LOVE MOTORBIKE TOURING.COM

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ROADS, THE SPACE, THE FREEDOM

I love motorbike touring, the freedom, the space, the adventure. What's around the next bend, over the next mountain? It's all about the journey, the experience, blue skies, warm weather, great scenery, new places, new people.

Steve Rawsthorne

I started riding motorbikes back in the 'eighties, when you could ride a 250cc 'bike on "L" plates, a Honda 250 Superdream. I progressed to a 400 Superdream and then onto a BMW R100RT, I've loved BMW bikes ever since. Like so many of us, I had years off for careers, family etc. before returning to 'biking some years ago.

Since returning I did my RoSPA Gold advanced certificate and then the IAM Masters, one of around 800 to hold the qualification in the whole of the UK. I regularly lead rides for Thames Valley Advanced Motorcyclists .

My partner Sian and I tour the UK and Europe together, she rides a BMW F800ST. I put together tours for friends and from that I started doing some tours as a guide for a company. I want you to have the best possible experience, a great tour done well.

It's all about the ride.

HOW WE TOUR

If like me you Love Motorbike Touring.com it's all about the ride. A typical day will be around five hours in the saddle, actual riding time. When you add in stops for coffee and the all important cakes, photos, lunch and just time to enjoy the day we should get to our hotel around five in the afternoon.

Hotels are typically three or four star, chosen for their location and preferably not big chains, I like to use independent, smaller hotels with a little quirkiness and individuality. We tour in small groups, never more than eight bikes, with larger groups it can feel a bit impersonal and takes an hour just for everyone to get a coffee. We are focussed on the personal touch, treating you as an individual. You will be given the sat-nav routes and notes, it is up to you if you wish to ride with the group or head off on your own and meet up with us later. It's your holiday.

Generally I like to be on the road, wheels turning by nine am, to make the most of the day, particularly if it is going to be hot. We'll do a brief of the day to come over breakfast then head off as soon as everyone is ready. Breakfast is included in our tours each morning. Dinner is up to you, eat with the group and discuss the highlights of the day and make new friends or if you want some time on your own, that's fine too.

With effect from May 2024, I will be leading tours for a major alternative tour operator, so will not be offering further tours through Love Motorbike Touring.com. I will be happy to take calls and emails and help you find your perfect your. Thanks for your support. Steve Rawsthorne.

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A BIT MORE ABOUT...

Over the years I have done many things, air traffic control at Heathrow, Director of a PLC computer company in the 'eighties, then twenty years at Holland and Holland shooting school, first instructing, then running and hosting our 250 a year corporate events, anything from half a dozen people to five hundred. I wrote for all the major shooting magazines for many years.

Through these diverse roles I have learnt that attention to detail and quality matters . It is important that things are right first time.