Who is going in 2010
1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA
2/ Andrew Ellis - *Honda Varadero
3/ David Jones - BMW R1200GSA
4/ Douglas Steel - Cagiva Navigator
5/ David Barker - BMW R1200GS
6/ Mark Gillispie - BMW R1200GS
7/ George Ballantyne - TDM 900
8/ Bill Naismith - Kawasaki Versys
That's it folks for this year, no more room!
After a fantastic first trip last year we just had to do it one last time. Due to the port changes this is definitely the last time we will run this trip with the ease of the long crossing to Bilbao, so if you have fancied doing it the best and most pleasurable way possible get booked in early this year. We will take the ferry crossing from Portsmouth on Saturday 3rd July to the Port of Bilbao in northern Spain. Here we will start our journey fresh to across the Pyrenean Ridge using the best BTB roads and staying in wonderful locations as we meander our way from West to East through the Pyrenees. Then we start out across France taking in the stunning Millau Sky Bridge before heading up into the Alps to join the Stella Alpina Rally. After the Rally we will loop north through the best the Alps have to offer before heading back through France to eventually catch the Ferry over to Dover around lunch time on Tuesday 13th July. This trip is the culmination of over 20 years traveling through these areas and will take in all the very best roads and sights along the way. As it may be the last ever to do all this is one it is most certainly not one to be missed.
To build on the success of this fantastic trip, I again intend to accompany one group the whole way there, and back if you wish. I will book the Ferry and sort your accommodation as well as plan and lead the party on the most interesting routes I know. We know all the good restaurants, best routes and best vantage points along the way. To start the holiday we'll take the 21.15 hrs night boat from Portsmouth (Please be at the docks no later than 19.30 pm) on Saturday 3rd July - where we'll all get to know each other over a pint as we cruise our way down to the Pyrenees, it just doesn't get any better than this.
2010 Trip
Saturday - We'll all meet up on the docks around 7.30pm at Portsmouth to sort out our boarding cards then embark, get our rooms and hit the bar ready for our cruise down to Bilbao, Northern Spain.
Sunday - It's up at what ever time you like after a goods nights entertainment and the odd drink at the Pyres Party the night before. We are already well down the west coast of France and the rest of the day can be spent sun bathing, eating, drinking, shopping, strolling, as well as dolphin and whale spotting from the observation deck as we sail through the Bay of Biscay. You can visit the health spa, one of the onboard cinemas showing the latest box office smashes or simply chill ready for another night in the casino, one of the many bars, watch the shows, or in the Disco. What ever you choose to do it's the easiest and most relaxing way to get you and your bike into the Sun and Mountains of the Pyrenees were fantastic riding starts within an hour of disembarking.
Monday - We disembark in Bilbao after a good nights sleep on the boat and make our way straight into the foothills of the Western Pyrénées. Within a couple of hours we are high in the mountains and continue picking our way along the back bone of the Pyrénées. Beautiful gorge roads and high passes now the norm in this lush landscape. We eventually arrive at our accommodation for our next three nights in Catalonia.
Tuesday - A free day to relax by the pool, do some shopping, try some adventure sports, or go out on the bike exploring the wonderful road and trail passes this area of Catalonia has in abundance.
I have no doubt this will be the best trip ever after many years of doing these trips separately, the way it is planned is the most flexible & pleasurable way to do this monumental trip, and all in just 10 Days. That said, some may wish to make this the start of a longer holiday, or even make the trip shorter. Therefore, I have no problem with people sorting out their own return journey on a different date. I will still book your ferry out via Portsmouth (and back via Calais on a date of your choice) and sort out all your digs for the nights you wish to stay with the group. All the main ports can be done in one hit from our last nights accommodation in France, indeed we are on the same road for most of the way back to the channel.
I believe this European jaunt to be suitable for all, one or two up, both novice and veteran alike. It can be tackled on almost any bike (as long as it's capable of longer journeys) and any UN-surfaced sections can easily be avoided. To help me with organising I'm afraid, as always, very advanced booking is required and maximum numbers will apply. Due to the new booking system at P&O the prices of the crossings will rise as the Ferry fills up. This is designed to encourage people to book and pay early (like some of the low cost airlines), so book early to avoid the price quoted rising as the summer approaches. Now it's time to get out your new diary and see if you can join us on this fantastic journey The Long Way Round through the Pyrénées to the Stella Alpina 2010 in the Alps.
Don't be disappointed, send your deposit now as this one fills fast and is always over subscribed.
To book your place on The Posh Pyres + Stella Alpina 2010, hit this link, then print off a booking form. Send this along with your remittance ASAP.
Who went in 2009 - The Long Way Round
1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA 2/ Andrew Ellis - *Honda Varadero 3/ Tim Green - Honda Varadero 4/ Ben Wheble - KTM 990 ADV 5/ Alex Penrose - TDM 900 6/ Adrian Lloyd' - KTM990ADV 7/ Paul Homard' - BMW R1200GSA 8/ Adrian Molloy - Tiger 1050 9/ Mark Dinner - BMW R 1200 GS 10/ Darren Dewsbury - KTM 990 ADV 11/ Tony Chadwick - BMW R 1200 GS 12/ John Boothroyd - KTM 950 ADV 13/ Jim Dobson - BMW R1150ADV 14/ Dave Jones - BMW R1200GS
Who went on the Stella in 2008 - 1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA 2/ Andrew Ellis - *Honda Vara 3/ Ian Harding - BMW R1200GS 4/ Alan Dixon - BMW R1200GSA 5/ John (Irish Guy on a Bike) Bruce - BMW R1150GSA 6/ Tony Chadwick - BMW R1200GS 7/ Paul Homard - BMW R1200GSA 8/ Nick Slater - Suzuki DL1000 9/ David Wyatt - Suzuki V-strom 10/ Adrian Lloyd - KTM 990 Adv 11/ David Carr - VARA XL1000 12/ David Barker - BMW R1200GS 13/ Mike Craxton - *BMW R1200GSA 14/ George (Ochay) *Ballantyne - TDM 900 15/ William Gregg - BMW R1150GS 16/ Steve Cogdell - BMW R1200GS
The BTB.C Stella Alpina 2000?
