Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mojohand on February 02, 2026, 11:45:25 AM
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Looks like we're just not garnering interest in rallies much anymore. No national rally last year or this year, fewer standard rallies, and just a waning perhaps in the rally-by-a-campfire interest. I do see still good numbers in the MSTA/BMWRA/BMWMOA rallies I attend. Still, numbers of people buying Guzzis seem up...they're just not campers/rallygoers.
https://www.mgnoc.com/rally_calendar.html
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From my observations, most all m/c rallies are on the decline. I plan to enjoy as many as I can, as long as I can!
PS. MGNA has been struggling to get nationals for at least the last decade.
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Looks like we're just not garnering interest in rallies much anymore. No national rally last year or this year, fewer standard rallies, and just a waning perhaps in the rally-by-a-campfire interest. I do see still good numbers in the MSTA/BMWRA/BMWMOA rallies I attend. Still, numbers of people buying Guzzis seem up...they're just not campers/rallygoers.
https://www.mgnoc.com/rally_calendar.html
The BMWMOA is the last big event for owner groups. I enjoy that event. Seems some state events are still going on. Arkansas has the Guzzi camp out again this year. It will be the first one I have been able to attend. My job kept me out of most of them. Some events don't make the calander such as the MoKan guzzi rally. Still alot out there, you just may have to dig on FB and here to find them.
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The big Harley rallies are a ghost of their former selves. Daytona Bike Week especially. Although Sturgis still seems to pack em in. I used to ride to all kinds of smaller events around the south like Myrtle Beach, Cherokee, even the ABATE rally at the old Atlanta Fair Grounds was packed back in the day. All gone now. Just as well, I'm too old for that nonsense now.
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Maybe an IL campout Chad?
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Suches GA campout mid May.
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Bet the Broken Arrow Rally is still on. Prob not a complete list they published. Still kind of early in the year.
Case in point: Ark. Rally being coordinated on this very same page just a few posts down is not on that linked rally listing.
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Looking at all the youtube crap on here, I think the phone heads just watch a vid on it and that's enough for them. I only go to 1 a year anymore cause my wife works weekends & I watch dogs. I do miss it, specially Bob's stuff.
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You know back 60 early 70s I went to hell/fire & give me beer. But now that I have more miles we just sit and talk about how it use to be. But we got memory’s of the past and share with one another. The you get ones just gmail and no human inter-action. Their further is going to be dull for sure. Sturge camp ground now or more about rv’s. The camp ground now has just one tent ares and getting smaller. Old men can’t wear tight pants and mussel tshirt. All that, let ride and have a good ( riding keeps my PCST under control) time. Rudy
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All of the people that did all of the work to put on the rallies are aging out and younger people are not stepping up to take their places. Many of those rallies were started in the 70s and early 80s.
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Looks like we're just not garnering interest in rallies much anymore. No national rally last year or this year, fewer standard rallies, and just a waning perhaps in the rally-by-a-campfire interest. I do see still good numbers in the MSTA/BMWRA/BMWMOA rallies I attend. Still, numbers of people buying Guzzis seem up...they're just not campers/rallygoers.
https://www.mgnoc.com/rally_calendar.html
There's a PA Rally, moved to June 26th-28th this year. The OH Rally is Labor Day weekend too.
I'd like to do a MD campout, but taking care of Mom and customer work eats up most of my time lately.
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We did a rally/campout for 11 years. We had to stop for many reasons.
- they're expensive to put on. If you try and buy stuff for 100 people and 60 show up, you take a loss. Hosts don't do this for money, but it'd be nice to at least break even.
- the weather is a killer most of the time. Unless you hold an event in middle august, you're more than likely going to get rain. That scare a lot of people off.
- the fear of liability if someone gets hurt while attending your event.
- they are a lot of work to put on and finding help is rare.
- motorcycling in general is on the decline. Guzzi is not exclusive to that problem.
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You know that one scene in "Animal House", when there's that guy playing a guitar on the stairs, and John Belushi takes the guitar away from him and smashes it all to pieces? Yeah, that's what I wanted to do to some knucklehead that was playing his guitar after midnight at the one and only Guzzi rally I ever went to. I did enough "camping" in the military, and have no interest in doing rallies.
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A few of us "Senior Citizen Riders" :laugh: :grin: :wink: from the Verde Valley in AZ are considering this rally for 2026.
(https://i.ibb.co/1J9Lx46m/Screenshot-2026-02-03-at-6-50-34-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/1J9Lx46m)
Beautiful time of year in CO with nice scenery and good roads, so we will see what happens... :bow: :thumb: :boozing: :cool:
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The MGNOC list of rallies will grow as it gets later in the year. It's always a bit sparse in January.
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AMERICA’S BIGGEST
and LONGEST-RUNNING
ALL ITALIAN BIKE MEET
*ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE OWNERS CLUB (IMOC)*
~41st Annual IMOC Rally~
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Hamilton Rod & Gun Club
24 Hamilton Road - Sturbridge, Massachusetts 01566
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
People’s Choice Judging with One-Trophy-per-Class.
This year’s featured motorcycle: *Multi-Cylinder Machines (3, 4 & 6)*
Admission is now $15 per person which includes a Commemorative Rally Pin.
… Cash Only …
For all Italian-made Motorcycles and Scooters
Refreshments and delicious food available on-site!
~NO DOGS~…Swap Vendors and Dealer Displays welcome…~NO DOGS~
Directions: From Mass Pike, take exit 9, Rt. 20 West. Half mile on right to New Boston
Road, follow signs to Gun Club which is a left onto Hamilton Road. From I-84, exit 6B to
Rt. 20 West, follow directions above.
