Bill Hagan

Second docc's motion. And commotion. Finally got around to calling Walt to reserve a room. Gotta love a place like this: "You want your usual room?" Yup. This weekend, getting the Griso its 6K service with Jim Barron at Rose Farm Classics in Woodstock, then taking in the Slimey Crud Run in Wisconsin. All on a predicted wet and cool few days, darn it. But, to make that damp easier to accept, Jim says I can take one of the new Cali 14's for a ride while I'm there, Yee ha! Then, on 15 May, Larry LaHue flies up from Florida to help me ferry the Griso and Norge to their new home in Virginia. Then, the only big decision between then and September is which of the harem's choices goes to the SSR. Leaning toward the Griso, but I'm also buying place and show tix on the other two. Bill

Well, aren't we honored! Actually, I know that this is for Kathi, but as the head of her security detail, always happy to tag along. Will call Walt today; take it from your update re restaurant that you "prepped" him about this "non-event." I will -- Lord & creek, etc. -- have retired by then and we will happily be ensconced in our (Iron) Cross Junction home, as, btw, where I am this moment for the next several days, "practicing" for retirement. I am pretty good at it, too. Anyway, consistent with our eldercare duties for my mom in Atlanta, will be at Tellico at least by that Friday afternoon. Not sure what Guzzi we'll bring. Kathi has decreed that the Griso is not a LD tourer for her pillion posterior , but (so to speak), I'd like to introduce it to the Cherohala, etc. So, Kathi may drive the Mini or Fit down, too, as she's fine with day rides on the Griso. Anyway, very much looking forward to seeing all. Bill & Kathi

Lordy. Lordy. Lordy. Kathi is visiting me out here on the American tundra; we just ran through almost all of your photos. She loves Italy as I do ... and, ever the good wife ... humors me with my passion for Guzzis, too. I return home to Virginia this summer. With three Guzzis in the garage (one always runs ) and an extra bedroom or two, you are most welcome to visit. We look forward to your next trip to the USA Thanks for the photo essays. Bill

Hmmmmmm. Last person that used a litotes in responding to something I did ... fired me. Hired me back same day, but I have been wary of that figure of speech ever since. Bill

Not sure how "elegant" you really are. Also assuming, as have others here, that by "shorter" you mean "less wide side to side." As -- IMO, at least -- the Griso is a handful to turn in any challenging curves, I would think that if forward reach is the real issue, it would be better to retain as much "push" power in the wider bars and lessen the reach with adjustment or some sort of push-back riser. Just reread that and even I am worried it's gibberish. But, seriously, comfort is darn important, but I would worry lest narrower bars alone solve one problem at serious handling costs. OTOH, if you are a body-builder, disregard. Best, Bill

Si, caro dottore: non so che. No need to thank me ... I live to serve. Bill

Just sipping an espresso (yes, of course, with a whiff of grappa ) in Milan and wondering where docc might have planned to hold SSRIX. Unfortunately, it's Milan, Illinois, and, worse, as I am retiring next summer, not sure I'll be able to get away to attend this one. After missing SSRVIII, that is shameful performance. OTOH, it's a delightful 500-miler down to Tellico Plains from Cross Junction, Virginia, so, if not this time, I can look forward to SSRX. Bill

Yo, docc, what time are you launching the Sat a.m. ride? Got a PM from a Guzzista who wondered, and, actually, Kathi and I need to know, too, so I can build in time for discussing law with an enforcement officer on the way up from Atlanta that morning? Bill

Yes, regrettably, that would be us. As I had feared, our impending move to Virginia has made this impossible for us. The ONLY days we could arrange for moving out of our Atlanta home meant packers on that Friday -- 22 June -- and loading the following Monday, 25 June. So, we will drive up on Saturday to join the ride ... but in the MINI. The EV is back in Atlanta, and Jay Hines is going to ride it up to Virginia for me, but it has a flat tire and no battery right now. No time out here in Milan to repair before SSR8. But in the MINI we can be the SSR8 "support vehicle" for the Saturday ride. That leaves our nice room with jacuzzi, etc., available if anyone is interested. http://www.lodgeattellico.com/default.htm OBTW, re lodging in the general area just noticed that the Tapaco Lodge has reopened: http://tapocolodge.com/ Bill

