A long held dream was finally realised this year for us when Burgundy Bike Breaks finally took off.
Mark has always loved bikes and engines, riding bikes legally for 25 years (plus a few years before that if you count his under-age riding). In recent years he has driven HGV all over Europe and was working for Bridgestone on the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, however, the lure of riding bikes every day on brilliant roads was too good an opportunity to miss.
Mark has always loved bikes and engines, riding bikes legally for 25 years (plus a few years before that if you count his under-age riding). In recent years he has driven HGV all over Europe and was working for Bridgestone on the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, however, the lure of riding bikes every day on brilliant roads was too good an opportunity to miss.
So last summer Mark and I (that's me in the photo) resigned from our jobs in the UK and moved to Burgundy with Mark appropriately making the 11 hour journey from Salisbury on his Yamaha XJR 1300.
Whilst we had bought the house in France back in 2006, it took us another three years to work out how to turn our dreams into reality. As the house was successfully rented out as a holiday home, the obvious next step was to do something around our joint love of motor biking.
The first six months in France saw us divide our time between setting up the barn as a suitable place to house bikes and a workshop (where guests can carry out repairs) and riding around the countryside getting to know the best (and worst) roads, the most scenic routes, the best photo opportunities and good places for a bikers' pitstop.
There have inevitably been bridges to cross along the way. At one point Mark thought his bike
may need to be detuned to meet France’s 106 HP restrictions. There has also been the need to learn a new vocabulary; ‘revision’ (service) and ‘pneu’ (tyre) now come naturally but for all other possibly useful vocab he carries a translation sheet in the tank bag.
Lack of cash when he was younger encouraged Mark to repair and maintain his own bikes, something he still enjoys doing today in his workshop. Although he currently rides a Yamaha XJR1300 he has enjoyed the open road on a variety of bikes from a Harley soft tail to a Yamaha XS 400 Custom, from Suzuki TS trial bikes to a Yamaha RD 250 ‘the mutt’s nuts’ of its day. Money no object, his dream bike would be a Harley Davidson Custom, hand built by Orange County Choppers.
The roads here are great; much more challenging than roads in the UK. They meet all abilities - there are roads that are suitable for the novice rider and others that will test the skills of the most advanced bikers.
So, Burgundy Bike Breaks began to take shape. We want people to have the holiday they want to have. We’ll plan with them so they get to ride the type of roads they like to ride, see the sites they wish to see and choose routes reflecting the abilities of their group. Our role is to offer our local knowledge.
The roads run through breath taking scenery- some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world, wide rivers and vast plains and the beautiful Charollais hills. Nestled in the hills of Southern Burgundy, the farmhouse and pool provide a fantastic base for bikers to relax and unwind in between rides. Mark has also been a keen archer for many years and competed for South Wilts Archery Association. Experienced in both field and target archery he has now qualified as an archery instructor and offers lessons to guests and local residents on the on site range.
With their differing riding experience and abilities (I fulfilled my goal of learning to ride a motorbike only last year) we understand that people have different types of roads they like to ride. Whilst guests are free to go off exploring by themselves, Mark is always happy to lead a ride out.
Marketing the business has been time consuming but the rewards have been great. When Mark was in the UK he used his bike mostly for going to work, now every ride is a pleasure trip.
Whilst we had bought the house in France back in 2006, it took us another three years to work out how to turn our dreams into reality. As the house was successfully rented out as a holiday home, the obvious next step was to do something around our joint love of motor biking.
The first six months in France saw us divide our time between setting up the barn as a suitable place to house bikes and a workshop (where guests can carry out repairs) and riding around the countryside getting to know the best (and worst) roads, the most scenic routes, the best photo opportunities and good places for a bikers' pitstop.
There have inevitably been bridges to cross along the way. At one point Mark thought his bike
may need to be detuned to meet France’s 106 HP restrictions. There has also been the need to learn a new vocabulary; ‘revision’ (service) and ‘pneu’ (tyre) now come naturally but for all other possibly useful vocab he carries a translation sheet in the tank bag.Lack of cash when he was younger encouraged Mark to repair and maintain his own bikes, something he still enjoys doing today in his workshop. Although he currently rides a Yamaha XJR1300 he has enjoyed the open road on a variety of bikes from a Harley soft tail to a Yamaha XS 400 Custom, from Suzuki TS trial bikes to a Yamaha RD 250 ‘the mutt’s nuts’ of its day. Money no object, his dream bike would be a Harley Davidson Custom, hand built by Orange County Choppers.
The roads here are great; much more challenging than roads in the UK. They meet all abilities - there are roads that are suitable for the novice rider and others that will test the skills of the most advanced bikers.
So, Burgundy Bike Breaks began to take shape. We want people to have the holiday they want to have. We’ll plan with them so they get to ride the type of roads they like to ride, see the sites they wish to see and choose routes reflecting the abilities of their group. Our role is to offer our local knowledge.
The roads run through breath taking scenery- some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world, wide rivers and vast plains and the beautiful Charollais hills. Nestled in the hills of Southern Burgundy, the farmhouse and pool provide a fantastic base for bikers to relax and unwind in between rides. Mark has also been a keen archer for many years and competed for South Wilts Archery Association. Experienced in both field and target archery he has now qualified as an archery instructor and offers lessons to guests and local residents on the on site range.
With their differing riding experience and abilities (I fulfilled my goal of learning to ride a motorbike only last year) we understand that people have different types of roads they like to ride. Whilst guests are free to go off exploring by themselves, Mark is always happy to lead a ride out.
Marketing the business has been time consuming but the rewards have been great. When Mark was in the UK he used his bike mostly for going to work, now every ride is a pleasure trip.
No comments:
Post a Comment