Moto Guzzi National Owners Club (MGNOC) National Rally 2024 @ John Day, Oregon

[Grabcon]

Serious question from relocated east coast rider to the southwest.
How do I cross all that desert and not get completely cooked riding up from PHX?  Late June is brutal.

Like you I live in the desert, about 90 miles SE of Tucson. My wife and I have been here about two years and ride year around. Summer heat can be brutal but you can still ride in the heat if you are prepared. Like others have mention start at dawn. I don't ride between dusk and dawn, there are to many things that happen during those hours. We don't wear mesh gear. My wife wears Klim riding gear and I ride with Aerostich Darian jacket and pants. Our gear is solid with a lot of vents.

Last summer we did over 500 miles of 105 plus temps. We stop every 150 for gas and hydration. We also use cool vests and soak them when we stop. We also try not to ride over 70mph regardless of the speed limit. We also carry several liters of water. Also as mentioned 3 to 5 pm things heat up so we try to end our riding day by that time.

Under garments wear stuff that is wicking, no cotton. We also wear compression socks I don't know if they help for heat but our legs and feet don't swell up.

We to are headed to the rally but we are leaving June 7th and hitting the BMW rally first, then up into Canada between rallies.

As an added note make sure you keep sweating. Lots of water. If you stop sweating you are dehydrated, bad, bad, bad. Before we start our ride for the day we each polish off a liter of water and then a liter at each 150 mile stop.

[Tom]

Still time to register via Zelle and save $25.  A reminder if you decide last minute in a couple of week within the rally.  They'd like to know for the catering count.

Bike is ready.  Airfare/reservations set.  Vacation leave set.  Just have to pack my clothes.  Camp gear also ready to go.  Looks like I'll take the middle route out of PHX going east of the Grand Canyon up thru the Rez.  Left hand turn in lower ID then west to John Day, OR.   

[JJ]

Still time to register via Zelle and save $25.  A reminder if you decide last minute in a couple of week within the rally.  They'd like to know for the catering count.

Bike is ready.  Airfare/reservations set.  Vacation leave set.  Just have to pack my clothes.  Camp gear also ready to go.  Looks like I'll take the middle route out of PHX going east of the Grand Canyon up thru the Rez.  Left hand turn in lower ID then west to John Day, OR.   

* Rally Fee paid...check cashed...I heard there may be at least 250 people in attendance... (??)
* 1 month to go...Should be a fun adventure...
* From the VOC (Village of Oak Creek, AZ), we will split the trip into 2 days going and returning with an overnight stay at the historic and restored Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, Nevada...nice digs, by the way...
* Arriving in John Day on Thurs. June 27th.   Staying at the Best Western Hotel for 3 nights...

[Brand X]

115 miles from me..Cool thing is, I can ride #380 all the way there..(135 mile)As far as fossil beds go..The school in Fossil is a good place to find them.. All this area is my riding area.....Oh yea, my first go at fossil hunting..

 

[Tkelly]

There may be more fossils at the rally than anywhere else.

[JJ]

There may be more fossils at the rally than anywhere else.

aka...."Guzzi-Geezers!!" 

[Tom]

Some of the bikes will be "geezers". 

[JJ]

Some of the bikes will be "geezers". 

Yes!!  Like my 1998 Centauro GT!!

[Tom]

If I didn't have my Cal 1400T, I'd be on my 1980 SP1000NT.     Large gas tank and excellent for cruising in the American Outback.     There are parts of the U.S. where I look at a map (remember those) and calculate distance for my mileage range.  Looking at a GPS map doesn't guarantee that the town that shows is actually alive with a working gas station.  🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[Brand X]

I've been 217 miles on my 2002 stone..Lot of 80 MPH/etc.. out Highway 395/20 I made it to the gas station but was cutting out in the turn lane.. No gas in between that..Breva 1100 hundred was 52 mile per gallon and 6.25 gals  I also had a 1.2 gal rotopax.. 

I don't have a Guzzi right now, but I think I could get to John Day and back on my Aprilia.. If you guys go out and follow the John Day River from Kimberly to 395.. You will find some of the most beautiful parts of Central Oregon.. Here is a pic almost there on 207 north. which is a nice road too..

 
 

[JJ]

QUOTE:  I've been 217 miles on my 2002 stone..Lot of 80 MPH/etc.. out Highway 395/20 I made it to the gas station but was cutting out in the turn lane.. No gas in between that..Breva 1100 hundred was 52 mile per gallon and 6.25 gals  I also had a 1.2 gal rotopax.. 

Trust me from experience...When crossed NEVADA and the sign says:  NEXT GAS 100 MILES...heed those words. 

