Compared to the others a novice biker! Although been on the most trips, (mainly because he organises them!!) he is still relatively inexperienced at biking! He tends to be a fair weather biker and does the “trips” but not much in-between. Had a Harley-Davidson 1200 sportster sport - bought from new and never changed (until 2022)! Has had to put up with a lot of ridicule for it, but then has the last laugh when people seem more interested in his bike than the others.

In 2022, Alex moved into the modern world with the purchase of a Harley Davidson Pan-America. A very different bike to the Sportster, but still has the impact of an HD.

Tours: SC1 FR1 FR2 FR3 FR4 FR5 FR6 FR7 SP1 PO1 FR8 SW1 WL1 SW2 SP2 SC2 GE1 IT1

You will notice a pattern here, where everyone seems to be a ‘nice person’! Well they are, or else I wouldn’t have gone with them! And Eamonn is no exception! Another gent and someone who knows his bikes and is practical with it ! Saved me from setting fire to mine in Scotland (I wasn’t going to push it 10 miles!!).

Tours: SC1 PO1 FR8 SW1 WL1 SW2 SP2 SC2 GE1 IT1

Mike is the ultimate biker. He used to race bikes and his skill is second to none on the trips. He is also another of the nice guys, knowledgeable, funny and someone who you would always want on a trip. He came on the original to Scotland, suffered sore wrists due to the slow speed of the others but never complained (then how did I know you ask!!!). He has now taken over the mantle of leader. He found such great roads on the last trip that he has been told he’s leading from now on. I think he even enjoyed looking after the “ducklings” following him!

Tours: SC1 PO1 FR8 SW1 WL1 SW2 SP2 IT1

Tracey joined us for the French 2018 trip as pillion to Mike I. Although a biker herself she wasn’t confident to bring her own bike. However with some pressure I hope she will in future. As pillion to Mike she probably saw more than the rest of us but missed the thrill of the French roads. A nice woman who drinks pints like a trooper (more than Mike anyway) and fitted into the group well. Has an amazing eye for a picture and took some great shots on the last trip.

Tracey rode her own NC750 on the second Switzerland trip (SW2) and as well as riding the mountains, continued to be the groups photographer!

Tours: FR8 SW1 SW2

Simon is a great laugh. Loves (polishing) his bike and enjoys the social side as much as the biking. Although not a hardened drinker like Brian and Mike E he has been known to succumb to the odd drink and sticks with the group for the evening (unless it gets a bit crowded). He has such a good attitude and an honour to know him.

Tours: PO1 FR8 SW1 SP2 IT1

Simon's son, again not yet an "Old Git", but as he was prone to wearing white and pink leathers on his GSXR we can include him in this category! We always knew where Chris was, every tunnel you could hear the cacophony of the open exhaust pipe reverberating around us.

Tours: SW1 SP2 IT1

One of Eamonn's biking friends they've know each other from school days. An ex-production racer, Lee managed to tackled the Swiss alpine roads on his Pan-European with as much enjoyment as the sports bikes!

Tours: SW1 IT1

As they say "still waters run deep" - Mike is one of those people who appear quiet but is capable of hard-core bike rides! He may not be at the front of the group, but he always gets to the destination.

Tours: IT1

Mike is a great guy. A real laugh and someone you want on every trip. Has been on most trips and until recently rode a Kawasaki GPZ. Old but reliable and quick, even with the weight!!! (bike not Mike!!!) Has upgraded to a Suzuki Hayabusa. Loves the bike and goes like the clappers. Enjoys the evenings as much as the biking. Especially a good red!

A great sense of humour and quick wit with it!

Tours: SC1 FR2 FR3 FR4 FR5 FR6 FR7 SP1 PO1 FR8 WL1

One of the nicest blokes you could ever hope to meet. Total gent, generous, kind and all round nice guy. Really regret my stupidity in losing touch with him. Great biker and sensible with it. Had 7 bikes at one point! Don’t know if he still does, but he had such a variety. Not sure he always chose the best bike for the trips at the time! Seemed to enjoy himself but was always put upon due to his kindness and unwillingness to say no! Lost his French skills when he stopped coming. But was always happy to help when he was and very very generous with it.

Tours: SC1 FR1 FR2 FR3 FR4

Well what a Jekel and Hyde Ken is !!! A respectable businessman, a pillar of society, until he has a drink! Then becomes a liability; a nightmare; altogether a total laugh and the talk of most trips! Whether being in hospital, escorted by police or just abusive to innocent people; he is... Ken !! Great sense of humour and will always get laughs. Again a generous person. His choice in bikes varies depending on what he can get for the trip! As he nears old age he is moving away from the all out track bike to the more sit up and beg! From Ducati to Virago!

Tours: FR3 FR4 FR5 FR6 FR7

Probably the hardest one to talk about! Brian enjoys his biking but enjoys the social side just as much. Give him a comfortable wine bar with good food and you may struggle to get him on the bike for the next stage of the trip. He appreciates the nicer places and has gone back to revisit some of them (e.g. Annecy) Again a generous man who enjoys himself and makes sure others do as well. When Brian is tired he is of to bed, no matter what!!

Tours: FR2 FR3 FR4 FR5 FR6 FR7 SP1 PO1 FR8 SW1

Roger is a bit of a pistol head! A redhead and a bow tie wearer! However he is also a nice bloke, a great biker and knows his bikes and how to ride them. Although a true biker Roger enjoys the social side as well. A nice meal, a rave(!!) or dance club and he is happy. Not a big drinker (well Roger isn’t big, full stop!!) but happy to go out and enjoy himself!

Took over the French after Paul stopped coming, a good man to have with you.

Tours: FR3 FR4 FR5 FR6 FR7 FR8

I take my hat off to Hugh (sorry don’t remember his second name) He joined us for a trip and didn’t really know anyone! I’m not even sure who’s friend he was who suggested he came along! All I can say is I’m glad he did. Even when the group split, he came with us and I think he enjoyed the riding and social side in equal measure. He is also responsible for finding the rave! God bless him. Don’t know much about him I’m afraid, but another one I would be happy to go on another trip with.

Tours:

Steve is the all out biker. He didn’t seem happy unless he was riding hard and fast. It seemed more about riding than the social side with Steve. We were happy for Steve, Mike etc to go riding off and then meet up in the evening. Some preferred to go out for a meal and drink, Steve preferred to watch super bikes on TV. Each to their own. I think the slow pace and too much of the social side disillusioned Steve from the majority of us.
He later went off with Mike and Paul and I believe had a good time.

Tours:

Andy is a close friend and relative of Mike E, so that was good enough for the rest of us.

He doesn’t get out on his bike as much as he’d like at home so the trips were just what he wanted. He was a god send in Spain when he made some soup, helped pull off sodden clothes and with high spirits cheered us up. I’m pleased to say he is still coming on trips.

Tours: SP1

Totally unfair to class Ken in the Old Gits Tours as he is less than half the age of the majority of us. But boy did he fit in! Not as an old man, but he seemed to enjoy the trip for both the riding and the social side! If anything us old ones couldn’t keep up at the night clubs and gave up at 2am. He loves biking, rides like a pro, does track days but isn’t boastful or shows off. Really friendly, quick to put his hand in his pocket and hopefully will come on many more trips

Tours: FR8