More information: Steve Rossi at (248) 470-5788, SLDMRossi@aol.com or Bob Andren at (805) 630-2187, bobkandren@verizon.net
or visit www.imoc.website Proceeds to J.D.R.F Charity
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Unfortunately, Luap is right.
Allied with the fact that motorcycling is in decline right now.
And volunteerism is on the wane, too. Not just for motorcycle
rallies, but also for volunteer fire departments and Boy Scout
troops, for example. Sad to see.
-Stretch
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Not that I can do them anymore, but I'll always have the greatest memories of riding with my daughter on the back down to the Indiana Campout. We'd hit all the caves down there and really enjoyed the smaller group of people. The one near Springfield Illinois was similar. Cheryl and I won a few two=ups at the first few Michigan rallies. Still can't believe we won one for Wisc, but it seemed all the other woman were on their own bikes. The big one's, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin were great for seeing bikes, but the small ones seemed to have better campfires.
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The Nevada State Campout is still alive and well. A good time and local riding is excellent. Check MGNOC for details. And thank Dan for keeping this an event to attend.
kk
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Being an echo chamber here to previous remarks. I was on the team that put on the KS rallies at Council Grove when David Kasitz was heading them up. Younger people as a whole are not into motorcycling like kids in the 50s-70s. A lot of younger people cannot afford the financial risk of putting on a rally. David broke even off and on but lost money some years and he was a very careful planner and the rallies were well attended. Younger people just aren't into rallies like old guys. All of the KS team but me are no longer with us. For at least a couple of years rallies really couldn't be held or people weren't willing to travel. That broke the momentum of rallies that has never really come back. Another historical and well attended rally was the NM state rally that Matt ran is no longer to be. It's a tough gig anymore.
Don't really have any good suggestions. I am afraid that rallies are now a "buggy whip" in the era of cars.
GliderJohn
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My "season" used to begin with the WV Rally in New Cumberland, Memorial Day weekend. After a while I got tired of that one and started going to the Cass (BMW) Rally at Boyer's Station Campground in Arbovale, WV. It's more of a campout now, but there's a restaurant within walking distance and lots of local attractions. AFAIK, it's on for '26.
I liked it because there was an excellent restaurant on site, as well as inexpensive motel rooms. The restaurant closed years ago and the rooms aren't available now either. However, there are plenty of campsites and they've recently added cabins. https://boyerstation.com/ I was last there in '23 - the year a lady turned left in front of me and totaled my K75. Missed '24 due to preparations for the Oregon trip and I didn't go last year either. Hoping to go this year.
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We started and produced a large rally for 15 yrs called Antique Bikes On Main- not brand specific, Harley-heavy but all bikes and marques were welcomed and pursued to attend. No big committee, just my best friend (bombastic figurehead local legend who owned the shop), me (all legal, contracts, actual production and pr, etc) and a city-council-trusted matron to serve as fiscal agent so no one would accuse us of misappropriating funds. Always a 100% free event for the public, with only fees charged to retail vendors. We didn’t make a dime personally, even though the three of us were working a year-round schedule by 2010 to make it all happen. Our rally meant an awful lot to us.
Attendance peaked around 2017-2018. 2019 had some long time attendees grumble to me because “it wasn’t getting bigger anymore” (versus saying “thank you for working an 18-month schedule to produce the annual event that we come to for free”….) Our regular audience was aging out so the annual reunion aspect of the rally was changing.. the internet continued to progressively decimate our 100% free swap meet. New people were more likely to ride in, walk up & down Main Street, take pics of the bikes they didn’t recognize, immediately post them to social media and leave. They might only be in town for an hour, not all day or 2-3 days.
Then it all stopped.
Last year, about this time, the city was ready to have our rally again because it had become the largest tourist event for years and people wanted it to happen again. They called us to meet about reviving it until we decided to sit down with them. New city admin, most of whom never attended the rally or even worked for the city during the rally years. New legal landscape after a drunk driver killed a bride on wedding day near Myrtle Beach, which legally upended liability insurance statewide. We were told the city would no longer provide an umbrella policy/event rider, as they had always done because it was a city-sponsored event. It would still be “city sponsored” but each individual business owner in city limits would now be specifically liable if something happened on their property, including between the white line and their storefront. City has very old and different property ownership & right of ways. The city’s insurance would basically now only cover what happened to pedestrians between the white lines in town. So we were going to have to make sure all businesses in the city were notified and willing to do this. City sponsorship funds could not be used by us to purchase additional insurance, either for property like swap meet or main event field. This was completely different than previous years and it couldn’t just go back to the way it was.
When we didn’t agree, they wanted us to advise them about doing it without us. We wished them good luck and went back to the shop for a beer.
Lots of people want to come and hang out for the fun easy stuff. Very few want to work and make it happen, especially after the first 1-2 hours of the event. By clean-up time, after a week long 16+hr day slog, you’re lucky if you’re not doing everything completely alone.
For anyone who is dismayed about the lack of events, the easy answer is to do your own event.
At least two area AMCA chapters had a casual but convenient involvement in our rally over the years. Now the local chapter is producing the AMCA Southeastern event at Denton, NC. From what I hear, they now have a more comprehensive understanding of how much and hard we worked to do the entire rally vs just doing the 1-2 events that suited them.
The recent clarification of the percentage of WG members who are actually funding this forum vs those who don’t is a great metaphor for the whole event scene. Be happy to have events to attend while you can. Don’t take them for granted. Nothing lasts forever.
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Suches GA campout mid May.
Suches GA campout late September.
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I think Bob from TN is having one at TWO then. I thought I read it on here. I'll look.
From Bob:
"April, May, Sept…Two Wheels of Suches, Suches Ga motorcycle Campground"
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We're getting older......
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Maybe an IL campout Chad?
