Where Eagles Fly, 2009

[belfastguzzi]

What's this all about?

 

From MG website:

"London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Florence, Naples, ... Six Guzzi caravans across Europe, towards a single appointment! Thousands of kilometres on wonderful roads away from motorway traffic.

 

Guzzi riders of Europe: the emotion of a memorable journey under the sign of the Eagle!

 

Dispatch cars and motorcycles for each Caravan. Assistance on the whole road. Hotels and restaurant selected and reserved. Personalised kit: Road Map, Patch, Sticker, and Travel notebook."

[belfastguzzi]

This is what it's about:

 

Registration grants you technical assistance along the entire route, and dispatch cars and motorcycles to escort the Caravans, besides suppers and hotel reservations along with restaurants selected and reserved for the occasion. To all those registered, a personalised kit will be delivered including a Road Map, patch, sticker, and travel notebook.

 

Thousands of kilometres on wonderful roads, in a journey that, beginning Saturday 7 November (depending on the selected departure city), will culminate 10 November at the 67th annual EICMA, the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition at the Milan's trade exhibition centre. For Guzzi enthusiasts participating in "Where Eagles Fly", admission is included to the first day of the trade fair, normally reserved for industry dealers and for the press.

[antonio carroccio]

and now the link...

 

 

http://www.whereaglesfly.com/EN/introduzione.php

[Skeeve]

Gee, you think Piaggio has some new product announcements for EICMA? Or are they just trying to make up for cancelling GMG?

[belfastguzzi]

I trust they're announcing that they've decided to give me a new Griso in place of the lump that they sold me.

It would be good if they're planning to announce a proper dealer/service/back-up system. I'm sure that's a priority that they're working hard at.

 

 

At a quick look, this event seems just a commercial travel operation (with a MG tie-in).

The London 'caravan' is 2 nights out, 1 night in Milan and two nights back.

 

I just happened to see another organised bike (Triumph) travel thing to Sardinia and Corsica, for two weeks.

This trip is further and much longer but is the same cost as the 'Guzzi' jaunt.

 

Triumph thing: "The cost of this proposed 2-week holiday ... is likely to be in the region of 1500 euros for 2 people on one bike, or 1700 euros for 2 riders on 2 bikes (i.e. 850 euros each). For a single rider who wants single accommodation, the cost is likely to be in the region of 1250 euros. These costs should include all ferries and 13 night's accommodation.

 

So the Guzzi-EICMA operation doesn't look good value in comparison. I'm sure there will be a much superior class of rider though.

 

November isn't the month of year that I would pick for an expensive bike holiday.

[antonio carroccio]

These costs should include all ferries and 13 night's accommodation

 

Not bad at all.

Sardegna is a beautiful country to visit by motorcycle.

In 2004 I was there with wife and children and we decide to go back after my 50th birthday to travel the country by bike.

Most beautiful beaches in Italy are there!

 

...and you are right David, travelling through Europe in November isn't that spectacular. Besides most pass in the Alpes are closed. Italians have no scruple to close a pass. They shut it just in case…