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About the EMM

Back in 2001, Ducati officially introduced the Ducati Multistrada during the Milan Motorshow. It was the first non "sportbike" in the stable of the manufacturer from Bologna and anxiously the official delivery of the bike in 2003 to the market was followed. In the first few years the sales numbers were very very successful and the bike seemed to become a hit for the factory.

In those same early days of the new Ducati Multistrada, a Dutch guy (Jan Dolman) was one of the first to order the Multistrada. Looking for information on the internet found him with no decent back-up from the factory. No significant technical or emotional information could be found and due to his enthusiasm for the bike, he started a website for Multistrada owners as a soundboard for the new type of bike. It was April 20 in 2003 when the website "www.multistrada.net" saw its first daylight.

Since then 15,720 official registrations have been counted, hundreds of thousands articles have been posted and people who have shared their emotions and knowledge with the rest of the world. In this list of people from all over the world, also a Dutch guy thought to bring the Multistrada members of the site together somewhere in Europe. It was in 2005 that the first group of 8 people met in Germany to share the passion of the bike. As far as I can remember there were people from the UK, Netherlands and Germany present for a week-end on the bike. During that meeting I already realized that this event should be able to see the light of existing...

It took me until 2007 to get the 2nd EMM2007 in the air. The venue was Bologna... the cradle of the Multistrada. After two flights from London to Bologna, several e-mails with Livio Lodi (museum Ducati) and Marco Rimondi (DOC), telephone calls and faxes I had the trip lined up. 13 people from a nice variation within and outside Europe decided to continue the life of the European event for the bike(rs). Besides the regular suspects from France, the Netherlands and the UK, we were pleased with the participation of a couple of Romania, a guy from New Zealand and a guy from the USA.

As I told myself in 2007 to do this organization once, and once only, I realized what a fantastic meeting this was, when overlooking a dinner table outside a nice restaurant in Italy during this meeting, I knew that I was f*cked and had to continue. Besides that fact that all of us were infected with the Multistrada virus, I was infected with the European Multistrada Meeting virus. Together with Didier from France, we started the organization of the 3rd EMM2008 in the French Alps.

From there the meeting started growing in unexpected proportions. In 2008 a total of 33 people signed up for the meeting in the French Alps. Spain, Lithuania, Poland and Italy were countries that joined the event for the first time. I could see the returning people from the UK and France. The enthusiasm for the meeting increased by the day, and during the meeting, it was already decided to organize the 4th EMM2009 in the Spanish Pyrenees.

Together with Anton I started working on the next stage of the event. 48 people signed up for the 2009 event. Within the first week after the subscription form was uploaded and online on the internet site, already 15 people sent their form to me. I was astonished as well afraid of what was going to happen. But everything went great. More people returned after the 2nd and 3rd meetings. New people that had been lurking around the event for a while decided to join the event and .... well, I can write a book about my experiences of the organization and the event itself.

Working together with Andrea from Italy (living in London) the 5th EMM2010 was born. This year we went a bit more professional with a dedicated website and online registration form. I was also contacted by David who is connected in the wine trade. He offered to set up a tasting and a lunch at one of the wineries, how could I say no?? But, wine tasting and riding Multistradas quickly in the mountains does not go very well together, so next year we vowed to the tasting onsite. We also breached 50 registrations this year and what an event it was.

EMM 6 in 2011

The 6th EMM was born around many beers in the bar in after day of riding in the Dolomites. We took the decision to return the event to the high Alps in France, home to some of the finest and most scenic roads in the world. We had plenty of on the ground experience for route planning so we were ready to roll. We found a nice little family run hotel located at the base of the Col du Galibier in VILLAR D'ARENE LA GRAVE LA MEIJE, dates we set, and the registrations just rolled in. This will be remembered as year of the Spanish Inquisition with more registrations from Spain than any other country.

The 6th EMM was born around many beers in the bar in after day of riding in the Dolomites. We took the decision to return the event to the high Alps in France, home to some of the finest and most scenic roads in the world. We had plenty of on the ground experience for route planning so we were ready to roll. We found a nice little family run hotel located at the base of the Col du Galibier in VILLAR D'ARENE LA GRAVE LA MEIJE, dates we set, and the registrations just rolled in. Gregor took over the organisation of the EMM for this year. This will be remembered as year of the Spanish Inquisition with more registrations from Spain than any other country.

Highlights of EMM6 in 2011:

  • The French contingent organised some incredible roadbooks which took us on some of the best riding roads and through some of the finest mountain scenery in the world.
  • David Cobbold organised a fantastic tasting of local wines for us at the hotel. All the wine was there waiting when we arrived, much to the amusement of the hotel staff. But, our wine expert was bogged down with work in Paris and could not make it, leaving the kids in charge.
  • Glorious weather- arranged by Greg
  • An offroad excursion on the decent of the Col de Vars
  • For the first time, Michal did not attend after an argument with an angry ladde

EMM 7 in 2012

After a stunning EMM6, we decided to be more scientific in organising EMM2007. I built nice little  internet based survey with 4 options. In the end the Italian alps was a close winner, with Portugal close behind . The event was based in the tax free state of Livigno at he the family run Hotel Astoria in June 2013.

