pffog
Small road corner junkie
I couldn't see myself blowing that much coin and walk away with less of an experience, but...different strokes for different folks.
If I were going to ride solo or split from the group, I might as well go self-guided in the first place....and do it all for 1/3rd the price.
Well we have been around this debate before, 1/3 the cost? Maybe, but my guess is 2/3 the cost.
BUT, how much is time worth?? Tours do a lot of the work and can take a lot of anxiety out of the process.
He also mentioned he was traveling with the "Boss", so the experience needs to be good for her as well. That means 3 and 4 star accommodations, enough room to take along some nice clothes, and dress up on some occasions, as well as do some shopping and not have to worry whether it will fit in the saddle bags.
I love just going off and exploring, but when the wife has been along on the Europe tours, Beach's have helped look out for her needs as well.
I have done it both ways, and I fully agree with you that the self guided offers a lot of advantages, but acknowledge that tours offer a lot too.
There is SO much to be learned about riding the Alps and having a teacher speeds that process immensely. Every time I see a rider crowding the center of a narrow mountain pass, I know it is a North American rider.
Going for the first time with a spouse is much different the going it alone. The biggest negative on many organized tours is the lack of ability to do your own thing, my point is Beach's lets you do that, but still offers the piece of mind of having a lot of thing done for you, thus giving you more freedom to do your own thing.
And don't forget the John Hermann, the man that wrote Motorcycle touring through the Alps and Corsica, what many consider the "Bible" on Alps touring has been on over 20 Beach tours, that is quite an endorsement in itself.
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