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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: travelingbyguzzi on February 08, 2023, 01:43:48 PM

Title: And so it begins
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on February 08, 2023, 01:43:48 PM
I have said for many years that once I retired, that I was going to do a 49-state Summer.
I am currently in Arkansas packing my saddlebags for a 3-week trip to Sunny Florida. Along with Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia
This is MY Summer. The Summer of '23.
I am gonna do what I am gonna do, but what does the hive think? .I have no intention of spending a night in Rhode Island. Surely visiting a brewery in RI is enough.
Expect to see me a lot in the MidWest this Summer, something Cookie and I always wanted to do.
Updates will follow.


Bill Lovelady         IS
Eskimo Spy
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: fotoguzzi on February 08, 2023, 02:33:21 PM
Don’t miss Lake Superior.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/All/i-HsRpDQn/0/d5ba44ce/M/IMG_1209-M.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/All/i-HsRpDQn/A)

High Falls, Pigeon river, the fall on right is Canada the one on left is US

 (https://photos.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-HpqRcms/0/982922a7/M/IMG_0135-M.jpg) (https://fotoguzzi.smugmug.com/Guzzi/i-HpqRcms/A)
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Ncdan on February 08, 2023, 02:37:16 PM
When you get to NC and would like some assistance maneuvering the great smoky mountains, give me a holler 👍
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: pressureangle on February 08, 2023, 02:39:38 PM
I took 2 months to ride a couple years ago. You'll never regret it.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on February 08, 2023, 06:17:11 PM
Attaboy, Bill.  :thumb: Strangely enough, I've ridden all the states *except* R.I. myself. You'll be one ahead of me. :grin:
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Bulldog9 on February 08, 2023, 06:41:03 PM
I have said for many years that once I retired, that I was going to do a 49-state Summer.
I am currently in Arkansas packing my saddlebags for a 3-week trip to Sunny Florida. Along with Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia
This is MY Summer. The Summer of '23.
I am gonna do what I am gonna do, but what does the hive think? .I have no intention of spending a night in Rhode Island. Surely visiting a brewery in RI is enough.
Expect to see me a lot in the MidWest this Summer, something Cookie and I always wanted to do.
Updates will follow.


Bill Lovelady         IS
Eskimo Spy

Good for you! I'm starting to plan my post retirement trip in 2025 and will be taking notes!  If you go through Fort Knox/Louisville KY give me a shout out.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Texas Turnip on February 08, 2023, 07:02:18 PM
That is good news Bill as I've known more than one person that was going to work that extra five years and then his wife has a stroke and he is sucking air thru a tube, but they got a big bank account.
It is a good feeling to get 49 states. Glad I did in when I did while I could.

Check out the IronButtRiders where some do the 49 in 10 days or less. Not for me but what sense does it make for me to be critical?

Enjoy,
Tex
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Guzzistajohn on February 08, 2023, 08:11:50 PM
Have a safe trip and have fun Bill! You earned it! Stop by if you're running 44!
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Scout63 on February 08, 2023, 09:13:52 PM
Bravo Bill. Don’t be shy about visiting coastal Rhode Island. It really is beautiful. Sort of rocky like Maine with more Italians and thus wonderful restaurants. I’m with you in spirit, as I’m sure are many others here.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: s1120 on February 09, 2023, 06:11:00 AM
Have a fun trip!!  All my riding has been in upstate NY, and western Mass, and I do recommend it highly. Some amazing roads around when you get up this way.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: bobrebos1 on February 09, 2023, 06:21:55 AM
Have a great trip!  If you are in Chattanooga Tn general area ever and need anything on the trip let me know and I would try to assist!
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: e.cleven on February 09, 2023, 06:33:15 AM
Hope you have safe travels. If you are traveling near Port Charlotte Fl. shoot me a message.
Enjoy and good luck.

