Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bulldog9 on June 26, 2026, 08:30:50 AM
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From 1-15 June, 4 Guzzi Riders took a little ride. We started as 4, then trickled to 3 then two. The goal was to ride out to Lindale Texas to see Guzzi Legend Ken Hand AKA the Texas Turnip. We started as 4 (Myself-2012 Norge, Bill Hagan 2022 V85, Bob Wegman 2021 V7 Special, Lannis Selz 2009 Stelvio) but dwindled to 2 due to unexpected family Emergencies. It was a "FINE ride as Bill often says. We stuck to all secondary roads, avoided interstates completely and 4 lane State highways as much as possible. Hard to balance distance with the "FUN" roads. We averaged 350-400 miles a day with a couple short days. Total of 3550 Miles, 14 States VA-WV-TN-AL-MS-AR-TX-LA-MO-IN-KY-OH-PA-MD for me. Through it all the Norge ran fantastic. Not a single issue other than having to adjust the gear shift lever to a new set of boots.
Here is our basic route with comments. We met up along the way. Bob rode down from Rochester NY to Bills, then Bill and Bob down to me linking up in Goshen VA, then we 3 linked up with Lannis at our first overnight in Princeton WV. This first post is the total maps of my route these are RIDING Days. PICS will follow later.
Day 1 Alexandria, VA - Princeton WV - 1 June
I left out of the DC Metro BLob and got clear in 30 minutes then down on the beautiful roads of VA, checked on my house in ROck Bridge Baths, then on through Goshen Pass to link up with Bob and Bill. We left out of there and continued on great roads to Princeton WV.
(https://i.ibb.co/sd22Pmsg/2026-06-23.png) (https://ibb.co/sd22Pmsg)
Day 2 Princeton WV - Jasper TN - 2 June
Up the next Morning, and Bill had to head home due to a family situation. Bob Lannis and I continued to Trace South and West to Jasper. Mostly good roads.
(https://i.ibb.co/mF4wSVBz/2026-06-23-2.png) (https://ibb.co/mF4wSVBz)
Day 3 Jasper TN - Lake Village AR - 3 June
Probably the worst riding getting across those flat sections of Mississippi. Bob veered North to return to Rochester for a family situation.
(https://i.ibb.co/rKnw6HRs/2026-06-23-3.png) (https://ibb.co/rKnw6HRs)
Day 4 Lake Village AR to Lindale, TX - 3-4-5 June
We arrived at Ken's house 5 minutes before torrential rain. It rained most of the time we were there. Was great to meet this legend. I know he knows many here on WG, and has been around for years. Hearing his stories, his rides, and experiencing his sense of humor was priceless. He says hello to everyone and hopes to get back on WG soon. I remember his screen name of Texas Turnip, and it was great to connect a person to the screen name. Another great Guzzi rider.
(https://i.ibb.co/QjTfKv3N/2026-06-23-4.png) (https://ibb.co/QjTfKv3N)
Day 5 Lindale TX - Leesville LA - 5-6 June
After 2 days of great food, fellowship and cigars, watching the weather radar, we launched South to Leesville and ran just ahead of a storm, getting spit on a bit here and there.We had great weather, and the light rain helped keep things cool. UNTIL LA.......... We rode to my Army buddies house. He retired out of Fort Polk in 2018 and is breeding Mules and raising some kind of weird hybrid steer. Was a great visit, we arrived around noon, and stayed till the noon the next day.
(https://i.ibb.co/4wHpLwKX/2026-06-23-5.png) (https://ibb.co/4wHpLwKX)
Day 6-7-8-9 Leesville, LA - Jeffersonville IN 7-12 June:
We left out of my buddies and Overnighted in New Boston TX, then up through Arkansas through the Grand Canyon of Arkansas, through Eureka Springs and overnighted at Mountain Home, then on to Evansville IN, and finally into Jeffersonville to my dads house. Mostly great roads, and we continued to have great weather with little more than the occasional spitting of rain. Got to see Abe Lincoln's birthplace and Monument. Kentucky and Arkansas roads did not disappoint, and WORST day was getting through Louisville to my dads. In retrospect, we should have cast a wider loop, but I thought I knew all the shortcuts to avoid traffic. Little did I know that I65 was closed and ALL the surrounding roads were clogged.
