Nevers, France to Antwerp, Belgium and then HOME!!

Today is the final day of the ride!  We had a very long day but great scenery along the way.  A few of the posse riders left first thing in the morning as they were now heading to their final destination - home. There were still all the rented bikes and a few more heading back towards Antwerp.  Almost every stop we were starting to say goodbye to people as they made a different turn in the road.

One of the last stops we had before saying goodbye to Barbara, Stephan and Kris we had to put the proper riding gear on to ensure we were legal in Belgium.  Three quarter helmet, long sleeves, gloves,  pants and riding boots all must be worn in Belgium or it is against the law.  Thankfully it was starting to cool down a bit and my jacket was bearable but glad I don't have to wear long sleeves all the time and the helmet too - I miss my half helmet at home!

We made a left at the bottom of the hill and started to head up another a bike pulled off to the side of the road - broken down bike!  Some stopped to see what was going on and I noticed our sweepers also stopped so I scooted up to the front (always fun!) to let the leaders know what was going on and why we lost half of the group.  We pulled off and waited a bit but no one came and then decided to go ahead until we got to a gas station.  Once we arrived at the gas station and filled up we knew that the fuel pump had gone on the bike and that they had made arrangements to have the Antwerp dealer pick it up tomorrow and the guys were doubling up and would catch up with us shortly!  Well it was 7:00 by the time they got to us and we still had 150 km to go!

We said our final goodbyes to a few more people including some of the posse team and a great friend Dicky and headed off down the road again until each of them pulled off heading towards their destinations.  We arrived at the gas station around the corner from the dealer to fill up and one more bike (John and Cindy's bike) would not start after filling up!  Everyone got back to the dealer including their bike as it was pushed down the road as the last posse bike to arrive - LOL.  I tried taking pictures but with my camera and not knowing where I am taking pictures they did not turn out!!

After parking the bikes in the garage at the dealer and taking a final picture of one dirty bike we said goodbye!  Thankfully Margo and Luc offered to drive a few of us to our destinations for the night which was awesome and above and beyond!  I headed to the train station which is absolutely beautiful and caught a train to Brussels for my final night.  It was 11:00 pm when I arrived in Brussels and then walked to my hotel about a block or so away from the station while pulling my suitcases and still in my biking boots!  Quite a site I must have been!

After registering and showering I headed back out to the Brussels square for something to eat for supper.  I found a great outdoor cafe and had a chicken salad and a final beer before hitting the pillow.

Thursday morning was quick up and packed headed to the airport.  I thought I would have had time to complete my blog while at the airport but by the time you get through all the customs, security and lineups everywhere I didn't even have time to sit down before they were calling for the seating of the plane.  I sat beside a gentleman that was going to Canada on a tour of the western provinces starting in Calgary.  He was planning on a trip with Dutch people so he could practice his language skills in hopes of getting better at it.  Interesting sort of guy a vacation as well as a learning experience all in one!

I slept a few different times on the flight and felt rested arriving in Montreal.  It was a good thing as I was off to the races again from picking up my luggage to going through customs and then dropping my luggage off again and then through security again!  WOW!  Again no time before getting called to finally sit on the final plane to Ottawa.  It was surprising to see the girl that I met on my flight over to Brussels also boarding the same flight to Ottawa and we asked each other how are vacations were - very nice to see a friendly face again!  It was a quick up and down flight and then pick my luggage up and meet Paul at the car.  Wonderful to see him and I was full of stories.  I am sure he thought I was crazy but he was happy to see me and that is all that matters.  We stopped in Arnprior on the way home for one of my favourite meals at the Prior which happened to be on special for Thursday nights!

It is good to be home!  Thank you all for following along with me I had an absolute blast - hope you did too!


 

Perpignan to Nevers, France

Another long road trip today on our way back to Antwerp / Brussells.  The roads were fast (speed limit on some of the roads was 130 km)!  It is amazing how one can speed up and down the mountains in a tight formation passing trucks and cars with a big smile on your face - yes that was me!

We started out at the usual time 8:30 and all I can think of is Miles Ross always wanting to leave early on my other motorcycle trips and you know what I was ready to go a lot earlier than 8:30!  LOL

Mich is a great leader and it seems he knows when it is time to stop when the bikers are getting restless!  I am sure he is too though with two up on his bike.  A few stops and we had some music playing on some of the bikes but nothing crazy.  I keep forgetting my USB cord to attach it to the radio system and have not had music while riding for the past couple of days.  With going up and down the mountains the radio reception is terrible and of course the wind whipping us around didn't help either.

The wind was crazy the gusts were terrible in the morning but it evened out more during the day.  Today we drove over the Beil bridge and the view was absolutely spectacular.  I had put the camera in my saddlebag as it was really too windy to try to ride and take pictures today and thought if it is in the saddlebag I will not be tempted to use it - boy do I wish I could have.  Fortunately Melonie Monk was behind me and she actually took pictures of me riding on the bridge which is too cool (yes she was the passenger on her husbands Chris's bike).  We could see the village below and the span of valleys you can't possibly describe!  I believe by riding on the bridge instead of going through the valleys we saved approximately one hour of riding - which today we really needed.

We arrived at the hotel around 7:00 in time to enjoy a beer before supper!  Supper was at the hotel within stepping distance which is awesome as we are all getting worn out.  The meals they serve for the cost is really unbelievable, quiche loraine, wine, a fish and potato main course (delicious) and then the chocolate dessert (very rich and I only took one bite)!

A lot of memories were spoken about at the table tonight and some laughter too!  Tomorrow is the last day on the bike and everyone will scatter to their own countries and back to reality.  It will be another long ride and I hope we get in for me to at least enjoy some of downtown Brussels tonight.  I willl be on my own from Antwerp on the train and then walk to the hotel - thank God someone invented wheels on suitcases!!

Valencia, Spain to Perpignan, France

This morning there was a few new faces riding our friends that we have met on the Posse Ride bikes! Interesting to see no more Australians or Californians!  Very sad to see someone else to ride their bikes.  However the first gas stop the music was pumping from one of the bikes and they were quickly welcomed to the ride!  Everyone had a smile on their face as they were excited to ride with us!

Today we travelled mostly larger highways but no toll roads as we covered almost 600 kms.  I recognized some of the places on the road signs as we were passing them and remembering all the great times that we had at those amazing places in Spain.  

At lunch today I thought I sat with some of the Posse team and some of the new people in hopes to get to know everyone!  We stopped in Spain and the waitress spoke so fast and then Margo and Luc would translate it in not English but Flemish - well I guess my eyes were getting quite big and the English speaking people saw me with a big bubble with a question mark over my head and they started to laugh.  Well I had to laugh too as I was totally confused and was just taking it all in but really not having a clue what was going on or being said!  Afterwards they did translate into English and it was their conclusion as well that the waitress spoke very fast and they were also trying to decipher what she was saying and it was easier in their language first and then mine.   It is amazing that they can speak so many languages in order to help everyone out and I am very grateful for that as I would be totally lost without them!

Travelling into France was quite busy at the duty free shopping area and all the French police were out in full force lined up along the road watching us all struggle (not really) with our bikes trying to get up a hill in stop and go traffic - not fun in such a heat near the end of the day.  My hands were screaming at me as I was squeezing the clutch over and over again!  Everyone was in the same boat.  Along the road today it is very interesting in Spain as it seems the hookers can just set up camp anywhere!  They are sitting at the end of what appears to be a dirt road into the small bushes alongside the highway in a lawn chair waiting for customers or trying to entice customers into their lair!  I got a kick out of all the guys checking them out as we rode alongside them!  Guys will be guys no matter what part of the world they live in obviously!  I told them later that the French policemen were just there for us ladies to do the same!  LOL

We arrived at about 7:30 to the hotel and I was able to do a quick shower (in one of the smallest showers I have ever seen) and wash a bit of laundry to hang out the window and then get ready for supper for 8:30.  It never ceases to amaze me at the time people eat supper in Europe.  In Spain the restaurants don't even open until 8:30!  Supper was good and then a few of us enjoyed a bottle of wine while reminiscing about the trip and making new friends from the guys that came in to ride the bikes back.  

Everyone must be asleep as I can finally get onto the internet to complete the last few days of blogging.  We are up early again tomorrow and we are heading out at 8:30 for another long day of approximately 600 km.  With 38 bikes it takes a little longer especially for stops at gas stations and lunch but with this second man drop system you are guaranteed not to get lost!  

Today when I was heading to bed Benny made a comment that we are leaving at 10:30 and I laughed as the team has been saying they want to lose me!  Not true I know or they wouldn't joke about it they could quite easily do it - as I have no idea where I am or where I am going!  LOL

Valencia, Spain

Coming soon!  Lol. Too much partying went on last night.

Finally after two days!  Sorry folks but it has been so hot and so busy in Valencia that I have not had the chance to complete the blog.

Saturday was the final farewell dinner day for the Posse Ride.  Saturday afternoon a few of us headed to the old part of downtown Valencia to tour the beautiful sites.  The old buildings are outstanding with so much history.  There was a beautiful cathedral, a number of fountains and lots of different statues on top of all of the building with such detailed archeticuture.  My camera has taken a turn for the worse and I do have some pictures that I took with my cell phone however I am unable to upload them due to the poor internet reception we have all experienced lately.  It is much easier from the camera to download them to my iPad.  I will try to post these pictures later once I am home.

Each trip that I go on I try to purchase something for my desk to remind me why I work!  This time it was perfect a magnetic paper clip holder in the form of a bull for Spain - perfect I would say!  I also purchased a small hand made and hand painted bowl from Spain for my jewellery at night.  There is not a lot I can buy when travelling on a bike and especially one that is not mine as I am really unable to tie down a lot of things on the bike like I would on my own.  Oh well - I will just have to come back!

Saturday night the final farewell dinner was quite good - the final speeches from Geert and his team, the final showdown between Dyke and Don was priceless and all the goodbyes were said.  The Posse Team surprised us with our pictures from the start of the trip and a metal poster of the art that was done for the Posse Ride itself and a certificate of completion!  Free drinks made for a long night!   Fireworks completed the night (just for us of course)!  Apparently every Saturday in July in Valencia they celebrate with amazing fireworks.  The temperature and the humidity level was so high that the smoke never did clear from the fireworks and hung in the air hiding the grand finale!  It has been so hot reaching temperatures near or above 40 once the humidity level is taken into consideration.

I was all set to leave with a group and Margo - yes it is all your fault and had nothing to do with my rubber arm - convinced me to stay!  Well the people in Valencia do not come out until midnight and once they did they never stopped coming!  Our venue had music and is the local outside disco bar and attracted everyone to the party!  It was packed - the dance floor was full and we had a blast!  At 2:30 we decided to take a taxi and by the time we got back to the hotel it was 3:00 am!  What a night - just like you see on tv with all the spanish young ladies enjoying the music and there were some guys too!  The Posse camera was flashing everyone and everything!  We certainly enjoyed ourselves and I certainly paid for it the next day - however you will all be  proud that I was the last Posse rider standing besides the Posse Team - somehow I know you are not surprised!  Thank you again Posse Team for another outstanding night!

Sunday was definitely a sleep in day until I had to get up for breakfast.  After breakfast was the final Posse song and it was sad to see everyone depart that were leaving us that day.  The rental bikes had to be returned by them and some people from the Antwerp HOG Chapter were arriving later on Sunday to be able to ride them back.  I am happy I decided to ride back as this way I really feel that I have not missed out on anything!

After the final song there was a few that decided to get on the tour bus to tour the city the easy way.  I stayed on the bus just for the tour as I had been downtown and the others got off and later got back on as they saw fit.  It was quite interesting to hear all the history of all the area of downtown and the newer part of the city.  However after the tour I was quick to get back to the hotel and hit the pool for a relaxing swim and some snoozing by the pool.  It was so hot again hitting near the 40 degree mark!

Sunday night we were on our own and a great couple who we have called Stop and Go as there names are very difficult to say as they are Bulgarian found an amazing restaurant for a small group of us to go and enjoy the food of Valencia.  Tapas are like appetizers and here in Spain they are enjoyed by all and many of them until your main course arrives.  Again trying new food - and delicious - somehow I don't think I will get the same cooking at home!

It was an early night to prepare for the morning and the start back to Antwerp/Brussels to return the bikes and the end of the ride.

Taragona to Valencia, Spain

This morning the duo Dirty Dyke and Donnie the Kid were at it again!  The Posse Team has been ambushed every day since the start of the ride.  The game is the person who has correctly identified all the ambushes will win 100 euros as a reward. This morning the duo surprised sheriff Geert as the Dirty Dyke and Donnie the Kid now became a gang and a number of the Posse Team joined the gang. The look on Geert was priceless as he was not expecting that at all.

Today we headed to Valencia the final place for the posse Ride. Some people leave the group Sunday and some ride the bikes back to Antwerp. I will be riding back to Antwerp.

The ride through the mountains has been amazing. I cannot decide which ones were the best as they were all extremely different and therefore I love them all. Today the Pyrenees were very colourful with all the tones of browns. The roads were faster and the curves were longer. There were two small portions of roads that were rough but the end result for the views were amazing.

We stopped for lunch atop a mountain where the village is literally built on the edge!  It was a little disconcerting riding into the village with a complete drop off on one edge of the road and the cliff on the other. We had ridden from the bottom and I knew what kind of a drop off there was!  After lunch it did not take us too long to get to Valencia however the screen on my camera quit but I have now figured out that I can still take pictures but I will not know if they turn out until I upload them to my iPad.

