Old Gits 2024 - French Pyrenees - June 2024
Discussion
The details of the 2024 trip are now finalised and booking for the trip has started. In 2024 we will return to the Pyrenees, and more specifically, the French side of the Pyrenees.
The dates for the trip are Saturday 1st June to Sunday 9th June, giving us 2 days to get to to the Pyrenees and 2 days to get back, with 6 days to enjoy the wonderful roads.
Schedule for the trip is:
Morning of Saturday 1st June 2024 - Cross the Channel – Eurotunnel
There is the option to cross the Channel on the evening of Friday 31st May 2004 and stay overnight in Ibis Bethune Centre Gare https://all.accor.com/hotel/B8Q0/index.en.shtml
- 1 night in Brive-La-Gaillard - KYRIAD BRIVE LA GAILLARDE OUEST
https://brive-la-gaillarde-ouest.kyriad.com/en-us/
- 3 nights in Vernet-les-Bains - Hôtel Restaurant Princess
https://www.hotel-vernet-les-bains.com/en/
- 3 nights in Lourdes - Hôtel ROISSY
https://www.lourdes-roissy.com/en
- 1 night in Limoges – Ibis Styles Limoges Centre
https://all.accor.com/hotel/B5Y1/index.en.shtml
Evening of Sunday 9th June 2024 - Cross the Channel - Eurotunnel
There are up to 20 spaces reserved at both of the main hotels in the Pyrenees. Those spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so booking early if you want to join us is recommended.
The total cost for the 8 nights in the hotels, single use rooms, parking included, B&B is expected to be around £700 - £800. Channel crossing costs will be additional to this and will likely take the costs to just under £1,000. Likewise, a hotel stay on the Friday night will be additional and likely in the region of £75 - £90.
If you'd like to join in but would prefer some alternative "there and back" options, then those can be discussed.
Booking will require a £250, non-refundable deposit. This will be allocated towards the costs of your trip when you attend but will not be refundable if you drop out before the trip. As ever, I don’t make any profit on the Old Gits trips so the money you pay reflects the direct costs of your trip.
If you have any questions or would like more details, then please let me know.
Images from previous Old Gits trips to the French Pyrenees so you get an idea as to what to expect!
All gentlemen bikers welcome, whatever your age and whatever your previous experience, whatever you ride.
The dates for the trip are Saturday 1st June to Sunday 9th June, giving us 2 days to get to to the Pyrenees and 2 days to get back, with 6 days to enjoy the wonderful roads.
Schedule for the trip is:
Morning of Saturday 1st June 2024 - Cross the Channel – Eurotunnel
There is the option to cross the Channel on the evening of Friday 31st May 2004 and stay overnight in Ibis Bethune Centre Gare https://all.accor.com/hotel/B8Q0/index.en.shtml
- 1 night in Brive-La-Gaillard - KYRIAD BRIVE LA GAILLARDE OUEST
https://brive-la-gaillarde-ouest.kyriad.com/en-us/
- 3 nights in Vernet-les-Bains - Hôtel Restaurant Princess
https://www.hotel-vernet-les-bains.com/en/
- 3 nights in Lourdes - Hôtel ROISSY
https://www.lourdes-roissy.com/en
- 1 night in Limoges – Ibis Styles Limoges Centre
https://all.accor.com/hotel/B5Y1/index.en.shtml
Evening of Sunday 9th June 2024 - Cross the Channel - Eurotunnel
There are up to 20 spaces reserved at both of the main hotels in the Pyrenees. Those spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so booking early if you want to join us is recommended.
The total cost for the 8 nights in the hotels, single use rooms, parking included, B&B is expected to be around £700 - £800. Channel crossing costs will be additional to this and will likely take the costs to just under £1,000. Likewise, a hotel stay on the Friday night will be additional and likely in the region of £75 - £90.
If you'd like to join in but would prefer some alternative "there and back" options, then those can be discussed.
Booking will require a £250, non-refundable deposit. This will be allocated towards the costs of your trip when you attend but will not be refundable if you drop out before the trip. As ever, I don’t make any profit on the Old Gits trips so the money you pay reflects the direct costs of your trip.