 Highlights of EMM7 in 2012:

  • Arriving in Livigno and not being able to find the hotel due to a large mountain of dirt and a JCB parking in the front car park
  • Ian demonstrating best practices for deploying tyre repair kit in the storage compartment of a Multistrada
  • Wondering if we would have any power for our first evening
  • Stunning weather again organised by Greg!! 2 days earlier it had snowed and the surrounding mountains reflected that
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  • Extended EMM to the Dolomites for a subset of the group, and then on the World Ducati Week
  • Most culturally varied EMM with 11 nationalities represented

At the end of the day this trip offered some of the best riding I have ever done in my life- a truly special event!

 

EMM 8 in 2013

  • The EMM8 went to Portugal after two years of intense lobbying by the Portuguese tourist board, or armada as they are known to us. They convinced us that they could host a great EMM and it would be worth the extra kilometres for the northern Europeans, save the English who will grab the ferry to Bilbao (one of the world’s longest booze cruises)

    And what a great event it was, save the weather! (Weather not organised by Greg)

    Some highlights of the event for 2013

    • On the 1st ride of the event- Ice warning coming on and freezing fingers- were we really in Portugal in June? But the road was stunning and as you can guess, completely empty as the locals were all inside trying to stay warm and dry.
    • A 14 course lunch for 14 euros (including wine) in a rustic village up in the hills. I was done after the starters, they just kept bringing food and wine.
    • After lunch, the EMM being led out of town by a German on a Triumph!. This did not end well as Multstradas blew out in multiple directions- but at the end everyone made it back to the hotel before dark.

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    • Morning day two, stunning roads again treading thought the deserted mountain roads of central Portugal.
    • Another voluminous lunch, followed by the post lunch clusterf$%K with Mutlitistradas heading off in every direction.
    • One Inquisition pilot who arrived ready for all eventualities; not only with a full tool kit and mini compressor in the Panniers, but also a Jamon and a create of Rioja just in case the local wine did not measure up
    • The weather just getttig better and better the further north we rode
    • Following ZDman up a canyon and over a pass in fog and rain for over an hour only to be told by a local on the other side- “Mate, you’re at the end of the world and there is only one road back!

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    • Getting up at 6am to go ride “the road we missed” when we instead visited the end of the world the previous day, then having an all-day ride back to France….

 

EMM 9 in 2014

The 2014 EMM was an epic , even during the worst summer on record in central Europe. The Brits and Scandinavians stole our weather in 2014, but never again!

We were based at San Candido, in the Hochpuster Valley in the northern Dolomites at one of the nicest family run hotels I have ever had the pleasure to visit. The real problem in 2014 was getting people out of the hotel and on their bikes.

You can never have it all, but if you take out the rain showers (ok, we had a couple of epic storms, which goes with the theme of the event), this was a fantastic EMM. Some of the more memorable moments had to be:

• At 22.00, at very wet and bedraggled Monster 1200 riding Aussi arrives at the party. The Brit pack’s reputation for arriving socially late is now shot to hell.
• Friends, drinks, great diner, more drinks and Football- Oh God, Spain lost!


• After having a great ride over the Grossglockner, we had a Fabulous summer lunch on the terrace at Zell am See. But the Gods were not happy with or frivolous waste of riding time and took revenge with an epic storm 20 minutes after we left.


• Petter getting pulled over in an Austrian radar ambush just before the boarder- After not returning for over an hour We were convinced that he was locked up is some Austrian jail and his Multistrada had been sent to the crusher. In the end, the smooth talking Petter gave them the: “Sorry guv, weren't me, must have been some other joker on red bike”, and they let him go. He just decided he needed some extra riding before hitting the bar.
• Friends, drinks, great diner, more drinks and yes more football-
• 7.30 wakeup call to miss the afternoon showers did not work for some, with two groups heading off in opposite directions on the prescribed circuit- but all ended well as we met in the middle and had lunch.
• The fabulous ride on the Lavardet Pass SS465 which the Italians re-tarmacked in honour of our visit. Who says German tax euros don’t end up doing good in other EC counties for riders of Italian motorcycles.


• 3 Post EMM events, all going different directions for different reasons

 

EMM 10 -2015 CATALONIAN PYRENEES (anniversary edition)

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than the EMM2014, we went to Andorra in 2015. Wow what a great event it was. Sold out in just a week and now we all know why. About 45 attendees, thankfully not all there at the same time or we would have had to enlisted the bar for dormitory duty, or did that happen anyway?


