For those of us in the Southwest, Aug 18-21, 2016 - 25th NEW MEXICO RALLY

[Arizona Wayne]

So did you stop in Winslow to stand on a corner?  What was the custom MG bike that Matt raffled off?

It was a blue 850T that's now a 950T w/custom seat.    Whizzed right by Winslow but did sing the song as I went by. 

[Tom]

Standard with larger cylinders or made into a bobber/cafe style bike?

[Arizona Wayne]

Standard with larger cylinders or made into a bobber/cafe style bike?

It is a std. 950T  with ma/pa bucket seat?  Can't remember exactly what you call that touring seat anymore.  Or did it have a long brown seat?  I smacked my head @ the motel in Springerville the night before I got to the rally so maybe my memory is suspect.    The hospital asked me if I wanted stitches or glue to stop the bleeding?     I opted for glue.

[Arizona Wayne]

Standard with larger cylinders or made into a bobber/cafe style bike?

JJ has a pic of it (4th down) in the right column of pics he posted here. 

[JJ]

Standard with larger cylinders or made into a bobber/cafe style bike?

This was the raffle bike...all good except the SEAT   But I am sure the young lady who won it was very happy!!

[Tom]

COOL!  Knowing Matt.  Must be a good running bike too.    The seat looks funky but it probably rides better than the oem one.

[rboe]

the seat was made for me so I was hoping to win it. 

Sounds like ArizonaWayne ran into a buddy of mine over lunch in Holbrook. Small world at times.

When I left on Sunday, just before 6am the bike said it was 43 degrees - and I think Saturday night was warmer than Friday night. I needed the sleeping bag to stay warm.

According to some, the rally used to get well over a hundred (do we have a historian here?), then fell on "lean times" but Matt has been building it up gradually over the past several years. Those of us in Arizona have been bringing in some new blood, some even ride Guzzi's! If we can continue to bring in new blood (and Guzzi makes desireable bikes) the rally will be OK.

[Tom]

Do you know if Fay and Richard from PHX showed up?  She's on an Indian Scout maroon.  He's on a CAL 1400 Touring white.

[Dharma Bum]

They certainly were!

[Tom]

Thanks.

[Arizona Wayne]

the seat was made for me so I was hoping to win it. 

Sounds like Arizona Wayne ran into a buddy of mine over lunch in Holbrook. Small world at times.

When I left on Sunday, just before 6am the bike said it was 43 degrees - and I think Saturday night was warmer than Friday night. I needed the sleeping bag to stay warm.


Yeah, I stopped for a late brunch @ Holbrook Burger King and saw a guy w/a unique small trailer behind their PU truck.   I talked to him about it and we got to talking.  He saw I was on a Guzzi and mentioned knowing some guy named Rboe.  I said I knew of him too, but I can't put a face with that name. 

According to some, the rally used to get well over a hundred (do we have a historian here?), then fell on "lean times" but Matt has been building it up gradually over the past several years. Those of us in Arizona have been bringing in some new blood, some even ride Guzzi's! If we can continue to bring in new blood (and Guzzi makes desireable bikes) the rally will be OK.

I've been coming to the Datil Rally since `01 and all I remember is about 45-50 Guzzisti showing up.  So to me 89 is a new high mark.      I mean faras I know all the earlier rallies were in the upper BLM campground with primitive amenities compared to what we have now.  + Matt Forslund does 1 heck of a job especially for what he charges us to be there.   

[Tom]

Have never been to the rally but what little I know of Matt, his dogs and trailer plus giving away a bike at the rally. 

[rboe]

My forth one I think. Matt does it up right (along with his right hand man Stephan Byarlay). Lot's of interesting roads and sites to check out too. The last two years I've taken to the dirt roads near Datil to check out the back country. May have to truck my XR650L over there some year.

About 8 miles west of Datil there is a Elk Crossing sign and Sunday morning, right after the sign were about 12-20 elk on and on both sides of the road. Saw two deer and two fox (or coyotes) in the same area on Saturday.

[azguzzirep]

Hey! I see Concrete Dick and Jim McDermott. Is that jim Knaup with the long white beard?

I've been several times to the Datil rally and though not large was always well attended. I remember Frank Wedge being there, and of course J.N. The Netherlands Guzzi club was there once. I took a few out pistol shooting. Matt was just getting started with his shop. Cynthia was the 'Hostess with the Mostest'. Nolan Woodbury was shooting pics for the MGNOC new and Jim Knaupp was selling some new and used parts.

Tons of fun!

Tom

[rboe]

I have not seen Jim Knapp there since I've been going.

[JJ]

I have not seen Jim Knapp there since I've been going.

Same for me... - - and also a no show for our annual first weekend in May "Gathering of Eagles" N.A.R. for the last 5 years...(???)