Guzzi Rally
I haven't slept in a tent since 2007 so this should be interesting.
Need to haul to much gear because I don't "rough" it any more
so will trailer the V50ii to the event.
I rented a U-Haul motorcycle trailer 5 days for $84.00 tax in.
At under $17.00 a day it is not worth me owning a trailer for the few times I need it.
It is low to the ground for easy loading and unloading.
Arrived at the
Joli Voyageur Campground on Thursday and set up my campsite.
Spent the day relaxing and meeting the participants as they arrived.
Thursday evening the Joli Voyageur Campground made and cooked pizza.
An 8 inch pepperoni with toppings was $7.00 with a second one for $4.00.
Unfortunately I had been snacking all afternoon so could not enjoy the lower price of the second one.
Friday morning we gathered at Chez Julie Restaurant in Verner for a "trucker" breakfast at a good price.
The following ride was 140km under sunny skies with high scattered cloud.
Friday night was burgers by a donation at
Levigne Tavern.
After walking back to the campsite we sat around a fire and told lies.
Fortunately there is no fire ban in the area.
Friday night was cigars and brandy but did not partake in either.
Saturday had been planned for a 470km ride north into Quebec but the weather forecast was for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Breakfast was put on by the owners of Joli Voyageur Campground as part of the rally.
I joined a 300km ride counter clockwise circumnavigating Lake Nipissing.
We missed all the heavy rain and only had a few light showers that where not woth putting rain gear on for.
The storms passed north of use thru Sudbury, Lavigne and North Bay.
When we passed thru North Bay in the afternoon the streets where still wet and the gutters full of water.
The riders who attempted an abreviated northern route had to turn back because of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
We stopped in Callander Bay at
1886 LAKE HOUSE BISTRO for lunch and watched the storm clouds go north of us.
The V50ii was not the smallest motorcycle and that honour goes to a KTM 390.
Pee Break
Saturday was cook your own steak night with baked potatoes, corn on the cob, salad and cake for dessert.
40+ steaks, plenty of beer and only 2 BBQs !
Everbody eventually got to eat a steak and sometimes it was the one they put on the grill.
To honour the Itallian Motorcycle theme of the rally I was forced to partake in some
Grappa.
Again we relaxed after the meal by sitting around a fire and telling more lies.
I also won the Best Vintage Guzzi trophy for my 1980 V50ii.
The Longest Distance Traveled trophy went to a rider who had been traveling for over 7000km before this stop on his trip.
The Best Moto Guzzi went of course to the newest and most expensive toy.
This was the 3rd year in a row for the same person with a new Guzzi each year.
YES! you CAN! buy happiness.
Sunday morning a large number of riders packed up early to be on the road ahead of the traffic.
I hope to be able to rent a accommodations for next year so I do not need to carry camping gear and able to ride my V7iii.