Yes indeed Tom, the IL Bring Your Owen Everything, will once again take place at Big River State Forest, along the splendid banks of the mighty Miss.
Always the third weekend in May, this year that's May 22-24. I'm not a member of MGNOC, so it's not listed there, but it will happen, just as it has every year since the IL rally ceased to be.
https://www.stateparks.com/big_river_state_forest_in_illinois.html#google_vignette
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Looks like we're just not garnering interest in rallies much anymore. No national rally last year or this year, fewer standard rallies, and just a waning perhaps in the rally-by-a-campfire interest. I do see still good numbers in the MSTA/BMWRA/BMWMOA rallies I attend. Still, numbers of people buying Guzzis seem up...they're just not campers/rallygoers.
https://www.mgnoc.com/rally_calendar.html
Well, ask someone like bobrebos1 how easy or difficult it is to get people to show up for a lunch, let alone a rally.
As has already been posted, it’s a thankless, tiring, sometimes depressing experience I’m sure.
Motorcycle camping rallies, and certainly single brand rallies seem to be on a diminishing trend.
I personally haven’t been to a Moto Guzzi rally since the early 2000’s in Minnesota. I woke up to 4” of water in
my tent. That was almost 25 years ago and I haven’t seen the inside of a tent since. In the late 1980’s and 1990’s
when I lived in Southern California, I attended a bunch of Moto Guzzi rallies all over the western US.
But, nowadays, my ‘camping’ is a Holiday Inn Express. That, and my work and personal schedule seldom allow for a weekend or more to attend a rally.
Though I attend a huge rally at least once a year. Something like Daytona or Panama City Beach. 1,000’s of bikes, maybe a few dozen campers. Such is life nowadays.
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I miss going to rallies. Especially the one know as the Blue Ridge put on by Mark and Barbra. But, I ain't sleeping on the ground or in a tent, nor am I waking 200' to a crapper three times in the middle of the night! Anybody know of a nice motel with a fire pit and a good view.
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It may or may not be worth partitioning, but I personally see a difference between manufacturer rallies and general motorcycle rallies. Obviously there are various reasons why the rallies are waning—it’s certainly not just one main factor—but outside maybe Harley, I just don’t see any company-specific rally really being a big event here in the U.S. That’s my bias and cursory observations, though. Laconia’s always happenin’!
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I miss going to rallies. Especially the one know as the Blue Ridge put on by Mark and Barbra. But, I ain't sleeping on the ground or in a tent, nor am I waking 200' to a crapper three times in the middle of the night! Anybody know of a nice motel with a fire pit and a good view.
The "Guzzis in the Blue Ridge" rally moved a few years ago.
This was last year:
Guzzis in the Blue Ridge– August 1–3, 2025
High Country Motorcycle Camp, Ferguson, NC
Cabins on site. Other lodging isn't close...
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The New Mexico Rally is listed on the MGNOC site as taking place from Aug 14 to the 16th. There was doubt that it was going to continue but it is going to continue. It is one I need to go to especially since NM is one state I would like to see more of. I have only been to Taos.
kk
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The New Mexico Rally is listed on the MGNOC site as taking place from Aug 14 to the 16th. There was doubt that it was going to continue but it is going to continue. It is one I need to go to especially since NM is one state I would like to see more of. I have only been to Taos.
kk
This year that’s on my list too. It will be my first NM rally. I’m sure my wife will come along as well. The question is will she drive a Guzzi that far or take her Yamaha.
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The "Guzzis in the Blue Ridge" rally moved a few years ago.
This was last year:
Guzzis in the Blue Ridge– August 1–3, 2025
High Country Motorcycle Camp, Ferguson, NC
Cabins on site. Other lodging isn't close...
I know but when the BR campground didn't reopen I permanently locked in that week for Canadian fishing trips with a friend.
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The BMWMOA is the last big event for owner groups. I enjoy that event. Seems some state events are still going on. Arkansas has the Guzzi camp out again this year. It will be the first one I have been able to attend. My job kept me out of most of them. Some events don't make the calander such as the MoKan guzzi rally. Still alot out there, you just may have to dig on FB and here to find them.
Info on the Arkansas rally? That might be one I could make
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Info on the Arkansas rally? That might be one I could make
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=124524.0
Rally date is April 10 & 11 @ Petit Jean Ar. State Park, camp spot 55.
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Technology has significantly improved camping over the last several years. Tent's can now be had with an instant up set up, and they work. Yes you still may need to stake it down, and they don't take themselves down, yet, but the whole process can be much easier than you likely remember it. There is no need to sleep on the ground either, air mattress have come a LONG way and now can be found to be as comfortable as an actual bed. Not to mention nifty portable cots that you can sleep on or put your air mattress on , and get your self as far off the ground as you like. They pack up small too! In fact, every aspect of camping that your remember, has been significantly improved and or made easier. I know many riders personally in their 70s & 80s who camp, and are dam happy to be doing so. Don't limit yourself unnecessarily, go camping!
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The reason attending stopped for me - M E D I C A L
As long as I can wrench I ride, but not far. Anymore. Rows of noisy snoring tents problematic also.
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OK You got me started!!!!
I put on a traveling Moto Guzzi enthusiasts meet and greet monthly luncheons. I put on annual campouts at my place in the country (7 acres with two creeks, firepits, etc etc), ive tried to put together a holiday (Christmas party) for four years straight with no luck. I get two-three attendees at most of the traveling monthly lunches. They cover a four state (Alabama Georgia, Tennessee and sometimes North Carolina) area.
Nobody comes! Nobody wants a Christmas party. Nobody wants to come campout at my place (RV's allowed for all the no tent people) Heck i even have an extra bedroom and other interior sleeping space.
NOBODY COMES!
