Andy T – BMW R1200GS R
Andy persuaded three of his friends to join him on this trip – they were joined by the Bergman and became known as the Lincoln group. Always in the centre of things, he became known as the man to be with should you be in any trouble. Reliable, knowledgeable and always there with a smile.
Malcolm D – Suzuki Bergman 650
Malcolm choice of a scooter for this trip was always praying on my mind however both his riding skills and the machines performance surpassed my wildest expectations – I am sure that he passed one of the group on one of the mountain passes and I know that when I rode behind him, he was not in any way holding me up! Always there with a smile and a story to tell.
Lorraine D – Suzuki Bergman 650 pillion rider
From day one, Lorraine set the score with her cheeky grin and wicked humour. She never complained about the long riding hours however, when you see the seat on a Bergman, you can see why!
Alan M – Ducati Multistrada
Alan is obviously an experienced rider, and managed to throw the big Duke around the corners even though it was loaded with luggage and had his wife as pillion. He got so engrossed that on the Stelvio whilst blowing off a KTM, he missed the turn off and went the “long way round” to Flims.
Tanya M – Ducati Multistrada pillion rider
Tanya, always smiling, never complaining. I am sure that there were some times when she must have tapped Alan gently on the side when he was getting near to the speed limit but never did we hear of those instances. She managed to arrive at the hotel after a full day’s riding yet appeared 15 minutes later looking fresh as a daisy and sharing the day’s experiences with those around her.
Alan W – BMW R1200 GS
Alan is a man of few words until you get to know him. He is one of the Lincoln group and was always first to show his appreciation of the days ride. An accomplished rider and knowledgeable gentleman who was fun to be with.
Mark B (a.k.a. Curly) – Harley Davidson XL 883N Iron Sportster
It was Alan M that persuaded Curly to sign up for this trip and at the time he did not even have a bike! You can always hear a Harley before you can see it however in tunnels that are sometimes longer than 7kms, it gets a little wearing! Mark drove that Harley like a sports bike, scraping bits on some of the tight corners but always getting round and with a mean smile as he twisted that throttle.
Kevin J – BMW GS 1200 Rally
Kevin is an experienced Magellanite having already been on the Harz trip in 2017. He therefore had been in a few of the hotels and already done some of the passes however not via the route that we took and he certainly had not ridden the Stelvio! Very knowledgeable, always there to help out and often one of the first at the hotel. Kevin is a great guy to have around and an experienced rider.
John T (a.k.a. JT) – BMW GS1200 Rally
John celebrated his birthday when we were at Lake Garda and very generously bought everyone in the group a drink or six! The owner of the hotel ordered a cake with candles and we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ much to the amusement of the Italians and John. A fast rider who is as happy riding in a group as he is riding solo. Always has a story to tell and fun to be with.
Ian D – Yamaha MT10
The quiet man – riding what he himself describes as being a hooligan bike! Ian knows how to get the most from this sports tourer and most days was ahead of the pack zipping round the twisties and exploring other points of interest en-route yet still managing to be one of the first at each hotel!
Keith B – Triumph Tiger 800 xrt
Keith had wanted to do this trip for many years and chose his steed very carefully. He had not ridden a bike abroad before and therefore was naturally a little apprehensive about doing so. As the trip went along, and we neared the mountain passes, Keith’s confidence built and he was one of the first to go back down the Stelvio and the Oberalp passes as he missed a photo opportunity on the first pass! Some rite of passage – well done Keith!
Grant H-C – BMW S1000XR
Grant appeared in a gleaming sporty BMW which has a lovely roar from the stock exhausts. An experienced rider however his first time to the high mountain passes and a chance to see how the bike performed. Grant always was smiling, always happy. Never stressed and always joking with an infectious grin! And the bike – it performed effortlessly and even better than Grant expected!
Duncan A – Yamaha FJR v1300A
Duncan had the ideal big sports tourer for this trip. Comfortable, lots of luggage space, economic yet nimble and fast when needed. Duncan is another experienced rider and very supportive of everyone in the group. Loves ice cream and always smiling.
Alistair R – Triumph Explorer
Alistair rode two up on this trip and you can see that he is an experienced rider however this was the first big trip and the first time on the bike covering so much ground and so many high passes. Alistair is a keen photographer and will have enough stunning photos from the trip to keep revisiting the experience. Another quiet man until you get to know him. Alistair is a listener and not generally a talker however, he always has the answer to a question and is a natural problem solver. A great person to be around and always in good humour.
Gail R – Triumph Explorer pillion
Gail needs no introduction – knitter of poppies, singer/songwriter and throttle control for Alistair! Always the centre of the party, so enthusiastic even after six hours on the saddle. Always smiling, always supportive, always fun!
Roland J – Triumph Tiger Explorer
Another one of the Lincoln group and flying the Triumph flag in a camp full of BMW’s – best not mention plastic tanks or the RAT club! Roland and Alan tended to ride together within the group or separately in a breakaway group! A gentleman who is a wine connoisseur, always there with some words of wisdom and enthusiastic about every minute of every day.
Gary P – Triumph Explorer XCX
With England playing a couple of their opening World Cup matches during this trip, Gary certainly was supportive from afar with two Union Jacks flying from the top box and a big Union Jack on one of the panniers, Gary was flying the colours! He even managed to stream the second match via his phone whilst riding (radio) and at the afternoon coffee stop (video). Gary is another of the Lincoln Group and has an infectious humour which went down well with everyone.
Terry G – Triumph Tiger
Another experienced rider and Magellanite having been on the Croatia and a self-guided tour already with Magellan. Terry rode at his own pace which was usually ahead. He was always smiling and enthusiastic about the day’s ride and was one of the three who set off early whilst staying at Lake Garda (Along with Ian and Andy) to do the twisty local’s route around the three lakes and where some of a James Bond film was shot. You could always count on Terry to be supportive and one of the crowd each evening.