If you have any questions or would like more details, then please let me know.
Images from previous Old Gits trips to the French Pyrenees so you get an idea as to what to expect!
All gentlemen bikers welcome, whatever your age and whatever your previous experience, whatever you ride.
Edited by black-k1 on Thursday 7th December 16:31
SteveKTMer said:
I really liked that Hayabusa, back with gold and red decals, such a good bike, I think I sold it shortly after this trip, for a V-Strom of all things. You live and learn . . . !
I was always puzzled as to why you'd want to ditch the 'Busa in favour of a VStrom.The VStrom was fine, but it wasn't a 'Busa!We normally get somewhere between about 12 and 20 though there has been as many as 27 on a single trip. However, I think that just talking about the total numbers gives a false impression. We are all booked into the same hotels and there are often occasions when we are all in the bar at the same time, swapping stories of daring do and wonderful roads, but there is never a time when we ride as a single group.
We discourage riding in groups of more than about 5 or 6. Some prefer to ride on their own and others ride in two’s or threes. It’s entirely up to you. There are always route plans in MyRouteApp to use if you want to but you are also completely free to make up your own routes and ride where you want to ride.
The point of the trips is that all hotels and channel crossings are booked for you and you only pay the costs of those for yourself. You are not subsidising anyone. All you have to do is pay your money, turn up and have a great time knowing there will be a bar full of people who speak your language and share your passion to have a drink with in the evening.
If you'd like more information about how the Old Gits work, or previous trips, then check out www.old-gits.org Alternatively, feel free to pm me directly with any questions.
ETA The last time (2015) we were in the French Pyrenees and one of the few occasions all on the trip sat down to dinner at the same table in the same restaurant.
We discourage riding in groups of more than about 5 or 6. Some prefer to ride on their own and others ride in two’s or threes. It’s entirely up to you. There are always route plans in MyRouteApp to use if you want to but you are also completely free to make up your own routes and ride where you want to ride.
The point of the trips is that all hotels and channel crossings are booked for you and you only pay the costs of those for yourself. You are not subsidising anyone. All you have to do is pay your money, turn up and have a great time knowing there will be a bar full of people who speak your language and share your passion to have a drink with in the evening.
If you'd like more information about how the Old Gits work, or previous trips, then check out www.old-gits.org Alternatively, feel free to pm me directly with any questions.
ETA The last time (2015) we were in the French Pyrenees and one of the few occasions all on the trip sat down to dinner at the same table in the same restaurant.
Edited by black-k1 on Tuesday 31st October 08:00
STe_rsv4 said:
Not to side track the thread Black -K1, but what happened to your dolomites write up?
I've been looking forward to that since I posted mine back in July
Write-up here http://www.old-gits.org/write-up2023.htm I've still not loaded the pictures I've been looking forward to that since I posted mine back in July
Total trip costs now confirmed at less than £900 for accommodation (single occupancy room on 3* hotels - B&B) and Tunnel crossing for bike and rider. This includes an overnight stay in Bethune on the evening of Friday 31st May so 9 nights.
At the moment we have 11 booked on the trip, including GriffoDP, tvrolet, snagzie, Vindaloo79 and myself from PHBB. More welcome, whether you are an old hand at Euro touring or this is your first trip over the channel.
At the moment we have 11 booked on the trip, including GriffoDP, tvrolet, snagzie, Vindaloo79 and myself from PHBB. More welcome, whether you are an old hand at Euro touring or this is your first trip over the channel.
We've now had a couple of people join the trip and a couple drop out. At the moment, there are currently 13 people on the trip, a number of which are from this forum.
There is still space available on the trip but I will be "closing the doors" at the end of February to ensure I can finalise the finances with all of the hotels in plenty of time before June. I'll also be playing with my new bike from March onwards so won't be able to give the required attention to adding people to the trip.
If you are interested in joining us on our trip to the French Pyrenees, or have any questions about the workings of the trip, them please let me know ASAP.
