Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved in a wide variety of events through EKAM but the ones I have most enjoyed and appreciated are those that have enabled me to go away and ride new and exciting roads in great company. Yes, they were a “holiday”, and yes, we went to some scenic and memorable places, but most importantly these trips provided me with the opportunity to focus on advanced riding whilst surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared my passion for Roadcraft.
At a recent EKAM meeting there was discussion around what EKAM provides for those members who have passed their IAM test. The social scene, and the opportunity to ride with others, were the two reasons I heard repeatedly in that discussion and it encouraged me to reflect on how I might be best able to contribute towards them. These “social” trips are just that, a bunch of friends enjoying a common activity, but the opportunity they provide to practice and develop skills is well known within EKAM and exploited by many when they get the chance.
I’m offering to put together three days of pretty focused riding on some of the very best motorcycling roads in Europe, a region of France known as the Massif Central. I go riding in France with friends from EKAM a couple of times a year and almost without exception we find ourselves migrating here. The Alps are spectacular, but in high season ridiculously busy, the Pyrenees magnificent but have very changeable weather, especially on the French side. The bit in the middle has it all!
My proposal is very simple, and deliberately so. We will arrive at the hotel on the evening of Monday the 21st July 2025. On the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will enjoy riding our bikes and talking about it into the evenings…. On Friday 25th July we set off home.
Now the small print. I will nominate a suitable hotel once I know the size of our group, but it will be down to the individual to make their own reservation and to get there and back from the UK. Clearly, we will all be starting and finishing in the same place so I’m sure you won’t have to make these trips on your own unless you want to. It should be in the region of 550 miles to the hotel from Calais so if you hit the motorways, it’s easily achievable on the Monday. I, on the other hand, will be leaving Saturday or Sunday morning and taking the scenic route… likewise on the return trip!
I will try and find a hotel that allows everyone their own room. If you want to share to keep costs down, or because the hotel is full and it’s the only way you could get in… that’s fine by me! It’s your booking! It will be a basic hotel, but I will pick one that has a restaurant and bar on site.
Priorities!
The hotel could well be out of town so if you are thinking of bringing a non-riding partner, they may not have much to do during the day.
Again, depending on numbers, we will split into smaller groups for the three days riding. In my experience groups of three or four work best as they avoid bunching and allow for the flexibility needed to keep everybody happy. There will be opportunity, indeed it will be encouraged, to move between groups at coffee and lunch stops.
I will suggest routes for the three days but nothing is written in stone. Having a nominated lunch stop will naturally keep us all in roughly the same area…. but even after all these years I don’t know all the roads down there so reserve the right to explore….
This is not an exclusive event and is open to all EKAM members. There is plenty of talent within the club and I’m hopeful some of it will want to come along, but if you are new and still finding your way, please don’t feel excluded. I should warn you that many of the roads will require your full attention and your very best advanced riding skills, but then I’m sure you would be disappointed if they didn’t!
July is a popular time of year so we need to sort this out quickly. If you want to come then send a message to my mobile 07930 168492. I will add you to a WhatsApp[1] group for this trip and once I have a feel for numbers I will sort the hotel and share details with the WhatsApp group. This is likely to be within the next couple of weeks so please don’t leave any decision in your pending tray!
If you don’t use WhatsApp, please let me know.
Nigel Stevens.
[1: NOTE: If you don't have WhatsApp then you can find it on the web by clicking HERE, or get it for your mobile device by searching in your App Store]