[1] Before the rally, we rented a Moto Guzzi V85TT and a Stelvio from Agostini Mandello https://www.agostinimandello.com/rent-test-ride and rode the Passo Agueglio into the pre-Alps. On the last day, we were able to rent just one V85TT and I rode on the back over the Passo San Marco. Both routes are highly recommended for anyone who enjoys hairpin turns and spectacular views without all the traffic of the more famous Passo Stelvio.
[2] I booked an apartment in April for the September rally. There are not many apartments in the center of town so I suggest reserving early.
[3] There were guides available to answer questions. I relied on my Italian husband, whose first full size motorcycle was a Moto Guzzi V35 Imola.
[4] See their web site at www.archiviomandello.it for many interesting documents and images.
[5] See Paul d’Orleans’ recent article about the artist. https://thevintagent.com/2024/07/15/artist-and-his-moto-guzzis-antonio-ligabue/
Ahhhh …. the ever ubiquitous Guzz … or goose if you prefer .
Considering how close they came to the brink of extinction a mere few years ago … it is amazing and a testimony to their .. tenacity that they’re still around … still creating some of the quirkiest yet … and here’s the contradiction .. ridable and practical ( pretty damn reliable as well ) M/C’s in the world … maintaining that sideways V now for decades … creating variation after variation on the theme ( like a good classical composer ) from sport bikes .. to ADV’s … and though not presently in the lineup ( hopefully coming back ) some of the finest cruisers Italian style ever made
To my great embarrassment … never owned one … but probably should ( any of em sidecar worthy ? ) ridden a couple … loved em when I did …
Ahhh …. the Guzzi ..in this world of mass homogenization … may the iconoclast Moto Guzzi live forever on .. and may they remain right where they are … in the valley of their origins
The individuality of Moto Guzzi … a rarity indeed in any business or ‘ art ‘ of today
Ahhh ….
Molto grazie … va bene … ecco … ciao !
😎
FYI
The #4 link above … non funziona … e.g. … it don’t work !
And ohhh that film ” Nascondermi ” … damn that thing still haunts me !
( read ” Touched by Fire ” if you care to understand why … suffice it to say … I came a little too close to the flame myself back in the day …. Magritte’s wisdom ( live and orderly life keeping the chaos for your art ) not to mention … well .. I won’t drop names … keeping me just at the edge … )
I had a wonderful V11 that I made into a Cafe Racer. Loved the side to side rocking of that transverse V twin; so unique.
Moto Guzzi and coffee, how can you go wrong. “Sophia” is my 2018 Eldorado.
Va Bene ! Here’s hoping they bring back an updated Italian bruiser cruiser … for ahh … those of us that .. err .. missed the boat .
Now toss in a mere dash of Grappa into your evening coffee ( or do the Mondavi thing and toss in a good splash of vino rosso ) … and Cin cin ( personally I go for the grappa )
And on that note ( as in ear worm time )
” A Mambo … Mambo Italiano ”
Yeah … that’n will stick for months