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.
As a result, last year, I ‘organised’ a trip to Florac which proved to be both very popular and hugely successful in promoting the opportunity to focus on advanced riding.
So this year I have put together a plan for an identical trip, three days on some of the very best motorcycling roads in Europe in 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!
Last year we went in July, a popular time of year and therefore trickier to organise hence this year we have moved to a later September week.
The arrangements are very simple, and deliberately so.
We will arrive at the hotel on the evening of Monday 21st September 2026.
On the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will enjoy riding our bikes and talking about it into the evenings.
On Friday 26th September we will set off home.
Now the small print. I have made accommodation arrangements at the same hotel we used in 2025, the details of which are as follows: -
Grand Hôtel du Parc
47 Avenue Jean Monestier
48400 Florac Trois Rivières
Lozère
Tél : + 33 4 66 45 03 05
Email:
Website: www.grandhotelduparc.fr
It will be down to individuals wishing to join the group 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!
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!
Priorities!
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!
If you want to come then send a message to my mobile 07930 168492, make your hotel booking I will add you to a WhatApp group for this trip.
If you don’t use WhatsApp please let me know.