February traveling meet and greet lunch is scheduled for tomorrow 7 Feb 26. I expect three people counting myself. Marchs is in Loudon Tennessee and I expect two people. April is in Waynesville NC and i expect three people. May is a campout (NOT A RALLY) in Suches Ga, at TWO motorcycle campground and i expect two-three people.
I have not scheduled a summer campout at my place for 2026 or a Christmas party in Dec of 2026 because of no interest. I have a facebook group of Moto Guzzi enthusiasts that i manage and there are 269 members of which maybe 8-10 are active or post anything in it. Its called "Southeastern U.S. Moto Guzzi Lunch Riders" if any of you would like to join. The same three or four people show interest in things but THATS ALL!
All of my events (Other than the monthly traveling lunches) are completely free. Donations are accepted if you want but not expected.
Now why dont other Guzzi riders partake? I have no idea but they just dont. I will continue to put on my events until I start eating/camping and having christmas parties by myself at which time i will stop organizing them.
I live outside of Cleveland Tn (Out in the country). Im just a short ways from excellent riding roads, the Ocoee river, etc etc. Its frustrating.
It seems to me even participation on this wildguzzi webpage is down but that just might be me mistaken!
Lets see..........who here would come to a traveling lunch held in either Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, or Tennessee? Who wants to come to my place for a Guzzi campout and sit by the fire telling stories, eat a lot of food and ride the local roads? Who would come to a Moto Guzzi Christmas party? Lets see who or how many from this board are interested in any events? Very few i bet.
I will continue to organize moto Guzzi enthusiasts' events and i still hold out hope that attendance will pick up. Hope to see some of you come out to my events. Yep sometimes its cold, sometimes its wet, sometimes its a long ride, but you can always take your car! Heck i met a bunch of BMW riders last year at a local restaurant who traveled all the way from the east coast just for a lunch meetup one day. Granted some of them were staying a few days to check out the area but they showed true commitment to get togethers!
I wish Guzzi riders were like that! LOL. All the best. Bob
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Suches GA campout mid May.
That is not a rally! That is the monthly traveling meet and greet get together for May that i put together for Moto Guzzi enthusiasts. The official Georgia Moto Guzzi rally is September 18-20, 2026 managed by Mr. Wayne Orwig.
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Bob:
Thanks for trying to keep the flame alive.
I did something for the very first time in 2025. My son and I trailered our bikes to a meet up that was about 350 miles from my home. For nearly 20 years, I had always ridden that route and considered it a great distance for a day and very good roads in eastern Ohio and WVa.
My boy, now 37 suggested we hook his trailer to his Volvo Station Wagon and tow. I reluctantly agreed, real men don't trailer, right?
I have to say that we drove through some serious heat and serious storms to get to the cabin. Now, in years past, i would have just considered that part of the adventure having pretty good rain gear. But, on the other hand, we were relaxed and fresh when we arrived.
So, I reluctantly conclude that this is a very viable way to travel and expand riding horizons.
Bob, I will check your scheduled rides and we will attempt to come to something down your way.
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I've owned seven Guzzis over the last 40+ years of riding, have gone to one Guzzi rally in the San Diego area way back when. I had three Guzzis at the time ('74 Eldo LAPD, '78 V50, '95 Sport 1100), so I trailered them down there (about a 4-hour drive). Found where the facilities were, set up my tent, and all was good, until that first night. Apparently, some people's concept of "quiet hours" was different from mine, and I thought I exercised incredible restraint by not walking out to the fire, ripping the guitar from the knucklehead who was playing it past midnight, and smashing it to bits. That was my first and last Guzzi rally (any motorcycle rally come to think of it).
I'm in my mid-60s now, have no desire to ride a motorcycle for anything more than a couple of hours, so contemplating going anywhere that's several hours away to ride will involve a trailer for me. I'm planning on retiring for good at the end of the year, and something I want to do next year is ride the Back of the Dragon in Tazewell (VA). That's a 5-hour drive from where I'll be in NC, so the plan is to trailer a bike there on Day 1, ride on Day 2, then go home on Day 3. So 2 nights lodging, trailer rental, gas, food, etc. all adds up to scratch that itch of riding that road. And of course it will be weather-dependent, so have to add that into scheduling as well.
I've just never been a social rider, prefer to ride by myself, don't really participate in anything that's group-related, etc. I would imagine attending a rally or some kind of meet-up involves a more social type of rider, and depending on the distance, definitely an iron-butt rider as well!
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OK You got me started!!!!
I put on a traveling Moto Guzzi enthusiasts meet and greet monthly luncheons. I put on annual campouts at my place in the country (7 acres with two creeks, firepits, etc etc), ive tried to put together a holiday (Christmas party) for four years straight with no luck. I get two-three attendees at most of the traveling monthly lunches. They cover a four state (Alabama Georgia, Tennessee and sometimes North Carolina) area.
Nobody comes! Nobody wants a Christmas party. Nobody wants to come campout at my place (RV's allowed for all the no tent people) Heck i even have an extra bedroom and other interior sleeping space.
NOBODY COMES!
February traveling meet and greet lunch is scheduled for tomorrow 7 Feb 26. I expect three people counting myself. Marchs is in Loudon Tennessee and I expect two people. April is in Waynesville NC and i expect three people. May is a campout (NOT A RALLY) in Suches Ga, at TWO motorcycle campground and i expect two-three people.
I have not scheduled a summer campout at my place for 2026 or a Christmas party in Dec of 2026 because of no interest. I have a facebook group of Moto Guzzi enthusiasts that i manage and there are 269 members of which maybe 8-10 are active or post anything in it. Its called "Southeastern U.S. Moto Guzzi Lunch Riders" if any of you would like to join. The same three or four people show interest in things but THATS ALL!