First- the condolences:

Scott, whose classic Multi decided it like the wine in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and decided to stay for another drink or two, or three, or we lost count and then Scott went home on the train. I understand the classic has now been retired, if not executed, for its sins. Multi repatriated back by truck.

Steve, who somehow got wind of some great action down at the local hospital and went down to check it out on the 1st evening. They sedated him, removed an organ or two, road his Multi around for a few days, and the moved on to the next non suspecting tourist. Needless to say, Steve was drugged the whole time and still thinks he was tended to by mystical and voluptuous maidens and had the best EMM ever. Multi repatriated back by truck, organs sold on the grey market.

Michel- well, what can you say- he deadheaded all the way from Holland to Andorra - only to have his clutch finally give up in the hotel parking lot. It was great to have you back with us even if it was a momentary event. Multi repatriated back by truck.

Now, what actually happened at the event in 2015?

  • For many, it stated early- like 5 days! Who has that much time? Well who’s complaining- the routes were just rocking, thanks Paddy..
  • The Lunches- they weren’t going to let us go hungry, were they? Well organised and well located to allow the thirsty to get back well before beer o-clock. Thanks Paddy and David..
  • The road-books- Flowing roads, no traffic, no coppers, just pure riding! Man, It just doesn’t get any better than this on a wheels.
  • The weather- Maybe the finest riding weather I have ever experienced on an extended trip, except for 100 KM over the alps on the way there- you all owe me a beer, maybe 2
  • The hotel- 8 km of twisty road delivered us to the top of the mountain where we had a superb sunset view over the Pyrenees. What a view, what nice people, what a great place to get 50 people together with motorbikes. Thanks Ximo for working with me on this.
  • The pool- eh- I think you call it refreshing- but we should be asking Miles in the pink mankini- such a tease, he never showed up at the pool, at least by daylight.
  • The Happenstance- what are the chances on running into Rubén Xaus in a carpark in Andorra la Vella. Well it happened and then he made a guest appearance at the hotel later.
  • The Planning- The concept of 45 multistrada’s running in a line on Spanish countryside roads did not compute. With so many people attending, we made the call early on to split the groups and to make sure everyone rode with someone with a GPS. The plan worked a treat and everyone seemed to find a group they were comfortable riding with. Thanks Scott for doing the GPS plans.

What can you say? It just does not get much better than this, at least until next year!

 

EMM 11 -2016 Mt. VENTOUX

Mt Ventoux played host to the EMM. We had a huge variety of riding from little squiggly roads in the The Luberon national park to the sweepers running down the south side of Gorges Du Verdon and up to the top of Mt Ventoux itself.

The EMM was based at The hotel Mas de la Tour in Gargas- due to the area we were forced into upgrading our accommodation for the year, and yes, it was worth it. Lovely family run hotel, beautiful rooms and great food- what’s not to like.

Memorial moments form the 2016 EMM:

  • No catastrophes- yes, there was the odd chain and tyre to be replaced- but on the whole- no bad shit happened on this event.
  • The 1st road was such a cracker; we could have just stayed there all day. In fact, the routes on both days we fantastic- thanks again to Scott for doing his GPS magic for everyone.
  • Who could forget the Gorges Du Verdon, absolutely stunning from both north and south and a great lunch for completing the journey?

  • But then there was Rick, whose GPS navigation method features following someone with the route loaded on their GPS. Somehow we lost you on the south side of Gorges Du Verdon, but everyone managed to get back to the hotel for beer o’clock.
  • The Steak lunch on the farm that didn’t happen due to a scheduling snafu ;-(
  • The plethora of DVTs, but still having a fleet of classics flying the flag
  • Absolutely fabulous weather
  • Never wanting to leave

In the end, just another fabulous EMM! Each event has been special in its own way and 2016 was no exception. Long may it continue!

 

EMM 12 -2017 PICOS DE EUROPA- Memorial moments

Those who travelled from the north or arrived early were greeted with cold and rain. But once the event got going, the sun came out and we were treated to almost perfect riding weather..

This year we were very lucky to have Juanpa with us, who lives close and organises regular events in the Picos. We had some epic rides and beautiful scenery. For a riding event, it doesn’t get much better than this.

We even got people to walk! 1st downtown to Potes, then up the top of the viewing points on both days.

Again, no mishaps this year. A few adjustment s and worn out tyres, but let’s not talk about that!

The hotel was great, but the food was average at best. Thankfully we were treated to some fabulous lunches, thanks Ximo.

There we a number of post EMM rides after the 2017 EMM. I joined the Brit pack this year, shod with my new Dunlop qualifier. We had a couple of great days in the Pyrenees before we made the run for the Gorges du Tarn. In Millau, Uncle Peter met his alter ego and surreal exchange ensued.

Yet another superb EMM! Each event has been special in its own way and 2017 was no exception.

Long may it continue! See you in the Alps in 2018