GOT TO GET AWAY*

MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL is one of the most enjoyable things I can think of. So enjoyable that I think I’ll start off with a song…

I’M GOIN’ UP THE COUNTRY, BABY DON’T YOU WANT TO GO?

“What? And sleep under bridges again? No. Thank. You.” That’s a not uncommon response when you ask your Better Half if she/he wants to go on a bike tour with you. Choose an organised tour and you can not only guarantee better accommodation, you can show it. And believe me, some of the places you’ll stay will be spectacular. Tour operators know what goes down well with clients.

I’M GOIN’ TO SOME PLACE, I’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE,

Let’s face it, it’s always easier to go back to somewhere you’ve been. Any place you know will offer fewer surprises (some of which may well be unpleasant) and will be easier in any number of ways. But is that what you want? Once again, choose an organised tour, especially one to a new and exciting place, and you can rely not only on novelty but also on all the advantages of a familiar destination – because the organiser will know it. Edelweiss’ choice of Carcassonne on one of my trips as a stopover was wonderful.

I’M GOIN’ WHERE THE WATER TASTES LIKE WINE,

With a good operator you will not only ride wonderful roads and see amazing sights, you will also eat and drink the best – or at least the most interesting – of your destination’s comestibles. I’ll never forget being taught how to pour sidra, the famous local cider, in Asturias in northern Spain with IMT. To be honest I never did learn how to pour it, although I managed to get enough into my glass for just one drink.

WE CAN JUMP IN THE WATER, STAY DRUNK ALL THE TIME.

No, I don’t suggest you drink to, er, excess on any motorcycle trip. But a smart operator will know that a rest day in a place that offers outstanding bars and other non-dry entertainment venues can be a highlight of any