Harley-Davidson Euro Festival
Euro bike trip re-visited
Twenty-seven years ago, my friend Shane and I found ourselves with 10 free days and decided to embark on a spontaneous motorbike adventure. Our plan was simple: ride until the road ended, then decide whether to turn left or right, and keep going. We would do this for five days straight, then turn around and head back.
The rules we set were straightforward. Ride flat out, as fast as possible, with no plans, no set routes, and absolutely no motorways. Our only goal was to keep all other traffic "always in front and never behind" as we sped along. Without a plan, we set off, and five days later, we found ourselves in the Italian town of Pisa.
When we returned, life took its course. Work, marriage, and raising children became the focus. The bikes were sold, and Shane and I gradually drifted apart. Until now.
Every seven years, the Harley-Davidson® Euro Festival takes place in Saint-Tropez, where 30,000 Harley-Davidsons gather on the stunning shores of the Côte d'Azur for three unforgettable days. It's the perfect event for someone like me, who rides a vintage Harley-Davidson. With the next festival just 10 months away, I can't help but feel that a road trip is long overdue.
My bike is 48 years old, equipped with 1950’s drum brakes from a Norton, no suspension, no indicators, and no electric starter. It has a 4-speed gearbox and only gets 50 miles to a tank of fuel. It’s very loud, incredibly uncomfortable, leaks oil, and, given its age, is highly unreliable. So, riding 2,000 miles to Saint-Tropez will be a challenge for both the machine and the rider.
I mentioned the trip to a few family members, and they showed interest, which spurred me on to start making plans. Since this is going to be a truly special journey—one that will be remembered for a lifetime, in one way or another—I thought it was the perfect opportunity to reach out to my old friend.
I hadn’t seen Shane in nearly 20 years, but I decided to send him an email about the trip, even if just to reminisce about our ride from 27 years ago. He responded immediately: "I’m definitely up for it, mate."
The trip was officially on.
The first step was to fix my broken bike. More details here.
Next, I’ll need to figure out which tools and spare parts to bring and fabricate a Sissy Bar to carry an overnight bag with all the essentials.
The journey will be thoughtfully divided into four distinct segments, with each segment covering around 225 miles, which translates to about five hours of travel time. We will also include regular fuel stops along the way.
Saturday 3/5/25 132m 3:00h
Start with a Full English on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry then lunch in Rouen and spend the first evening in Paris
Sunday 4/5/25 208m 4.30h
Paris to Beaune - the home of beef bourguignon
Monday 5/5/25 224m 5:44h
Beaune to Grenoble via the Alps with lunch in the postcard pretty town of Annecy
Tuesday 6/5/25 200m 5:10h
Grenoble to Frejus and the Mediterranean via the famously twisty Route Napoleon
Wednesday 7/5/25
Rest and repair the bikes
Thursday 8/5/25 to Saturday 10/5/25
HD Euro festival
Sunday 11/5/25 192m 5:00h
We start to head back with lunch in Monaco then its over the mountains to the Fiat car factory in Turin made famous by the Italian Job.
Monday 12/5/25 248m 5:30h
Up the oldest alpine pass thats still cobbled 'the Tremolo', then the Goldfinger famous 'Furkka Pass', finishing in the lake side town of Leissigen
Tuesday 13/5/25 271m 5:00h
Over the Swiss alps and down to Mesnil St Pierre in France via Bern
Wednesday 13/5/25 250m 5:30h
The last push is from Mesnil St Pierre to home via the old Reims racing circuit
