Setting Sail on the Magnifique II

Some overseas adventures take a lot of planning and evolving. This one came about by accident.

It started as an idea after our Pakenham ride just three weeks ago. We realised that it was ten years since we did our epic Odyssey Ride across Europe back in 2016. That ride was divided into four sections, starting in Bruges and finishing in Budapest, six weeks and about 2000 km later.

The first section was a so called “bike and barge” trip from Bruges to Amsterdam aboard a 90 year old boat called the Magnifique. One thing that made this section so special was the fact that we were able to fill all 32 places with Ghostriders.

Ten years later, we started to wonder whether the boat was still operating and whether it would be possible to repeat this amazing experience. Almost as soon as the idea started, it started to spread, initially among some of those who took part in the original trip and then to others who wished they were in the group then.

On Monday morning I started making enquiries about whether it would be possible to charter the Magnifique or a similar boat in September 2027. Within 24 hours we had answer – although the original Magnifique is no longe available, there is a newer Magnifique II which the owners would give us an option on, but it would only be held for a period of 2 weeks. The clock was ticking.

I set to work arranging a couple of Information Meetings at very short notice. These were very positively received. In fact the response was so great that ALL 17 cabins on the boat were booked by Tuesday afternoon. It all happened so quickly that it left my head spinning. Within the space of three weeks, we had gone from the spark of an idea to having the trip fully booked.

So that’s what is happening. In September 2027 we will be returning to Bruges to complete an 8 day bike and barge adventure to Amsterdam. It happened so fast that I did not even get a chance to mention it to everyone via the regular Ghostrider newsletter or this website.

I guess some things are just meant to be……..