winding our way to Wewelsberg to visit the Nazi Castle which has an amazing museum recording the history of the castle under the Nazi reign during WW2. The café here also serves some seriously delicious cakes and good coffee too.
After the castle we will ride down to Diemelsee of which the dam was actually a secondary target for the Dam Busters and we will have lunch at the famous biker’s café there.
After lunch we will ride some of the best road in the Ruhr Valley back westwards to the Sorpe dam. Then, we will head back to the hotel, arriving at approx 1800. Total miles for this day vary from 180 – 200.
Friday evening is normally a meal followed by a few beers into the early
hours taking advantage of the day off on the Saturday.
Day Five
Saturday is a rest day with no planned riding which will give you
plenty of opportunity to explore Soest and discover its 1000 year history, with its city walls and many churches, and of course not forgetting it picturesque town square with all its bars and restaurants.
However, if you would like to ride out I can recommend some great
routes and places to visit within the local area and if you wish, a bit further afield.
Day Six
After a full continental breakfast, we will all meet at the hotel garage at 0845 to leave at 0900 for the days riding.
We will leave the hotel and ride down to Edersee which is approximately
90 miles to the start of the reservoir, stopping at Willingen for a
morning coffee on the way. Incidentally, Willingen is a popular ski resort in the winter, and offers some stunning walking in the summer. It is also a mecca for bikers in the summer!
Once we have visited the Eder Dam and had luch there we will wind our way back through the Rurh valley to the hotel. On the way back we will visit the bikers cafe at Diemelsee again, as Sunday afternoon is THE day to go there. We will arrive back at the hotel around 1700 which leaves us plenty of time to sort out our kit for the return jounrey on Monday and go out for our final dinner.
Day Seven
After a full continental breakfast, we will all meet at the hotel garage at 0720 to leave at 0730 for the ride back to Calais.
Again, we will refuel every 90 miles and should arrive in Calais around mid afternoon.
The tour will then terminate at Calais
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The Somme Tour
(3 Days)
16-18 July 2012
Day One
The tour will meet at the Channel Tunnel Terminal in Folkestone
at 0700 and the catch the train to France.
We will then head for Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial near Arras
avoiding all motorways and tolls to take in the beautiful French countryside. After Vimy Ridge we will then ride down to Orchard Farm
Bed and Breakfast in Combles, to be met by our hosts, Kate and Martin Pegler.
Once we have settled into our accommodation we will have a buffet style evening meal comprising of two courses and a few beers or glasses of the local wine. All this is included in the price.
Day Two
After a very generous continental breakfast we will head off with Martin Peglerfor the day. Martin is a Military Historian and one of the leading experts on WW1.
Lunch will be at one of the local tea rooms and we should arrive back at Orchard farm around five.
In the evening we will again, sample the hospitality of Kate and Martin and have our evening meal accompanied by beer, wine or soft drinks - again this is included in the price.
Day Three
After a leisurely breakfast we will bid farewell to our hosts and head back towards Calais at a relaxed pace stopping regularly, again avoiding motorways and tolls.
The tour will terminate at Calais.
NOTE
(There maybe slight changes to the itinerary that are beyond our control and all timings are approx)
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