Lannis departed the morning of the 11th and I stayed till the 13th. Got to spend a few days with my dad and help him get his new MGB sorted. 88 Years old and still having fun.
(https://i.ibb.co/Zp5QKhTN/2026-06-23-6.png) (https://ibb.co/Zp5QKhTN)
Day 9-10 Jeffersonville - The Moto Grappa Cross Junction VA 13-14 June:
Left out of Jeffersonville and headed North to Cadre Cycles, then on to Marietta OH. Great rods across Indiana and Ohio including 555. Unfortunately there was an accident on the 555 and I had to use dead reckoning on goat paths and Ohio Hillbilly back roads, and ended up in the middle of no where. Had a similar situation somewhere in Indiana with bridges washed out. Marietta was the closest town with hotels, so I shot the 50 miles down and then back up to complete my route that looped me through the SouthEast corner of PA and down to Cross Junction VA.
(https://i.ibb.co/mVFjDRsx/2026-06-23-7.png) (https://ibb.co/mVFjDRsx)
Day 11 Moto Grappa to Home 15 June
This was all familiar Territory so I figured I'd try to mix it up, but I smelled the barn and ended up taking known fast roads.
(https://i.ibb.co/9kQYs2Bd/2026-06-23-8.png) (https://ibb.co/9kQYs2Bd)
This is my first entry, pics will follow, but 'duty' calls :thewife: :whip2:
BLUL, I rode 3500 miles to see this guy
(https://i.ibb.co/7x5C8WkP/PXL-20260606-014552466-TS-000.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7x5C8WkP)
and Eat this........... IYKYK
(https://i.ibb.co/5hHfxPn4/PXL-20260605-133742875.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5hHfxPn4)
(https://i.ibb.co/4BQ8znc/PXL-20260605-133759891.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4BQ8znc)
(https://i.ibb.co/pjF8FGnY/PXL-20260605-133823428.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pjF8FGnY)
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Sounds like a great ride,good to see Ken is still upright.
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This thread needs much more than a ‘Like’. What an awesome ride and reason for going.
Ken is indeed a legend in the Moto Guzzi community. The kind of guy that after knowing him online, you just want to shake his hand and tell him thank you to his face.
Years (2+ decades) ago he posted about wanting to ride to Alaska. Less than a week later my phone rings and it’s Ken. Just wanting to say hello and that he made it safe and sound.
I’m saddened to have never made a G.R.I.T. (Guzzi Riders In Texas) Get Together. Sure loved reading about them though.
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Turnips pay well, great to see Ken.
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Quite a character indeed.. :grin:
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Good to see such a great trip report and to find Ken still well. Been 6 or 7 yrs since I made to the GRIT get to gether. With my eye sight I do not stray far anymore but enjoy reading reports like this!!!!!
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Hello Ken good to hear about you
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I may have met him at the National Rally in NH several years ago?
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Have had the privilege of meeting Tex a number of times. Here is a picture of his best side. I think he would agree. :grin:
GliderJohn
(https://i.ibb.co/Z1d373z9/Screen-Shot-2023-01-04-at-8-06-23-AM.png) (https://ibb.co/Z1d373z9)
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Great ride report!
Thanks for sharing BD👍
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I had a great ride with you three. Thanks for the invite. Sorry, I had to cut it short. I ended up with a little more than 1700 miles. Never hit a drop of rain. Ken is a legend.
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PICS from the trip including my Bourbon Smuggling. If you know the Peerless Single Barrel Picks......... YOU KNOW. Also a pic of my dad and his new MGB... 86 years old and loving life.
Was a great trip with great people. It's hard to find good riding partners, but Bill, Bob, and Lannis are outstanding. Anytime anywhere.
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Tex and Beaver have always been the most gracious hosts of the GRIT
Tex is famous for his baked goods...always a highlight in the mornings at the GRIT.
Sounds like a great trip.
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We've attended the GRIT Rally for the past 5 years, Visiting with Ken and Anne is always a Great Time.
Sadly we'll not be able to make it this year, 2 Knee replacements screwing up all this years Rally's
Ken always has Great Stories and even Better Advice
Charlie
(https://i.ibb.co/HD3vqFWr/CJW-1331.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HD3vqFWr)
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Speaking of the GRIT rally, does anyone know if it will happen this year?
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It Is :thumb: :thumb:
The first weekend in October( I Believe)