All of my events (Other than the monthly traveling lunches) are completely free. Donations are accepted if you want but not expected.
Now why dont other Guzzi riders partake? I have no idea but they just dont. I will continue to put on my events until I start eating/camping and having christmas parties by myself at which time i will stop organizing them.
I live outside of Cleveland Tn (Out in the country). Im just a short ways from excellent riding roads, the Ocoee river, etc etc. Its frustrating.
It seems to me even participation on this wildguzzi webpage is down but that just might be me mistaken!
Lets see..........who here would come to a traveling lunch held in either Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, or Tennessee? Who wants to come to my place for a Guzzi campout and sit by the fire telling stories, eat a lot of food and ride the local roads? Who would come to a Moto Guzzi Christmas party? Lets see who or how many from this board are interested in any events? Very few i bet.
I will continue to organize moto Guzzi enthusiasts' events and i still hold out hope that attendance will pick up. Hope to see some of you come out to my events. Yep sometimes its cold, sometimes its wet, sometimes its a long ride, but you can always take your car! Heck i met a bunch of BMW riders last year at a local restaurant who traveled all the way from the east coast just for a lunch meetup one day. Granted some of them were staying a few days to check out the area but they showed true commitment to get togethers!
I wish Guzzi riders were like that! LOL. All the best. Bob
I have a lot a of respect for what you do to have events, Bob because I get it. No matter how much work/time/$$$ it requires, It’s basically impossible to control who participates. Wish I could attend more of your events because there is such great riding between here in Spartanburg and basically all of the venues you choose. I lived not far from your place for several years and miss the awesome riding over the entire region. riding over the mountain and back for the fun of it on my Guzzi is still one of my all time favorite things to do.
But my life is now heavily obligated with eldercare. being away for more than a couple of hours to do nearly anything often means lots of arrangements, if not having to hire someone to be here when I’m not. Not much time anymore, especially for a day riding. At least we got to connect for one of your events-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CudLRlNUQhs
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I have a lot a of respect for what you do to have events, Bob because I get it. No matter how much work/time/$$$ it requires, It’s basically impossible to control who participates. Wish I could attend more of your events because there is such great riding between here in Spartanburg and basically all of the venues you choose. I lived not far from your place for several years and miss the awesome riding over the entire region. riding over the mountain and back for the fun of it on my Guzzi is still one of my all time favorite things to do.
But my life is now heavily obligated with eldercare. being away for more than a couple of hours to do nearly anything often means lots of arrangements, if not having to hire someone to be here when I’m not. Not much time anymore, especially for a day riding. At least we got to connect for one of your events-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CudLRlNUQhs
Thanks for posting that video and your nice comments!
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EXAMPLE: myself and one other Guzzi rider showed up for the monthly traveling Moto Guzzi lunch in Cherokee North Carolina today!
One!!!! That’s PATHETIC! The other rider made the comment. BMW Riders and Gold Wingvriders ride their bikes and attend functions. Guzzi riders like to look at their bikes in the garage! Boy….im starting to get a bad attitude!!!
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Looking forward to the May camping weekend in Suches.We have a local group that meets for breakfast or lunch rides here in the WI Driftless whenever the weather looks good I send out emails and anyone who wants to come along is welcome,even if it is one other guy it is great.Maybe you should try something like that.
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I think this thread really shows what’s going on. Some folks have one bad experience and give up riding with others. Some just stop riding altogether and talk about what used to be. And honestly, a lot have simply aged out and don’t do much of anything anymore.
I made the National in Oregon—about a 5,000-mile round trip. This year I’m doing at least two Guzzi rallies plus the Arkansas campout. I just wish there were more lunch rides and local stuff in this area. The era of the hardened Guzzi touring group feels like it’s gone.
Like you said, BMWMOA still has riders who love riding and aren’t afraid to stack miles. They also put on some genuinely impressive events. It might be worth checking out what they have going on in your area.
I imagine it’s hard to still carry the passion that used to be a trademark of the MGNOC when there’s no one to share it with. I’m honestly surprised you keep it going. I remember when people would ride their Guzzis from all over just to be at Fools on the Hill. Worst weather imaginable, steep twisty road to the top—and people did it purely for the challenge. Those were hardened riders who showed up just for the joy of survival.
I hope things pick up for you with the lunch rides. I’m on the Facebook page, but since I’m on the other side of the Mississippi I didn’t feel it was good etiquette to post on the Southeast page. Mostly I’m there in hopes of connecting someday—maybe catching a lunch ride when I’m out
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I usually get to 1 or 2 Guzzi rallies a year, 1 Goldwing rally and 1 Grand Tour of Texas Flag pickup...not exactly a rally per se, but 200 to 300 riders show up, have dinner and then pick up flags in the morning and start out picking up stops.
Some years it's harder to balance work obligations, but if you schedule fun first, you can make it work.
I've learned to bring soft earplugs for the night time when some folks like to stay up way late, or put the tent far away from the center of the action. What's even funnier are the old folks who wake up at 5 am for their first cup of coffee in the common area and forget that others of us like to sleep to 7, and they're yakking away at full volume...either they don't care or don't realize they are annoying others.
There are some specialty rallies that take place each year, for organized Guzzi rallies...definitel y try to get to the Wisconsin one...this one is fantastic.
Even local riders are sometimes hard to get together...i've got 7 or 8 riders in a chat, and occasionally 2 others can make it...the others always say...next time!
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If there were a Guzzi meet around me, I’d be going for sure. But uh, here in Maine, it seems like cold crickets.
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There are some specialty rallies that take place each year, for organized Guzzi rallies...definitel y try to get to the Wisconsin one...this one is fantastic.
