Moto Guzzi's 90th Anniversary Party At Mandello

[Orson]

Team orson managed some vacation time to make it to Mandello for the 90th anniversary of the founding of Moto Guzzi. Guzzisti from all over the world would descend on the idyllic town on the shores of Lake Como. Usually, seeing another Guzzi on the road is a rare event however, as I approached Lake Como almost all the bikes seen on the road were other Guzzis, which was rather a strange experience. The only hotel I could find was across the lake in Bellagio which really wasn't a problem as Lake Como ferries run regular routes across the lake.

Taking in the views and the cool lake breezes on the crossing



Nuthin but Guzzis on the ferry. I met some Dutch riders who had ridden from Holland to Mandello in one day.



Approaching ferry port of Varenna on the eastern shore of Lake Como. From Varenna to Mandello was a quick 15 minute hop. Many businesses along the road to Mandello had Guzzi banners hung out to welcome the hordes



The city of Mandello opened its lakeside park to campers and by early Friday afternoon, it was already close to brimming. As evening descended, bikers were still arriving from all over Europe.



I took a walk around the town to take in the sights.



I've never seen more velocity stacks in one place







The German Guzzistis made their presence known by a floating case of beer in the park's fountain





Motocross Guzzis. I read somewhere that these were built for Guzzi in Spain





Sport touring as it once was



The Mayor of Guzzi-ville?









This would be a hoot at Deal's Gap

[Orson]

By Saturday morning, the place was really filling up





an elusive inline four Guzzi



This Guzzi has an interesting story as it was built in the Ferrari workshop by a Ferrari employee. The tank, fender and tail section were machined from aluminum. I liked the unfinished aluminum as opposed to polished aluminum.





"This one goes to eleven" © Nigel Tufnel



Honda's attempts to infiltrate the event with industrial spies were woefully inadequate.



This is a picture of people waiting to get inside the factory tour, or angry customers storming the castle demanding spare parts



Italian fast food



Team Vespa Club di Monza were in da house



This guy had a glass port hole on his valve cover



La Policia Stradale



The town of Mandello unveiled a new statue dedicated to Carlo Guzzi along with a sketch of his famous eight cylinder GP bike.



Somehow, a Benelli managed to infiltrate the event





This picture epitomizes the wide array of machinery that were ridden to the event



Just when you'd thought you'd seen every conceivable type of Guzzi, sumthin else showed up. This bike featured a new Guzzi engine shoehorned into a classic chassis. Designed by Michael Galuzzi and was up for sale

[tigertim955]

 

Thank you for sharing your visit!

[Mastros2]

Excellent pics Orson.    Sounds like it was a great weekend.  

[MisterSmooth]

Orson, molto grazie for representing!    

That string of pictures is like going to the Uffizi.  After a while your head sorta gets full and you have to look away to take it all in.  

The Michael Galluzzi bike is one of my favorite concepts.  Find a vintage tank and frame and drape it over modern parts.    Works for old BMW's, too.

Varenna is underrated.  It's a beautiful little town and stupidly photogenic.  

Did you go to Duilio Agostini?

[Orson]

Did you go to Duilio Agostini?

I passed it a few times and there was always a big crowd there, but for some reason, I didn't think to stop in  

I did come across another nondescript garage with a gaggle of people out front. Peering inside, I saw quite a collection of 1950s era Guzzis.

[nevinfs327]

Beautiful pics - so many great machines, and a few odd ones too.  Looks like it was a great event.  

[falconati]

Great pictures!!!  

[Flyer]

 
Thanks for all but this one:

That was the straw.  
I hope to go to Mandello next fall, but it won't look quite like that....

[radlefty]

wow, very envious.  Great pics, thanks for sharing  

[kevin_stevens]

Say "Galuzzi Guzzi" five times fast and it sounds like a V11 Sport trying to start with a bad relay.  

KeS

[Rincewind]

I really enjoyed your pictures, especially of the town from the ferry.  What a beautiful and unique location.  Also I love all the cafe-styled Guzzi's.  Very cool!  

[Rincewind]

Official galleries from the event - http://www.gmg2011.motoguzzi.com/index_gallery.php  

[ride200mi]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

[alphabet man]

Thanks Orson, I am truly envious this time!  There are some beautiful bikes there, made me go downstairs to put a coat of wax on the RC  

[Kraz]

Awesome!  Great pics - looks like fun.