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White Rose Tours specialise in full european, weekend and short break UK motorcycle touring holidays.

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White Rose Motorcycle Tours
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January 2014

Created: 30 Jan 2014
Jan 30

Well tomorrow sees the end of January and as the rain lashes against the window, the snowdrops valiantly raise their heads and the evenings get lighter indicating that we are slowly making our way back to summer.

We took time out from the paperwork for our annual visit to the Expro show at the NEC. Being a trade show, this is always a laid back affair, no bike manufacturers (if you don’t count Chinese scooters) but always interesting to see new products that will be, “making an appearance near you soon”. Got to see the new Michelin Pilot Road 4 tyre, both the Road 2 and 3,s got rave reviews so it will be interesting to see if the 4 can improve on them.

Unfortunately for one company selling satellite navigators their staff were wearing ‘Garmin’ shirts, so I duly stood in line to give the guy an ear bashing. I must admit my efforts were puny compared to the guy in front, who ranted and raved with regard to the loading of routes and updating of mapping.

Finally my turn to explain frustration with Garmin’s software – but fortunately all was revealed - “it’s a generation thing” - explained the salesman. So there you have it, if you are 62 or older (yes I know I look younger!) you are just too old to understand how to work electronic devices….. Fortunately for him I was in a good mood, so having explained I may be old but not stupid, we turned to his assistant who’s customer skills were rather better, and had an interesting conversation regarding problems with the Garmin.

 Full of new found enthusiasm I returned to update my unit with the latest mapping and yes once again problems! Spoke to Garmin, who confirmed that I had been doing things correctly in the first place, so until I can import a 12 year old to help me, I will continue in my old ways!

 I am pleased to say that tour bookings have been good for next year, with three tours already full, and only a few places left on a couple of the others. Every year sees new tour companies appear on the scene, so we really appreciate the fact that we have so many loyal customers who have confidence in us, returning year after year.

 There has been good interest in our ‘Cactus and Canyons’ USA tour, which closes tomorrow. Quite a few people have already expressed an interest for 2015, so we are hoping to plan another route when we go out there at the end of February.

 Had word that my tail-end Charlie ‘John’ has tearfully said goodbye to his Pan. Having endured 96,000 miles, been attacked by mad French men and been led astray by me all across Europe, it has finally gone to pastures new. We all thought John had Honda had written through him, but his new choice is a fully loaded water cooled BMW 1200GS. He explains that as he gets older, “it is a weight thing” – two old people escorting tours across Europe, how are we ever going to manage??

 Finally the picture I have chosen for this month is from the French Alps and was taken when we went up the Aiguille du Midi near Mont Blanc whilst staying in Chamonix. Thought the snow scene may be appropriate!

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