Harley Euro Festival - St Tropez 2010

Well back from this great weekend event - and despite the weather it was a superb rally - and a must for my 2011 calendar.
Brief highlights:
Tues Day 1 - Met up with 9 other riders in Kent for a blast down to Beaune - unfortunately I got some engine trouble on my 2009 Streetglide and had to divert to Lille where a really helpful team from the main HD dealer drilled out my breather bolts and gave me an oil change.  So I now had 400 miles to catch up the rest of the group on my own, which I managed in around 5 hours.
Weds Day 2 - It was raining and very cold, one of the group decided to head direct to St Tropez, while the rest of us followed the plan to head for Gap and then the Route Napoleon to the Italian border at Jaussier. It was about 275 miles though twisty mountain passes - but in cold wet rain and hail lost a bit of its shine.  Still we arrived in Villa Morelia for a nice group dinner.
Thurs Day 3 - The rain held of and we completed the last 200 miles through Gorges Verdun into St Tropez - cold but dry - and were soon ensconced in a nice bar overlooking the arbour and checking out the scenery.

Friday Day 4 - went for a ride out with the guys in the morning and then headed up to Grimaud for the bike show where I met my friend Gary France on his bike Tradewinds and Steve Willis of Shaws on his new V-Rod (he came runner up in class).  Bands and bikes were great and a very nice sunny afternoon.
Saturday  - Day 5 - met all the Chelsea and Fulham guys for a ride around the coast and ended up at the beach for a nice party courtesy of Warrs.  I went on the Hamlet bike and lent my Streetglide to an old friend Gavin.  On return to the main campsite I stupidly accepted Gavin's offer a drink, which lead to an 8 hour Rum and Pernod session, with the C&F boys - great at the time, but........
Sunday - Day 6 - had to be up at 8 to pack and get ready for the ride back with the group of 14 from 1066 - now a day of hell is riding 450 miles in the rain in an open face helmet with a monster hangover - how I survived I dont know - but it must be thanks to Bealy being a great Road Captain.
Monday - Day 7 - up at 7:00 am and a blast on my own to Calais and home (dry but very cold).
A great trip and adventure covering 2000+ miles, and special thanks to: Oren, Nicholas, Paul, Gary A, Mark, David, Adrian, Rob, John, Gary F, Gavin, Janet, Oliver, Grizz, Mrs Grizz, Manuela, Terry, Sarah, Maz, Bealy and anyone else I met.