Announcing the TOMCC Summer Tour 2018

This will be from the 20th May to the 29th May 2018 and will go through Northern France, Montreuil sur Mer, Azincourt, Normandy, St Malo, Guernsey, and Herm Island. If you want to get in on the fun then please book early to get your place on the Euro Tunnel service and in the hotels. Read on for more details.

Starting at the Folkestone Euro Tunnel Terminal on Sunday May 20th a short ride through Northern France, to historic Montreuil Sur Mer and staying for two nights(20th-21st). The town was General Haig’s GCHQ in WW1 follow in the footsteps of Victor Hugo with his Les Miserable’s being partly set here and mostly written while living in Guernsey. We have “Le Patio” restaurant next to the hotel opening especially for us on the Sunday evening to give us an excellent menu choice for a fixed price, this is a wonderful restaurant managed by celebrated head chef Oliver Plee.

Monday morning local ride out to Azincourt (1415 Battle of Agincourt) arriving back for lunchtime. Walk around the impressive ramparts- cobbled streets, small shops, bars and restaurants. It’s partly run down / left in character from a bygone age (a revolution and two world wars). It’s a fascinating place to explore.

The next stage is a fair ride including crossing over the Pont de Normandy heading for Bayeux Port En Bressin for three nights(22nd-23rd-24th ) allowing for two full days exploring Normandy (Omaha beach area as well as Pegasus Bridge). Or plan your own stage of the Tour and ferry port of your choice to get to France and make your way to either meeting us at Montreuil Sur Mer or Bayeux Port En Bressin.

Friday 25th it’s a morning ride before catching a ferry from St Malo for the short ferry trip arriving in Guernsey to continue the Tour discovering some of the fascinating history of the Island including  Victor Hugo again as he lived in exile 1851-1970, discover life under WW2 German occupation and on a brighter note meeting up with lots of enthusiastic Triumph Motorcycle Owners. Based at the Peninsula Hotel, its full Bank Holiday weekend at a steady pace, why not take a short boat trip out to tranquil Herm Island (sea legs required) or explore St Peter Port- wonderful shops.

Gala Dinner with entertainment on the Saturday night, Sunday explore! Monday have a sniff of burning rubber as the petrol heads chase the fastest time up the St Peter Port’s “Hill Climb” harbour event, walk around the pits- we shall be having a large Triumph meet at the top of the hill with Triumph dealer Bob’s Motorcycle Centre. Then late Monday catching the night boat home or Tuesday 29th May it’s a ferry ride returning to Poole or Portsmouth unless you’re planning your own stage and extending the Tour!

The Guernsey Branch would be happy to entertain anyone who wishes to stay over on Guernsey, or some may choose to go back to the UK via France, the options are endless!

If time is short why not consider taking a return ferry from Portsmouth – Poole just for the weekend? Guernsey is a pocket rocket of an island, something to see and appreciate along every road. It’s steeped in History and they are proud to be British and they have never been in the EU, Some say the best of both worlds.

HOW IT WORKS:

The Club arranges the framework of the Tour allowing members to book Euro Tunnel-Ferries-Accommodation, either stay with the Tour on all Stages or dip in or out. We shall hi-light routes, ferry services and hotels / B&B`S, whom will welcome us, considering aspects such as good bike parking.

Booking Information:

Sunday 20th May: Book Euro Tunnel crossing for 14.20 hrs, if booking online (tip: use Tesco club card points x 3 value - book through Tesco club card site).

Les Hauts de Montreuil-Le Patio, Hotel *** Restaurant. Email: leshautsdemontreuil@wanadoo.fr. Please mention Ref: Triumph Owners. Contact on reception is Madison, she speaks English very well. Book direct for a better price, payment not taken until checking out. Booking.com is another option but shall be a higher price.

Sunday 20th May: Tour meets at Folkestone terminal for Euro Tunnel 14.20hrs crossing to Calais then onward to Montreuil sur Mer. Top dinner in restaurant 30 euro pp please confirm to Madison on booking. Menu to be supplied in April 2018. French cusine at its best, frogs and snails by request- not for me).

Monday 21st May: Ride out to Azincourt (Battle of Agincourt 1415) and surrounding area.

Tuesday 22nd: After breakfast we depart for Normandy.

Next hotel is the Ibis Bayeux Port-en-Bessin. We are staying here for 3 nights, Tuesday 22nd  Wednesday23rd and Thursday 24th  May 2018. Please book via Ibis /Accor website, there are 3 hotels in the area, all are very close and in walking distance to Omaha beach. You can also use Booking.com. Again please mention Triumph Owners when booking.

Tuesday 22nd May: Tour moves to Ibis @ Bayeux Port En Bressin in Normandy.

Wednesday 23rd May: Exploring the Normandy area including Omaha Beach area.

Thursday 24th May: Exploring Normandy day 2 including Pegasus Bridge.

Friday 25th May: After breakfast the Tour moves to St Malo for ferry to Guernsey. Leaving hotel at 08.00hrs. 110 miles + checking in time. Want to arrive by 10.30hrs, nice harbour to view.

Condor ferries: St Malo to Guernsey 12.15 hrs (local time) arriving in St Peter Port @ 13.10hrs(local time).

Main hotel is the Peninsula Hotel. phone directly on 01481 248400 and ask for Reservations. reservations.pen@cwgsy.net Ref Triumph Owners. They will want to take a one night payment to hold the room with includes breakfast. Example double room with en-suite £125.00 per night. You can also use Booking.com. For other hotels locally do contact Visit Guernsey tel. 01481-234567. www.visitguernsey.com/accommodation

Friday 25th evening: Meet in the bar!

Saturday 26th May: Optional day visit across the bay to Herm Island or visit St Peter Port.

Evening Gala Dinner and Live Band @ the Peninsula Hotel. This shall be a good priced evening, final details to be confirmed early in 2018.

Sunday 27th May: Escorted tour round the Island, Cobo Bay- Watch the Sunset.

Monday 28th May: Hill Climb event & Bike Show in St Peter Port. Evening at the Last Post pub.

Tuesday 29th May: Homeward bound via Condor Ferries to Poole or Portsmouth.

Living on an Island can be magical, but also can be subject to changing conditions and outside our control. If life is an adventure this certainly should be, as Barry Sheene once said, "Don’t wait for your ship to come in - swim out and meet the bloody thing!" Great comment- but never swim out to meet a Condor ferry!