Orson

I've been remiss in my duties and haven't posted pictures of my foray into Wales. For the UK lads this may be old hat but I thought I'd post to give the Yanks & Canuckians a view. Wales most definitely lives up to the hype in British bike magazines. I came away thoroughly chuffed (Brit slang) about the Welsh roads On the first day, I left the shropshire town of Whitchurch and promptly crossed the frontier into Wales. Before long I was into the Cambrian Mountains with its picturesque towns of Llangollen & Betws-y-coed. From there, I veered north towards the coast to the seaside town of Conwy and its massive fortified castle. Here is a shot of the north coast of Wales. Conwy Bay looking west towards the rugged Isle of Anglesey. The following day, I had made arrangements to meet some of the UK lads of v11lemans.com for a tour of some of northern Wales' finest tarmac. The appointed meeting place was the Ponderosa Cafe at the summit of Horseshoe Pass just north of Llangollen. Parked up at the Ponderosa Cafe. After wolfing down a full English breakfast, we made our way with Baldini leading the way. These blokes don't dally! They ride quickly but not recklessly, taking good lines through the corners and none of this knee out histrionics It made things easy for me as I could see their braking points as well as which way the road was turning. We blasted up I-5 towards the Snowdonia peaks. Nearing the coast near Caernarfon, we turned inland through the spectacular Pass of Llanberis From there we headed towards the western coast of Wales, stopping for a spot of tea near a classic railroad station. Wales was full of turn of the century locomotives. Here, a flotilla of Guzzis park up for tea (or is that a gaggle of Guzzis?). The sight and sound of 4 Guzzis roaring through the Welsh valleys really made my senses tingle Whether the Guzzis or the locomotive have the most torque is certainly debateable After stopping in the seaside village of Llandfendigaid for another dose of fish & chips we headed inland, the terrain really reminded me of the hills of Marin county in northern California. The roads were mostly smooth, fast sweepers which was good since Guzzis & fast sweepers go together like coffee & cream. We finally ended up in Welshpool at about 6 P.M. After all the hard riding, we stopped at a pub to quench our thirst. While nursing a pint, I marveled that the lads kept such a brisk pace without fear of the rozzers. I had read much about the rabid police enforcement in Wales. They said you had to pick your spots and that most of the enforcement came on weekends. After bidding our farewells, we made our separate ways home. Martin easily taking the Iron Man award having another 150 miles to ride. I returned to Whitchurch and promptly collapsed in bed without food or a shower. The third day, I decided to make an overnight trip to southern Wales. I made my way south along A483. South of Newtown, the A483 turns into a rollicking rollercoaster ride. BIG fun with more fast sweepers interspersed with the occassional tight bend made for a thrilling ride. South of Brecon I was into the Brecon Beacons National Park. I made it as far south as Cetn-coed-y-cymmer before having to turn and head north if I was to make it back to Whitchurch the next day. When I reached Llandovery, I started looking for a place to stay. Everywhere I stopped was full up! I suddenly remembered that it was Friday. On top of that, this was the weekend that the World Rally Car boys were doing their Rally of Wales. I continued north, stopping at every inn along the way with no success. Finally made it to Builth Wells which was far enough north to be away from the rally fans. I found a decent hotel with a pub downstairs (is there any other kind?). The following day would be my last. I decided to head back to Snowdonia in hopes of getting some better pictures with sunshine. That was the plan anyway. Unfortunately, as I got closer to snowdonia, the clouds moved in. Still there was no rain so, I wasn't complaining. I continued north along the A470 through tiny quaint villages with names I couldn't pronounce. Early morning on the A470 heading north towards Rhayader, Mid-Wales.

Fernando, Look in the Frequently Asked Questions Section for the topic: Transmission Spring Failure FAQ Topic Starter: Al Rothlesberger

Yes, I went through Prague on my trip this summer. Look in the Travel Section for pictures of the trip. Prague was nice. Had some good food...drank some absinthe The old part of town was really jammed with tourists. I think Budapest was very similar to Prague with less tourists. I was amazed by the architecture in Budapest. I tell you a place I really enjoy. That was Merano in the Sud Tirol part of Italy. Surrounded by the Alps. Clean city, beautiful surroundings and world class motorcycle roads. However, it would cost an arm & a leg to live there and I haven't been there in the winter though the winters are supposedly mild as Alps winters go. There just something about the Italian culture that I enjoy. I think it's the que sera, sera attitude where jobs and making a living don't seem quite as important as enjoying a good meal and driving sexy cars and motorcycles Amsterdam is fun too

I recall that a significant portion of the troops used on the Raid on Dieppe were Canadians. My father served in the Royal Canadian Artillery. He fought in the Italian Campaign. I remember him talking ruefully about the destruction of the Monte Casino Abbey. A sidenote...he was injured and sent to recuperate at a hospital set up in a convent in beautiful Amalfi. His paperwork was lost in the shuffle so, he spent a month there. He really loved it there. Someday I must try to make it to Amalfi to see if I can locate the convent. Sorry for the thread hijack.

my hunch is...and it's only a hunch...that if or when Moto Guzzi gets back on more stable financial ground, they will make a sporting or sport touring based bike. It's in their blood. course...I could be wrong

My Tenni has 42,200 km / 26,375 miles with the original pawl spring. Have any Tenni owners suffered a pawl spring failure? Of course, I've probably jinxed myself by posting this

I went to the factory for my first oil change the gate guard looked at me funny then drew some directions to the Agostini dealer around the corner. The factory looks just like a factory from 1920 should look like. and yes...the roads around Lake Como are great. The Alps are just an hour away. Google up some pictures of Lake Como to see how beautiful it si.

