IMOC Rally 9/10/23

[Scout63]

Still calling for thunderstorms. I hate to miss the show but it’s not worth three hours each way and going over the bridge.  I hope it is nice for those who go.

[s1120]

I was hoping to go this year, but after driving home from Alantic City Friday night in devesting storms, and coming home to a town that was also a mess with thousands of people loosing power for days and looking like a war zone with trees, and branches down everywhere, the thought of riding 100 miles in possible thunderstorms just doesn't appeal to me. Hope you all have a great time and hope the weather holds out for you all.

[Stretch]

I was awoken with thunder at 5AM this morning, and then it started to rain.

250-300 miles of  I-95 and 495 in thunderstorms is not so appealing.

Hope the rest of you have a good time!   

                                   -Stretch

[chuck peterson]

We have sunshine!….for now

If you’re in the neighborhood come by

[SLDMRossi]

~ 38th Annual IMOC Rally ~
Steven Rossi
   
   Back in the day, we motociclisti used to put up with what were called Veglia gauges. Which we frivolously referred to as “vague-lia,” due to their inherent inaccuracy. Most recently they’ve been replaced by electronic instrument clusters, but that doesn’t mean we’ve been liberated from uncertainty within the Italian motorcycle scene.
   Because when it comes to events like the 38th Annual IMOC Rally, it’s now the imprecise…if not apocalyptic…weatherman that we have to contend with to monitor our wellbeing and plan our destiny! Yeah, OK. It’s a steamy late Summer in New England and there are some spotty thunderstorms floating around. They could flare up. Then again, they might not. Who knows?
   Does that mean that members need to be scared out of their wits in the event of a cloudburst? The incessant, ominous forecast for Sunday, September 10 seems to have led some to believe that the world as we know it was coming to an end. After about (coincidentally) ten phone calls with the question…“what do we do if it rains?”…the answer remained the same. “We get wet.” It seems that motorcycling ain’t what it used to be. This too shall pass…I hope.
   So there we were on the idyllic grounds of the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club (est. 1921, like Moto Guzzi) in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. With vivacious V-twins and more decelerating down the Hamilton Road hill among the Pines, inciting an exhaust crescendo which reverberated off the Gun Club Pond. That’s the type of thunder we enjoy…who cares what the weatherman says! Because like an old Veglia tachometer…yet again, he bounced around and wasn’t totally accurate.
   A light early morning sprinkle made way for partly cloudy conditions with bright blue sky peaking through on occasion. As usual, the Ducatisti assembled on one end of the field while the Guzzi gang commandeered the other. In between was a glorious array of what we refer to as the “Etceterini.”
   The odds are always good that you’ll see a good assortment of odd…though quite interesting…bikes at IMOC. Those “other” makes which defy specific categorization, such as…a 175cc CF (Catelli and Fiorani), Fratelli Ferrari, Devil O.C.M.A., a pair of Gileras and more. Not to mention more mainstream (if you can call them that) marques like Laverda, Morini, Cagiva…etc.
   As usual, the $10 per person/$15 two-up admission included a commemorative Ducati Meccanica rally pin, because Bologna Bevel bikes were this year’s feature. A wide assortment of IMOC shirts were also available, along with handy Club parking pucks. And the Gun Club Kitchen/Bar was rockin’ and rollin’…with breakfast sandwiches being a welcome new addition.
   Like last year, People’s Choice Judging went beyond just the Overall winner to also include Moto Guzzi and Ducati. The other categories were selected by Club Judges. Which included:

   Best Aprilia         Tom DeLorica      2014 SR 50
   Best Ducati         Matt Phillips      65 Turismo
   Best Etceterini              Chris Mauro      1933 CF 175
   Best Laverda         Louis Frazier      1978 1200
   Best Moto Guzzi              Bob Mauceri      1990 Mille Café Custom
   Best Moto Morini      Lance Littlefield      1982 500 Sport
   Best Scooter         Chuck Peterson      1976 Moto Demm Smiley
   Best Ducati Bevel      Matt Phillips      1968 Mk. 3D
   People’s Choice              Bob Mauceri      1990 Moto Guzzi
                                      Mille Café Custom

