MAD HATTER​
MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES

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This adventure was covered in an article in Adventure Bike Rider magazine, so if you want to get a good feel for the trip, have a look pages 78 - 86:

https://www.adventurebikerider.com/digital-issues/72/issue72/index.html

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We have received much feedback and encouragement over the years and one of the things that has become apparent is that there are more and more lady riders out there. As a couple who both ride, we think this is great - in our experience, women motorcyclists provide a different and fresh dynamic to what has hitherto been a male dominated sport and we have noticed a growing number of women riding bikes for pleasure.

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Equally, we have found an increasing number of couples who both ride their own bikes and who enjoy the idea of motorcycle touring together; indeed, we have had many couples joining our trips in recent years and the 'two rider' dynamic has really added to the vibe on the trip, be it on the road or during lunchtimes and in the evenings. As such, we felt that a trip exclusively for couples where both halves are riders, would be enormous fun!

 

This adventure is based at our lovely old house in France - the phrase “La Vie Exaltante” in the title literally means 'exhilarating or inspiring life'.  This is how we feel when staying at our 12th century French farmhouse with its wonderful views and glorious sunshine, especially whilst enjoying a glass of chilled rosé by the pool…

 

This is a bike trip with a difference!   Six of the seven nights are spent at our beautiful old house in the Tarn et Garonne in south western France and each day there will be a ride to a different part of the region, be it the magnificent Gorges du Tarn or the delightful ancient villages around the area.

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One night is spent out in a hotel in the hills in order to give enough time to fully experience the breathtaking landscape of the Cevénnes region. There will be a day off in the middle to laze by the pool or to enjoy the weekly market and a long lunch in a nearby village. We can arrange for you to relax with a little pampering with one of our local well-being and massage experts (subject to availability).

 

Each morning we leave after a breakfast of hot coffee and freshly baked croissants and head off on some great roads to see some of the wonderful countryside that surrounds us, stopping off to enjoy lunch or a coffee in one of the many beautiful villages along the way.  

 

There is an incredible number of medieval castles and ‘bastides’ (fortified hill top villages) in the area, dating back from the time when England ruled this part of France, each with their own character and they are very much part of our daily rides.  

 

We will return to the house in the early evening in time to enjoy a cold drink or chilled glass of wine and maybe a swim in the pool, before tucking into a sumptuous dinner cooked by our chef.

 

This is truly a holiday to cater for all!  It incorporates great biking roads with magnificent scenery, the opportunity to relax in wonderful surroundings and enjoy great local cuisine…

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We leave in the morning at around 8.30/9.00am and aim to be back home or at our destination by 6.00pm in the evening.  This equates to approximately 6 hours in the saddle (NB there are two longer days of around 7 hours riding when we head out to the Tarn Gorge). We typically ride for an hour and a half before a leg stretch or a coffee with a stop for lunch and another break in the afternoon. We are definitely happy to stop to admire the view and for photo opportunities along the way.