Back in 2020, after celebrating 25 years of spreading motorcyle touring happiness, we brought together our motorcyle tour businesses under one umbrella – Orange & Black. You may have known us previously as either H-C Travel, running motorcyle tours worldwide or as Orange & Black – Harley-Davidson UK’s authorised tours specialist to the USA and Canada. Either way you have come to the right place if you are looking for a motorcycle tour or rental anywhere in the world! So whatever your travel plans, take advantage of our great service and unrivalled experience in international motorcycle travel when organising your (next) holiday of a lifetime!
About
Orange & Black offer motorcycle tours and motorcycle hire in many destinations around the world. Whatever your experience, whatever you want, and whatever your budget, we have something for you. From riding Route 66 on a Harley, climbing the highest pass in the Himalayas on an Enfield, offroading in Thailand, and adventure tours to the sublime roads in New Zealand. We do it all and a lot more besides.
Our approach is personal – friendly yet professional – and all of our holidays are covered legally and financially by our TTA membership and ATOL licence. Our motorcycles are locally registered and insured. Our guides are all experienced and live locally. They really do know the area, the roads, the people, and the sights – to help you get the most out of your holiday. And as a professional travel company, we of course arrange flights and can make other travel arrangements for you. We take the work out of your holiday!
Road, adventure or offroad, hire only, self-guided or fully supported guided tours, it’s all here. And it is all backed by over 25 years of experience. As one of our longest standing and regular customers, Ross, says ‘I ride with [Orange & Black] because I know I can trust them’.
Our Credentials
We have worked with many of our overseas partners since our inception and the bond of trust that has grown up over the years works directly to benefit you, our customers. You can be sure of professional levels of service and customer care, professional accreditation and financial prudence, and the benefits of our experience throughout the planning, booking and taking of your dream holiday. People book with us year after year because, in their own words, they ‘trust’ us.
We never forget that your money and your health are more important than a quick buck. Nothing demonstrates more clearly our attitude towards our customers than our approach to protecting you legally and financially. Yes it is boring, but so is sitting at home when someone’s stolen your money. As a member of the Travel Trust Association, we offer 100% guaranteed financial protection for your holiday money – it is held in an independently controlled client account, backed by insurance against fraud and theft, until your holiday is completed. (If you book with an overseas operator, or even some UK operators, you may find you have no financial or legal protection whatsoever! US companies are often explicit in telling you that you will never see your money again under any circumstances.) We also hold an ATOL licence allowing us to arrange that all-important part of your holiday, the flights, and have contracts with a number of other specialist UK travel companies to make sure we can arrange just about anything for your holiday. What we can say with certainty is that no other tour operator, of any size, anywhere in the world, offers you more financial and legal protection than Orange & Black.
Orange & Black is based in Overton, Hampshire, with our overseas partners in each country. You are more than welcome to come and visit us to discuss your holiday plans any time!
Useful Links
We have gathered a selection of our favourite links to useful sites in preparation for your travel and motorcycle touring. (There are also country specific useful links at the bottom of each of our destination pages):
BikersTravelinsurance Our website where you can find information about the travel insurance provided by Voyager Insurance Services Ltd , so that you can cover your motorcycle touring holiday.
UK Government travel advice The latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Travel Trust Association Travel Trust Association protects you, our customer, with 100% financial protection
ATOL ATOL protection for your Peace of Mind
Bikers Advice Just that!
Resolving a Flight Complaint CAA website Information for your journey and advice on dealing with travel related problems
FairFX Foreign Currency Card secure pre-paid chip and pin cards that can be topped up online from your bank account. Use promo code: 0(zero)nozc
Harley-Davidson Our favourite US motorcycle company’s UK website!
Customer Testimonials
Thanks for sorting a BRILLIANT trip! It was a fantastic holiday where you delivered all I asked – (thanks for sorting things like the insurance). You delivered everything I wanted from a trip I’d first conceived around 15 years ago. I cannot wait to do it again!
Booking was seamless and hassle-free, nothing was too much trouble. On the tour, the team was outstanding. They were professional and at the same time they brought energy to the group with lots of laughter. Our group got on great together. Everything from flights, transfers, shuttle services to the accommodation was on the dot. We’ve completed 10 other tours in Europe but this Orange & Black tour was extra special. We’ll come to you first for our next tour!
Words cannot explain the customer service we received from (guides) Marc and Eric. They took care of us every step of the way…. Truly an incredible experience!!
