IPA SLOVAKIA MOTORCYCLE MEETING - ZERRENPACH LÁTKY 4TH -7TH SEPTEMBER 2025
Late in 2024 I became aware of a motorcycle meeting being arranged by IPA Slovakia in Látky, at the Hotel Zerrenpach from the 4th to the 7th September 2025. A price of 295€ per person for accommodation and food seemed very reasonable.
Never having visited Slovakia before, but being keen motorcyclists, my wife (Lou) and I discussed the possibility of going and soon decided this was a trip not to be missed.
Reservations were made and a trip was planned from our home in Alsace, Eastern France, where we have lived for many years. Despite living in France, I have retained my membership of the UK IPA section, and belong to the UK IPA Motorcycle SIG.
On Tuesday 2nd September we set off, me on my BMW R1250 GSA and Lou on her BMW R1200 RS. With overnight stops near Munich and Vienna, we duly arrived at the venue on the afternoon of Thursday 4th. Just before reaching the venue, we refuelled and met up with 3 French colleagues who were also attending the meeting (Christophe, Sandrine and Patrick). The weather had been kind on the trip, and a mixture of Autobahn and country roads had made for an enjoyable journey.
By the number of bikes already in the car park at the time of our arrival, and the steady flow afterwards, this was obviously going to be a big meeting. It was later estimated that over 100 bikes attended with more than 140 participants.
Once refreshed, it was time to have a beer (or two) and start mixing with other members. By looking around the car park at the bikes, it was apparent that IPA members from Spain, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary (and possibly some I’ve missed) were present. Fortunately, English was widely spoken so communication was not a problem.
At the evening meal, which was typical Slovakian cuisine, Mgr. Richard KADNÁR, President Slovak section IPA welcomed us all and ran through the programme for the weekend. It was stressed that the organised rides out on Friday and Saturday would depart at 08.30 hrs prompt, so breakfast would be from 07.00 hrs (no chance of a lie in then!!).
Following an enjoyable evening it was off to bed and a good night’s sleep. It was mentioned that in Slovakia the drink/drive alcohol level is zero, so this had to be borne in mind when consuming alcohol in the evening.
Following a lovely breakfast with copious quantities of Slovakian food (Lou especially liked the spicy beans, complete with paprika and chopped sausages, which we called “Cowboy Beans” from the film Blazing Saddles), we were off, bang on 08.30hrs, with a Police Escort (2 bikes and a pilot car) assisted by Slovakian IPA outriders. The escort was definitely needed as getting the huge number of bikes through junctions and towns in one complete group was no mean feat. Many locals lined the streets and waved at what must have been a truly spectacular sight. We had a coffee stop mid-morning and saw some lovely scenery on our 130 km morning ride before reaching our lunch venue. A surprise was that lunch was all laid on and included in the price of the weekend. After lunch, time for a walk around to get a bit of exercise before continuing on the afternoon ride of 135 km (also with a stop mid-way).
Following our return to the hotel, time for a shower, change of clothing and then more socialising and eating !!
Once again, at 08.30 hrs Saturday morning we were off, still with our Police Escort. First stop was the Slovak National Uprising Museum, where we were given a very interesting talk (in English) about life in the region under the Nazi regime and afterwards.
Our 165 km morning ride once again finished with a lunch (also included in the price of the meeting) before a more leisurely 90 km ride back to the hotel.
Before the evening meal, presentations were made to and from each participating country and other gifts were exchanged between groups. One gift received from the Slovakian IPA was very interesting, a hunting knife engraved by the Slovak IPA. Bet you wouldn’t get that at a UK IPA meeting !! Best keep that safe at home.
On Sunday morning breakfast was slightly later and then it was time for everyone to go their separate ways. Goodbyes were said and off we all went.
It was mentioned that in 2026 another similar meeting was being planned, maybe in North Macedonia and that information would be sent out in due course.
It had been a truly fantastic weekend which was very well organised, a superb service being provided by the Slovakian Police escort and IPA outriders with wonderful roads and scenery and a great venue with lovely food and a great atmosphere living up to the traditions of the IPA.
For Lou and me it was now time for a bit of a slow ride back home. Firstly, we passed through Hungary, stopping overnight near Lake Balaton (a late change of hotel being required as the original hotel rang us the day before to say they had suffered a serious fire, and the hotel was not able to take guests. But a very nice replacement was sourced quickly).
One incident on route to the hotel amused us. The roads in Hungary are generally OK and quiet, so we were enjoying our ride but at one point we were being pushed by an HGV, which we rode away from on the open roads, but in the frequent villages where the limit was 50km he closed right up behind us as he was not complying with the lower speed limit. Eventually, on a long stretch going out of town, but still in a 50 km zone, he went past us and drove away. On the approach to the next village the 50 km limit started quite a way back and a headlamp flash from an oncoming car was sufficient warning to be extra careful. And what a surprise, there was the truck pulled in at the side of the road, with a local Police Officer showing him a handheld radar. Summary justice and as an ex-Traffic Officer it was very satisfying to see.
After Hungary we passed through Slovenia into Italy where we spent 4 nights at 2 locations. Here we encountered our only rainy day of the whole tour but fortunately we had a cunning plan. Being quite near Venice and never having been there before, we were able to take the train to the city and spent the day sightseeing. Apart from the usual tourist locations, one unusual sight caught our eye. There is actually a prison on the island, and all prisoners are transported to and from by a fleet of Prison boats. As we were walking by one inmate arrived (obviously not too major a criminal as he was not in handcuffs) and a second departed (this one was in cuffs).
For some time, we had been thinking about buying motorcycle airbags, but it was difficult to decide what model/make to buy in order to get the best protection and comfort. After much research we settled on an Italian made product which met our needs, but which was generally not easily available outside Italy. As luck would have it, quite close to where we were staying there was a supplier of said product, so we popped along to have a look. During the IPA weekend we had chatted to a couple of Italians who were wearing the airbag vest and got their opinions. The result was that we bought one each and wore them for the rest of the trip. On the downside, they are a little weighty (our models have 2 gas cylinders, one front and one back, which adds to the weight) and in very hot weather they will restrict airflow to the chest area. But on the upside, they offer good protection in the event of an accident (hopefully we will never put this to the test) and in the event of an accidental activation (i.e. forgetting to unclip and walking away from the bike) the gas cylinders can be changed without sending the vest back to the manufacturer. For obvious reasons I won’t name the manufacturer, but a very good YouTube video which analyses various airbags can be viewed and you will soon see the product I am referring to.
Our final part of the trip took us up to Austria via the Brenner Pass with an overnight stop in Bavaria before the final day back home.
A great trip with some fantastic roads to ride, lovely scenery, good weather and a chance to meet new IPA friends from many different countries. We are waiting now to see what is planned for 2026.
Bob Blake, 7 Region, Hampshire Branch