Unless what? Go here (literally, too): Riders Hill Bill

Yo ... it's time to chat this up! Maybe a roll call? Kathi and I are in, but have to say that our time is imploding with house closing the following weekend in Virginia and all the craziness that goes with that. Trying to figure out how to get Griso to Tellico from Milan in a day without squaring tires off to the cords. I returned to Atlanta tonight and we are getting ready for movers ... code for 18-hour work days 'til Monday. Yikes. Bill

Guess one need not bump pinned posts, but this has been quiet of late. Docc ... anything new? Know who is coming who might not visit this forum? Jim Rich will be coming up from Texas and is sharing a room with Michael Miller at the lodge. I'm still planning to ride Griso down from Milan, but Harbor Freight's m/c trailer is temptingly cheap. Would probably have to drive REAL slowly on back roads, but easier than getting the beast up and into the p/u bed, and will keep down tire wear on the Griso. Probably be time to reshoe at Riders Hill while down there, tho may need it sooner. Jim at RFC keeps pushing PAST's, and, after using on my Norge, I am impressed. Your serve. Bill

I certainly agree about both of those, tho never quite thought of Kansas City as on the west coast. . The former's website has gotten exponentially better over past couple of years, and the latter is making progress, too. I usually start, tho, with MPH out of dealer loyalty. Bought my Norge there, and Todd is super responsive. Jim at Rose Farm Classics also seems able to find most everything quickly, and I am starting to lean toward him because I got my Griso there, and he's close ... well, by Guzzi dealer standards, anyway. Oh, and, Dave, that pic of your V11 is stunning. Who did that paint work? I keep talking about redoing my Norge in Carabinieri livery, and that sort of look on a finished product may move me off the dime. Bill

Got an e/m from a Guzzista who wonders if anyone wants to share a room at the Lodge. Well? Bill

One of the advantages of having food as one's downfall is that the landings are well-cushioned. And, Lordy, I do love biscuits. Must say, however, that making "real 'Mer'can biscuits and gravy is ... sigh ... a lost art. Bill

No T Shirt, I am out ! Tell you what. You get to Tellico Plains for the Raid, and I'll buy you and your SO your choice of tees from the Deals Gap Store . Like your tagline, btw. Bill

Just sent Walt a reservation request for 22-24 June at Lodge at Tellico. This is my first winter in the Midwest, and, even tho it's been mild, I'm already going stir crazy waiting on spring! Bill

Great work, docc. Plan right now -- code for "not thought out at all, but so what?" -- is for me to truck or ride the new Griso from Milan to Atlanta just before that weekend. I'll then ride it to Tellico, and Kathi will probably come up in her MINI. She would not, I think, enjoy the Griso's pillion for the ride from Atlanta to Tellico, tho she'll be fine for the day rides. Old hands have seen 'em before, but newcomers to this event might find it worthwhile to skim these slides for some idea of last year's Raid: SSR 7 Pix, with much more background in the original thread, SSR 7 Thread. Thanks again, docc, for taking this on. We look forward to "the reunion." Bill

Great pix. Made me go to Google maps and find Sulmona and the St. Leonard Pass. That made me very envious. Thanks for making my day in cold, wet Milan (Illinois) better by dreaming of being where you are and ... Bill