I’m hitting rallies I’ve not been to before. I’ve read some about the Wisconsin event, you think that is one of the premier events? I have Nm and the MoKan on the list this year. The MoKan is a must for me, told Ace I would be there last year and ended up out of the country for work. This year I will be there. The Datil NM I’ve heard about and like the location but not sure what it is like other than that. Anyone on here been to that event?
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EXAMPLE: myself and one other Guzzi rider showed up for the monthly traveling Moto Guzzi lunch in Cherokee North Carolina today! One!!!! That’s PATHETIC! The other rider made the comment. BMW Riders and Gold Wingvriders ride their bikes and attend functions. Guzzi riders like to look at their bikes in the garage! Boy….im starting to get a bad attitude!!!
The writing's on the wall. You should just give up on doing these traveling lunch things, there's obviously no interest from other Guzzi riders in attending them. You'd be doing yourself a favor, and keeping that blood pressure from spiking.
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The writing's on the wall. You should just give up on doing these traveling lunch things, there's obviously no interest from other Guzzi riders in attending them. You'd be doing yourself a favor, and keeping that blood pressure from spiking.
You are 100% correct!
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"I've learned to bring soft earplugs for the night time when some folks like to stay up way late, or put the tent far away from the center of the action. What's even funnier are the old folks who wake up at 5 am for their first cup of coffee in the common area and forget that others of us like to sleep to 7, and they're yakking away at full volume...either they don't care or don't realize they are annoying others."
A lot of this can be attributed to the fact that many have lost a good chunk of their hearing. Those that have often find that as soon as there is any background noise like another conversation, it becomes much harder to pick out what the other person is saying to you, so volume goes up.
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Kentucky Rally still going. Just saying.
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If there were a Guzzi meet around me, I’d be going for sure. But uh, here in Maine, it seems like cold crickets.
You are tucked into a corner.
Perhaps the Keene NH rally is doable. I try to make it every year. About 20-40 riders and Hamlin usually comes.
I have to not think about the escape effort to reach fun roads from my location.
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I’m hitting rallies I’ve not been to before. I’ve read some about the Wisconsin event, you think that is one of the premier events? I have Nm and the MoKan on the list this year. The MoKan is a must for me, told Ace I would be there last year and ended up out of the country for work. This year I will be there. The Datil NM I’ve heard about and like the location but not sure what it is like other than that. Anyone on here been to that event?
Free beer all during the rally, some good brats, wonderful riding roads in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, a nice pine forest to camp out in and a great turnout. Makes for a nice combination indeed! I hope to do it again in August if I'm up visiting family again...but well worth the ride from anywhere nearby.
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The WV, WNY and Maine Rallies were must go events for me, miss them very much but carry great memories. Timing issues prevented my attending a couple last year, hope to remedy this year. If Keith has his rally this year, will do the ADK / NY rally. Hope to make the OH rally Labor day, and if possible, PA. I'm getting older and the next stop is an urn on a mantle, gotta keep pedaling!
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The Nevada is an enjoyable event. It has always been my favorite and the food is outstanding. Not a full blown rally just a nice fun time, not a big doing usually 20 to 30 bikes. Dan does an incredible event. I was at the local grocery store when a guy came up to me in the parking lot to comment on my bike. He said there were two Guzzis parked in front of one of the watering holes a couple of days prior. I thought that was strange as I only know about a couple of Loops in town which are probably only drug out a couple of times a year. Another guy once told me he has a Convert but he doesn't ride it.
kk
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I would do more, but since I live in Florida, it's a haul to get anywhere. NC, N Georgia, Tennessee are too far to ride in the winter cold for a lunch or weekend. In summer its better but still 8-10 hours on non-slab roads to get anywhere. So I usually do one or 2. If I manage to find a house/townhouse in NE GA, such that I can spend a few weeks there at a time, that can change.
NM or Kansas would be nice, but riding across the south in August, especially Texas would take several days to get there in the heat, and the folks I ride with on occasion here are not LD riders.
There were some folks that would get together at Daytona during bike week/biketoberfest, but that seems to have petered out. AFAIK, there's not any Guzzi specific anything in Florida. The MGNOC list is out of date as far as that goes.
On local rides I am usually one of if not the oldest, and 80% of the riders are on sportbikes, the rest on HD or standards or metric cruisers, with a BMW or two thrown in, me with the only Guzzi.
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I would do more, but since I live in Florida, it's a haul to get anywhere. NC, N Georgia, Tennessee are too far to ride in the winter cold for a lunch or weekend. In summer its better but still 8-10 hours on non-slab roads to get anywhere. So I usually do one or 2. If I manage to find a house/townhouse in NE GA, such that I can spend a few weeks there at a time, that can change.
NM or Kansas would be nice, but riding across the south in August, especially Texas would take several days to get there in the heat, and the folks I ride with on occasion here are not LD riders.
There were some folks that would get together at Daytona during bike week/biketoberfest, but that seems to have petered out. AFAIK, there's not any Guzzi specific anything in Florida. The MGNOC list is out of date as far as that goes.
On local rides I am usually one of if not the oldest, and 80% of the riders are on sportbikes, the rest on HD or standards or metric cruisers, with a BMW or two thrown in, me with the only Guzzi.
I’m miss this years Daytona even, but there has been a Guzzi meet up ever year I have been, even last year.about 20-30 bikes show up for pizza.
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I'd attend more events but with only 11 days off a year multiple rally type events are definitely off the table and what's left of weekends gets split up between things I can't do during the week and multiple hobbies.
If I survive to 2043 to retire, I might get to do some rallies then. :clock:
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Yes, they still do Pizza dinner, on a weekday of BW, but there was a camping get together as well that seems to have gone away. I'll be at Daytona the 1st weekend, but can't stick around till Tuesday. Maybe I'll shift dates next year
I’m miss this years Daytona even, but there has been a Guzzi meet up ever year I have been, even last year.about 20-30 bikes show up for pizza.
