Yes, it’s been some time since we’ve had time to update the website. Things have been busy. Jerry D from Florida was awarded not only most miles traveled to the National in Malibu, but with this, he was awarded the baton to hold until early next Spring when he will put it in motion for Relay to the Rally 2009. Nice job Jerry!

We do have a special additional gift to all of those who collected a patch for moving the baton. Be sure to get in touch with me with your mailing address; Todd at GuzziTech.com

With a very generous donation from Larry Loyd of the 50/50 raffle at the National, we raised near $2500 for the National Guzzi Injured Rider’s Fund. Those who contributed will be allowed to vote the end of this year on who to award the total amount to. We will vote on the most hard luck case of the year (2008). Next year, I hope to see $5,000 as a minimum, so start collecting early, and be prepared to make a pledge when the baton comes through your area. Even if you can’t carry it.

Be sure to check the photo album HERE with the scanned pages from the log book. Check back often for more info regarding the kick-off of the “National Relay to the Rally” 2009.

StEVe, Karen & Ron Personius hand deliver the baton to Todd E (MGNOC SoCal Rep) on Tuesday, June 24th on the grounds of Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, CA. Sam B took it for it’s final Pacific Ocean dip at the Rally site.

Long Distance Rider to the Rally Jerry D (of Florida) at 4800+ miles, was awarded possession of the baton until Spring 2009, where he will set it in motion for the MGNOC National in Colorado.

Check back often for updates, log book scan & photos. We will also be adding the total miles covered soon.

The baton raised nearly $2500 in donations for the Injured Guzzi Riders Fund! What a great family we have.

If you earned a patch and attended the Rally in Malibu, we have a complimentary gift that will supplement your patch. Contact me direct; Todd at GuzziTech.com

Steve, Ron & Karen Personius left Duluth, MN and landed Friday night, June 20th, in Gothenburg, NE. 

The second night, Saturday June 21st, the baton spent the night in Salt Lake City, Utah!

The third night put them in Reno, then off on a Nor Cal tour to soak in some of the State Parks (Yosemite, etc.), landing them in Malibu for Rally time!

Fantastic job to all of those who carried the baton!

On Monday, June 16, at 7 am Eric and I departed from Moorhead, MN and headed east for Walker, MN. It was a bit chilly - 51 degrees. We arrived at the casino in Walker, MN at our scheduled meeting time 11 am. The valet parking attendant showed us where we could park our bikes. I thought it was nice we got to be right up by the front door. He then went on to explain that they didn’t want motorcycles parking on the asphalt and leaving dents.

Adrian arrived a few minutes later. Eric was sure he could hear him coming down the road before we actually saw the bike, a black Griso. We had the official photograph and then all agreed we needed a cup of coffee to take off the morning chill. We tried to have a cup at the casino, but after looking around for a few minutes (and being asked NOT to take pictures inside…) we decided to head into town for a slightly less noisy environment. We parked in downtown Walker and Adrian treated us to coffee. I actually had a “Breve” since it flatters my bike. It was nice to talk to another Guzzi rider. We told him to look us up if he is ever in town.

Eric and I then headed to Akeley, MN where I posed with Paul Bunyan. Then it was off to Itasca State Park to get a few photos at the headwaters of the Mississippi. The park also has a beautiful one-way scenic loop through the park. The road was full of wonderful curves. This kind of road does not exist out on the prairie so we take advantage of them every chance we get.

I had hoped to get pictures at the world’s largest prairie chicken, the world’s largest loon, and the world’s largest turkey, but there just wasn’t time. We needed to be to the Fargo Theatre by 7 pm. We had invited all of the local riders we could think of for a picture. There ended up being five of us, a Norge, a 750 Breva, a Jackal, a Quota, and an 1100 Breva. What’s neat is we have never gathered before as a group. We decided to extend the evening and have dinner at Sammy’s Pizza down the street. It was a great evening.

That night at home and early the next morning I was in a bit of a panic. I didn’t know where to take the baton next. I had planned on taking it to Watertown, SD to give it to Neil. The trouble was he wasn’t going to be able to move it along until Friday and even then he didn’t know where to take it. With the relay team’s blessing I ended up calling a fellow MN Guzzi rider from Duluth that I knew was going to the National Rally. He agreed to meet me and carry the baton the rest of the way.

So Tuesday at 8 am I headed out alone and rode to Garrison, MN. I met Steve in front of the world’s largest walleye (what else?) and officially handed the baton over. We had lunch at the local diner and parted ways.

Total time with the baton - 24 hours
Total miles carrying the baton - 374 miles

I know Steve will be carrying the baton west starting at the end of the week. He told me he’ll keep his eyes peeled for another rider. Perhaps others will still be able to help carry the baton. If you’re looking for him he’ll be riding a hot dog and mustard EV and his wife will be on a silver Norge.

Best of luck to the baton and everyone helping to get it to the rally!

See Lori’s great photos HERE.

