2018 Moto Guzzi National Rally

[bettythebear]

The FB event has listed the MGNOC as one of their sponsors.

[EldoMike]

I know this has been argued before but how can a meet be called a "National" when it is in a far corner of the country?

[bad Chad]

Doesn't sponsorship imply financial support?   That alone should tell you it's a hoax!

[travelingbyguzzi]

Opinions from Seattle:
I wish I could say I am excited by this, but I am not optimistic for a number of reasons.
It may not be bad, but it may be very different from Nationals in the past.
For starters, calling it a National doesn't make it so, even tho it supposedly has Frank's blessing. We have a new guy up here -Ty Moore- who seems to like organizing and posting on social media who has agreed to maybe, kinda fill in the gap left by the Guthrie's departure.
As far as I can tell, he has never been to a Guzzi rally or campout. There is NO tent camping at the site. He is trying to come up with a location for that.
Only a weekend event instead of the usual Thursday thru Sunday.
I am not crazy about the location.It is at the edge of a big city and not a lot of great riding right out of the parking lot. Your great riding will have to be on the way to and from.
Having said that, I know he is working closely with the Guthries, who will give lots of guidance and suggestions.
But, hey, don't let my gloom and doom keep you away; I have some personal issues bringing me down. I haven't been on here much, but thought y'all might like some info closer to the source.

Bill Lovelady      IS
eskimo Spy

[ChuckH]

Not for me.  My '18 Riding Calendar has me at the ROK Beemer rally in Del Rio, TN the prior weekend and the Western NY Guzzi rally in Westfield, NY the following weekend.

[Lannis]

I know this has been argued before but how can a meet be called a "National" when it is in a far corner of the country?

Been like that for many a year.    Alternating between the East Coast (New Hampshire, Virginia, etc), the Middle (Iowa) and the West Coast (California, Oregon) on successive years so that at least some folks don't have to ride thousands of miles to experience a National.

Lannis

[oldbike54]

Not for me.  My '18 Riding Calendar has me at the ROK Beemer rally in Del Rio, TN the prior weekend and the Western NY Guzzi rally in Westfield, NY the following weekend.

 Chuck , how about CV , are you bringing Nick along again ?

 Dusty

[ChuckH]

Chuck , how about CV , are you bringing Nick along again ?   Dusty 

I don't know, haven't seen or heard from Nick since the WV Rally late last month.  It's a long way for him -- he's 675 miles from my house and then another 700 miles for us to get to CV.  Plus, early May is still a long way into the future.  A lot can happen between now and then. 

Edit:  One thing that's interesting about me going to CV.  My wife does a lot of genealogy work and is now studying my paternal grandmother's ancestry line.  She recently located a lady in Bartlesville, OK (only about 60 miles from CV) who is my third cousin, once removed.  A side trip would allow me to meet her.

A similar thing happened on the way to the MN Guzzi rally last summer.  I met another third cousin, once removed from the same ancestry line in northern Wisconsin.  Interesting stuff.

[Sheepdog]

I made that trip several times by car and by bike. It took 5 1/2 days to get there by motorcycle and 4 days by car. I only make road trips that far for my grandkids...

On the other hand, my grandkids are in Western Idaho...

[LowRyter]

It would be nice if we had a place in the center of the US that had some scenery and great riding.  WOW, what about Arkansas? 

Too bad we got no one in Arkansas to host something in the Ozarks.  Oh my.  Does anyone know anyone in the OZzarks?   Ya know, like Fayetteville, Rogers, Eureka, Harrison, Jasper area? 

I wonder if there are any lakes with campsites.   Anyone know if Bull Shoals, Beaver, Table Rock lakes have any campsites?   I am not sure Arkansas has any state parks either. 

[Arizona Wayne]

In the past there have been 2 MGNOC Nationals in the Seattle area since I've been part of the MGNOC and both of them had about 300 participants. Whereas 2 Nationals in Iowa got 500 participants.  When the MGNOC first started in the `70's it's my understanding there were only rallies in Kansas.  In norCal there was a National that got 400+ participants in `01.
State rallies are just like a National, just fewer participants and closer to your home if that matters to you.  MGNOC is 1 of the only MC clubs I know of that allows non-members to attend their rallies so be happy for that. 

[Luap McKeever]

Not going to make it due to being too close to a city, although it is only 2000 miles one way and I could knock Montana, Idaho, Washington (way up) and Oregon then Wyoming (way back) off of my Guzzi map.

I am planning on taking a nice long trip alone next year, just don't know when/where yet.