There is still space available on the trip but I will be "closing the doors" at the end of February to ensure I can finalise the finances with all of the hotels in plenty of time before June. I'll also be playing with my new bike
from March onwards so won't be able to give the required attention to adding people to the trip. If you are interested in joining us on our trip to the French Pyrenees, or have any questions about the workings of the trip, them please let me know ASAP.
Edited by black-k1 on Thursday 25th January 19:38
trickywoo said:
black-k1 said:
I'll also be playing with my new bike from March onwards
What is it? from March onwards Having looked around again there's still nothing else that offers hyper bike performance with every day practicality, pillion and luggage options and all with pretty decent handling. The SD1290GT and the Multistrada get close but I prefer the less upright riding position of the Kawasaki. (and the extra horses! 
) The Hyaybusa and the M1000XR look good but don't come with luggage and the rest aren't in the same league. 
Killboy said:
black-k1 said:
Another H2 SX SE Having looked around again there's still nothing else that offers hyper bike performance with every day practicality, pillion and luggage options and all with pretty decent handling. The SD1290GT and the Multistrada get close but I prefer the less upright riding position of the Kawasaki. (and the extra horses! ) The Hyaybusa and the M1000XR look good but don't come with luggage and the rest aren't in the same league.
Have you considered a GS? Having looked around again there's still nothing else that offers hyper bike performance with every day practicality, pillion and luggage options and all with pretty decent handling. The SD1290GT and the Multistrada get close but I prefer the less upright riding position of the Kawasaki. (and the extra horses! ) The Hyaybusa and the M1000XR look good but don't come with luggage and the rest aren't in the same league. 
... and just to avoid upset to any reader, this is an attempt a a humorous response 
to what I believed was a tongue in cheek question. If you own a GS then I hope you and your bike have many happy miles together! 
LosingGrip said:
I keep seeing these threads and really want to do one!
Are pillions allowed? Mentioned it to my other half she she's keen! Not this year mind you.
The main Old Gits trip is gentlemen only but I am looking at the possibility of running other trips where ladies are welcome. Are pillions allowed? Mentioned it to my other half she she's keen! Not this year mind you.
The trip has now happened and was a great success. Everyone enjoyed themselves on the wonderful roads of the Pyrenees, and in the bars and restaurants inhibited in the evenings. Thanks to all who attended.
I'll do a proper write up on the Old Gits site over the next few weeks but the key points from the trip were:
- The sat nav and intercom wars continued - Tomtom vs Garmin vs other and Cardo vs Senna
- Spanish roads are better than French roads.
- The Spanish prostitute touting for business at the side of the main road almost caused a number of Old Gits to crash!
- When the Spanish put up a road closed sign, they mean it!
- Spanish and French farmers are very good at blocking the only road across the border when they're protesting.
- Petrol is very expensive in France.
- It's a long way from the Tunnel to the Pyrenees!!!
- Lourdes is EXACTLY how I'd imagine a religious shrine created by Del Boy and Rodney would look!
Other than a little bit of rain on the first day, it was dry. The hotels ranged from OK to excellent but all had easy access secure parking. Only one of the stop over hotels on the way down didn't have an open bar (it was being redecorated) but there was a very nice bar and restaurant 20yds away.
Now the planning for next year starts!
I'll do a proper write up on the Old Gits site over the next few weeks but the key points from the trip were:
- The sat nav and intercom wars continued - Tomtom vs Garmin vs other and Cardo vs Senna
- Spanish roads are better than French roads.
- The Spanish prostitute touting for business at the side of the main road almost caused a number of Old Gits to crash!
- When the Spanish put up a road closed sign, they mean it!
- Spanish and French farmers are very good at blocking the only road across the border when they're protesting.
- Petrol is very expensive in France.
- It's a long way from the Tunnel to the Pyrenees!!!
- Lourdes is EXACTLY how I'd imagine a religious shrine created by Del Boy and Rodney would look!
Other than a little bit of rain on the first day, it was dry. The hotels ranged from OK to excellent but all had easy access secure parking. Only one of the stop over hotels on the way down didn't have an open bar (it was being redecorated) but there was a very nice bar and restaurant 20yds away.
Now the planning for next year starts!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff