Did you ever get the feeling that you're right where you should be, doing exactly what you want to do? YEAH, that hardly ever happens.
Life's complicated. Too bloody complicated. But earlier this year, when we reduced our world to one pannier bag each, one motorcycle, one group of friends, and got up day after day to ride the road, complication was stripped away, and life was bloody brilliant.
Jo [ the J in JDs ] had a plan. She made our lives simple. She had comfy hotels pre booked and waitng every evening for us to rock on up to, she knew the Hoteliers and they knew her. She knew where to eat, and where not to, what to see, what was a waste of time. She'd found things off the beaten track that you might never stumble across otherwise, and all the things you could not leave without experiencing.
Jo and Dennis [ the D in JDs ] were always keen to lead side excursions if anyone wanted to try something on top of the daily ride or on a rest day. And Dennis [ our skilful lead rider ] was always ready with a story of a town or building, the history, the mood, the people ... He's a born storyteller.
The first day, we raved about our insignificance compared to the landscape and how amazing it was and Jo and Dennis just smiled and said, "Tomorrow, it's better" That was a major understatement. We thought we knew America before this tour. We didn't. Now we can't wait to discover more.
Along with others on our adventure we have booked on the Daytona tour ..... and can't wait.
Bren and Ken Dibble
Melbourne, Australia
Sturgis tour 2014
Where do I start telling you all just fantastic this trip had been ?
Right from the start when we got to met Jo & Dennis, Judy & I knew we had to do this trip & it was one of the best decisions we made. I experienced none of the organising headaches that go with such a trip ... I only had to pay me money & enjoy the ride & what a ride it was, Jo had even arranged the flights for our extended trip to New York !
Everything that we were told about this trip panned out, the people, places, scenery were awesome but much much better than expected. Judy & I were waiting for the brash airport person, rude bar person or angry taxi driver but we didn't see it.
This tour was alarge one but to make sure we were safe Jo & Dennis put us in two groups & employed Mary & Rennie to assist;
the best decision in my book, we could not have been left in better hands when they led our group, their knowledge of back towns, back street America is only second to Jo & Dennis.
To all the lovely friends we rode with, you all have a special place in our lives & hearts that will not diminish over time, thank you all for making this trip a very special one.
If you are thinking about doing this trip I RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY, DON'T HESITATE , treat yourself! We have already booked our Daytona Biketoberfest 2015 tour.
From Judy & I thanks to Jo, Dennis, Rennie & Mary for the best time we have had on two wheels...incredible !
Dave and Judy
Upper Hutt, NZ
Midwest Sturgis Tour 2013
It's hard to describe the incredible time we had on tour with Jo & Dennis in just a few short words.
Everything about this trip was EPIC ! The scenery, the people, the places we went, were all stunning. The tour is extremely well organised, well planned & well executed, we literally just turned up at the airport ready for an adventure, and it exceeded all our expectations. The amount of effort & attention to detail that Jo & Dennis have put into this tour is worth every penny, and they took us to places we never would have found on our own.
The scenery through some parts was so spectacular it moved some of the riders on such a deep level, they actually cried !!!
If I had to pick a favourite part, it would be the American Indian connections which I loved. I even got to witness real life rain dancers performing a sacred ceremony, as we rode out, 4 rain clouds came towards the village from each direction to end a drought !
This tour left me awestruck & affected me physically, spiritually & emotionally. It was such a positive vibe, life will never be the same.
There is something for everyone on this tour ! If you want a life changing experience, please, please, treat yourself to this. I came back to New Zealand, overwhelmed with gratitude, appreciation, and a love of life that has inspired me to chase more dreams.
Thank you Jo & Dennis for helping us make a dream come true, you are both awesome. Xxx
Norma & Jason
Auckland NZ
Midwest Sturgis Tour 2012
Well what can I say, firstly thank you both so much for a fantastic experience that I will never forget.
The special little things that you both helped me with. Like getting me off the bike, putting the kick stand down and generally looking out for me .... I hope I was not too much hassle. The ride was hard for me at times but I wasn't going to let it beat me. I done it WOW.
The special moments were many and I am still getting my head around it all. What a group of people we had. Many will be friends for a long time.
I got home and gave my Triumph a hug. Fukin Harleys, just jokin, great motors. thanks very much once again and I know we will ride again but as Dennis says, that's just enough ....take care ....ride safe, Des.
Des Gulbransen
Wellington, New Zealand
Midwest Sturgis Tour 2012
What an amazing adventure we had riding Harleys around Nth East USA & Canada with Jo & Dennis of JDs Motorsickle Tours.
We went with our friends Joe & Carolyn O'Neill who had done a previous trip with JDs. They told us what aterrific time they had so we had to find out ourselves & it met all our expectations & more. We met a wonderful bunch of people from all over New Zealand & by the end of the month we felt we had known each other forever.
It was such an awesome time, lots of laughs, great company, delicious food, excellent accommodation, amazing scenery & fantastic museums & experiences. We visited cities & sights we had dreamed of seeing for years.
After the first week back at work we were dreaming & scheming of how to make our escape....we will be back !
A few HIGHLIGHTS were :-
ROCKLAND, MAINE. Was a beautiful surprise. The Berry Manor Inn was like stepping back in time. A beautiful old B&B and the cherry, raspberry & blueberry homemade pies were out of this world.
QUEBEC, CANADA. Incredibly quaint old buildings & cobblestoned streets, we felt like sneaked back to Europe for a few days.
CLEVELAND, OHIO. An unexpected jewel, the Rock and Roll Hall of FAME was a fantastic experience.
AMISH VILLAGES. It was a apriveledge to visit the towns of "Bird In Hand" & " Intercourse " and to see the simple way the Amish folk live their lives & to buy some of the wonderful crafts they produce.
NEW YORK. INCREDIBLE, insanely busy city. Going to the Jersey Boys show was a great night out.... couldn't stop singing the show tunes for days.
There are so many great memories which I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE, enough to say thanks Jo & Dennis for organising & taking us on such a memorable holiday, my advise, book it & see for yourself !
DIANE & IAN LORMANS
Dunedin, New Zealand
Nth East Indianapolis 500 / Canada Tour 2012
ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL. I really don't know how else to describe it ! I knew I would have a great time but I hadn't ever imagined how good it was going to be.
Jo and Dennis took us on a journey, not just a ride, through some of the most amazing country I have ever seen. As well as the sensational riding, it included a history lesson, one that the US Tourism Department would have been proud of. Through Indian Reservations to Cowboy towns, it just got better everyday.
I will never forget the enthusiasm and professionalism of these two fine people and the way they and this tour have changed my life.
Just do it if you can. You won't regret it !
GRAEME DEWAR
Brisbane, Australia
2012 Midwest Sturgis Tour 2012
This was our first USA experience ever and what a way to do it !
From the first day in San Francisco, through the stunning landscapes of the Mid West to the Sturgis experience, Jo and Dennis lead us on an amazing adventure. Their attention to detail with accommodation and route planning was spot on, the Historic Hotels such as The Occidental in Buffalo, a highlight.
As a Triumph rider the Street Glide I chose, grew on me, to the point where I was just itching to jump aboard every day and put some miles behind us. Gill was just as enthusiastic as me with the comfort and space of the Harley adding to the enjoyment.
Dennis' passion for and knowledge of The Old West just added to the whole experience. We're planning to get back as soon as we can with Jo and Dennis to see more of this amazing country without the stress and hassles of organising such a comprehensive tour. When friends and fellow riders ask about our USA experience, our response is "simply stunning!"
Malcolm and Gill Howden
Wanaka New Zealand
Midwest Sturgis Tour 2011
So mate - what do you want to do? - cruise?
For your information, we are totally amazed by the quality of your trip that we can't help raving about it to all and sundry that we meet.
I must admit we had our reservations - dealing with a company that we knew nothing about - paying up front with no comeback (no iata travel agent guarantees) and generally trusting people that we couldn't talk to in person. How wrong we were to even think that.
We couldn't be happier - having experienced a trip of a lifetime.
Now we have the hunger to want more of your personal company and we are looking to book on the Daytona experience next year - 2012.
Peter & Libby
Brisbane, Australia
Midwest Sturgis Tour 2011
"Living The Dream" Jo and Denny made it happen for me. I was a single woman travelling on my own, Scary stuff, but they are truely an amazing couple with loads of personality and miles under their belts. From landing in San Francisco to the last day in Denver, it was awesome, great accommodation, amazing people, heaps of history and Denny and Jo ....the highlight!
The National Parks are unbelievable, the shopping { being a single woman on my own, that was important } fantastic and I made lifetime biker friends. " LIVING THE DREAM" ...... DO IT !!!!!!!
Shirlie Pullar
Queenstown, NZ
Sturgis Tour 2010