Brugges 2000

I have managed to get the Motorcycle Loft Hotel to reserve us some rooms for the second weekend in August for the club's road ride to Brugges. Attached is the itinerary with the new dates. In view of the changes all the previous application forms have been scrapped. Everyone who would like to come on the new dates will need to complete a new form and send it to me ASAP and I will allocate you a hotel room. From comments I have received I expect this trip will be popular, room allocation will be on a first come first served basis, late bookers may have to sleep in the dormitory.

Next telephone P&O SL on 087 0600 0600. Tell them you want to make a booking for the sailing's on the itinerary and mention Motor Cycle News to get a 30% discount. You should then have to give your name and address and pay about £65 by credit card. Alternately you could write to them enclosing a cheque, but do phone first.

Do the ferry booking ASAP as August is a busy month and they only carry 25 bikes at a time. If the boat is already full then try for the previous boat from Dover or the later boat from Calais so you can still ride with us in France and Belgium. Sea France may also have space. Please let me know if for any reason you are not on the group boats. I can then let you have maps etc.

I have reserved 15 twin & double rooms; in addition there are some four/six bedded rooms. All have en suite wash basins and electric heaters, hand towels and all bedding and include breakfast. There is also a dormitory with 35 folding beds. The separate showers have under floor heating and hair dryers. A price list for these different levels of accommodation is on the accompanying booking form. Please complete ASAP the return to me. A deposit of £30 per person is required, make cheques payable to RRNDMC. The Itinerary for the weekend is as follows:

Friday 11th August
09.45 Gather at Godstone Pond with full tank of petrol for pre-ride briefing.
10.00 Easy ride to Dover via A25/A20/M20. P&O Stenna Line sailing to Calais. Lunch on board.
14.30 Back roads ride to Groenedijk.
17.00 Book in to the Motorcycle Loft Hotel. 20.00 Dinner at the Hotel.

Saturday 12th August
10.00 Day in Brugges. May include a boat ride on the canals, street markets, a diamond museum, horse drawn carriage tour, brewery tour
13.00 Lunch at a typical Belgium Estaminet
15.00 More 'Retail Therapy' of chocolate, lace, leather etc.
20.00 Dinner at the Hotel

Sunday 13th August
10.00 Relaxed ride and visit to Tyne Cot WWI Memorial
13.00 Lunch in Ypres Afternoon in Ypres town centre or tour of Hill 60, Hooge Crater muse-um etc.
18.00 Last Post at the Menen Gate
20.00 Dinner at the Hotel

Monday 14th August
10.00 Minor roads to Calais
12.00 Duty paid shopping in Calais and/or lunch.
14.45 P&O Stenna Line sailing. Arrive back in good old Blighty
17.00 Farewells at Godstone.

Steve Whitmore