Earl.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: sign216 on February 09, 2023, 07:01:04 AM
At first blush a 49 state ride has an appeal.  Then I remember those big, empty, mid-west and western states. 

Idk, you may be a better man than I.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: vintagehoarder on February 09, 2023, 07:06:46 AM
I'll be your Louisville KY or central Key connection!  PM me and I send you my contact info.

Congratulations on retirement!!  Have fun, pulling the plug on work in Spetember myself, don't know about the 49, but I am fianlly going to do some real riding!!!
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: PeteS on February 09, 2023, 07:27:24 AM
Every state has its appeal. Just stick to blue highways. Check out Twisted Throttle while in Rhode Island. Worth the stop.
I have been to 49 but still missing Mississippi. That trip diverted due the Katrina.

Pete
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: ccoli on February 09, 2023, 10:01:19 AM
Rhode Island was my 50th State to ride a Moto Guzzi in. 49 on my own bike, Hawaii I was lucky enough to borrow one.
Enjoy the ride! When you get to Wisconsin, certainly get in touch.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Texas Turnip on February 09, 2023, 01:25:25 PM
At first blush a 49 state ride has an appeal.  Then I remember those big, empty, mid-west and western states. 

Idk, you may be a better man than I.

OK name some of the "big empty, mid-west states" and I'll tell you plenty of things to see.
Tex
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: sign216 on February 09, 2023, 02:26:45 PM
At first blush a 49 state ride has an appeal.  Then I remember those big, empty, mid-west and western states. 

Idk, you may be a better man than I.

OK name some of the "big empty, mid-west states" and I'll tell you plenty of things to see.
Tex

Tex,
I grew up in Missouri.  Sure, there things to see.  And the USA is a big country, with distances between the "things."

Now I live in Massachusetts.  Hell, I could get to Quebec before I could cross some states west of the Mississippi.
Joe
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on February 09, 2023, 04:29:35 PM
I don't know why you would, but if you're in Indiana..  :smiley:
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: John Croucher on February 09, 2023, 07:35:25 PM
Good for you! I'm starting to plan my post retirement trip in 2025 and will be taking notes!  If you go through Fort Knox/Louisville KY give me a shout out.

I'm on the North side of Louisville in Indiana if you need a wrench, shower or shelter. 

We have have a biker friendly community with resources around Louisville.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: cliffrod on February 09, 2023, 08:51:53 PM
I’m near Spartanburg, SC- just a few miles from I-26 & I-85 interchange.   Feel welcome to stop (or not) if you’re passing through here. 

Ride safe, man.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Anomaly on February 10, 2023, 02:55:42 AM
Check out Twisted Throttle while in Rhode Island. Worth the stop.

Twisted Throttle is good, but THE place for a Guzzista to go if you make it to Rhode Island is Razee's Motorcycles. If you can, go on a Saturday morning, the lot will be full of bikes, both those of the dealership and those of fellow bikers, and often Gordon (Razee) is there himself (ask him about his personal collection, including Guzzis). It really is a special place.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Pescatore on February 10, 2023, 09:29:33 AM
Yet another thread that makes my next 7 years feel so far away.
Have a good time, Bill.
If you need a chaperone in Boston, let me know.
And if you're camping, I've got a spot in my backyard. Unfortunately, all the bedrooms are taken.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: MMRanch on February 10, 2023, 10:55:33 AM
Hay  travelingbyguzzi

One of you stops in Tennessee should be to Visit the home of Jack Daniel's , that would be Lynchburg TN.

I live just 3 miles out of town , and have a 180 acre back yard to camp in .    On most weeks the spare bedroom is open with a full size bed for ya'll too.

So , east TN. has the US 129 (dragons tail) , and in Lynchburg we have the State 129 ... they look a lot alike.   The State road is the one I live next to.
I've got a full set of tools if ya need to "touch anything up" while your here.

