A61 Ring Road, Derek Dooley Way, Wicker Arches, Sheffield, S3 8GZ
All roads lead to SMC Bikes
Previous SMC Bike tours
SMC is more than just a motorcycle dealer! As well as being a hugely popular venue for bike meets, ride outs and social events, we organise European Motorcycle Tours too in conjunction with Wild One tours.
These tours are a very comprehensive package. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride!
We embrace a relaxed and flexible approach on our tours, no deadlines, no pressure. Your hotel will be waiting for you at the end of the days ride.
The spectacular Normandy bridge which for 9 years after its completion in 1995 was the longest cable stayed bridge in the world. We stop at a vantage point before crossing the bridge which involves a steep climb and descent. From here we ride to the American War Cemetery and Omaha beach which feature in the film Saving Private Ryan. One of the brothers Nyland from the family of which the story is based was killed and is buried here. After lunch we will visit some of the German Atlantic wall fortifications further down the coast before arriving at our hotel in Avranches.
Day 2:
Visit to Le Mont St. Michel before riding deep into France to our hotel at Tours in the historic and scenic Loire region. Leonardo da Vinci spent the latter part of his life here. After offloading luggage at the hotel there is an optional ride to Tours centre and the trendy Place Plum, a vibrant square full of bars, cafes and restaurants surrounded by medieval buildings
2009 SMC European tour picture gallery
tend to get congested which makes for slow progress. Before long we cross into Spain and the fabulous descent to our overnight accommodation at Lleida. Be advised that riding the twisting descent towards the setting sun,shades are essential for riders and pillions alike. A late dusk arrival at our hotel is justified by the late 8pm opening of the excellent La Rotonda restaurant next door. The Spanish tend to eat late after the heat of day subsides.
Day 6:
At over 350 miles today is the longest ride of the tour. It is also the most varied and arguably the best. Riding through the attractive town centre of Lleida we pass the cathedral which displays the power of Christianity after the Muslim Moors who had ruled most of Spain for centuries were deposed.
Soon away from the town we ride ideal empty roads along the banks of the mighty Rio Ebro, desert landscape and mountains of central Spain to the Mediterranean coast and the beach where Charlton Heston playing the dying El Cid in the epic film of that title is strapped to his horse and rides out to battle the invading Moors. There is time after lunch to have a splash about in the sea at this excellent beach before setting off along the coast and through more mountains where we will stop for dinner before arriving at our destination of Alicante.
Day 7
From the Etap hotel Alicante with blazing heat even in September it is too far to comfortably walk into town. It is merely a few minutes ride and you can park bikes all day for free while you enjoy exploring the narrow streets of the old town, yachting marina, beaches and the Castillo de Santa Barbara (which has free bike parking and no entry fee. From its hilltop position the castle which at times was garrisoned by British forces affords excellent views of the coast and town. The town has a vibrant night time atmosphere with a street market and busy bars, restaurants and clubs.
If the above doesn't appeal, today is very much a do your own thing day to allow an opportunity to relax. There are plenty of other local attractions. The guide can advise you where these are and how to get there..
Day 8:
By all means enjoy a second day relaxing in or near Alicante or take an optional guide led run into the mountains to visit the popular tourist attractions of Fonts de l'Algar, a picturesque waterfalls walk and Guadalest a hilltop village, Moorish castle, lake and dam.
Day 9:
By all means enjoy a second day relaxing in or near Alicante or take an optional guide led run inland along twisting lanes through the mountains to visit the popular tourist attractions of Fonts de l'Algar, a picturesque waterfalls walk where you can paddle or swim) and Guadalest, a hilltop village, Moorish castle, lake and dam).
Day 10:
Riding back through the mountains to the Autopista and passing Valencia we return to the beach at Peniscola/ Benicarlo with time for a splash around before lunch at nearby Vinaros. From here we take the road between the Autopista and the coast as far as Tarragona where we rejoin the Autopista to our hotel on the outskirts of Barcelona. Today's ride is more than 300 miles and it is reassuring to know there is a Viena restaurant next door to the hotel which serves good food and remains open for most of the day.