[Arizona Wayne]

Not going to make it due to being too close to a city, although it is only 2000 miles one way and I could knock Montana, Idaho, Washington (way up) and Oregon then Wyoming (way back) off of my Guzzi map.

I am planning on taking a nice long trip alone next year, just don't know when/where yet.

I'm with you on this, Luap.  No way would I ride into a big city to a rally.   We are not alone on this. 

[JJ]

Opinions from Seattle:
I wish I could say I am excited by this, but I am not optimistic for a number of reasons.
It may not be bad, but it may be very different from Nationals in the past.
For starters, calling it a National doesn't make it so, even tho it supposedly has Frank's blessing. We have a new guy up here -Ty Moore- who seems to like organizing and posting on social media who has agreed to maybe, kinda fill in the gap left by the Guthrie's departure.
As far as I can tell, he has never been to a Guzzi rally or campout. There is NO tent camping at the site. He is trying to come up with a location for that.
Only a weekend event instead of the usual Thursday thru Sunday.
I am not crazy about the location.It is at the edge of a big city and not a lot of great riding right out of the parking lot. Your great riding will have to be on the way to and from.
Having said that, I know he is working closely with the Guthries, who will give lots of guidance and suggestions.
But, hey, don't let my gloom and doom keep you away; I have some personal issues bringing me down. I haven't been on here much, but thought y'all might like some info closer to the source.

Bill Lovelady      IS
eskimo Spy

1400 miles for me, one way...June is a nice time of year in Seattle...but we will see.

But I agree with several others, a National should be out in the country like  Cedar Vale, Kansas, or some place similar.

[kidsmoke]

inneresting

http://www.guzzifest.com/

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A Guzzi National at a brewery... 

[JJ]

A Guzzi National at a brewery... 

 

[Arizona Wayne]

I'll tell you right now..........early June in Seattle is good timing for a wet(drizzle) Rally.    Instead of NW, why doesn't it say PNW? 

[travelingbyguzzi]

It will be a warm rain, tho.

[oldbike54]

It will be a warm rain, tho.

 Sounds like the Okie ...

 Morning Bill .

 Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

It will be a warm rain, tho.

They call it liquid sunshine up there.     But Hawaiis version is warmer. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

Why would it be two years in a row same area?


I'm not complaining mind, just a day trip

[Tom]

It wasn't.  New Hampshire separated them.  No one else wanted to sponsor it for the years that they did it.  There are no funds excess or otherwise.  The sponsors foot everything out of their own pockets and hope to break even.  The National consumes a lot of personal time planning and executing.  Ask the guys in Canada.  There is not guarantee of participants.  There is also people trying to sneak in under all different guises. eg. They want to camp there but don't want the meals.  A day pass.  They want the meals but not camp.  They only want to visit plus people trying to sneak in for the meals.  They want that portion discounted from the tickets.  "How come there's no vegetarian meals?"  "Why isn't it down the street from me?"  "Why isn't it in Florida?" etc.  Yada, Yada.....
Want some "whine" with that?? 

No matter where it's in the U.S., the MGNOC National Rally will be a regional rally.  Not everyone will come.  The U.S. is a large country.  When it was held in Kansas or Iowa, the majority of people that showed were within a day's ride.  E, W, N or S.

[groundhog105]

I would love to go but I’m starting the 4 corners the US tour that week.  There is a tremendous amount of great riding between So Cal and Seattle.

[Tom]

"Not set in stone" yet.  Good luck with your ride.

[Matteo]

It�s listed as a go in the new MGNOC newsletter .

[Tom]

Short ride for you.    A little longer for me.

[Cross-tie Walker]

Its only about 20 miles for me (as the goose flies) but I seriously doubt if I want to hassle Seattle/Woodinville traffic for a 1 day event with camping in a totally different area. I understand it is more of an "Italian" day also with cars etc.
I hope the future brings the WA and OR folks together again and perhaps a joint event at the John Day fairgrounds again. Awesome riding to, from and around that area.
That being said, The Guthrie's did a fantastic job in their time at the helm of the WA club and all good things come to an end. We will always have great memories of all the events they sponsored as well as The Jenkins from the OR club, most times it seemed like we were all just one club. It will take some time to rebuild, but with all the close friends we have made in association with Moto Guzzi...we will always be family, and look forward to continuing the friendships.

[Matteo]

Short ride for you.    A little longer for me.

Maybe I’ll take the moped, should take me all day.
Now how to pack🤔

[Tom]

That should be more fun than you can shake a stick at.