CGX2602 - Sweepers heaven Eifel

A warm welcome to our four tour guests: Nina and Neil from Australia and Johnny and Charles from the U.S. Everyone has arrived safely at the starting hotel and is already looking forward to the upcoming days. During a briefing, everyone was briefed on the tour and informed about the most important safety rules. In a relaxed atmosphere, over a cold drink, we answered initial questions and exchanged information and ideas. To get to know each other better, we all walked to the old town of Bad Kreuznach for our first dinner together. There, we enjoyed the local specialties.

After a very calm night and a great breakfast, we met for the daily briefing in the lobby. The mood was filled with anticipation, so we quickly set off for the most scenic part of the Rhine. On perfect roads, interrupted only by brief photo stops, we quickly reached a lookout point overlooking the famous Loreley. Hot and cold drinks were waiting for us and we were able to enjoy the fantastic view. We continued on to the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers converge. There, we took a longer break direct at the river that included lunch. From there, we followed the Moselle all the way to Cochem. The drive along the Moselle was breathtaking. Castles, small towns, castle ruins, and vineyards that always follow the winding river—simply romantic. After a quick ice cream stop in Cochem, we continued on to our destination for the day, the Nürburgring. The hotel, located right next to the racetrack, was just the right spot for people who have gasoline in one’s veins. Dinner together and a cold drink at the Cockpit Bar called the first of many days.

Today’s ride takes us through the Eifel mountains to Bad Ahrweiler and into the Ahr Valley—historically known as the "wildest daughter of the Rhine." We then follow the Ahr Valley to Bad Münstereifel, a town renowned since the Middle Ages for its many monasteries. In the afternoon, we traverse Eifel National Park and finally conclude our day in Aachen, where German kings were crowned for over 500 years.

We had breakfast overlooking the rooftops of Aachen. The hotel restaurant offered a beautiful view of the old town of Aachen. Refreshed and well-briefed, we set off in perfect riding weather. The Three-Country Corner was our first photo stop before we continued on to the Lac de la Gileppe reservoir. A café in a tower with a 360-degree view of the reservoir served delicious hot chocolate. The rest of the route took us into the heart and the “green lungs” of Belgium. Excellent road surfaces, perfect outside temperatures and light traffic made for endless riding fun. The Spa-Francorchamps Motor Sports Museum was our next stop. A fantastic collection in the basement of an old abbey—definitely worth seeing. On our way to Bouillon, we finally got to try the famous Belgian fries. A food stand by the roadside invited us to sample them and linger a while. Just one more quick stop in La Roche-en-Ardenne for coffee at the market square and this exceptionally wonderful day of riding came to an end.

Today’s route takes us through a short but beautiful stretch of the Ardennes, featuring fantastic curves and scenic views. Next on the agenda is a visit to the Château de Sedan—one of Europe’s largest fortresses—before we cruise through the picturesque French countryside and stop for lunch at a beer museum. In the afternoon, we make a brief return to Belgium to visit Orval Abbey, followed by the drive to Luxembourg City, where we will be staying for the next two nights.

Today, Chuk is the only one hitting the road to have some fun on two wheels and tour a country with us in a single day—our highlight for today: Luxembourg. :) And the wealthiest country in the world has plenty to offer motorcyclists. For one thing, the roads are in incredibly good condition thanks to the country's wealth, winding across the landscape from valley to valley like a rollercoaster. Then there are charming villages, fantastic views, historic castles around every corner, and idyllic little rivers meandering picturesquely through the valleys. :) This is Luxembourg.

After a rest day in Luxembourg, we set off well-rested. As always, the first task of the day was to find a café for a quick stop. Today we stopped in Landres at a small local café (Café Au Relais). We continued on to Verdun, where in 1916 approximately 2.4 million soldiers fought fiercely for 9 months. About 320,000 lost their lives, and at least as many were wounded. And all for virtually no territorial gain. Unbelievable! But the memorial and the cemeteries there were very impressive and thought-provoking. Afterward, Peter was waiting for us nearby with a picnic. It came at just the right time and was very tasty. Well-fed, we set off on the final two hours of our journey to arrive in Nancy a little earlier. There, everyone had time to do whatever they wanted—a city tour or just relaxing; anything was possible. We all met up again for dinner at a restaurant on the edge of the old town. And so, once again, a beautiful day of driving filled with so many impressions came to an end far too quickly.

Today is the "mountain day" of our tour; we leave the flat fields behind and—after a short stretch on the highway—head into the Northern Vosges. One mountain pass after another awaits us, with empty roads to enjoy. Beautiful forests adorn the landscape along the way, and from the heights, stunning views open up across the countryside all the way to the Black Forest. In the afternoon, we arrive at our hotel in Rott, a small wine village right next to Fort Schönebourg—one of the largest artillery works of the Maginot Line.

The last day of riding! Well-rested and with no rain in the forecast again, we set off (as everyone had wished) an hour later on our way back to Germany. Today, we wanted to enjoy the paradise of curves one last time and take in the scenery. Narrow side roads through forests, small, idyllic villages, and views of numerous fortresses and ruins made the day a delight. Everyone just wanted to ride and take only short breaks. So it was no surprise that no one wanted to visit any fortresses today, meaning we had to find alternatives for stops and meals. All in all, a winding, custom-tailored day of riding rounded up this fantastic tour through the Eifel, the Ardennes, and the Vosges, spanning five countries. Over a last dinner together, everyone reminisced about the past few days and the experiences they’d shared. Many thanks to Nina, Neil, Chuck, and Johnny. Have a safe trip home, and hopefully we’ll see you again soon... Ron and Peter