Mayflower Motorcycle Club

The steady increase in riders choosing to take their bike abroad for a holiday can be seen by the growth in the number of companies offering motorcycle based touring holidays. For many this can be an easy step into riding abroad, with travel and hotel arrangements all looked after, easing the linguistic problems of dealing with those strange folk on the other side of the channel.

Another option providing an organised destination while leaving the rider free to explore on the trip there and back is to take part in one of the FIM touring rallies.  For details on the current events click here.

The FIM, the international governing body of motorcycling franchises two touring rallies every year, the “FIM Rally” and “Motocamp”, each being organised in a different country each year. This allows touring riders from many nations to tour to a different location each year whilst knowing that the event will follow a set format when they reach their destination with FIM representatives overseeing proceedings.

The two rallies follow slightly different formats, with the FIM Rally catering for both campers and those who prefer to stay in a hotel, whilst the Motocamp, as the name suggests, is restricted to those who bring their own tent. Each event normally covers four days during which participants stay on or near the rally site in accommodation arranged by the organisers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the rally fee as are a programme of excursions and entertainment each evening. Main meals are normally taken at tables in a large hall, also used for the evening entertainment programme. Often the organisers will open facilities a day or two before the event officially starts, allowing riders to stay on site and explore the area before the rally gets underway.

Modern touring machines may predominate at these events, but the attitude is very much anything goes; sports bikes, scooters and even classic bikes from the ’60s and earlier are all seen regularly. There’s even a prize for the nation with the best turnout of the older machines.

In recent years these events have taken riders to countries as diverse as Germany, Croatia, Spain, Greece, The Netherlands, Estonia and the Czech Republic, quite a variety of directions to tour in whilst also giving the opportunity to visit the cities of Berlin, Prague, Athens and Tallinn, amongst others.

Conceived and planned by the people who bring you the quarterly Overland Magazine, The Overland Event is designed to excite, inspire and inform anyone who is planning to travel on a motorcycle.

“We’re always fascinated by the stories of people’s road trips; that’s why we want to encourage everyone to share their experiences with each other. And for those of you at the planning stages of a trip, what better way to get the contacts and information you need?”

The Elephant Rally is the German Winter rally, but there is also the continuation of the Original Elephant Rally.

The ultimate adventure rally! – Snow, Ice, Rocks, Sand, Mud Water. Also some advice on extreme winter bike setup.

The ALG.org website is no more and there seems to be no current activity but this site Notschaele.eu is worth a visit.