Ya'll have a Safe ride !
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Moparnut72 on February 10, 2023, 12:22:15 PM
I lived just a handful of miles from the western border of Rho Dyland. There plenty of things to seeing that fine state. Try the RI clam chowder, not red like Manhattan or white like New End and but more of a broth. Much tastier than either of the other two. Also gotta have a grinder which is called a sub elsewhere. Make sure it has cabbage in it.  Also get a pizza from a non-chain restaurant, as in family owned.  :thumb:
kk
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on February 10, 2023, 07:34:02 PM
Thnx for the replies and invitations, y'all.
I left the Ozark Plateau yesterday morning. Met up with my sister last night in Laurel , MS. Oddly, she was returning to Little Rock FROM Florida.
Rode across the base of Alabama this morning on US84 and ended up in the armpit of Florida tonight.
Tomorrow, I finish my trip in Frostproof, FL, where I plan to spend about 3 weeks with the irrepressible Karl Werth. Might come back home thru Georgia and Tennessee or maybe Northern Alabama.
Muscle Shoals?
I will be in Arkansas for March and early April, then back to Oregon, Washington for an event in Late April.
I will really get serious in late May and all of June. August is wide open also.
I have been building a waystation on my deceased parents' farm in Arkansas to change tires, oil etc plus laundry and a hot shower. Arkansas is so much more centrally located than Seattle.
It pencils out to about 20K miles including Fairbanks, Alaska.
I have spent the last 30 years out West and hope to concentrate my efforts East of the Mississippi
Stay tuned.

Bill Lovelady       IS
Eskimo Spy
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Guzzidad on February 10, 2023, 08:31:24 PM
   Hi Bill. My friend and I camped next to you in LaFayette last November. I was on the Triumph Sprint ST. I'm in Tampa if you need anything. I've known your uncle Karl for years and it never surprises me to see him at yet another rally. Even at the National when it was held in Canada. My favorite "Karl" quote, "You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning."
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on February 11, 2023, 05:58:15 AM
Yes, Guzzidad. I remember you and your friend. I am sure our paths will cross this Summer on the rally circuit.
Can you do something about the rain up here in Perry FL?
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Guzzidad on February 11, 2023, 06:36:40 AM
  As they say here in Florida, "That ain't rain, it's liquid sunshine".
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: vintagehoarder on February 16, 2023, 07:13:30 AM
I'm on the North side of Louisville in Indiana if you need a wrench, shower or shelter. 

We have have a biker friendly community with resources around Louisville.

We do, and John is a GREAT wrench and builder.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Mayor_of_BBQ on February 16, 2023, 09:08:22 AM
Congratulations!!  Retirement seems like such a dream, I think about it every day- I cannot wait! Just 13.5 more years!
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Matteo on February 17, 2023, 12:16:09 PM
Hey Bill, FYI; Pierre and one of his NORCAL cohorts are coming up in July.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on February 18, 2023, 09:15:58 PM
I don't know why you would, but if you're in Indiana..  :smiley:

Chuck, Indiana is one of the 49. That is why I would. Really, you can hardly cross the Northern Tier without crossing Indiana.
I don't have any kind of schedule other than traveling from AR to WA in late April, then back to Cedarvale in early May. That seems to be the time to get serious.
Right now, Florida is the place to be!
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on February 18, 2023, 09:25:47 PM
Hey Bill, FYI; Pierre and one of his NORCAL cohorts are coming up in July.

That may be a plan. Our Washington Deep Forest campout is the second weekend in July. After that, I have no commitnents.
Title: Re: And so it begins
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on February 19, 2023, 06:09:32 PM
Chuck, Indiana is one of the 49. That is why I would. Really, you can hardly cross the Northern Tier without crossing Indiana.
I don't have any kind of schedule other than traveling from AR to WA in late April, then back to Cedarvale in early May. That seems to be the time to get serious.
Right now, Florida is the place to be!

Well, we have a B&B, tools, beer, etc.  :smiley: That's *assuming* we are here at that time, of course.