   After 38 years of IMOC enjoyment, we thank those who came out despite the dire predictions. It sure is nice to know that you value the Rally that much because there certainly would be no bike show without show bikes. And we know that a lot of you got wet on the ride home and no surprise…the sun was shining when we pulled into the driveway back in Connecticut. Either way, we appreciate the loyal support.
   So we’ll see you on Sunday, September 8, 2024 for the 39th Annual IMOC Rally at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge, MA. Thanks to those who had the will and resolve to attend this year, we were able to just scrape by financially. Next year’s Contract was signed and paid for in full this afternoon. The feature will be Moto Guzzi Singles. Fair warning…get those Falcones, Airones, Stornellos, Lodolas, Zigolos, Gallettos, et al in motion! And keep your eyes on www.imoc.website for more details.
   Finally, we’ll leave you with this thoughtful sentiment. The only motorcycle rides you regret…are the ones you didn’t take. Even four wheels are better than none, when it comes to supporting the cause. Hope to see you next time…

[cliffrod]

Glad to hear about this years IMOC and see some pics.  Thanks for all the work to keep it going, Steven.  Congratulations on your win, Chuck!

When I attended in 2000, I rode my V7 Sport nearly 6 hrs roundtrip from central VT- almost entirely in the rain both ways.   It was definitely worth the ride.  Really I wasn’t 850 miles (short route of mostly I-95 traffic) away from it now…

[Pescatore]

Thank you Steven and the judges for organizing the event.
I meet new people each time and enjoy the exchange of information.
If this was one of the few storms we usually get in the summer, attendance might have been greater.
This summer, the rain has worn me down. Even the drive was annoying.
Maybe it's the aging factor.

If it's any consolation, there are two events in the next two weekends at Larz Anderson.
I'm hoping for good weather. 

Cheers!

[steven c]

Great day Steve thanks for all your work.

[brider]

Yesss! Hats off to you and your crew, Steve for another fun Sunday in Sept! So glad I made the ride up from New Haven. Like we all hoped, the rain didn't really come by until mid-afternoon like it usually does in the summer, so we all really lucked out. Since the rain was moving east, I headed west out of Sturbridge to take the long way home, west/south, and managed to only ride thru the rain for an hour or so. Lived to tell about it. Can't wait 'till next year!

[chuck peterson]

I want to thank my family, my sweetheart, and members of the academy……I worked tirelessly for 45 minutes putting air in the tires and filling the tank…

 


Not, I say, not a scooter.

Mo
Ped

Motor with pedals…

[chuck peterson]

More…i nixed bringing all 11 thru the rain, but maybe another time…next year’s date is on the calendar

[chuck peterson]

Randy, Guzzi flat tracker hanging with Bud..

[PilotJet]

Always fun driving out to Sturbridge. Good Job!! to all of you who keep this event going. Got a little wet getting there but took the long way back home and actually saw the sun. Only stayed for a short time, enough to check out the machines, grab a quick PBR, and talk to a few people. My favorite were the 2 old Ducati dirt bike / scramblers. I wish the owners were giving demo rides on those. LOL

[brider]

Mo
Ped

Motor with pedals…

Sorry, first time I took a close look: A WINDSCREEN? And what's it like to actually PEDAL those pedals?

[TOMB]

It looks like everybody had a good time, Steve Rossi, thank you for your continued efforts. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this year due to a personal family matter that has to be dealt with.

I probably will see you on the third Sunday of the month. Oh, wait, that's this coming sunday .

TOMB

[MotoGuzzi750]

I know that this is a preeminent rally every year but have never been. Going to try to go. How can anyone pass up a field full of Italian bikes and owners…

https://www.imoc.website/

I am new to imoc, and would like to attend a event near me, if there is any.
I am in SF Bay Area, CA.
How do I find out event like this in my area ?

Thanks.

[chuck peterson]

Sorry, first time I took a close look: A WINDSCREEN? And what's it like to actually PEDAL those pedals?

Stupid. Really, really stooooopid….


Definition of a moped:

Take the worst possible parts and gearing from a single speed bicycle…

Add the wimpiest 1 1/2 hp motor possible, susceptible to various degrees of seizures and various other disagreeable components of a motorcycle…

blend together into a completely inappropriate and dangerous vehicle that you keep trying to go faster with…

And they breed…
 

[Roebling3]

IMOC is always sweet - one way or another. Easy for me to say? Yes, it's ~15 miles. I may have paid my dues? Rainy trips from NJ at first.
5 close friends I seldom see, can always be counted on. Their friendship is precious @ my age. Their bikes? Interesting, Stunning? all are fun to be around.  Thank you Steven, et. al.   B~