This last weekend (19th – 21st June 2009), Jim, Eamon and I headed off to Eurotunnel for a weekend with 8-times world champion Phil Read at the Bikers’ Classic meeting at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium.

I had “planned” an “interesting” route from Calais to Spa (just tick the “avoid motorways” box on Google Maps and see where it takes you…) which included the obligatory getting-lost-in-Lille and a few very badly cobbled villages that had the other two wondering a bit. It was hot and sunny (which always helps) and the final run in to Spa through the forest from Marche-en-Famenne (via Bra) to Stavelot was just stunning! Wouldn’t want to try it in the cold/wet/dark though!

We stayed in the “Racing Hotel Spa Francorchamps” which was interesting. Think of a 1970’s Youth Hostel in Wales. Lino floor, steel frame bunk beds and loo/shower down the hall. It was however, only 500m from the entrance to the circuit so meant an easy walk in the morning, no parking charges and no need to carry kit around all day.

The aim of the weekend was to hook up with Phil Read, to watch the classic MVs, Hondas, Guzzis, Laverdas et al going around what must be one of the most beautiful race circuits in Europe. The noise of those open pipes in the pit garages is just stunning (take your earplugs)

On the way out we stopped for lunch at Ath which is just inside Belgium:

Jim in Ath

Eamon in Ath

Steve in Ath (Sprint in background) 🙂

Pics from Spa:

Steve & Phil with the MV Agusta

Jim & Sammy Miller

Phil on the RG500 in a Cloud of 2-Stroke!