August 2019 - She is a lively 1982 Moto Guzzi V35 II, he is Giuseppe, 70 plucky years young. They left together from Milan, headed to Patrasso (Greece) for the 2019 International Meeting - Patras Ancient Olympia Meet - of the Moto Guzzi World Club which was held with resounding success from 21 to 23 June 2019.
A 2,100 km-plus ride astride a 37-year-old and 350cc Guzzi, done by a truly audacious Guzzista. In fact, Giuseppe, born in 1949, has been a true Guzzista for more than 40 years, member of The Clan (the Eagle brand’s official community) and a great protagonist of this adventure which – he is keen to point out – is just one of the many he has experienced as a rider. This is his story: “To travel, you don’t need a big bike, but a great bike: that is why I left Milan on the ‘old lady’ without any worries. 400 Km at a tolerable temperature, it was enough to drink it all in in one breath to be able to bid Trieste farewell and get free of the boring motorway. I crossed the Slovenian border and it was just the first of 14 border checks! The V35 trotted along admirably in spite of her years and the 100-plus Kg load. Preparation for the trip took place in self-service mode (although I had my trusted mechanic give her a quick once-over).
After all, I have attended many meets in the past, although I have always preferred to travel alone over the years. Some were rather tough, like that time in 1975 when I left in late January for the Elefantentreffen on the Nürburgring with a Guzzi California. I hadn’t been to one of the big Moto Guzzi meets for years, but before the Moto Guzzi centennial in 2021 (1921-2021), I thought it would be a good idea to get back on the road to taste that authentic Guzzista spirit!”
And he and his V35 II certainly did not go unnoticed at the Patrasso Moto Guzzi World Club meet, with vast participation by Guzzisti from all over Europe. Giuseppe adds: “My bike and I won awards, not in one, but in no less than four categories: Oldest bike (1982), oldest rider (1949), smallest bike (350cc) and longest trip to reach the meet (2,100 km!). Awards aside, I must say that the organisation of the Guzzisti Hellas national club was perfect. As soon as I arrived, there was a good feeling with the other bikers, partly thanks to those who helped me to socialise, acting as interpreter. The outing on Saturday to ancient Olympia was truly satisfying, as well as the gala evening where, in addition to the traditional dances and Greek food, the tales told by all the Guzzisti about their various road trips dominated the conversation. However, emotions peaked on the following day during the parade over Rio-Antirion bridge and the visit to Lepanto (Nafpaktos) to commemorate the famous naval battle of 1571.”
And Giuseppe received the best “recognition” from his daughter, Elena, posting on the website of The Clan, commenting on the article dedicated to her father’s trip to Greece with the following sweet and beautiful message.
“Congratulations, dad, you will never cease to astonish me… I wish you many more wonderful trips on a big bike, oops, a great bike! Your daughter Elena”.
Si ringraziano per le foto: Giuseppe Ruggieri, Enrico Cambiaso, Karlos Koutsoukian, Stefanos Bekiaris, Kostas Papadimitriou.
INFO MOTO GUZZI WORLD CLUB:
motoguzziworldclub.it/mapi
INFO MOTO GUZZI “THE CLAN”:
theclan.motoguzzi.com
INFO GUZZISTI HELLAS:
www.facebook.com/GuzzistiHellas
