PJPR01

Thanks P6X...indeed, received the 2 mails yesterday as well...I saw a couple of corrections. Am also hoping to be at Flying L to pick up the number flag early and get a few stops along the way...nice to get a few weeks advance start on the tour. There may be a nice gathering of folks there from 10-2... I registered 3 bikes this year for the Tour...we'll see which one wins the lottery for the first set of stops! I hope you find the Quota soon!

I would love to see Marquez win another title on the Ducati...that would be truly sensational! The bike and the outfit look absolutely fantastic and seeing his grin coming off the hot laps was priceless. Then again, let's hope he doesn't screw it up by the usual antics...here's to hoping that drafting, bumping and causing accidents (sorry...racing incidents!) are now over that he's on a great bike. No longer can we say what they used to years ago...Ducati, Ducati....Soldi Buttati!

Got two rides in already this year, yesterday and today. Tomorrow will get another one in! Weather is perfect...50-60 F, blue skies, not much traffic... Yesterday did 150 miles, today did 225 miles...have to exercise the fleet!

Mille grazie...molto gentile!! Ti invito un cappuccino pronto quando e arrivato tutto! Paul

Very kind of you!! If you have room, I'll take 3 pairs of the size II Mid height Merino Socks, two in red, one in blue! Saludos!

If time is that limited I wouldn’t recommend it for just one day. Alternatively perhaps You could fly into Seattle/Vancouver, pick Up the Coppa Italia for sale and enjoy a leisurely ride down to John Day and then book it home. I have to say that doing it express route style is just a wasted opportunity to enjoy some of the best riding in the country thru Montana, Idaho and Wyoming and Colorado…rushing thru it is like wolfing down a delicious fresh pastry and coffee in one bite…even if the socializing part is no longer your cup of tea so to speak, do enjoy the ride…it’s a shame not to savor it.

5 days out, a few days there and 5 days back. The fun route we did last time from Houston: Outbound: Houston - Amarillo - Pagosa Springs - Durango - Silverton - Ouray - Grand Junction - Provo - Golden spike/Promontory - Twin Peaks Idaho - backroads to John Day. Return: John Day - Pendleton - Walla Walla - Lewiston - Kookskia - Lolo - Red Lodge (over the Beartooth / Chief Joseph) - Cody - Thermopolis thru Wind River canyon - Steamboat - Dillon - Trinidad - Raton - Amarillo - Dallas - Houston Total of about 5200 miles on that trip, lots of time for nice sightseeing...I wouldn't dream of rushing it and slabbing it all the way, there are so many interesting backroads and non interstates to take. the Rally was about 320 folks, well organized, NOTHING like the Lone Star rally, onsite tech support at the time from Matt Forslund (NM Guzzi rep with a trailer/tools), plenty of nighttime events, songs, campfires, small groups, raffles, group photos etc...really nice event. It may or may not be one of the last times a National is held, who knows...but it's a fun event...last time in this location was 2016... Age is absolutely not an issue...you'll fit right in...

Was there the last time in 2016, planning on going again in 2024...it's a great ride to and from there..

Thanks for sharing P6X...an interesting catalogue and somewhat odd presentation at the same time. The products seem quite innovative in terms of technology/comfort, what's surprising (aside from only 1 Guzzi featured) is that almost all of the shots show the street riders wearing tennis shoes (Vans look alike) or lace up sneakers...while the offroad racers are fully geared up with proper footwear. By doing this deliberately I take it they are marketing to the urban rider where the V7 and V9 are more predominant. The socks look cool...but even that is somewhat odd...wind protection from socks (???), well, if you were wearing boots, why would you need wind protection from your socks??? They seem to be a cross between LD Comfort and Bohn Armor products (less extensive product availability but have similar applications for comfort) w/o the bulky pads. Might have to order a pair of socks just to try them out on the 2024 GTofT.

I don't know if I could live with that paint bubbling...it just takes away from the whole experience! Lovely red bike...seems like everyone has changed out their gauges...I'm happy my Veglias are still working nicely!

