a twenty-five year anniversary Guzzi ride to western Kansas [mostly photographs]

[Daniel Kalal]

This was a twenty-five year anniversary ride for the Guzzi Cal2.  It's a 1984 model that I bought new in March, 1985 from Ron Garcia's dealership in Andover, Kansas.  Hard to believe it's been twenty-five years.  Except for the windshield and the pipes, it hasn't changed too much.

Kind of cold and windy on this March day, but all-in-all, not too bad.

Greensburg, Kansas.  What's missing, of course, are trees.  They're all gone.  This building (the courthouse), the grain elevator, and several buildings on the east edge of town are all that stood after the tornado passed through.



Woods, Kansas.  I don't know how big the town of Woods ever was, but this building and a few houses are that remain.


Center-pivot irrigation is pretty common in this part of Kansas.





The Cimarron River.  This time of year, you wouldn't expect to see any water in the river bed.


Lakin, Kansas




Cimarron, Kansas




Cattle feedlots are very common for many miles around Dodge City.


Sometimes it can be a hit-or-miss thing finding paved roads.  This is the Ford-to-Spearville road.  It's paved.



It's a bit worn and faded after twenty-five years (and 298,000 miles), but it still looks good and runs well.


Spearville, Kansas.








There are vast sand hills east of Dodge City on either side of the Arkansas River.  In years past, people have tried to farm it, but mostly it's unchanged.


A large pile of milo waiting to be hauled away.

[Justin]

This was a twenty-five year anniversary ride for the Guzzi Cal2.  It's a 1984 model that I bought new in March, 1985 from Ron Garcia's dealership in Andover, Kansas.  Hard to believe it's been twenty-five years.  Except for the windshield and the pipes, it hasn't changed too much.

That's awesome Daniel. You must have some great memories with a machine that shared 25 years of your life. How many miles are on the bike now?

And, as usual, the pics are awesome. I have only seen the Cimarron River on the "Dry Cimarron Scenic Byway" in NM, not that far up. Looks like it is quite small by the time it reaches Cimarron KS.

[Daniel Kalal]

I have only seen the Cimarron River on the "Dry Cimarron Scenic Byway" in NM, not that far up. Looks like it is quite small by the time it reaches Cimarron KS.

The town of Cimarron, Kansas is on the Arkansas River; not the Cimarron River.  It's the point where the Santa Fe Trail turns south for the dry route (across the Cimarron River), or stays west for the mountain route (and Raton Pass).

This is what the Cimarron looks like in April (not too far from the same place).  The amount of water can change wildly during the year.

How many miles are on the bike now?

About 298,000 miles

[Justin]

The town of Cimarron, Kansas is on the Arkansas River; not the Cimarron River.  It's the point where the Santa Fe Trail turns south for the dry route (across the Cimarron River), or stays west for the mountain route (and Raton Pass).

This is what the Cimarron looks like in April (not too far from the same place).  The amount of water can change wildly during the year.



About 298,000 miles

The where is that picture of the Cimarron if your first post taken? Just curious of the route.

And congrats on the bike, just a bit away from the triple century

[Daniel Kalal]

where is that picture of the Cimarron in your first post taken? Just curious of the route.

This is the SPOT track of my route (clockwise):


The river crossing is midway between Hugoton and Ulysses (probably where one of the dots is).

[DosEquis00]

This was a twenty-five year anniversary ride for the Guzzi Cal2.  It's a 1984 model that I bought new in March, 1985 from Ron Garcia's dealership in Andover, Kansas.  Hard to believe it's been twenty-five years.  Except for the windshield and the pipes, it hasn't changed too much.

Thank you Daniel as I enjoy these pictures  

[dsmith41]

Holy crap, 298,000 miles?!  

What all have you had to do to the engine other than regular maintenance?  Any rebuilds?  I am impressed.  I don't know much about gootzies.  

[Daniel Kalal]

Holy crap, 298,000 miles?!  

What all have you had to do to the engine other than regular maintenance?  Any rebuilds?  I am impressed.  I don't know much about gootzies.  

No re-builds.  Still running the original rings.  Ordinary mineral oil--changed often.  Not unknown mileage for a Guzzi.

[Guy]

I noticed in your pics Lakin and Cimarran, that both towns looked deserted, but in good repair. Did you just happen to hit a lull in downtown activity, or are these towns fading away faster than normal?

[Daniel Kalal]

I noticed in your pics Lakin and Cimarran, that both towns looked deserted, but in good repair. Did you just happen to hit a lull in downtown activity, or are these towns fading away faster than normal?

This is pretty much what all these towns always look like.  The population of rural Kansas is dropping, and has been for many years.