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This is turning into a thread of mostly excuses. Many of us have very valid reasons, some seem pretty this to me. Goes without saying, yet I'm saying anyway, this like the majority of what's said here, is an opinion.
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I lost interest in Guzzi rallies after the nasty sh*t that was said about the organizer of the NY National rally 15+ years ago and have been to two Guzzi rallies since that time, the New Hampshire National and a NY Rally.
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two very fine rallies of the old school type still exist in fly over country. These are long established rallies that have been happening for decades.
1st up is labor day at the Ohio Rally in Zanesville Ohio. Location is beautiful. Riding roads are first class. The people are beyond great. Food is tasty. There's a swimming pool for after the day's ride as it is usually hot on Labor Day weekend. Bottle still gets passed around the fire.
2nd up is the Kentucky rally toward the end of September. I can make all of the same observations except for the pool.
Currently, each attracts around 100 on good years so you have lots of social opportunities, but you aren't tripping all over each other.
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Those last two sound good - around 3K and 4K round trip respectively for me.
Lotsa good roads in between as well.
We'll see what other rallies interfere this year.
Being retired might make a couple of theses things possible! :laugh:
-Stretch
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The KY rally is a joy to attend. I'm planning on it this year.
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I tried rallies but I never got the hang of it. The whole attraction was kinda lost on me.
Take time off work to travel hours via interstate (I detest riding on the interstate) to get there in time to put up my camping stuff... Sleep in a campground (which I don't really see as camping), get up any maybe go do the rally loop on roads in an area that arent as good as my own backyard (I don't like riding in groups), come back to the campground and just aimlessly hang around waiting for like a spaghetti dinner or whatever... Sleep in the campground again... get up at dawn, pack the bike all up again and ride hours on the interstate to get home at a reasonable time to unload all the stuff, clean/organize the camping stuff...
I never went to one and felt like it was worth the effort. I could have just gotten up and gone for a decent ride from home on any given Saturday and thrown up my hammock in the national forest for a night by the river and been home by 10am Sunday morning- and had a nearly equivalent experience.
I did like the VA rally, I think mostly because I could take the parkway all the way there and back... And I used to go to Guzzies in the Blue Ridge as a day trip among great riding there + back.... But then they moved it to a Harley type campground out of the mountains in a pretty boring area.
Seems like it's mostly for retired guys who live somewhere without any good riding locally? But why would you ride 5/8/10 hours on the interstate to get there? Motorcycling to me is a solo avocation.. Iron butt riding holds no appeal for me.. If I'm going to get out for hours on the Moto, It's certainly not going to be navigating highways and traffic to sleep in a field in the flatlands. And even that is more appealing to me than something like bike week in Daytona/Sturgis/Stone Mountain
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EXAMPLE: myself and one other Guzzi rider showed up for the monthly traveling Moto Guzzi lunch in Cherokee North Carolina today!
One!!!! That’s PATHETIC! The other rider made the comment. BMW Riders and Gold Wingvriders ride their bikes and attend functions. Guzzi riders like to look at their bikes in the garage! Boy….im starting to get a bad attitude!!!
Bob the high in Cherokee on the 7th was 9 degrees...
edit to say: there was also 10+ inches of snow across the whole region like 2 days before that as well :boozing:
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Bob the high in Cherokee on the 7th was 9 degrees...
edit to say: there was also 10+ inches of snow across the whole region like 2 days before that as well :boozing:
When we were in downtown cherokee that day it was in the 30's AND WE always said cars/trucks were welcome. Im done talking about this. Have a nice day!
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Well Mayor, seems like rallies aren’t your thing. But I’m not sure exactly what it is you don’t like? Could you explain in more detail?
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I have taken the time to settle down about riders not going to traveling lunches. Ive accepted it. Writing is on the wall like one member posted.
Its all good. Hope to meet some of you some time out on the road somewhere. Take care!
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Mayor, I completely agree about the ride and the location of the rally and in your case you could fall out of your front door and ride to the local grocery store and have a better ride than a lot of rally’s. .
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I tried rallies but I never got the hang of it. The whole attraction was kinda lost on me.
Take time off work to travel hours via interstate (I detest riding on the interstate) to get there in time to put up my camping stuff... Sleep in a campground (which I don't really see as camping), get up any maybe go do the rally loop on roads in an area that arent as good as my own backyard (I don't like riding in groups), come back to the campground and just aimlessly hang around waiting for like a spaghetti dinner or whatever... Sleep in the campground again... get up at dawn, pack the bike all up again and ride hours on the interstate to get home at a reasonable time to unload all the stuff, clean/organize the camping stuff...
I never went to one and felt like it was worth the effort. I could have just gotten up and gone for a decent ride from home on any given Saturday and thrown up my hammock in the national forest for a night by the river and been home by 10am Sunday morning- and had a nearly equivalent experience.
I did like the VA rally, I think mostly because I could take the parkway all the way there and back... And I used to go to Guzzies in the Blue Ridge as a day trip among great riding there + back.... But then they moved it to a Harley type campground out of the mountains in a pretty boring area.
