How it all started
Since joining DOCNZ, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many genuine good buggers, several of whom I now consider close friends. And through my involvement with the club, I’ve been fortunate enough to represent our president, Ange, at the World Presidents Tour in Sicily, Italy, last year. There, I met club presidents and representatives from around the world and built connections that continued long after the event. Among them were JT, club president of DOC London South East (DOCLSE), and committee member Mark, both of whom I stayed in touch with. It was through these friendships that I found myself travelling back to Europe and embarking on what would become one of the best trips of my life.
It all started with a message from Mark asking one simple question: "Are you coming to WDW this year?"
My initial answer was no, as I'd already made holiday plans. But after various developments and a good dose of FOMO, I changed my mind and thought, "What the hell, you only live once, count me in!"
Various versions of the trip evolved: a girls' trip, a trip to see family in England. In the end, the plan was to travel to the UK, visit my brother in Canterbury, then fly to Milan and travel down to Misano for World Ducati Week. Everything was booked, including the flight from London to Milan, accommodation, and train tickets. All non-refundable because I wasn't going to change plans, right?!
Wrong.
I received another message asking whether, if it could be arranged, I'd like to join DOCLSE, travelling through five countries over four days to reach Misano, Italy.
Would I ever!
And so, all my carefully laid travel plans got thrown in the bin. Instead, I somehow managed to be invited on the trip of a lifetime, surrounded by like-minded people sharing an adventure and a love of Ducati.
The Pre-Adventure Adventure
I landed at Heathrow and went straight to Ducati Vauxhall. There was a heatwave in the UK and the temperature was in the 30s. I dropped off my bags, was introduced to some of the DOCLSE club members who worked at the dealership, then quickly changed, and was soon on the back of a Multistrada V2 for a VIP tour of London, culminating in a visit to The Bike Shed. An awesome café in central London where you can ride through the tables outside to park your bike safely out back. I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.
After lunch, I was dropped back at the dealership to collect my bags, and I made my way to Canterbury for a few days with family before my European adventure began.
My personal VIP guided tour of London – Buckingham Palace
Drinks break – St Pauls Cathedral
Day 1: Canterbury to Spa (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps), Belgium
It was an early start, I was picked up in the support van from Canterbury on the way through to Folkestone to meet up with the DOCLSE crew and catch the LeShuttle through the Channel Tunnel across to Calais, France.
The DOCLSE club is only two years old. Club #349 founded in 2024. Of the 522 members we had 21 bikes on the trip with a further 15 members fly in to attend World Ducati Week. This was DOCLSE’s biggest organised trip yet, and because a number of members were meeting for the first time themselves, I quickly felt part of the group rather than the newcomer.
The destination today was the iconic racetrack, Spa. And we were staying at a hotel literally a stone's throw away. Wow!
We disembarked from the train, and it was all motorway for a while. But once we reached Belgium, the scenery was stunning. We took a more direct route than the bikes, and this would become standard procedure for us. We were still close enough to come to the rescue if riders had any issues, but we skipped most of the twisties riders love — not so great in a van loaded with a bike and everyone's luggage!
The support van was fully loaded
DOCLSE crew waiting to go through the Channel Tunnel.
📸 Dave Jepson
We checked into the hotel and unloaded the bike, ready for a wee spin once we knew everyone had arrived safely. Unfortunately, I didn't have a bike of my own, but riding pillion through Europe was hardly something to complain about!
We spent a couple of hours exploring quaint little towns, ending at a café for a drink and debrief before heading back to the hotel to catch up with everyone over dinner.
I'd brought loads of DOCNZ stickers with me, which I distributed around the tables at dinnertime. I had also brought some small sample bottles of New Zealand gin, and these quickly got passed around the crew. It's great knowing something made in NZ travelled to the other side of the world for people to enjoy.
The DOCLSE President, JT, also handed out our ride t-shirts, complete with a map of the route. Very cool.
Tees were handed out to everyone, outlining the trip
The support van was in good company – Spa, Belgium
The night ended quietly and not too late, but the good behaviour wasn't going to last. As bonds formed, the banter grew, and the nights grew longer with it. So read on...
Day 2: Spa to Villingen, Germany
The DOCLSE crew were starting to form groups depending on riding style, pace, and personality. This would solidify over the coming days, but it was fluid to begin with. No pre-defined groups were set from the start, with the club instead letting members decide for themselves how, where, and with whom they wanted to ride. Just as it should be.
Groups started riding either early or late, depending on their preference. The highlight of the day was the Black Forest in Germany. Great for bikes, not so much for fully loaded Fiat vans. So once again we took a more direct route, while still staying close enough to help if someone needed us.
That evening, we explored the Black Forest on the Multi, that we'd bypassed in the van that day. The sweeping roads and scenery were beautiful. The camera simply couldn't do it justice (hence no photo!). I can't even think of a road in NZ to compare it with.
We managed to dodge the rain on both sides of us and turned onto a quieter road with sweeping bends and perfect surfaces. No potholes. No roadkill. No gravel. It was as if it had been built yesterday.
Perfetto!
After a few hours, we ended up back at the hotel. Rather drained after being in the van all day and then spending hours on the bike (what am I talking about? I was just the passenger!).
