The Moto Giro is on next week. I can't go for the whole week, but I want to follow the last day which is the Terni to Tivoli leg on 1 June. So I am heading down to Italy in a few days. Plan is to go by car, but taking my 1972 450 Scrambler (this is an ACTUAL Scrambler) with me to ride around while there. The event is not a race, essentially a time trial/parade/re-enactment for elderly gents on classic Italian bikes, so I am hoping I'll fit in just fine. https://www.motogiroitalia.it/en/
Now booked on a Eurotunnel crossing Tuesday morning 29 May. Bike already packed inside the car for the trip, with the front wheel, tank, seat and battery removed. Battery fully charged (6 volt); tank empty with the petrol in a separate approved can. It won't take me too long to reassemble when I get there, maybe two hours work. Today I bought some "GB" stickers, large for the car & small for the bike.
Fitting a motorbike inside a car is not all that easy, even with a fairly small bike (for a 450) and an estate car. I only just managed to squeeze it in. Trailering would have been another option, but I thought towing my MotoLug trailer 1,000 miles each way would be a drag. Back in the day when I used to have a Citroen CX Estate, fitting bikes inside was easier because of the low floor and high roof line - they don't make 'em like that any more.
I have a picture somewhere of my 1098R wedged into one of our Renault Kangoo work vans. I absolutely love the CX range, there are a fair few (and even more DS) still in circulation over here!
Eh voila, here it is! I drove all the way back from Normandy (to Geneva) like this, turning right was particularly fun. Oh and they do make ‘em like this any more. This has almost 360k on it and is still earning its keep on a daily basis.
A 1930s Rudge with bronze four valve head: General scene at a Giro time check: Moto Guzzi and Morini singles: Brough Superior SS80 side valve had a tough ride, as the rider hit a wall on the right side and bent the footrest (and his own foot):
General scene at a time check: This beautifully made Mondiale was being ridden in a spirited manner. You can just see a lady with a Ducati 160 Monza Junior: This Indian was in fine original condition: This was a line up at the Finish, in the Roman amphitheatre in Tivoli:
A fine Aermacchi 250: Gilera Saturno, Laverda Jota, Yamaha RD400, Moto Guzzi 750 S3 lined up at the finale: Gathering in the Piazza della Republica in the centre of Tivoli:
Friends are trying to persuade me to get an official entry for the Moto Giro 2020 next year, but I fear the whole six day event might be too much for me. Still considering it. I could enter on my modern Multistrada instead of a classic bike, which would be a piece of cake but not entirely in the spirit of the thing.
What have you got to lose just be brave and just go for it,if it becomes too much work.....withdraw at any time
Pete,The only home garage with top ceramic tiling that i've ever seen, be careful with your back/bend the knees etc.
Indeed. Luckily there's a couple of strong young guys working next door who have offered to help me out, so no problem.
Arrived home OK Friday 7 June, after 2,200 miles by car and a couple of hundred miles by bike. Taking the Mont Blanc tunnel on the way down was a terrible idea - avoid it like the plague. The St Gotthard on the way back was a much better idea. Turning over in my mind what to do next year, always depending on health, finance, and weather of course.
