BEACH’S MC ISLAND INTERLUDE

Ken Condon As bucket list items go, riding motorcycles in Europe tends to rise to the top of most lists. And rightly so. While us Americans are blessed with some world class destinations offering epic scenery and twisty tarmac, nothing quite matches the exotic avoring of Euro moto-travel. My mentor Dave Hough told me early on that I needed to experience foreign motorcycle travel if I was to ever be a well-rounded motorcycle rider. I have since attended press junkets in Spain and Portugal, ridden the Alps with a group of friends and joined Rob and Gretchen Beach on two tours through the heartland of Italy. And for 2022, my wife, Caroline, and I are riding along on Beach’s “Island Interlude” tour this coming May, 2022. This tour features the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica off the Italian coast. We start in the Tuscan city of Florence before we board a ferry bound for Sardinia. We spend several days, including some double-night hotel stays in Sardinia where we’ll be treated to a mix of switchbacks reminiscent of the Alps, but with a deep blue Mediterranean backdrop. “A wonderfully sweeping road with endless views of the sea is our magic carpet for the ride around the southwest coast. Bosa, the day’s destination, is a tiny urban area built in a riot of color.” Then we ferry to the French island of Corsica for even more twisted tarmac and jaw-dropping scenery. Rob says that Corsica really delivers the goods: “If Sardinia is an emerald, Corsica is a diamond—in the rough. The fantastic roads, stunning views, miles of coastline and breathtaking sunsets are there. Like Sardinia, Corsica has a small population inland, and is a place you may have all to yourself day after day.” Giggity. Lots of companies offer Euro tours, so why spend your hard-earned Bitcoins with Beach’s? You get top shelf accommodations, sumptuous local cuisine and premium BMW motorbikes to ride. And unlike many other tour companies who insist on keeping everyone riding together, with Beach’s, you’re encouraged to wander and explore as much or as little as you want. Your BMW motorcycle is equipped with a GPS fully loaded with 3-5 of Rob’s favorite route options so you can’t get lost. Just be at the hotel before dinnertime. A handful of double-night stays and “down” days are baked into the schedule to allow sightseeing and to give your butt a break. As if that ain’t enough to whet your appetite, over the two-week tour, I will conduct mini-classroom sessions, suggest assignments and ride along with you if you want. We can chat during our mid-morning or afternoon espresso to see how you’re getting along. Coaching will be relaxed, low key and purely optional. I hope you’ll join Caroline and me on this epic adventure. You want more details? ,