So another early night was had (by me anyway!). I think it was the last one of the trip.
Day 3 Villingen to Bormio, Italy
Another reasonably early start in the van, as we were expecting a long day. The weather had packed in and rain was going to hit everyone.
What we didn't expect was quite how full the day would be with rescues and recoveries! They say things come in threes, and that certainly rang true.
First up, one of the guys wasn't feeling well, so we crammed a second bike into the van and somehow still managed to fit all the luggage around it.
With three of us now in the van, we got back on the road. After a couple of hours, we stopped for fuel in Bregenz, Austria, and Mark got a call from another rider whose chain had come off (despite the bike having just been serviced!).
I stayed put while the support van headed back the way we'd come. With the help of another club member, they managed to get the bike back on the road. I decided to make the most of the wait and wandered into Bregenz for some photo opportunities.
What a charming little town it was.
Bregenz, Austria
After a couple of hours, we were on our way again.
Then came the second call.
Two riders were stranded three-quarters of the way up Stelvio Pass, right at the snow line, and needed help.
The fully loaded Fiat did well climbing the steep incline to reach them. They were wet and frozen. Luckily, there was a hotel not far from where they had stopped. After a bit of back and forth, we got them warmed up in front of the hotel's huge open fire, wrapped in warm riding gear and wet-weather layers.
Another two hours later, the weather had eased enough for them to make their way over the pass and into Bormio. We followed and arrived into town quite late.
It had been a long day, and there was no chance for an evening ride. Instead, a new plan was hatched. We'd get up early and ride to the top of the pass before it got busy.
I wasn't about to say no to that!
Stelvio Pass.
📸 Dave Jepson
We still had a great evening with dinner followed by drinks at the bar, where the barman, Luca, taught us about the local brew while club member Dave provided an impromptu photography lesson.
Another night of fun and laughter, with any hopes of an early night well and truly thrown out the window.
Mark, Dave and our barman Luca.
📸 Dave Jepson
Day 4: Bormio to Misano, Italy
We were on the bike before 7am, with DOCLSE club member Danny on his Streetfighter biting at our heels.
And it was sooo worth setting the alarm.
The weather had cleared and there were no cars at all on the way up. It was a smooth (and particularly fast!) ride that I can only describe as epic.
To top it off, when we reached the summit, a huge golden eagle greeted us, soaring so close that I swear I could have reached out and touched him.
A magical moment, and one that once again simply couldn't be captured on film.
The trip back down felt a little hairier due to the steep terrain — and maybe a little because of the speed — but both riders were more than capable, and I never felt any unnecessary risks were taken.
On our way down, we could see traffic starting to build on the pass, so we'd definitely picked the perfect time to go.
Once back at the hotel, it was time to pack the van and make tracks for Misano and World Ducati Week.
Stelvio Pass.
📸 Dave Jepson
Italy and WDW2026
Due to other commitments, not everyone was able to join us on the journey through Europe to Misano. Some flew directly into Rimini, hired a car, and met us at the hotel. On the first day of World Ducati Week, I caught a ride in an air conditioned car with club member Kal, who had flown in the night before. As it turned out, this was a blessing. I certainly didn’t envy the riders stuck queuing on their bikes to enter the circuit in the 30-degree heat.
The atmosphere was out of this world! Soooo many bikes lining up to get in, and even more already parked up inside the event.
There were stands galore, and let's not forget the free goodie bag!
WDW. Misano world circuit Marco Simoncelli.
Misano world circuit Marco Simoncelli.
📸 Dave Jepson
Kal and I spent the day wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere. I also managed to catch up with friends from Dallas whom I'd met on the World Presidents Tour the previous year. They presented me with a Ducati Dallas t-shirt, which I greatly appreciated. Our catch-up was brief, and I wish I'd had more time with them.
Neal and Marcy from DOC Dallas – Misano world circuit Marco Simoncelli
The second day was spent exploring the surrounding area. We headed inland to a national park before following the coastline back.
More great weather, beautiful scenery, and good company.
Café break with Mark and Dave on the way to the National Park
Brief stop on the way to the coast
Our final day together was spent relaxing at a beach club with some of the crew, enjoying the sunshine, chatting with the staff, and Latino dancing with the locals.
I couldn't think of a better way to end the holiday.
Enjoying life at Kendwa Beach Club, Fano
The next morning everyone was busy loading bikes onto a truck for transport back to the UK, with many of the club opting to fly home instead
Bikes being loaded onto the truck for the trip back to the UK
For me, it was time to begin the long journey back to New Zealand. Three train trips, two flights, and a car ride home. I wasn't looking forward to it, nor to leaving Italy and my new extended Ducati family.
Feedback from events held in NZ often includes the sentiment that it's the people who make them special. It's good to know that holds true on the other side of the world as well.
The scenery, roads, and riding were incredible, but it was the people who stitched it all together. Without them, the trip simply wouldn't have been what it was.
I will remember it for the rest of my life and am forever grateful to the DOCLSE committee for organising such an amazing trip and for the opportunity to be part of it.
Forza Ducati!
Bat
✍🏽 Bat 📸 Bat & Dave Jepson
