Words by Phil Dainty, Pictures by Paul Westlake, Duncan Day and Mike Geldard (4 CVAM'ers).

It all started at the back end of 2008, a chance conversation with Brian Williams and the idea started to become reality. We'd started to talk about a short trip to Northern France in order for me to lose my ' Continental Biking Virginity '. Having lived in Germany for six years, and travelled extensively on mainland Europe, I'd clocked up tens of thousands of miles in the car, but zero on a motorcycle.

The dates were set, Sunday 5th April 2009, returning late on Wednesday 8th. Travelling Portsmouth to Caen and return, staying three nights at Normandy Beach B & B, Arromanches. www.normandybeach.co.uk/index.htm

Originally the group consisted of Brian, Duncan Day, Mike Geldard and myself. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you all know, Brian suffered a stroke just two weeks before we were due to leave. We had considered cancelling the trip, but after speaking to Brian’s wife Lesley, we were encouraged to go. A request on the forum for a replacement resulted in Paul Westlake stepping in.

So now we have the final group, Duncan ( Keep up Phil ) Day, Mike ( Thank God I'm away from school ) Geldard, Paul ( I think I got the Picture ) Westlake, and me, Phil ( Keep Up ) Dainty ( thanks for that Duncan!! ). I had requested no lead or navigation duties just so I could be lazy, which Duncan and Mike were happy to take on, so I assumed the duties of permanent ‘ tail end Charlie ‘.

After seeing off the CVAM monthly ride from Budgeons, the group going to France gathered at The Market Square, Wells at 10 am. Duncan took us on a scenic route to Portsmouth, arriving just in time to ride straight onto the ferry. 

After a very pleasant ferry crossing we disembarked at about 9.30pm ( local time ), with Mike ( and SatNav ) leading. We took in a few nice villages which included riding down a pedestrian area in one of them, before arriving at Arromanches about 10.30pm. Now this is where the owner gave us a problem! Before we had even switched our engines off a beer was thrust into our hands. I know you BMW and Pan riders may have cup holders, but I had no where to put mine. There was nothing else for it but to switch my engine off, flip up my helmet and drink it……… that went down well! I then got off my bike and was immediately handed another, and this was all before we'd even got to our room.

Having looked at the weather forecast, which promised a good day on the Monday, we agreed to use the day for a ride out. After eating a very hearty cooked breakfast, we set out to an area south of Caen, which had fantastic roads. But first of all whilst riding through Bayeux, we visited one of the many Commonwealth War Cemeteries scattered all over the Normandy area. This was a time for reflection, looking at all those gravestones with such young ages on them.

We moved on from Bayeux and began riding on some fantastic roads, which had been well picked by Duncan and Mike. At the first village we stopped at for coffee, Duncan told me to ‘ Keep up Phil ‘….although he and Mike had not had to wait for Paul or me to catch up! So that nickname stuck throughout the holiday.

I was enjoying myself at the back. No navigating to worry about, or watching in my mirror to make sure everyone was there……..how selfish is that? I was finding that trying to keep up with Duncan or Mike leading, I was using rev ranges I'd never used before………and I know Paul was doing the same. I think we were all having a great time.

More twisties with a few long straight fast roads, then we headed back towards Arromanches. On the return journey we took in Pointe du Hoc, the cliffs where the Germans had large coastal batteries, which were attacked by American Rangers on D-Day. We'd clocked up the best part of 200 miles. What a great days riding and the weather was great too.

Having arrived back at the B & B about 5.30pm, it was bikes tucked away and a few more beers whilst sitting in the sun. We sat with two brothers who were also having a short biking break.

The four of us then went into Arromanches, where Duncan had his photograph taken underneath the D-Day museum sign…….can't work out why, can you? We then adjourned to a nearby hotel for food and refreshment.

Tuesday morning found us waking up to another glorious day. After another weight watchers breakfast, we decided today was for visiting various D-Day places of interest. Not so many miles but visits to the Royal Engineers Monument ( both Paul and I are ex-Sapper’s ), which overlooks the Mulberry Harbour off the coast of Arromanches, the 360 degree cinema at the same location, Ste-Mere-Eglise, seen of the American Paratrooper being caught up on the Church Tower, the American Airborne Museum and finally a War Cemetery for German troops killed during the early days of the landings. About 90 miles of riding, with some very interesting places visited.

Back at the B & B for about 5.30pm, and a few beers with the owner and our new found friends. Duncan decided he would like a bottle of red wine for a change. I did warn him that this would cause me to snore………did he listen? On our final night, the two brothers we had met came with us for food and evening drinks. Stories of great biking roads and adventures made for a very pleasant and enjoyable evening. Back at the B & B a couple of episodes of Band of Brothers saw the evening off nicely………….well it did for me. Apparently one person in the room snored uncontrollably…….sorry guys, it was Duncan’s fault for making me drink the red wine!!

Sadly our final morning came, and so did the change in the weather. After another ‘ healthy eating ‘ breakfast, it was time to say our goodbyes to our hosts, and start the journey back. We'd arranged to meet up with our new found friends, at the ferry, and set off for a visit to Pegasus Bridge and the Airborne Museum. The weather now was very wet, but our leader Mike, picked a scenic route………the building site short cut made one hell of a mess of my bike Mike…….who needs a GS when a Fazer can do off roading just as well!!

The Airborne museum was very interesting, then a coffee at the Café next to the bridge rounded off our visit. We made our way to the port for the 4.30pm ferry, where we met up with the brothers we had met at the B & B.

With the ferry journey being about 6 hours, Duncan and Paul showed Mike and myself how to play bridge………you can tell Mike is a Maths teacher, he was counting the cards! Then we joined the brothers for the onboard quiz. With about 300 years of experience between us, we actually beat the other nine teams in the competition! That was without Mike’s help, who thought it better to listen to his ipod in case we embarrassed ourselves. So we became the Quiz Masters of the High Seas to round the trip off quiet nicely.

We docked at about 9.15pm and took the quick way home, M27, A36 etc. Mike and Paul peeled off towards Wells, Duncan departed towards Blagdon and I finished the last few miles to Weston on my own. I was very tired, but reflecting on a great few days. Even the downpour between Churchill and Weston didn't bother me.

I'd just like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to our hosts at the B & B, who supplied us with endless free beer. Mike, Duncan and Paul for being such good company and finally to Brian Williams who’s idea it was in the first place. Get well soon Brian, I’ve got that bottle of French red wine I promised, and we’ll have a glass together as soon as you feel up to it.

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