And so it begins

[travelingbyguzzi]

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

[fotoguzzi]

Don’t miss Lake Superior.



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

 

[Ncdan]

When you get to NC and would like some assistance maneuvering the great smoky mountains, give me a holler 👍

[pressureangle]

I took 2 months to ride a couple years ago. You'll never regret it.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Attaboy, Bill.  Strangely enough, I've ridden all the states *except* R.I. myself. You'll be one ahead of me.

[Bulldog9]

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.

[Texas Turnip]

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

[Guzzistajohn]

Have a safe trip and have fun Bill! You earned it! Stop by if you're running 44!

[Scout63]

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.

[s1120]

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.

[bobrebos1]

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!

[e.cleven]

Hope you have safe travels. If you are traveling near Port Charlotte Fl. shoot me a message.
Enjoy and good luck.

Earl.

[sign216]

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.

[vintagehoarder]

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!!!

[PeteS]

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

[ccoli]

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.

[Texas Turnip]

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

[sign216]

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

[Chuck in Indiana]

I don't know why you would, but if you're in Indiana.. 

[John Croucher]

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.

[cliffrod]

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.

[Anomaly]

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.

[Pescatore]

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.

[MMRanch]

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 !

[Moparnut72]

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. 
kk

[travelingbyguzzi]

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

[Guzzidad]

   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."

[travelingbyguzzi]

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?

[Guzzidad]

  As they say here in Florida, "That ain't rain, it's liquid sunshine".

[vintagehoarder]

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.