Day 11:
Appealing though it may sound with countless attractions to visit riding around Barcelona is no easy task and on previous excursions the challenge has proved too much for the guide who instead prefers to visit the Monastery at Montserrat. The route takes us past the Circuit de Catalunya race track. The mountain top Monastery is a top tourist attraction with excellent views of the surrounding countryside. The ascent and descent roads alone make the whole ride worthwhile.
After lunch at Montserrat we ride back to France where we rejoin the coast with a final opportunity to visit a beach and say goodbye to the Mediterranean. Arriving at our hotel at Beziers after a ride of about 300 miles it is again good to know that there is an excellent good value restaurant just next door.
Day 12,
Bezier was the scene of a bloody medieval massacre as part of the Crusade against the Cathars. With a long ride ahead of us and other attractions to visit on the way there is only time for a brief stop in Bezier town centre to admire this view of the cathedral Heading North we join the toll free A75 autoroute which climbs steeply away from the coast to 800M. When we reach the Millau Viaduct (worlds tallest bridge which was designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster. We will stop to admire this from several vantage points including the most panoramic view accessed from a narrow track which climbs up to the Larzac plateau. After lunch we ride through the Tarn Gorge and through the twisting, undulating roads of the Massif Central crossing the Col du Rayol (1240M) stopping for dinner after leaving the mountains and arriving at our hotel at Roanne.
Day 13:
Before arriving at Roanne last night we had said goodbye to the mountains, but the ride is no less exhilarating today as we continue North through forests, hills and farmland on quiet, scenic roads. Stops along the way include a visit to a Himalayan Buddhist temple in the grounds of a French Chateau and a biker Relais (old coaching inn), home to the M3C (Mesvres Celtic Custom Club).
We arrive at our hotel at Soissons that evening in good time to dine at the pleasant restaurant next door.
Day 14:
As we head North from Soissons road signs indicate the areas where WW1 battles took place and we pass many cemeteries where the fallen are buried. We stop to visit the Vimy Ridge battlefield site, visitor centre and impressive Canadian National War Monument before continuing to the ferry port at Calais from where the white cliffs of Dover can be seen on a clear day. To the Etap hotel Barking London. Note for those who are on a tight budget the lower cost F1 hotel is next door.
If there is energy in reserve and the will, it is less than a mile walk to a rail link which takes you direct to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. From here we can quickly access other London attractions and perhaps all get to together over dinner and English beer at the Founders Arms next to the Tate Modern which is across the Millennium footbridge from St Pauls cathedral.
The tour officially ends at midnight. The road back towards Sheffield is easily found but after breakfast you are welcome to follow the guide who travels home to Lincolnshire.
Day 3
Leaving Tours we stop at several Loire picture postcard towns and villages before climbing into the forested mountains of Haute Limousin (Massif Central) where the twisting undulating ride is interrupted only by fabulous sights and a few towns and villages where you can slow or pull over to admire the scenery and historic monuments before arriving at the hotel on the outskirts of Brive
Day 4:
From Brive we explore the Dordogne which is very popular with British and American tourists for a very good reason. It is fantastic. Here there is time for the option of renting a canoe to paddle downstream to a point where the rental company will return you back to the start point by bus. The guide will remain with the bikes and look after the luggage. Onward to the nights destination of Albi there is time to visit the impressive medieval fortress and village of Najac. It remains remarkably intact in spite of many battles fought over possession of this strategic position. Most of the days ride is on twisting ,undulating, scenic roads through hilly terrain.
Day 5:
Before leaving Albi we briefly visit the ancient old town and magnificent cathedral. Albigenism is a name given to the Cathar religion which once flourished in this part of France. The grandeur of the cathedral built out of expensive brick is a symbol of the conventional Christian faith reasserting its power in the region and is truly magnificent.
By the afternoon we will start to climb into the Pyrenees and cross into Andorra where the scenery is fantastic but the roads do