The "SEM" Invade  Riders' Rest :
Spring Raid  1st  - 8th May 2009
The South East Massive revisit Riders Rest:

Le Hostage (john); Vimesy (John); John & Delectable D (Dawn); Ian;  Polished Arrow (Debs); Brox (John);
Chelle & HotF (Justin); Rainman (Loraine) & Him in the Garage (Jon); Bait (James) and of course The-Lovely-Wendy & Nomad (me)

The 1st Night Friday 1st May 2009
The 1st Salvo arrive as above but less Ian, Polished Arrow and Brox who were scheduled to arrive on Sunday

Saturday 2nd May - We had a gentle ride-out some 140 miles
taking the now talked about D16 to Egletons, onto the D18 to Argentat where we enjoyed a Drink on the cobbled river frontage.
Then headed along the curves of the river Dordogne to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and then up the D940 to Colonges La Rouge for Lunch. then through some good fast twisties to Tulle for another coffee break before taking the incredible D940 North to Ridersrest and one of Wendy's superb meals.

Day 2 Sunday 3rd May
We headed into the Cantal Volcanic Region our main aim was to do the Puy Mary pass through to Aurillac however the route was closed due to snow so we took a pleasant detour through the valley and Puy Violent to Salers where we discovered an excellent lunch spot.  We statrted by doing the D979 through Bugeat to Bort les Orgues over the dam and up to Castle de Val for coffee then headed south on the D922 and all its perfect sweeping bends and immaculate tarmac down to the D680 where we did some climbing to col de Noronne where we dropped into the valley on the D37 back to Salers from here we rejoined the D922 and enjoyed the ride to Aurillac to find petrol before taking the amazing N102. up to Tulle via Argentat before once again taking the D940 to Ridersrest. Wendy once again fed the now famished riders who also consumed their own weight in wine. Were were joined by Ian and Debs then later by Brox.

Monday 4th May
Today the group went to Oradour-Sur-Galne led by Ian whilst James and I went into Brive for new tyres... I led up the D940 to Peyrat-le-Chateau from there we split into two groups, Wendy, james and I went back down the D940 and the main group headed North to Oradour.  Brox headed back to Paris after Oradour whilst Rainman and Jon headed south to the Pyrenees.

Tuesday 4th May
A long day today 200+ miles to ride to 9 Châteaux along the Northern Dordogne most occupied during the 100 years wars or built during the reign of Richard the Lion Heart. They were Chateau de Puymartin, Château de Puyguilhem, Château de Jumilhac, Château de Hautefort, Château de Bourdeilles, Château Châlus Maulmont , Arnac Pompadour National Stud and Chateau, Segur le Chateau, Le Tour Masseret, Château de Coussac-Bonneval.

Wednesday 5th May
Ian and Debs headed out to friends in the area whilst the rest of us Me, Wendy Vimesy, Chelle, Justin, Le Hostage along with my m8 Dave headed to Rocamadour...

Thursday 6th May
Ian and Debs left for the UK today so since we were up early to see them off Vimesy, Chelle, Justin & I took a trip to Bort Les Orgues, Castle de Val, Mount Dore, and Puy de Dome, some 200+ miles in temperatures reaching 33 degrees...

Friday 7th May - the weather has now turned dull and is drizzling
no worries though as Chelle, Vimesy and Justin head north for the ferry and home leaving only Le Hostage to chill before himself heading North and home.  Leaving the place quiet but only for a night as we have another group arriving Sunday...  Wendy has already started cleaning again.