Any US National rally?

[drdwb]

I search the National site, and did couple google and duck duck searches and not seeing any posted info for a Guzzi US National rally for this summer, are they a thing of the past?

[Tom]

For now, it looks like it.  Last one was in NH with Randy Teft sponsoring it.  Huge commitment on your personal finances.  Best you can do is break even.  I flew in from Kona and helped out.  All the bling in the grab bag give-out, caterer, campgrounds deposits.  Loads on your personal funds.  I paid for the rally and volunteered.   

Best you can do is go to a state rally.  WI is good one.  OH, MoKan, GRIT, GRIN etc.  At the GRIN a Moto Guzzi is given away every year.   

[Cam3512]

So true.  Everyone just shows up at a rally, and most have no clue as to what it takes to put one together.  Logistically and financially.  And still there are those that bitch about location, fees, food, etc.  Fact is it’s still an inexpensive weekend regardless.  Then there are the cheapskates trying to get over. “But I’m only here for the day”, or “I’m staying in a hotel” to beat the rally fee, yet they’re first on the food line.  It takes commitment to put one together.  Randy’s (NH) already done two nationals in five years.

[Tom]

Y'ep.  Should've seen his house.  We assembled the goody bags in the living room.  Fortunately he's retired and Natalie supported him.      Job well done and they didn't lose money.

[JJ]

For now, it looks like it.  Last one was in NH with Randy Teft sponsoring it.  Huge commitment on your personal finances.  Best you can do is break even.  I flew in from Kona and helped out.  All the bling in the grab bag give-out, caterer, campgrounds deposits.  Loads on your personal funds.  I paid for the rally and volunteered.   

Best you can do is go to a state rally.  WI is good one.  OH, MoKan, GRIT, GRIN etc.  At the GRIN a Moto Guzzi is given away every year.   

The last National I attended was the one in Malibu, CA, certainly more than 10 years ago!

Tom's right about a personal commitment on one's personal finances... That's why the N.A.R. (Not-A-Rally) theme of Guzzi gatherings became more popular over the years.  People just show up at a hotel / campsite and they are all on their own...

When I was working full-time, I did not care, but now that I am retired, I am on a budget / fixed income...different story...So, now,  no more Cottonwood, AZ...no more Lake Henshaw, CA...etc.   

Thankfully, Matt & friends put on a GREAT annual Guzzi Rally at Datil, NM and it usually draws about 75-80 Guzzi's every year...and YES, they manage to give away a Guzzi to some lucky winner every year!

[Cam3512]

Y'ep.  Should've seen his house.  We assembled the goody bags in the living room.  Fortunately he's retired and Natalie supported him.      Job well done and they didn't lose money.

Truth be told, I go just to hang with Natalie.  Don’t tell Randy, he’s big and sleeveless…

[Chuck in Indiana]

Truth be told, I go just to hang with Natalie.  Don’t tell Randy, he’s big and sleeveless…

[twowheeladdict]

It takes a lot to put on a rally. I have hosted gatherings of up to 10 riders where I had to find the location, plan rides, lunch stops, rain contingencies etc. and that was a lot of effort. Can’t imagine coordinating a National Rally.

I went to the Road Glide national rally in May. After expenses $20,000 was donated to a local charity. Probably 100 companies donated to the raffle with prizes ranging from $10 in value to a couple thousand dollars in value.

This is just for a Road Glide forum. With an attendance of 200 to over 300 bike’s depending on location.

All run by volunteers who put together a presentation and compete to get the rally in their area.

We know two years in advance where it will be so they have the time to work out all the details.

The fact that there are so many regional or state gatherings of Moto Guzzi enthusiasts is very cool. My work schedule is such that I’ve only made one gathering in Kentucky, but it was a blast with a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts to talk to.

When I had a Kawasaki Voyager XII I was in the American Voyager Association and they had regional and national rallies that were enjoyable like a family gathering.

[blackcat]

So true.  Everyone just shows up at a rally, and most have no clue as to what it takes to put one together.  Logistically and financially.  And still there are those that bitch about location, fees, food, etc.  Fact is it’s still an inexpensive weekend regardless.  Then there are the cheapskates trying to get over. “But I’m only here for the day”, or “I’m staying in a hotel” to beat the rally fee, yet they’re first on the food line.  It takes commitment to put one together.  Randy’s (NH) already done two nationals in five years.

Yeah, I remember the NY National about 2002 when some people wrongly claimed that Keith was making money off of the rally.

[Travlr]

  Then there are the cheapskates trying to get over. “But I’m only here for the day”, or “I’m staying in a hotel” to beat the rally fee, yet they’re first on the food line. 

When JJ and I were running the Arizona rally we had a guy show up.  He didn't want to pay a rally fee, he didn't want to pay $5 for the "all you can eat" Friday night pizza dinner.  He asked if he could pay $1, hang around and have 1 slice of pizza.   We were speechless.

Mike

[Scout63]

I stopped at the NH rally for a few hours on my way to VT.  I paid the rally fee and it was so worth it. Great people and great vibes.  I didn’t stay over or eat as I got shy and everyone already seemed to know everyone else.  That was on me though. I didn’t realize how much work it is.

[guzzisteve]

I talked to Wayne about this a few years back. Have a Natl here at TWO camp. Most of the work would be taken care of from the Lodge & grounds, restaurant in Lodge. Lots of room. Bill the owner said 600 would be doable but pretty much max. Line up the extra from normal food to order would have to be set up $$$.
Don't think it'll ever happen. Just pipe dreams to talk about. BUT there is a rally fund set up, just don't know if that would apply.

[DirtFarmer]

How come no mention of Council Grove?

[guzzisteve]

There may not be a KS rally anymore, I thought it stopped.
Edit: Looked Only Mo-Kan  for out there listed.

[Tkelly]

Bobs Rally fund generously supported our last year and this year’s Wisconsin Rally.

[Luap McKeever]

Wish there was one myself. But, I get it. After hosting for 11 years, it always ended up costing me money. The last year we did it, I went under by about $1K.

Sadly, there's very little incentive to do it and with the economy the way it is these days, it would be even more costly to host.

[johnwesley]

How come no mention of Council Grove?

I saw on FB they held the council grove event. I found out too late to attend. Funny thing is I never say it on any of the calendars. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I saw on FB they held the council grove event. I found out too late to attend. Funny thing is I never say it on any of the calendars.

Yeah, that was weird. Invitation only?

[kballowe]

They're on Facebook ?

[Gliderjohn]

There was no mention of CG that I saw on the FB Moto Guzzi owners group.
GliderJohn

[rocker59]

How come no mention of Council Grove?

They had the Council Grove deal last week.  Apparently it's double-secret, by invitation, now.  LOL!

[johnwesley]

They had the Council Grove deal last week.  Apparently it's double-secret, by invitation, now.  LOL!

I saw it on fb and asked if it was invitational only. They said no open to all who wanted to come. Maybe next year

[Tom]

I stopped at the NH rally for a few hours on my way to VT.  I paid the rally fee and it was so worth it. Great people and great vibes.  I didn’t stay over or eat as I got shy and everyone already seemed to know everyone else.  That was on me though. I didn’t realize how much work it is.

I met you.  😊  We had a nice visit.  You did some nice work on that bike of yours.

Randy let me use his Cal 1400 Audace.  Fun bike.  I flew into Logan and he picked me up.