Our Hire Rates explained

There are two major reasons why we offer KM/Day rates rather than unlimited rates

• The first reason is that we need to book the machines into service at regular intervals - and by keeping track of the KM on each machine we are able to do so
• The second reason is a safety reason: A really good ride in the mountains (8 to 10 hours of serious technical stuff) is about 320 KM or 200 miles. Most of us who live here and I have asked this question of a lot of french riders - having done 500KM, we generally don't want to get on the bike again for a day or two. We are basically suffering from too much extended concntration. So, fatigue is the enemy - you have to consider that it will be hot (or maybe cold, or maybe wet on somedays)

Let me illustrate what I mean: touch wood , most of our accidents are drops at a standstill. Most of this has to be down to fatigue - foot in the wrong place, foot on gravel, one guy rode in the snow (Merci, Richard!) and just plain tired! We have had five other accidents (in 3 seasons) one on diesel, one in the wet, one unlicenced rider (on a 125) avoiding the guy who crashed in the wet. The remaining two - one guy failed to see a piece of concrete divider in a tunnel and crashed at low speed, and the last (get this) achieved level three in the California Superbike School and highsided on a left hander. I asked her why and she put it down soley to fatigue. Fortunately she suffered a small graze and a little bruising (excluding the damage to her pride). They had spent the majority of a two week hire in the pyrenees and had ridden over 400 Km per day. This largely proves my point - too many KM = fatigue related accidents.

This is why we stick with the BMW GS formula - ABS, upright seating, wide bars, comfortable seats all lessen fatigue. There isn't much we can do about the long hours in the saddle and the persistent need to corner - but then you are here for a real motorcycle experience right?

A note on the pixtures - these were taken in places where it is safe to stop. No special effort was made to find twisty roads there are always plenty around.

Our tips, stay well hydrated, take frequent breaks, ride using an economical style (don't push it) - up is for riding - down is for sightseeing!

Take a map or hire a GPS through us - even the locals find it difficult to navigate - like the horse pictured below.

It all helps reduce stress and fatigue. Ride Safe and Happy..... Bill