The museum would be perfect…I stopped there a decade ago on the way to Big Bend….would be very much in the spirit of the Tour. Another good one, let’s say a modern one, would be the launch pad site in Boca Chica for the Musk rockets…extra bonus points for a night time launch with rocket flames!! Pity that he doesn’t take your suggestions, I wonder how many he gets? I thought the ice cream trailer on the corner near Luckenbach would be an interesting one….they make gelato out of buffalo or bison milk and have a great place inside for lunch…and a massive parking lot…ideal for motorcyclists to visit!

Nice!! Thanks for the map! Much better distribution for us this year! I finally watched the video a couple nights ago…quite a few new stops to visit. The welcome to Texas sign is a fun one to chase…I usually stop and take a picture like that when I am crossing back from Oklahoma in May coming back from a Guzzi rally in Kansas…now I have to think about the long slog again back to Marfa! That’s a big trek just for one stop! Some of the other ones I will try to get if I can make it to the National rally in June on the way to Oregon heading up towards the northwest portion. Lots of planning needed this time and promises to be another fun year!!

Managia.... Figlio di pu... Porco...

I would go for one on a group order as well...that looks like a nice piece of kit.

A pleasant Xmas surprise arrived today!!

https://www.istorage.com/storage/texas/storage-units-houston/10200-Katy-Fwy-881?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_content=881&utm_campaign=localmaps This is the closest storage place I see near you, might be worthwhile checking out. I don't see why they would mind having a motorcycle in one of the 5x 10's...or even smaller, the storage space near my place up in Spring has cars, motorcycles, boats,RV's etc.. I don't see why they wouldn't allow it...having a trickle charger would be a good idea. By the way for changing tires on the Guzzis I am now using Motorcycles Unlimited, a shop on FM1960 (in and out in less than 24 hours, you can bring the tires, or they can order them for you. No more 6 week wait! You can bring the bike or bring in the tires. Either way...slight difference in price. Very fast service. For the more complex stuff other than tires, back to MPH but for routine stuff like tires, you can get fast turn around. https://motorcycles-unlimited.com/

It sounds like we may be able to start earlier…something I read in the last newsletter…and a few more alternative stops! It would be nice if he added a stop near to home…but I just consider the Red Roof Inn as my “local stop”! A really good suggestion on the Iron Supply…would fit the bill precisely. Weather is perfect for riding!!

It arrived finally! I will put a Velcro patch backing on it so I can switch it from jacket to jacket as needed. I have several large circular black industrial strength velcro patches. Next year I hope to get all 50 stops…got 30 this year.

I painted my dash screws black, and a few other items. They don't get taken out often enough to worry about the paint peeling...so by all means take them out and paint them. On the Ohlins reservoir, those screws holding the bracket must be gold in color....it's in the manual as a requirement or the bike just won't run properly!

I’m with you 100%. I also have several Jackets…one long mesh, a short mesh, an impermeable one, so it would be nice to have multiple patches to attach, I would even buy the extra ones! Hopefully he sends out the round one shortly!

Well...it's a 50% win...got the rocker patch, but not the full round one yet...inquiry sent to the organizer. Hopefully a complete set soon.

Danke sehr...good sleuthing!

I'm still a bit bummed...I haven't received my patch yet...will have to send an inquiry to the organizer! Actually have some free time this weekend and need to get it sewn onto my jacket!

Well that’s probably because you were looking for a V11 and on this trip I was on my Guzzi Norge and not the Scura…right around 2:10 to 2:18 I think into the video…

Well...we know at least 2 Guzzis are in there! I found mine at Comanche around 2:18 into the video, will watch the rest later tonight to find yours! My 2 favorite stops this year: 1. Mural of Outlaw Josey Wales in Corsicana, since that's my favorite Clint movie of all time. 2. Hotel Blessing...the sweet old lady who has worked there about 1/2 a century took pity on me after arriving an hour late after lunch was closed to make me a special double lunch...one for me and one to take home to my son...very kind of her! Can't wait for next year! I did a few extra stops that didn't count on a Fly & Ride 1400 mile back to Houston from Tucson a couple weeks ago and hit Marfa, McDonald observatory and a ride on the River road from Presidio to Lajitas thru Big Bend National Park, Alpine, Marathon a ton of extra backroads.