1. 2000 -
Luxembourg was good because of the countryside, the
castles, the roads - but bad because of the rain and the
horrible damp accommodation. We were in a caravan and the
bike fell over in the wet ground and our windscreen
shattered.
2. 2001 - Vienna was good because
of the beautiful ride to get there and the impressive
riding that we were shown. The guided tour of Vienna was
superb. We didn't enjoy this VIM so much because we
were separated from the main group due to our
accommodation. We don't do tents or dormitories!
3. 2003 - Germany was good because
of the biker motel at Holtgast (now sadly closed). The
food was excellent (those schnitzels!) and the
organisation was superb. It was bad because we were
separated again by our accommodation, but Bernard and
Karinda made up for it with their taxi-service. It is not
Germany's fault either that there are no mountains or
scenic routes in that area, making the riding a little
dull.
4. 2004 - Portugal was exceptional
because of its location in the mountains and the beauty
of the country. The riding was superb and the organisers
were a great team who really knew how to guide us on the
various routes. It was bad for us because our
accommodation was so far away from the base camp and
because we ate at restaurants away from the site, thus
preventing us from enjoying the beer properly. The sun
shone and we were bowled over by the beauty of the
country. Despite the limitations of the base camp, this
was the best VIM for us because of the sun and the
excellent food and the beautiful hotel that we stayed in
- and of course, the riding.
5. 2005 - Poland will never be
forgotten by us because we took our children with us. The
base camp that was chosen was superb, the best location
that we have ever experienced at a VIM. Our accommodation
was comfortable and everybody was able to be together.
The organisation was excellent, the food was brilliant
(best breakfasts ever), the entertainment was great, the
barmaids in the bar were beautiful, the area chosen was
lovely to explore. But it was wet! It was the wrong time
to visit Poland for us.
6. 2007 - Northern Ireland was
unique. We expected rain and we got rain. In fairness, we
had a superb ride to the site and the first evening was
sunny and warm. We felt really sorry for the organisers
as they had everything planned perfectly. What they could
not plan was the weather. We had a lovely time meeting
our fellow Varadero friends and the sightseeing was
excellent, especially the trips to Londonderry and to
Carrickfergus Castle.
7. 2008 - Hungary! What can we say
about Hungary? It was the 10th VIM and the best
VIM for us. We had good weather, great company, a
splendid location with everybody together, splendid
organisation, trouble free riding, nice food, cheap beer,
varied entertainment, a great tour guide in Gyorgy and
Jana, good riding to and from VIM, mountain passes, nice
places to stay, etc., etc.
8. 2009 - France Varad'OC. This was
very special for us. We didn't know how the French would
react to us. We were the only foreigners - les deux
anglais. We thought that the English have a bad name with
the French. But we are not typical English. We speak
school French and we like to meet people and to absorb
the culture of different peoples - especially the food!
This was special because we had the chance to use our
French, to communicate with real French people, to live
as they do, to observe their ways. Our new found French
friends were marvellous. They know how to enjoy life.
They are very relaxed and have great humour. They were
extremely friendly to us and they made us very welcome.
The organised rides were superb. The food and the
atmosphere equally so. We love France and cannot wait
until we visit again - we booked for Varadahu in the
French Alps in May 2010! Au revoir! We did't attend the
VIM this year due to distance and time
required.
9. 2010 - The Alps. Double delight
for us, starting off with our French friends at their
Varadahu, and being made so very welcome, followed by a
VIM in the Tyrol that we were part of the organising team
for. To compare this superb double experience with
previous VIMs would be meaningless. Both events this year
were immense fun. The base camps were excellent choices.
The food, the riding, the sights, the activities, the
weather, the friendships - all excellent.
10. 2011 - We didn't have an event
this year due to VIM clashing with the June date of
our medieval event that we organise each year in the
UK.
11. 2012 - France (VaraMedoc)
followed by Catalonia (VIM14). Another double meeting of
Varadero friends. Both events combined nicely with the
French meeting in Bordeaux enabling us to, once again, be
immersed in the French way of life. The riding, the
after-riding, the accommodation, friendship, hospitality,
were all excellent - the weather not quite so good. This
was followed by a lovely transition with riding east
through the Languedoc, visiting places that we had
visited before with our French friends in 2009 and
crossing over into Catalonia. Meeting with the founder of
VIM, Bernard Stikfort, we went on to enjoy the hottest
VIM yet, located at an excellent campsite with gites
in Tarragona. Once there, all the pressure was off and
the emphasis was on relaxation, food and drink - and a
little riding. The gradual decline of Varadero ownership
was being noticed, it being a model that is being
discontinued. We were seeing the new Crosstourer coming
in and more of the German make that need not be named.
VIM is changing!