Seems like it's mostly for retired guys who live somewhere without any good riding locally? But why would you ride 5/8/10 hours on the interstate to get there? Motorcycling to me is a solo avocation.. Iron butt riding holds no appeal for me.. If I'm going to get out for hours on the Moto, It's certainly not going to be navigating highways and traffic to sleep in a field in the flatlands. And even that is more appealing to me than something like bike week in Daytona/Sturgis/Stone Mountain
WHY I liked going - First of all I RODE my bike on new roads to the rally. Fwy and secondary depending on how soon we needed to get there. I met new fine people and had good whiskey sitting around large campfire setting listening and telling stories. I did not want to go on rides while there, I wanted to relax and visit. My most fun was at the WA state BMW rally (3 times) where I won many of the field events on my VStrom1000 or Norge against mostly GS's. ALWAYS rode my HD dresser to Sturgis from SoCal till I got tired of the same ole same ole BS and heat and tired of sleeping in the dirt and nonsense but came home with good travel stories. Not not much interested in repeating at this age. Been there, done that and GOT all the shirts... LOL
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I would consider going to Sturges. But not on an HD, not because there is anything wrong with them, just why bother, there are going to be thousands of the exact same bike.
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I like rallys. I like sitting around and visiting with other riders, i like looking at all the bikes. Im a social person. Interaction is important to me. Il keep going to functions as i can but i also respect others opinions who dont like going. To each their own! Woo Hoo!!!
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It’s all about the camaraderie. Either you get it or you don’t. I’ve met lifelong friends.
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I guess I just see it differently. I’ve got some of the best riding in the country right out my front door too — but that’s not really the point.
I always enjoy going to rallies. Not because the roads are “better” than home, but because the ride there gives me a reason to explore. I don’t just hop on the interstate and grind out miles. I take the small roads, the out-of-the-way towns, the stretches I might never see otherwise. A rally gives the miles purpose.
I enjoy crossing state lines heading west, watching the landscape slowly change, then settling in for the weekend and listening to all the lies. I like looking at other people’s bikes — what they’ve changed and why. I like meeting new people and hearing their stories.
Sure, you can find great roads at home. But you won’t find new perspectives, new conversations, or the shared experience of showing up somewhere together.
I’ve done plenty of solo touring over the years, and I still love it. But the “first time” awe fades eventually. You can’t see the Rockies for the first time twice. What you can do is ride with someone who hasn’t — and watch it hit them.
As I get older, I’m less interested in proving I can stack miles and more interested in connection. Showing someone a road they’ve never ridden. Listening to their story and reliving parts of mine.
Rallies aren’t for everyone. But for me, they’re about exploration, camaraderie, and keeping the spirit of riding alive. That’s reason enough.
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I guess I just see it differently. I’ve got some of the best riding in the country right out my front door too — but that’s not really the point.
I always enjoy going to rallies. Not because the roads are “better” than home, but because the ride there gives me a reason to explore. I don’t just hop on the interstate and grind out miles. I take the small roads, the out-of-the-way towns, the stretches I might never see otherwise. A rally gives the miles purpose.
I enjoy crossing state lines heading west, watching the landscape slowly change, then settling in for the weekend and listening to all the lies. I like looking at other people’s bikes — what they’ve changed and why. I like meeting new people and hearing their stories.
Sure, you can find great roads at home. But you won’t find new perspectives, new conversations, or the shared experience of showing up somewhere together.
I’ve done plenty of solo touring over the years, and I still love it. But the “first time” awe fades eventually. You can’t see the Rockies for the first time twice. What you can do is ride with someone who hasn’t — and watch it hit them.
As I get older, I’m less interested in proving I can stack miles and more interested in connection. Showing someone a road they’ve never ridden. Listening to their story and reliving parts of mine.
Rallies aren’t for everyone. But for me, they’re about exploration, camaraderie, and keeping the spirit of riding alive. That’s reason enough.
Well said, thank you!
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Personally I’m not really a “rally” motivated person by nature. I’ve always ridden with a small groups of selected friends that I’ve known for many years. I know their ridding skills and traveling habits, desires and needs.
However I am 100% in favor of motorcycles gatherings and events. And I do think they are important, especially for the Moto Guzzi brand loving folks. MG fans are a very limited sector of the motorcycle world and I’m afraid it’s getting smaller due to the very nature of this brand. The dealerships are few and far between and sometimes really impractical for ownership. In NC there’s only one dealer and it’s 100 miles from me. Sorry got off the subject briefly.
Anyhow for lots of folks going to rally’s gives them something to look forward to and that’s always good in one’s life. The excitement of the planning, preparation and the anticipation of the trip.
Those of you who enjoy the events by all means please continue because you are the final foundation that keeps the MG brand alive.
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(https://i.ibb.co/nsJg6nx4/PA-Rally-flyer.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nsJg6nx4)
Join your fellow Guzzi enthusiasts in June for a weekend of riding, camping, camaraderie and great food! Located at Fowler Grove Community Center in Port Matilda, attendees will enjoy the following amenities:
🏍Friday and Saturday evening dinners included
🏍Hot water showers
🏍Camping (no hook-ups)
🏍Door Prizes
🏍Some of PA's finest backroads riding with gpx tracks for recommended rides
🏍AYCE Breakfast available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting FGCC
Get your tickets here: https://kissellmotorsports.regfox.com/2026-pa-moto-guzzi...
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You know that one scene in "Animal House", when there's that guy playing a guitar on the stairs, and John Belushi takes the guitar away from him and smashes it all to pieces? Yeah, that's what I wanted to do to some knucklehead that was playing his guitar after midnight at the one and only Guzzi rally I ever went to. I did enough "camping" in the military, and have no interest in doing rallies.
That guy playing guitar was Stephen Bishop, who had a few hits and was nominated for a Grammy a couple of times, but you might remember his songs "On and On" or "Save It For a Rainy Day" best. He also sang the Animal House theme song!
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I tell people that Guzzi people throw parties all over the country and you are invited if you ride motorcycles.It is a wonderful feeling to get off your bike after riding all day and be welcomed with a beer and a hot dinner,for a minimal cost in a beautiful setting.