our riviera story
Memories. Experiences. Friendships.
Hello and welcome to Riviera
A Riviera motorcycle journey is not for everyone. In fact, most people will not want to, or wish to, make the grade, because we specifically made Riviera for seasoned riders who live and love motorcycles and the open road; for those who ride at every available moment, who probably also collect motorcycles the way others collect watches and art, and in particular for those who can afford to slow down and take fourteen days off to enjoy motorcycling through the best of Europe with us.
That is why Riviera journeys are purposely exclusive, run only twice a year, and that participation is by invitation only, because there are not many who fit this bill anyway. If all this makes perfect sense to you, that a long day on the open road with equally committed, time rich, experienced, passionate riders does more to reset the mind than yoga ever could, then you may already consider yourself a Riviera candidate.
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And for the record, we did try yoga once. Only once though. The mat came out, inner calm was attempted, and before it had time to lie flat we were already outside, helmet in hand, wondering why any sane adult would sit on the floor when there were serious motorcycles and willing riders nearby.
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So who are we, these Riviera folks you might reasonably ask at this point. Well, we are Chris Schweizer, one of Switzerland’s leading biker figures and motorcycle show impresario; artist and bespoke motorbike apparel designer David Little, who we are told was born on a bike; Ali Al Dhaher, a private banker turned media guru and dedicated asphalt lover; and me, yours truly, a media head whose first road trip was made on a 50cc Yamaha across Europe at the age of fifteen.
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Summed up, together we are what people like to call serial entrepreneurs, united by a lifelong affinity for fossil fuelled motorised transport and, above all, by the freedom and clarity that only a proper road journey can deliver. Between us we have accumulated more than one hundred years of riding some of the most spectacular routes within the universal rider’s dream triangle spanning the three adjoining corners of Switzerland, Italy, and France. Routes and places we finally decided to share with like minded riders in a tightly curated group.​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Ultimately, our mission is that Riviera will remain one of the fondest memories of your riding life, and one we will ensure you can always revisit. Because while Riviera is intentionally private, with no social media channels, with the ethos that what happens on a Riviera journey generally stays within the group, the entire experience is nevertheless fully documented by our accompanying film crew who produce a carefully crafted mini feature film and stills for each rider to treasure.
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That is Riviera in a nutshell. Proper serious riding during the day, with everything else in place to make it possible.
Which leaves only one question. Are you ready to join Riviera?
Best wishes, Darryl von Däniken, Co-Founder of Riviera
​And curated groups are the key to our whole idea, which is why a Riviera group is kept deliberately small and by invitation only. We take time to scout for ten, occasionally twelve, carefully appraised riders to achieve the right group balance, whom we deem perfect to belong together without effort. That said, we may also consider a pre defined group by an interested party if it feels right, because known groups almost always work best together, the hallmark of motorcycle camaraderie. Either way, the individuals who pass the Riviera mark will share a great deal in common, including an inherent sense of responsibility, independence, and by default, success. Nobody will need long introductions, because the common bond of a love for motorcycles and the open road will be immediately obvious.
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So yes, Riviera is a proper motorbike road trip, created by proper riders. And here is the really good news. There is no notion that living out of two panniers the size of snack boxes is a noble way for an adult to enjoy a road trip. Nor will you be manoeuvring over awkward panniers when mounting or dismounting. Nor will you ever find yourself kneeling in the rain, fiddling in a fuse box with cold fingers and a head torch, questioning your life choices. And when an Alpine storm rolls in and the road turns dark and shiny and leaves you soaked to the knees, you’ll be taking it head on with gusto, and not be dreading an equally damp night at the end of the day, because all that sort of nonsense has been beautifully engineered out entirely in a Riviera journey.
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Yes, all this makes Riviera one hundred percent unapologetically, a fair weather rider’s dream, delivering all the road and grit during the day and more comfort than any rider could wish for at night. Why? Because Riviera is Swiss owned and managed, and it runs with the same calm and meticulous precision reserved for handcrafted timepieces. Call it an on-call 24/7 concierge service on two wheels, where all routes have been thoroughly scouted; dramatic stops pinned; lunches and fine dining arranged; an illustrious line up of five star hotels, many historic legends, pre booked; personal effects and luggage ready waiting in your room at the end of each day’s ride; full technical support and spare motorcycles close at hand; discreet security where it should be; and of course us, Chris, David, Ali and myself, your hosts, leading from the front and bringing up the rear. Perfect!
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And on the subject of engineering, we have kept the very best news ‘till last, namely the two wheeled machine you will be captaining through Europe during this fourteen day journey. The Ducati Multistrada V4. One hundred and seventy horsepower strong. Some say it is less a motorcycle and more a flying carpet that has had an enthusiastic relationship with a Range Rover and a Benz GT63, fitted with an alarming amount of technology. In short, you will love it.
Riviera Journeys is a curated, application-only motorcycle experience across Switzerland, Italy and the French Riviera, limited to 10 riders.