belfastguzzi Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Been rather pre-occupied with some things since Christmas, but wanted to get out before the end of Jan, to mark the start of the New Year. First Part of Jan was Big Snow. That's gone now and on Sunday past, the sun peeked out, slowly, faintly. I had originally hoped to go to the most northerly point in Northern Ireland and then on to the most northerly in Ireland, as a New Year destination. That's what we did on the Guzzi meet last May, Ulster 2: Ballintoy and then Malin Head, Inishowen. Short days and other things were against that. Plan B was to go to the Sperrin Mountains and do some new back roads, as in the Gaps and Passes thread. Organising a few local bikers for the event was as easy as pulling your own teeth. I went for Plan C, which was to go to a new, unfrequented hill track for a new view of the Mourne mountains (remember Spelga etc, Guzzi Ulster 1?). Then on, along the sea coast, to the most southerly point of County Down and Northern Ireland, at Greencastle/Cranfield. Half a dozen people turned up at the meet point and 7 people had a very enjoyable day (as we met 1 more in Newcastle, under the Mournes). Sorry, no Guzzi photos – it's about being out on a bike, at the start of the year, whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 The start of 2011 riding The outcome of a plan for a New Year Destination First fine morning, with brightening sun and drying roads: Part 1) The Temple > Saintfield > Ballynahinch > Castlewellan > Hilltown > Ballyvally Mountain/Carnadranna for a new view beyond Grugganskeagh to the Mourne Mountains (looking west to Rocky Mtn, Hen Mtn etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 Part 2) > the sea by Rostrevor > Greencastle / Cranfield the most southerly point of Northern Ireland > Kilkeel > Newcastle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 "I think tyres are ded gud, do you think tyres r gud?" "Yeah, me and my mate got black ones." "I like the way they spin round n round." "Yeah, beezer." then a couple of routes home mostly on a good riding route north west by Banbridge and I went chasing with the 1198, north east on a good ol' route by Downpatrick and Killyleagh, up the west side of Strangford Lough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smeleclontino Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Part 2) > the sea by Rostrevor > Greencastle / Cranfield the most southerly point of Northern Ireland > Kilkeel > Newcastle I think you are right financial help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Very nice photographs but.............................WHERE ARE THE GUZZIS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Very nice photographs but.............................WHERE ARE THE GUZZIS? As I said in the first post: 'Sorry, no Guzzi photos – it's about being out on a bike, at the start of the year...' Travel and being out on the road to somewhere, through somewhere, doesn't always have to be on a Guzzi. I think this sub forum is more about the The Place and The Experience, rather than about having taken a Guzzi somewhere. This time I chose not to take the Guzzi, though almost all my other photos and topics here in this sub forum do feature my and others' MGs. There are times when other bikes do the job just as well or better, or just differently. Plus, the theme of my thread is about doing something different, for the New Year. There are also times when other riders provide a refreshing perspective and experience. I've no interest in being buried in a stultifying Guzzi clique. I can see plenty of that and I'll avoid it, or reduce the dose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Sorry I did not read that right ... I understand, I also own several bikes of different brands but I prefer to use this forum to tell of traveling Guzzi, if I can. I do not think it is stultifying or expire on a Guzzi clique, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I prefer to use this forum to tell of traveling Guzzi, if I can. Yes, absolutely right Remo, I agree. And thanks for the response, in the first place! As has been said quite a lot, the Forum is very quiet because people don't post, so your reply provided a way to start an interesting discussion. At least I thought it could be interesting. The world doesn't always agree. My simple thought is: if we have run short on things to say about V11s, why not post on motorcyling experiences generally - occasionally if there is a reason? I wanted to have a ride to mark the start of the New 2011 Year. I didn't originally intend to post about it here, as there was no V11 motorbike content – but with the lack of other new topic posting, I thought I would.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldini Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 ...if we have run short on things to say about V11s, why not post on motorcyling experiences generally - occasionally, if there is a reason?.. I guess the way the board is perceived is governed by it's model specific name - but it's never been as narrow focused or cliquey as a lot of others - there's always been plenty discussion only loosely related to V11 or Guzzi or even M/C's. Long may it continue. KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remo Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Unfortunately it is true. Many friends have sold their V11, not many have bought another. The poetry of a motorcycle so real is ending? I think we are losing a lot of passion for this model, due to acquisitions and new models ... For me MOTO GUZZI basically is V11 and California, but not limited to these two bikes. There are many beautiful Guzzi but the character of California and V11 is not achieved anywhere else, not even the beautiful Griso. Losing a motorcycle treasure like this is certainly not given by talk of tours with other bikes but the lack of "desire" of those who love these models. Lack of desire to live and tell the stories associated with them. It is not my case, not yours, but frankly more participation would make it much easier this .........LOVE...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio carroccio Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Unfortunately it is true. Many friends have sold their V11, not many have bought another. The poetry of a motorcycle so real is ending? I think we are losing a lot of passion for this model, due to acquisitions and new models ... For me MOTO GUZZI basically is V11 and California, but not limited to these two bikes. There are many beautiful Guzzi but the character of California and V11 is not achieved anywhere else, not even the beautiful Griso. Losing a motorcycle treasure like this is certainly not given by talk of tours with other bikes but the lack of "desire" of those who love these models. Lack of desire to live and tell the stories associated with them. It is not my case, not yours, but frankly more participation would make it much easier this .........LOVE...... dai che te l'appoggio Remo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldini Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Unfortunately it is true. Many friends have sold their V11, not many have bought another. The poetry of a motorcycle so real is ending?.... For now, for most people, the V11 is too old to be interesting as a "modern" bike, & too modern to be regarded as a "classic". It's design & engineering isn't pure or exclusive enough to qualify it as a "modern classic". It never did anything on track of great note (unless you count it's very presence there as a monument to something...)...or anywhere else for that matter. And Guzzi didn't sell so many, so there's not a lot of owners. I guess in a few years the V11 may be regarded a little differently, imv - like the 180 Jotas were to Laverda - it'll be regarded as the last of the "hairy chested" Guzzis. After years on big block Tontis the V11 felt much smoother & more refined, but after riding a couple of Carc bikes it seems much closer to the old bikes in feel than to them. I'm not criticising the modern Guzzis at all, just talking about characteristics & feel. Meanwhile, it'd be a shame if the disparate collection of interesting people on this site had nowhere to sit around talking s***! So thanks for keeping it running Jaap! Remo, I have a Scura too, it's a great looking bike, I really like it & will keep it. KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 It will be great if 2011 is the year when I can get my Scura repaired and back on the road or, because I'm thinking of the track day experience this year, another possibility would be to fix the Scura to use for a track day instead of the Griso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 The poetry... of passion... beautiful... character Well said and of course I agree and have written similar in many posts but, for interest: what do you think of this line, this viewpoint, that I quoted (from an enthusiast of older Triumphs) in the other recent thread on this subject? "And although I love all this old iron regardless where it came from, it has no soul. It's iron, aluminum rubber, plastic, etc. The soul, or the perceived soul resides within the people who love and appreciate them." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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