I checked the WH Smith at Euston Station. Zilch

Dang dottore! Your luck's got to change soon! I too noticed the difference between American vs European garages. American garages might have a Daisy Duke poster or a Budweiser sign while the Euro version has Picassos

Ya...I wonder if the Tenni is special enough to warrant it's own forum. not that I'm unappreciative! Thanks Jaap! color is great

I really enjoyed reading Motorcycle Sport & Leisure as it seemed to be directed at a more mature (read: old farts) audience. However, the last few times I've been to the UK, the magazine is nowhere in sight. Do they hide them under the counter along with the naughty mags?

Patti Smith needed a shave and she didn't record Easter in the 80's but that album flat rocked. If you've never heard Easter do yourself a favor and buy it. Edited to add: the aluminum tanked Guzzi pictured above is gorgeous. The rider ain't too shabby either but that bike is beeootiful

Then there's La Baneza GP these guys are nuts

a friend of mine had an RD 350 but it didn't do anything for me. I was too young to ride then so, my recollections might be different if I had been able to ride it. now, another friend had a Honda 450 parallel twin of some model or another with some modified pipes. When he got out on the highway and opened 'er up...it sounded like a REAL motorbike Very distinctive to. We knew it was him before he ever came into view

There's supposed to be a street in Tokyo with nothing but motorcycle accessory shops. Every motorcycle doodad known to man...and then some. I forget the name of the street but it's supposed to be really impressive.

Pious Guzzisti don't like to make much of it but, the more devout amongst us kneel and pray in the direction of Mandello del Lario 5 times a day. Either praying for the speedy delivery of spare parts or praying that they avoid having one of the Guzzis built on Monday morning

Thanks for posting! wish I could have been there!

I lived in Napa back in the late 80's. Highway 121 was my local ride I got to know it like the back of my hand! That's one great stretch of road on a motorcycle I enjoyed it more from Napa to Berryessa as it was uphill in that direction and really let you rip through the corners on the throttle. I often ask myself why I ever left Northern California. Those are some of the best motorcycling roads anywhere.

Whoa! Nice Tenni Giovanni! I've never seen that chin cowling before on any V11. It really adds a lot to the package! I'm jealous! Who sells those? congratulations on Bike of the Month

I'm happy to see Voxan is still alive and kicking I hadn't heard much from them and thought that they had gone under. I saw one at the 2002 IOM TT and really liked it. The more v twins on the market, the better

a 2 day trip sounds great I would just like to reiiterate what a grand time I had riding with you chaps (blokes?) It was great to have someone with local road knowledge taking the lead so we could see which way the turns went and where to brake. Fantastic riding. A week later and I still have a buzz As I said earlier, I work a 2 week on / 1 week off work cycle. I'm not selfish enough to presume everyone needs to plan around my schedule though When I get back to Saudi, I can post my schedule here and we can see if there are any dates everyone can agree too. Cheers

Thanks all to a great introduction to Welsh roads! What a blast!!. That was one of my best days riding ever! The weather just kept getting better. Riding with 3 other Guzzis was a real treat...a symphony on wheels I seldom ride at Mach 1 speeds so, the ride was pretty thrilling. Good bikes, good riders, none of this knee out hanging off stuff. Just honest hard riding. I'm sorry I didn't post up last night. I was exhausted and collapsed in a heap. Slept almost 10 hours! I wake up and see that Martin already has a trip report filed. This from the man who rode 150 miles just to meet up at the Ponderosa Martin gets the Ironman Award. I've always rated northern California roads as some of the best I've ridden but, I'll have to put Wales right up there! Thanks to KB & Gary for guiding us through some of Wales best roads & thanks to Gary for escorting me and my tire back to Whitchurch I hope to return in the spring for some more riding!

my Tenni is actually in Europe. It divides its time between Moto Guareschi in Parma, Italy and a friend's barn in Shropshire, UK. I try to fly up and ride every chance I get no way, no how I'd ride a bike in Saudi. The locals drive CRAZY! Besides, it's very hot and not very scenic.

it's been my experience that my Tenni doesn't agree with in town riding. Maybe cuz it runs at higher temps in stop and go traffic. It stutters & coughs on occasion. Get out of town though, and it's in its element. if most of your miles are done in city traffic, something Japanese might be more suited. I have long arms so the stock bars don't bother me.

ok...I'm good to go. I'll be on the Tenni and wearing an aerostich suit. kinda greyish green coloured.