We’re heading towards the Alps and Tyrol, with a great group of six riders taking on the roads of France, Belgium and beyond to Austria and Italy.

All was going smoothly, until we got stuck behind a flatbed that had managed to get itself stuck on a hairpin! What followed was highly entertaining. The crew had to unload a tarmac remover machine, somehow negotiate the awkward corner, and then reload the machine again. It wasn't exactly the smoothest way to tackle a mountain hairpin, but it provided plenty of amusement for those of us waiting behind.

And yes... Seven grown men pretended they were the Von Trapp family and sang “The Hills Are Alive…” What a laugh! There are moments on a motorcycle tour that you know you'll still be talking about years later. This was definitely one of them. It's not all about chasing the perfect mountain road or ticking off famous landmarks. Sometimes it's simply about having a great group of people together, doing daft things and enjoying the experience.

“This is What Biking Is All About” At one point, someone commented over the bike-to-bike comms: “If anyone asks why, this is what biking is all about.” I've been grinning from ear to ear since then.

We’re heading towards the Alps and Tyrol, with a great group of six riders taking on the roads of France, Belgium and beyond to Austria and Italy.

400km. France and Belgium. Met my merry band of moto misfits and mischief makers at Ashford Services at the crack of dawn, and promptly...