Motorcycle meeting in Lourdes, France 2009???
 

Folks

In 2004 I was riding to the south of Spain from Ireland. I happened across a motorcycle meeting in Lourdes, France by accident and it was an amazing experience. It is an annual event run by a local club but it attracts 1000's of bike travellers from all over Europe (and beyond). I met a few guys who organised it and I stayed for 2 days in the end.

My dilemma is this.......I 'm planning to go to France again this year and would love to organise things to coincide with this club's meeting but I cannot find any trace of them on google. I've tried every combination of words I can think of to find it and I know the club does have a website.....somewhere! Has anyone heard of it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

Try

http://calendrier des événements moto 2009

Or

http://demandi moto

If these links don't work - I've had problems making them work on the site. But Google them if they don't work. You don't mention which month -that might help.

Are you sure it was Lourdes? There is a big bike meet in Porcaro which attracts many thousands of bikes. Priests bless the bikes and riders.
The meeting is in August

Look at Madone des motards - Porcaro (56) - Accueil

Hi Chris, id be interested in finding out more about the bike meet in Lourdes, ill be in France in early June and a trip down to lourdes for a bike meet sounds interesting!

Jim
It is definitely in Lourdes. Being a good Catholic boy it was a memorable experience for me in more ways than one! However, it sounds like it is similar to the one you mention in Porcaro as the priests do the same thing. It's known as the Benediction des Motos.

From memory it was held late June/early July when I was there but it may not be the same every year. The whole town closed down for a few hours, the police close all the roads, the people of Lourdes come out in their thousands and the bikes (ranging from scooters to Harleys) go on a tour of the town before heading off a few miles away to a large forest park where there is all sorts of music and entertainment to experience.

Again, if anyone can help me with info it will be much appreciated.

Chris

Aye fair enough :) I guess France must have quite a few of these type of events. I was looking through a calander of events in France with a view to going on somewhere n the road home from the German HU meet and (co-incidently) found a "Bénédiction des motards" in a town called Berthune. I haven't found one in Lourdes though. :frown:
I'll keep an eye out for it for you.

I did a search and if you type "pelerinage des motards" + lourdes into google, you may find that which ye seek. I couldn't find anything about it happening in 2009 though.

There seems to be a website for it but it doesn't do anything right now.

Pélerinage des motards de lourdes

Hopefully this will help you.

OK it's me again, (and never say a Scotsman isn't helpfull:thumbup1: )

I've found a forum about it, it's in French but they seem to be saying it's on 20th and 21st June 2009.
The forum page with that info is on

Pélerinage des motards 2008. - Page 2

I'll surely get my reward in Heaven now ;)

Jim

Jim you are a star!
Those dates would sound about right too. When I go I shall request a sainthood for you.

Afterwards ye shall be known only as St. JimOD :innocent: of Scotland !!

Many thanks saint!!

Chris

It does, sadly, clash with Ripley. I'd have gone down to Lourdes if it didn't. Just think, a nice run on the bike and all (some) of my ailments cured all in the same weekend. Sounds good to me

I'm afraid the ailments will only be cured if you're of catholic belief - and as far as I know Scots are mainly protestant :stupid:

Scotland is mainly Atheist. Me however, I'm Catholic, I even went to mass in Weinheim on the Sunday morning of the German HU :angel:
Now all I need to do is get down to Lourdes next year for the benediction of motorbikes ;)

P.S did you get my email?

I thought I'd seen a halo on you :innocent:

Got your email. Thx. Sad story, but by now I'm looking forward to visiting South Africa. At least it'll be warm & dry there...

I got in touch with teh tourist office in Lourdes and this is the reply they sent me.

Hello,

This event will take place on the 20th and 21st june.
We don't have any program at the moment.


It will be organised by "union motocycliste pyrénéenne" : ump65@free.fr

We stay at your disposal for any further information.

Yours sincerely,

Fabrice

Regards

Steve