His (Gary’s) leadership skills are of the highest standard, he’s great on the open road and totally consistent. Bear and Mark, we are both sure, went over and above their ‘its my job’ requirement and we would both like to thank them very much. What an interesting holiday.
The tour leader and back up had everything on the trip planned out and organised in advance. The whole trip ran like clockwork.
We went on this ride of a lifetime (Route 66) with Gary and our son/daughter-in-law and had an amazing time. Anyone taking this tour will be blown away Gary knows all the secrets of Route 66. Good and safe riding throughout.
David Grist
David Grist
Company DirectorDavid has a degree in, of all things, Marine Zoology, from UCNW Bangor. It was there he first got seriously interested in bikes and quickly learnt wet weather braking and the benefits of avoiding dry stone walls! After an initial career in book publishing, David got struck by a bright idea, and that was the start of H-C Travel and then Orange & Black. His real motorcycle passion is – noise, smoke and the occasional twitch in the backside – Kawasaki triples. David owns among others a 1975 H2C 750 which gave the company its name. His favourite destinations? Anywhere – as long as it is on a bike. The Rockies, South Africa and India stand out as highlights. Since 1994 he’s been solidly focussed on providing riders and travellers with nothing-but-the-best experiences, right from their first enquiry. You’ll find he’s the wizard behind the scenes if you want to travel more than on a yellow brick road and explore what’s in your imagination.
Gary 'Bear' Fleshman
Gary ‘Bear’ Fleshman
COO H-C Travel Inc, Tour Guide
‘Bear’ heads up H-C Travel Inc, our American subsidiary that takes care of ground arrangements for our guided USA and Canada tours. He has guided Route 66 motorcycle tours probably more times than any other guide and is a recognised Route 66 expert. Having organised and guided motorcycle tours for over 15 years, he understands the importance of excellent ground arrangements and is a master at helping you get the most out of your Orange & Black motorcycle tour.Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh
Commercial Manager
Dave comes from a customer service and sales background. He lived in Italy and ran his own motorcycle touring business before returning to England and joining the team at Orange & Black. His most epic motorcycle journey was in 2000 when he rode from New Orleans to San Francisco, stopping in Las Vegas to marry his girlfriend who was riding with him!Alex Dubonos
Alex Dubonos
Tour Manager
Alex is from the Ukraine and manages our tour programme. He brings a fresh look to the job and likes to know that you are getting good value for money. Alex has worked in the travel industry for 15 years and has travelled to many parts of the world but there is still a lot he would like to do, places he’d like to visit and people to meet. Alex is always happy to share his knowledge, experience and passion for travel and be your guide to the world. Favourite destinations are Italy and Thailand.Beth Wilkes
Beth Wilkes
Office Coordinator
Beth is our Office Coordinator and she works behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of your booking runs smoothly – everything from answering your questions to sending out your personalised roadbook! Beth comes from a sales & marketing background and brings loads of experience and ideas to the team. She has a passion for travel, having backpacked for months through all of Africa and Central & South America. Now, with three young kids, her adventures are a bit closer to home, but she still loves helping others plan theirs!Emily Lacey
Emily Lacey
Travel Advisor
Emily is our in-house travel advisor, in charge of planning trips for holiday makers. Whether you’re a rider looking for a non-riding holiday or not a rider at all, with 15 years of industry experience and extensive personal travel experience, she can help with off-the-bike, on-the-beach or go-anywhere travel requests. Having travelled to 6 out of 7 continents (with plans to complete the set in 2027), her knowledge is vast. Her best recommendations are Machu Picchu in Peru for a “wow” moment or Japan/South Korea for cultural immersion. Whether it’s a cruise, long-haul destination or a tailor-made itinerary you’re after – she can help you plan your escape!Alison Harrison
Alison Harrison
Accountant
Alison is our number cruncher, helping keep us on track financially-speaking for both our motorcycle tours and travel agency business! She enjoys cycling and loves travelling to Menorca to tackle the mountains on her bike. She also likes to visit and explore new destinations with her family.
Ask a Question?
Please call us on 01256 771770 or email us using the form below:
Please be sure to include your phone number when you make an online enquiry. We endeavour to respond within 24 hrs, except on Sundays. If you don’t receive an e-mail or a call from us please give us a call and the opportunity to provide you a more personal service. It’s our specialty!