Supper tonight was down at the beach front at one of the best restaurants in Valencia. The food was delicious and the sampling  that I have tried on this trip would amaze the girls at work as I normally do not try different foods. I have to say there has been nothing that I have tried so far that I have not liked.

Today as well poor Chris and Mel had some more bad luck. They were on their way to Valencia in the support truck with two broken down bikes when the support truck blew an engine. So two tow trucks were called, one for the bikes and one for the truck. At least there was another spare bike that they used to go to get temporary passports as Mel's purse was stolen yesterday with all their money, passports and credit cards.  Geert has been handing out bad luck ducks during this trip to people who have had bad luck - I think they deserve a bad luck goose as they have had the biggest problems!

Tomorrow is the final farewell supper and party. I am sure there will be a few tears shed by lots of people but their have been great friendships made as well.

Rosa to Taragona, Spain

Today was another early start at 8:30 with packing at 7:30 to the trucks and breakfast didn't start until 7:45 am.  We were all on the clock!!  I was up early so I could hit the lobby and complete my blog from the previous day before breakfast and putting my luggage in the truck.  Busy - busy - let me tell you!!

We headed out with the forecast to be 33 degrees celcius and I am sure it was already that when we left.  Thankfully we hit the highways for a bit so it seemed cooler as the breeze was blowing through our hair!

A few breaks for gas, water and then we hit lunch.  Lovely - over here they like to give you tapas (spelling not sure of) - which are basically appetizers shared amongst friends which seems to be the easiest when you show up with a large group of about 20 to 30.  They were very excited to have all the bikes parked out front and seemed to take forever to take our drink order and organize the food. Thankfully one of the riders, Maurice has been translating for us and working out the details. Maurice and Cathy have had to do this several times on the trip and we are all very grateful especially those of us - like me - who only speak one language. There are 21 different nationalities in the group and everyone manages somehow to communicate.

Just after lunch we headed on the road again and had a break down. Our Scottish leader George's bike  sputtered and stopped!  Back up plan - Dave became leader and one of the riders from the US, Tom, became sweep. Great job guys!

Arriving at the hotel most people went to the bar and then the pool in no particular order. It was a smaller pool but a more social pool this time as lots were in the pool with their drinks and the pool was only about three or four feet deep. The beer bottles were lining up and so were the labels from those bottles!

Supper was buffet style and was served around 8:30.  Once supper was done the pool patio was a great place to gather for more socializing. We certainly have had a lot of laughs together and again my cheeks were sore from smiling.

Dyke up to no good!

Tomorrow we head to the final destination of the Posse Ride, Valencia. It is really hard to imagine that it is soon all coming to an end. I believe there are 30 bikes riding back together to Antwerp on Monday and it will seem very empty!

Rosa, Spain

Today was a leisure day to be enjoyed as we see fit.  It was heaven sleeping in until around 9:00 and after last night with everyone up enjoying the dancing to the DJ out by the pool it was needed.  Thank goodness they shut it down at 12:00 or some of them might have been there all night.  Not me I was busy doing my blog in the lobby and watching everyone come past the reception.

As we were getting our bikes in order for the ride some of the Posse Team from the nudist colony next door we peaking over the fence to see who was riding away today!  No nudist colony but the picture certainly makes it appear that way!  LOL

We had a group of about 10 bikes that was led by Lucas from Spain that took to the roads today and headed into Figure, Spain (spelling not sure of) to visit a famous museum that at this moment I cannot remember.  The lineup was too long and we decided to not to wait and headed to Cadaques to have lunch by the beach.

The road was twisty but it was lined up due to a big tour bus on the road that was  holding everyone back.  Too bad as we were ready to hit the corners again.  Upon arrival we were able to find a parking spot right downtown by the beach - which is a shale beach not a sand beach!  The little cafes along the beach were an ideal spot to have a beer and then lunch and then just a little relax with a diet coke - all three different cafes.  LOL.

The guys were busy checking to see if there were any topless girls on the beach and there were a few but not many.

When we returned to the road there was a bit of a lineup on the road that was full of curves and our fearless leader took us safely passing the cars between corners - I have to say I never thought I  would do that but I felt confident enough now with these corners that I had a smile on my  face!!  Arriving at the hotel I immediately hit the room for my bathing suit and then the pool to enjoy the refreshing dip and sunshine!  Awesome!

After a leisurely evening at the pool I hit the shower and then supper. The DJ was playing again tonight and a few of us were the last ones standing again.  Thankfully Joyce and Jody stayed up too and we thoroughly enjoyed the dance floor!

Tomorrow I change groups again but Fred and Betty are in my group so I will be jumping in behind them as we will be hitting the curves and hairpins again!  Woohoo!!