My buddy's BMW ran out of gas 1/4 mile down the road from Tonopah.  We should have gassed up earlier.  Luckily, the ol' White Whale (my 2014 Victory Vision) still had 1/4 tank and I had a siphon.  Some photos of that adventure a few years ago.

[Travlr]

Was in the garage yesterday getting the LeMans Cafe Racer ready.  No way I"m going to ride it 1500 miles.  It will be in the trailer with JJ's Centauro.

Mike

[JJ]

Was in the garage yesterday getting the LeMans Cafe Racer ready.  No way I"m going to ride it 1500 miles.  It will be in the trailer with JJ's Centauro.

Mike

    John Day Oregon...or BUST!!

[moto-uno]

  Strange , that doesn't look like a Harley (in reference to trailering)  I've been to the Broken arrow rally twice on my Le Mans 2 , 3000km round trip !
Oh yeah , I'm also 6 dozen + 1 years old  .

[JJ]

  Strange , that doesn't look like a Harley (in reference to trailering)  I've been to the Broken arrow rally twice on my Le Mans 2 , 3000km round trip !
Oh yeah , I'm also 6 dozen + 1 years old  .

73 years young?....3000km on a Le Mans?....My hero!!

[Moparnut72]

JJ when you are at the hotel in Tonopah see if you can get your of the secret passages and the story behind them. I was there in an off season and given a tour. Unfortunately I don't remember the reason they were built.
kk

[JJ]

JJ when you are at the hotel in Tonopah see if you can get your of the secret passages and the story behind them. I was there in an off season and given a tour. Unfortunately I don't remember the reason they were built.
kk

I'll check into it...  I have stayed there twice before...and all the talk of the place being "HAUNTED" is just good publicity and good for marketing...

[Pescatore]

Unfortunately, riding or renting a bike did not work out.
I just booked flights and rental car. Better than missing this gig altogether.
Hopefully plenty to do at the camp without a bike.

[Tom]

Fly-n-ride.     You can use my bike.

[JJ]

Unfortunately, riding or renting a bike did not work out.
I just booked flights and rental car. Better than missing this gig altogether.
Hopefully plenty to do at the camp without a bike.

I would agree...and it sure beats sitting home on the couch in front of the TV!!!

[Matteo]

Unfortunately, riding or renting a bike did not work out.
I just booked flights and rental car. Better than missing this gig altogether.
Hopefully plenty to do at the camp without a bike.

Maybe there will be some demo bike available to try🤌🏼🤌🏼
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Matt

[Pescatore]

Fly-n-ride.      You can use my bike.

Very generous, Tom. Thanks.  I'm not bringing any riding gear, so no riding for me.
I guess I will explore by car.


The next three weeks will seem very long. See y'all in Oregon.

[PJPR01]

Very generous, Tom. Thanks.  I'm not bringing any riding gear, so no riding for me.
I guess I will explore by car.


The next three weeks will seem very long. See y'all in Oregon.

Worthwhile carrying your boots/jacket/helmet...plenty of beautiful roads to ride in the area.

[travelingbyguzzi]

I just canceled my room at the dreamers lodge in John Day. One of you guys jump on it before it goes away. Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
I will still be there, but the planets have shifted a tiny bit.

Bill Lovelady        IS
Eskimo Spy

[JJ]

I just canceled my room at the dreamers lodge in John Day. One of you guys jump on it before it goes away. Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
I will still be there, but the planets have shifted a tiny bit.

Bill Lovelady        IS
Eskimo Spy

The Best Western...just down the street from the John Day Lodge is sold out ...

[Buckturgidson]

JJ when you are at the hotel in Tonopah see if you can get your of the secret passages and the story behind them. I was there in an off season and given a tour. Unfortunately I don't remember the reason they were built.
kk

Last time I spent the night at the Mizpah in Tonopah the deputies visited the saloon across the street three times to break up fights. Saturday night in Tonopah...Looking forward to the National, taking CA-139 through Adin which affords great views of Shasta. Also riding the Palouse, staying in Colfax WA.

[Moparnut72]

I will take 139 also but continue on towards Bend as I have another thing I want to do. Then I will go east across to John Day. Looking forward to the rally and some time off from normal life.
kk

[groundhog105]

I have a room at the Budget 8 motel in John Day thurs,Fri,sat nights. It has two beds if anyone would like to share a room.

[redhawk47]

I have not seen any info on activities or schedules. Are there any activities planned? Of particular interest is Thursday, during the day.  I expect to arrive about 4pm either Wednesday or Thursday, and if nothing is happening until Thursday evening I may plan a Thur arrival.
Is there an activity schedule?

Dan

[Tkelly]

Thinking of riding west from Missoula across ID,then to John Day.Which is the most enjoyable way from there?