Actually, I am more of a prodigal grandfather than son. Be that as it may, I'm back here after a long silence, save occasional input to docc's South'n Spine Raid threads. My return, of course, isn't likely to make any of your "So What" meters twitch. But, the short version of the long story is that after I bought a Norge in January 2007, which brought my Guzzi battlefleet to three, i.e., the Norge, the '98 HDM EV, and the '04 Ballabio, I sold the Ballabio. To my eternal regret. My thinking at the time was that the garage was too crowded with car and three motorcycles. Yes, I know, doh. Move the car out! Actually, not so easy when the car is Kathi's MINI Cooper S convertible, mostly reserved for road trips and romance. Yes, thank you, even folks our age indulge in that! But, I muddled along. After all, it's hard to whine about a life that has, in addition to all my other (mostly undeserved) blessings, two great Guzzis in the stable. Then, last June, my job moved from Atlanta to the Midwest, a part of the world that, until this past June, I had only seen from 33,000 feet. I decided to go, too, tho only for a year, maybe two, then retire. In the meantime (July - October), I've put 5500 miles on the Norge, mostly in NW Illinois, SW Wisconsin SE Minnesota, and NE Iowa. You won't find some of the spectacular scenery I (enviously) see in many of the ride reports here. No Alps in Illinois, or, FTM, much of anything between here and the Rockies to the west and the Appalachian chain to the east -- I'll leave the polar regions to the north, and the tropics to the south out of this -- except bucolic rural America. I love it. There are, however, more challenging roads in this part of the world than you might expect, especially in that region known as the "Driftless Area," a large tract that touches the four corners of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, thus my focus there. This the place where the glaciers missed when they visited and retreated long ago. But, I really did miss the Ballabio. The Norge and EV scratched itches, but not the one that cries out for a solo rides in the hills. So, when I was having the Norge reshod at Rose Farm Classics, the Guzzi dealer in the Chicago burbs (and more of the latter than the former), I saw a red Griso. The rest is history ... and, I trust, lots of future. Here are two short slide shows about that purchase and a subsequent ride to an informal Guzzi gathering in the area, along with, if you are snowed in enough to watch anything, a Norge tour last month of that driftless area I mentioned. Bill's New Griso Starved Rock Ride Driftless Ride Today, as it hits 7F tonight and "high" in the mid 20's, the Griso and Norge sit in my apartment's garage, pinining, as I do, for spring. Regards from MIlan ... Illinois, Bill

Thank you. It was great fun. Talking with docc now off-line about the 2012 dates, as I intend to ride or fly back for it from my year-long "short tour" in Rock Island ... which, gasp, starts next week. Have experimented with lots of point-and-shoots, and now (mostly) use a Nikon D3000, an "entry level" DSLR. For a number of reasons, I use the camera's ordinary shutter release. Had a remote, but it was a minor PITA; the standard release is easy to use, even with gloves. Have tried automatic bursts and done OK, but mostly just hit (and miss) as opportunity strikes. More than you would likely ever want to read about the motofoto struggle here: http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/169/1362.html Bill

Finally finished pix. Have been in Texas most of week, and business ... and my hosts' entertainment (including my first visit -- I lead a sheltered life -- to a Tilted Kilt, with two women lawyers as guides!) have kept me too occupied to work the pix. War is heck. Anyway, here is a slideshow of the South'n Spine Raid VII of last weekend. What a great time. Thanks, Docc and all. South'n Spine Raid VII Pix Bill (& Kathi)

Nice pic, docc. As for your scandalous allegation, we shall see. Unfortunately, I have to be in central Texas next three days, but it wi-fi will let me, I'll piddle with the pix and see if I can post while out there. Bill

Yes, great fun. Will threaten you with 250+ photos later this week , but here's one for now ... Bill

"Some people" doubt you are married, docc, and hope you can prove it by bringing SWMBO to one of these raids sometime. The weather is looking typical for a SSR, with wet stuff likely. Still, Friday's looking grand. And, Sat fine enough. The predicted early low ceiling and "showers" will discourage squids and cruiser crowd folks, unless they go to the "hourly" details and see that it should be nice, at least 'til we light the logs in the firepit Sat evening. By then, of course, we won't care, as beer keeps one dry. Seriously, we can now wake you Tenn. mid-staters up early for that Sat start as the sun should not be a factor going east on the Cherohala. Even better, LEO's aren't likely in the sky or shoulders when weather is iffy. As for our convoy couples, Cam & his Cathy (of Clemson) and Mike and his Sue (of near us in Atlanta) will be in our gaggle heading north on Friday relatively early. Cam is trying to get his Nero Corsa ready, and cathy rides a V-Strom. If the Guzzi isn't roadworthy by then (long story; you'll hear it there ), they may both be on their R1200RT. Mike and Sue will be on a black Norge. I will, off course, bring something to sip. Oh, you'll be glad to know I am looking at a friend's Coppa; won't have it soon enough for this SSR, but mebbe by next. Bill