Motorcycling into the Vosges Mountains, May/June 2000-2011

The French wine area the Alsace with its picturesque villages such as Kaysersberg, Kientzheim, Riquewihr and the mountains of the majestic Vosges with its blue lakes, green valleys - the eldorado for motorcyclist. The routes concern narrow and well asphalted ways which are provided abundantly with a lot of turning types and uncountable cols.
Famous are: The Ballon D'Alsace 1250m, Le Grand Balloon 1424m, Hohneck 1362m, Rainkopf 1304m.

On invitation of Rob, and also elected, it was allowed for me to spent a long weekend with those guys in the Alsace France (Vosges mountains).

The place to be was a small village called Münster with a fine Hotel in the center

Hôtel de la Cigogne***

With such a variety of roads Vosges has something for everyone.

A motorcycle operator's license, well-grounded riding skills, flexibility, common sense, and alertness are what is needed to enjoy the wondrous playground of the Vosges - a place where you may loaf along, delighting in the countryside, or twist the throttle for a thrill. Whatever your level of motorcycling and travelling experience, riding in the Alsace offers such a variety in terrain and sights that it will surely be your ultimate riding experience!

This weekend I have learned some do's and don'ts, especially things about riding, food, sleeping and drinks. 
Anyway, I have learned a lot  and it was a very special weekend, we have already planned the next trip!
In any case an instructive and sociable weekend that had his continuation within the next years.

Martin has made a new T-shirt for the whole group. Maybe I receive that special T-shirt also, isn't it Martin?

Pieces of information: .

• T-shirts with prints "Vosges-ride" proves to be a collector item.
• We have two Junior-members for the new tour, they have to do some engine cleanup and obtain spirits.
• Rob has a BBBBBBlack IIIIIItalian bike now, what? not an  BMW!!!!
• Martin want's more  Blackbirdhorsepower's, pity, maybe within 2001. It is again a Jap. But with 2 strokes less!
• Ton continues repair his BMW, old timer
• Ap do not know the element's, luxuriously doll
• Cor has just enough for the moment, old fellow
• Nothing can John hurt anymore, has got everything and goes for it
• Frans have lost his touch with his rear-tire
• Stefan miss his sixth sense, can't see through the turnings
• Wolfgang already in the in the front group, but need to learn drive slowly

Martin has ingeniously thought out to mount a Digital-camera on his bike and filmed one day. It isn't possible to look at the whole movie but a short impression of 3 Minutes is available. click; hier  (4,9Mb). (Approx. 11 min. download-time op 7.0 kbs!).

In 2004 also continued.

This year, beside the hard core of previous years, more people, a neighbour guy and a colleague salesmen. Frans the almostnever beerconsumerexcepthalflitres and Stefan the last comer of the Vosges skipped this year. Below a picture taken in Burgers Bush with all the supporters.

Two more bikes in 2005, one starter after some idle years, and Frans the almost never beerconsumerexcepthalflitres. Stefan skipped one year again. Here a picture taken in the Efteling with company.

More pieces: in 2005 .

1. Ap always content with his modern cow has changed his bike - the one with the "Tuning Forks".
2. Frans has enough from his Japanese tupperwarebox on wheels and invested enough in a two-stroke - oneApriliaRanzigSportVehicleMille
3. Ton has finally cleared his old wheels and goes on a yellow one.
4. Wolfgang have had to many kilo's and too few Horsepower in his old one, exchanged his GS for a newer type.

The 2006 differences.

What's new this year?

• Rob has updated his Falco with new suspension, 'weef' brake's and more.
• Frans have had an accident last year, parked his bike at the back-site of a SUV.
• Alwin has within his hobby "tyre-changes" - mounted another set and also another exhaust pipe to hear a nice sound.
• Alfons leaves his old animal at home and appears with an Honda VTR100F Fire Storm, nice for Martin? Another Honda included whoopee!
• Stefan goes once more, searching for new valve cap's, color unknown.
• A new tracker added - named Ap, his official installation till 2nd Track finder will, after showing his knowledge, take place in Munster.
• Martin toke someone into his confidence and let known he has still no reason for changing his bike, only some small adaptions because there is nothing better.
• Ton goes this year on four wheels, a new pair of glasses and other prosthesi, safely and quiet - so the home front could be relaxed a couple of days.

To find a place for the family happening was a tough job. Within the context of some permanent education we have found something at Apeldoorn (Zoo) and directly after this a Wok Restaurant Sapporo in Nijmegen. Below a summary by means of pictures and Video material.

