SIMON HAYES TOUR DIARIES

I have been riding since 1985, my exploits started in the British Army as a spotty 16 year old. I absolutely hated motorbikes and wondered why the hell I joined the Royal Corps of Transport! Years later I started to get to grips with riding and started to understand how to control a motorbike and not be perched on top of it as a passenger, even when I was supposed to be in control. I still did not enjoy it.

A few years went by and I became a trainer, this changed my opinion on motorbikes and it wasn’t the bike that was dangerous but the rider. I soon developed a passion for sharing knowledge, for me this has been a vocation since 1991 and a challenge I thrive on when passing on information, guidance and coaching.

The touring side of my business has been a passion to me since we started taking ex students abroad to venture further afield and have their own adventures. The pinnacle for me is to give people confidence to do tours on their own, whether they are big or small but the fact is if they do it and enjoy it I see my role as complete.

I have travelled around the world in my military days, riding all around Germany and a bit of time on a bike in different places. It wasn’t until I left the army that I had my own bike and fell in love with touring, I enjoy the freedom of the open road abroad and the traffic free stretches of empty twisty roads and of course the social aspect when you stop in a new place every day and visit places that tourist don’t get to see.

My travels have taken me to Istanbul on a big ride to Asia. I have ridden around Europe and to Montenegro with a group that I led and toured extensively around Portugal and northern Spain. The shorter tours I organise are to northern France to help riders tour for the first time.

Future plans are to ride into every Country in Europe including Scandinavia and a big trip is in the planning for Mongola or even further afield. There will be some Riders Hub trips organised on a regular basis which will be open to all members who want to travel abroad in a group of like minded people. Some will be advanced training tours and others will be a getaway to find some great roads and tasty food. Keep your eyes peeled for more blogs and information about what’s coming