On the weekend of September 19–21, AMAL organized the first edition of the (re)Tour de Kick, a motorcycle tour reserved for motorcycles built before 1950. We were aware that, given the age of the machines, this event would be more modest than our Tour de Luxembourg, so we looked for a more intimate and friendly setting for these three days. The choice fell on the Ettelbruck campsite, and it turned out to be exactly the right one. Participants could arrive as early as Friday afternoon from 3 p.m., to settle comfortably into their accommodation and prepare their bikes for the (re)Tour de Kick, which officially began on Saturday morning.
Once everyone was settled — whether in mobile homes or in the beautiful and comfortable glamping tents — it was time, from 6 p.m., to enjoy an aperitif before having dinner together à la carte at the campsite restaurant. It soon became clear that almost everyone had already arrived by Friday afternoon, so by the evening we were nearly complete with around thirty people.
We were delighted to see that, for a very first edition, we had gathered 30 participants and more than 20 motorcycles. This shows that AMAL is gradually building a solid reputation through its event organization. Initially, we had set the age limit for motorcycles at 1945, but later extended it to 1950, fearing we might not get enough registrations — a fear that turned out to be unfounded. With one exception, all motorcycles dated from the 1920s and 1930s.
On Saturday morning, after a coffee and a croissant, the start was given under beautiful sunshine for the first 90 kilometers of the tour. Since the (re)Tour de Kick was run using a roadbook or GPX file, everyone could ride when and with whomever they wished. For lunch, participants gradually met up at the High Chaparral Café, located at the Camping Moulin in Heischtergronn.
On Ed’s lovely terrace, everyone was able to look back on the first half of the route before enjoying a large schnitzel with fries and a delicious ice cream for dessert.
In the afternoon, the route continued for almost another 100 kilometers, along one of the most beautiful itineraries we have ever ridden during an AMAL tour (thank you, Yves!). The participants were thrilled, and the wonderful day ended in a cheerful atmosphere with a pulled-pork burger back at the Ettelbruck campsite.
Unfortunately, during the night from Saturday to Sunday, heavy rain began to fall, and in the morning the question arose: Should we cancel the ride or not? The Sunday route was planned to be 130 kilometers long, heading towards and along the Moselle, often on small agricultural roads. Because of the night’s rain and the fact that many farmers had begun harvesting corn, much of the route was likely to be muddy and slippery. We therefore decided to cancel the ride, to extend the morning coffee, and to start the aperitif a little earlier, so that the time until lunch — a bouchée à la reine — passed quickly in good spirits and lively conversation.
Around 3 p.m., the last participants set off on their way home. The first 20 kilometers in the rain on my motorcycle confirmed that our decision to cancel the Sunday ride was the right one: in some places, the mud had turned the road into a real ice rink, and I finished the trip covered in mud and dust.
Despite the rainy Sunday, it is safe to say that the first edition of the (re)Tour de Kick was a great success — and certainly not the last!
AMAL would like to sincerely thank Fabien and Jo from the Ettelbruck campsite and the Restaurant Stiffchen for their simple, efficient, and above all, very friendly collaboration. It was a real pleasure to be with you, and we hope you will welcome us again in the future.
A big thank-you also goes to Ed and his team at the High Chaparral for the great meal and warm hospitality.
And finally, a huge thank-you to all the participants who made the trip and contributed to this friendly and enjoyable weekend. We hope you had a great time — and that you’ll come back!
Find more pictures n the gallery below....