Ap has mounted a DV-camera at his bike and has taken pictures on a dry day. It is a fully DVD! Here a short impression of approx. 8 minutes within Mpeg format. Click; here  (75Mb). (Fast DSL connection is needed!).

More differences in 2007.

What's new this year?

More chocking things has been happened, some people have some excuses not to go..
Because:

• Alfons has been injured and skipped this year.
• Stefan is not going (never).
• Alwin search a new sleeping-mate (Frans ?).
• Martin bring's a mate in, Maikel, just below 40 years old. No mid life crisis?
• Rob has tried to put some stripes on his wheels, Dees angry, stripes trowed away, maybe next year.
• Ap is happy, not te owner of the pay-wallet anymore. Ton is taken over anyway a lot of savings this year!
• Rob and Martin have wet dream's about Ducati's.
• Martin about the 1098 and Rob about the Multistrada, if happened - the spare-parts from Alfons could be helpfully.
• Ton goes with us again on two BMW wheel's this time! Joepie!
• Frans is very quite, silence for the stormy weather or maybe a new RSV Mille ?
• Wolfgang suffering this winter, his bike is in deep sleep till April, but he can talk about it with his own Motor mouse Elma! The lucky guy.
• The group in 2007 should be: Rob, Martin, Alwin, Frans, Wolfgang, Ton, Maikel and Ap

What's new within 2008?

Leaving Beuningen at 07:30Am in 2008 after the Coffee-break!

In 2009 Totally Different

What's new this year? More chocking things has been happened, some people have some excuses not to go..
Because:

• Alwin needed more Cc's and Horsepower so changed his bike into a blue R1.
• Martin has changed the average speed and stay at home.
• Rob has more home's but no money for a bike, so next year?
• Ap is happy and ride as the first one, and limit the speed.
• Ton goes again with his 2-wheel BMW!
• Frans is satisfied and will ride 350km every day.
• Wolfgang stay's at home this time.
• The groep in 2009 will be: Alfons, Alwin, Frans, Ton en Ap

The "Die Hards" on the picture below have made the Vosges unsafe the 3th till 7th june

Leaving Beuningen in 2009 at 08:30Am after the Coffee-break!

In 2010 slightly different

Bossche Bol eating	Brasserie Meprise

Again some changes with effect on the grouplevel.
Because:

• Alwin has a new sleepy mate?! ;-))
• Martin stays at home, again!
• Rob has one chance left, no bike, so... next year??
• Ap is happy and ride again as the last one.
• Ton put's his complete set of suitecase at the bike'.
• Frans happy again, can drive at the Highway.
• Wolfgang can't missed this and goes with us, Joepie!! two BMW's!
• The group of 2010 is now: Alfons, Alwin, Frans, Wolfgang, Ton en Ap.

Unfortunately, Wolfgang signed off, bad weather in his environment! Hopefully next Year.

Leaving in 2010 - 2 june om 07:30hr from Beuningen, after the Coffebreak!

Less is more within 2011!

Some minor changes within the group.
Because:

• Alwin has no room-mate?! or? Perhaps?
• Rob and Martin, it is over with those two.
• Ap is happy, no change to ride at front every day.
• Ton is slowing down a little bit this time.
• Frans is also happy, his son ride's with us.
• Wolfgang take's Thomas as a sleeping mate.
• The group from 2011 excist this year with a lot experience: Alfons, Alwin, Frans, Sander, Thomas, Ton, Wolfgang and Ap.

Too bad,Thomas has other priority's, next year maybe better.

Leaving in 2011 was planned at 25 may at 07:30 hr from Beuningen, after the coffie inside! Why inside? This time outside, reason: Murphy's law! And he was not invited! Ton's BMW wasn't starting... ANWB informed, great story, after a while, all of us visiting the Dealer. Battery defect, Deal was he is coming after repair and we are going now.

View at the Hotel	Beer already ordered	More Stork's

Notes the blue-sky	with some clouds	Martin - a lost child

A nice view	The group of the year 2000

I'll be there too	Lost the key's again???

One of the stops	Diner at Obernai

The usual delivery of the T-shirts	Breakfast at Obernai with the new outfit

Very expensive Coffee over here!	Sight at the Grand Ballon

One stop at Orbey	You could also take a flight over here

Alternative parking place in 2007	The usual control of... Oil

The Old Guy's	Alway's some problems with Alfons bike

Martin has been surprised this time	More wheelie's

Frans and Martin in action	Erik in action

Alfons in action	Alwin in action

Ton saw someone?	Wet again

The new owners of the Hotel	The changed parking place

Always dirty!

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