The baton was in my hands briefly this afternoon. Who needs sleep?
After working all night, I took a couple hour nap. I then picked it up from Chuck in Il. at the Italian moto brunch in Elkhorn, WI about noon. Rode it up to Oshkosh with stops at Holy Hill, a catholic Basilica and Shrine, which is very near my house. Also stopped at the Experimental Aircraft Association Museum and headquarters in Oshkosh,. At the EAA I tranferred it to Steve Miyagawa who is transporting it to Sheldon Aubut’s place on the St Croix River ( the Mn-Wi. border). Steve will meet Adrian there tomorrow am. Not sure exactly when, he should be calling to schedule that.

Looks like we’ll have it through Wisconsin, the long way, in less than 24 hours. Didn’t have time to show it the sights much though. Had hoped to do MG Cycle at least and maybe the Milwaukee lakefront. Thought about getting it in to Iowa too but too many flooded roads out that way. Photos soon.

Chris Collins in WI.

Chuck and Andy at the state line marker.

“It was a dark and stormy night . . .”

No, really — it was.  Lucky for me, though, that by the time I showered, dressed ad geared up the storm front had passed to the east.  All that remained were the downed trees and debris-strewn streets.

I was off to meet “Chuck in Indiana” to collect the baton and begin my leg of the relay.  Sort of a Chuck squared thing.  As opposed to a Square Chuck thing.  But I digress.

I was to meet Chuck on the IN/IL state line about 75 miles south of Chicago.  From my home northwest of the city, I rode directly south and then cut east, avoiding most of the Chicago morning commute.  Avoiding Chicago during rush hour is a REALLY good thing.

After the previous evening’s weather dramatics, the clear ride down was a pleasant surprise.  Just a spritz of rain here and there made me wonder about the wisdom of wearing my ‘Stitch, given the rapidly rising temps and high humidity.  But it was what it was, and I enjoyed the ride.  For however much one can enjoy a ride composed of 2-laners running through farm country.  You saw the topography in the pic of the baton hanging on the barbed-wire fence, right?  A slight bend in the road here and there as the long-ago highway engineers plotted the roadways around farm fields is about all there is.  “Riding the Twisties” in this part of the Midwest means negotiating an expressway on-ramp

Got to the meeting spot a bit early, and had time to sit on a picnic table and relax.  Not too long before Chuck pulled up on his Red Norge — with a surprise escort: Andy Thompson, Indiana state MGNOC Rep on his Cali.  These are two really great guys, and it was a pleasure to spend a little while with them taking pictures and catching up.

OK, time to get going; Chuck and Andy off to a lunch spot (they were running on Eastern Daylight Time) and me off to Downtown Chicago.  I had a few stops in mind, and had to get moving if I was to be able to make them all before I ran out of day. 

First stop in Chicago was at US Cellular Field — Sox Park — home of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox.  Yep, I’m a Sox fan.  No “Cubbie Blue” for me, thankyouverymuch.  The baton seemed to enjoy the atmosphere around the ballpark.  I stopped outside the box office and was approached several times by people wanting to ask about the baton.  OK, they really wanted to know if I had any tickets for the game that night.  Whatever.

Chuck (in IL) Desantis

Pics soon!

Chuck S met John G in Eastern OH, and Chuck did over 500 miles of backroads to return “home” to Indiana.

 6-13-08 — Friday the 13th.
Looks like rain, so I (Chuck S) suited up and headed out to Thorntown, IN to meet MGNOC state rep Andy Thompson. Yep, rained all the way there, but it looked like what my friend from England calls a “clearing shower.” They know rain, and sure enough after we took off, the sun peeked out.

We were early to our meeting place at the Indiana/Illi-noise state line, but Chuck DeSantis (Chuck in Illinois) was there even earlier. We don’t mess around in the midwest.

Our job done, we turned east, and Chuck headed for Chicago.
The Norge computer says 829.8 miles, top speed 94, average speed 53, and averaged 49mpg. Gotta love this scoot. Andy and I worked our way south on back roads until he said, “I’m heading for home, you get to ride into *that*.” It started raining shortly, and rained the rest of the way home.

It’s been an honor helping my extended Guzzi family move the baton around the country.
“Live long and prosper” — Chuck in Indiana

He noted in the logbook it’s need for speed, and got it up to 175mph(!), see how HERE.

John G picked up the baton today (6/10) from Paul R., and takes it to Chuck in IN - John is brand new to Guzzi and did some monster miles of his Griso(!).

The wife and I made it back to Rochester from Americade today (June 8th), and it sure was bloody hotter’n the hinges of hell. We took the baton around the city & took some pics when we got back. I’ll post them as soon as I can. — Paul R.

Adam S. (left) carried the baton 530 backroads miles all over NH, VT, ME and handed it to Paul Rotar at Americade (Lake George, NY) at 2:30 EDT, today.

See Adam’s great photo Blog HERE.