For a number of years I've planned to attend the Guzzi Rally at the Broken Arrow Resort in Gibbonsville, Idaho. About 4 years ago I came close to that goal but work interceded and I was able to make the trip but had to go a week before the rally took place. I did that ride on the CB1100 and posted a post trip report on the forum.
So this year thanks to Covid19 the stars aligned and I was able to get the exact time period required for the rally off from work. I sold my small enclosed trailer too a friend pre Covid meltdown and haven't had the opportunity to go out and buy a replacement. Plan A was to trailer the Guzzi Racer up (due to limited on board bike storage space) and ride it on day trips at the rally.
Racer:
Plan B was easy. I currently have a 2005 Road King with air suspension sitting in the garage. I pulled the top box off the CB and put it on a Harley Quick Release touring mount and presto...had a ton of space to supplement the panniers and dry bags.
CB loaded for the trip 4 years ago:
Road King loaded down for the trip this year:
I left on a Thursday AM and headed straight north on I-15 out of Ogden into Idaho past Malad, Pocatello and Twin Falls. Bug free and cool, minimal traffic, boring and fast slab riding that the 88cc V twin took in stride and pushed through at 80-85 mph without any drama. After approximately 230 miles on the freeway I exited at Sage Junction Idaho. I turned off on the 23 and started heading north-west on Hwy 28, a well maintained two laner with literally zero traffic.
Getting gas after leaving interstate 15. As always these off the beaten path gas stations raise the prices to milk the tourists.
For about 30-40 miles this is undulating, open sage flats that eventually give way to the mouth of a wide mountain valley. The valley begins to constrict gradually as the road climbs to the Summit of Gilmore pass at a little over 7,000 feet.
Gilmore summit looking north:
Gilmore summit looking south west:
Gilmore summit looking south east:
Scenes from the valley floor:
Crossing the 45th Parallel on Highway 28 heading north into Salmon Idaho:
After about 370 miles at 1:30 PM I rolled into the resort, staked claim to a camping spot with a good amount of tall grass and set up camp. To my surprise I was the first bike from the rally to be there.
Some observations about the Road King: I had on a small back pack and some dry bags in front of the top box. As a result I was able to lean back in comfort against the luggage and ride in an extremely comfortable position which provided me with exceptional lower back support. This was also the first time I used the highway pegs since owning the bike. Between the lower back support, highway pegs and large floorboards there were infinite options to move and reposition for comfort. Say what you want about the feet forward riding position, it has its adherents for some very valid reasons. Comfort being more than likely at the top of the list.
I slept very comfortably for about 2.5 hours during the heat of the day (about 81 degrees) and got up just in time to see the first bikes come into camp. The camp filled up with a few more bikes. Riders set up their sites and held a few conversations here and there after dinner.
Here ends Day 1 of the 19th Annual Broken Arrow Resort Moto-Guzzi Rally in Gibbonsville Idaho.
I slept very well and got up relaxed without any soreness from the previous days ride. After I made a cup of coffee I walked around a little and took some pictures of bikes. throughout the day more bikes rolled in from all over. A Fair amount of them were from the northwest but some bikes came from Arizona and California and points east like Denver.
The following pictures are a composite of the bikes that showed up over the next 1.5 days.
Pearl white 1400 cc MG California Pulling trailer:
Two younger guys came in on this Yamaha and R9T
I was impressed with the R9T riders minimal accommodations. Luckily the weather held because otherwise he may have had a wet night or two.
Unsure of what model MG this is
We had a few non Guzzi riders here besides myself. It was a laid back atmosphere and even BMW riders were allowed into the Circle of Trust.
Two kitted out MG Stelvio's. In the flesh these are imposing bikes.
An Audace...this was probably the best sounding bike of the bunch at the rally..
Two late model California's with a Polaris 3 wheeler in the background. The California's are exceptionally well appointed and just ooze quality workmanship all around.
I'm bumping up against the picture limit so will cut it off here and start another entry.
So this year thanks to Covid19 the stars aligned and I was able to get the exact time period required for the rally off from work. I sold my small enclosed trailer too a friend pre Covid meltdown and haven't had the opportunity to go out and buy a replacement. Plan A was to trailer the Guzzi Racer up (due to limited on board bike storage space) and ride it on day trips at the rally.
Racer:
Plan B was easy. I currently have a 2005 Road King with air suspension sitting in the garage. I pulled the top box off the CB and put it on a Harley Quick Release touring mount and presto...had a ton of space to supplement the panniers and dry bags.
CB loaded for the trip 4 years ago:
Road King loaded down for the trip this year:
I left on a Thursday AM and headed straight north on I-15 out of Ogden into Idaho past Malad, Pocatello and Twin Falls. Bug free and cool, minimal traffic, boring and fast slab riding that the 88cc V twin took in stride and pushed through at 80-85 mph without any drama. After approximately 230 miles on the freeway I exited at Sage Junction Idaho. I turned off on the 23 and started heading north-west on Hwy 28, a well maintained two laner with literally zero traffic.
Getting gas after leaving interstate 15. As always these off the beaten path gas stations raise the prices to milk the tourists.
For about 30-40 miles this is undulating, open sage flats that eventually give way to the mouth of a wide mountain valley. The valley begins to constrict gradually as the road climbs to the Summit of Gilmore pass at a little over 7,000 feet.
Gilmore summit looking north:
Gilmore summit looking south west:
Gilmore summit looking south east:
Scenes from the valley floor:
Crossing the 45th Parallel on Highway 28 heading north into Salmon Idaho:
After about 370 miles at 1:30 PM I rolled into the resort, staked claim to a camping spot with a good amount of tall grass and set up camp. To my surprise I was the first bike from the rally to be there.
Some observations about the Road King: I had on a small back pack and some dry bags in front of the top box. As a result I was able to lean back in comfort against the luggage and ride in an extremely comfortable position which provided me with exceptional lower back support. This was also the first time I used the highway pegs since owning the bike. Between the lower back support, highway pegs and large floorboards there were infinite options to move and reposition for comfort. Say what you want about the feet forward riding position, it has its adherents for some very valid reasons. Comfort being more than likely at the top of the list.
I slept very comfortably for about 2.5 hours during the heat of the day (about 81 degrees) and got up just in time to see the first bikes come into camp. The camp filled up with a few more bikes. Riders set up their sites and held a few conversations here and there after dinner.
Here ends Day 1 of the 19th Annual Broken Arrow Resort Moto-Guzzi Rally in Gibbonsville Idaho.
I slept very well and got up relaxed without any soreness from the previous days ride. After I made a cup of coffee I walked around a little and took some pictures of bikes. throughout the day more bikes rolled in from all over. A Fair amount of them were from the northwest but some bikes came from Arizona and California and points east like Denver.
The following pictures are a composite of the bikes that showed up over the next 1.5 days.
Pearl white 1400 cc MG California Pulling trailer:
Two younger guys came in on this Yamaha and R9T
I was impressed with the R9T riders minimal accommodations. Luckily the weather held because otherwise he may have had a wet night or two.
Unsure of what model MG this is
We had a few non Guzzi riders here besides myself. It was a laid back atmosphere and even BMW riders were allowed into the Circle of Trust.
Two kitted out MG Stelvio's. In the flesh these are imposing bikes.
An Audace...this was probably the best sounding bike of the bunch at the rally..
Two late model California's with a Polaris 3 wheeler in the background. The California's are exceptionally well appointed and just ooze quality workmanship all around.
I'm bumping up against the picture limit so will cut it off here and start another entry.
